''This article is about The Secret Chiefs in occultism, for the music band, see Secret Chiefs 3.

The Secret Chiefs are said to be transcendent cosmic authorities responsible for the operation and moral calibre of the cosmos, or for overseeing the operations of an esoteric organization that manifests outwardly in the form of a magical order or lodge system. Their names and descriptions have varied through time, dependent upon those who reflect their experience of contact with them.

One early and influential source on these august entities is Karl von Eckhartshausen, whose The Cloud Upon The Sanctuary, published in 1795, explained in some detail their character and motivations. Several 19th and 20th century occultists claimed to belong to or to have contacted these Secret Chiefs and made these communications known to others, including H.P. Blavatsky (who called them the "Tibetan Masters"), Dion Fortune (who called them the "esoteric order"), Max Heindel (who called them the "Elder Brothers").

The Golden Dawn

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was founded by those in communication with the Secret Chiefs. One of these Secret Chiefs was Anna Sprengel. Her name and address were decoded from the Cipher Manuscripts.

S.L. MacGregor Mathers

In 1892, Mathers was convinced that he had contacted these Secret Chiefs, and that this confirmed his position as head of the Golden Dawn.Wilson 1987 page 48 He declared this in a manifesto four years later saying that they were human and living on Earth, yet possessed terrible superhuman powers. He used this status to found the Second Order within the Golden Dawn,Wilson 1987 page 54 as well as the Adeptus Minor ritual.F.King 1978, page 17

Aleister Crowley

While in Mexico in 1900, Crowley, along with Neuberg, recited numerous Enochian Calls or Aires. After the fifteeth Aire, he was told he had attained the grade of Magister Templi (Master of the Temple), which meant that he himself was now one of these Secret Chiefs.Wilson 1987 page 92F.King 1978, page 54

See also

• Magick
• Adept

Notes