Do what thou wilt
Rosicrucianism • Theosophy • Thelema • Wicca Scottish Rite Freemasonry Francis Dashwood and the Hellfire Club |
Sir Francis Dashwood (1708–1781) was the founder of the infamous Hellfire Club, a secret society known for its libertine and hedonistic rituals, which blended elements of satire, debauchery, and occult symbolism. Dashwood was an English politician, nobleman, and dilettante who became notorious for his unconventional lifestyle and association with clandestine gatherings that mocked religious and social norms of the time.
Francis Dashwood and the Hellfire Club
Background and Early Life of Dashwood
Born into wealth and privilege as the only son of Sir Francis Dashwood, 1st Baronet.
Traveled extensively across Europe, particularly in Italy and France, where Enlightenment ideas, classical art, and pagan traditions influenced him.
In 1741, he became a Member of Parliament, aligning himself with the opposition to Sir Robert Walpole’s government.
Despite his political career, Dashwood’s reputation was shaped more by his indulgence in secret societies and libertine pursuits.
Foundation of the Hellfire Club
Dashwood founded the Hellfire Club in the 1740s under the formal name "The Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe". It was initially based at Medmenham Abbey in Buckinghamshire, which Dashwood purchased and restored in Gothic style, incorporating lewd and satirical carvings, pagan symbols, and suggestive art.
Rituals and Practices
The club’s motto was “Fais ce que tu voudras” ("Do what thou wilt"), which was later famously adopted by Aleister Crowley as the core of Thelemic philosophy.
Members dressed in mock religious robes, conducted parodies of religious ceremonies, and indulged in excessive drinking, feasting, and sexual escapades.
Pagan and occult symbols, including those of Bacchus and Venus, were central to the club’s iconography.
Rumors persist that the club engaged in occult rites and possibly even Satanic or magical practices, although most historical evidence points to satire and irreverence rather than actual occultism.
Prominent Members
The Hellfire Club attracted influential political, artistic, and social figures of the time, including:
- John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich – a close friend of Dashwood, known for his own libertine lifestyle.
- Benjamin Franklin – The American statesman and inventor is said to have attended Hellfire Club meetings during his stays in England, though his involvement was likely more out of curiosity than deep participation.
- John Wilkes – Radical politician and journalist, known for his outspoken libertine views.
Decline and Legacy
By the late 1760s, the Hellfire Club faded as members aged and scandals emerged.
Dashwood himself withdrew from active participation and focused more on political and civic duties, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer (1762–1763).
The Hellfire Club officially disbanded around 1766.
Myths and Influence
The club's activities were exaggerated in popular imagination, leading to rumors of black magic, orgies, and demonic summoning.
Dashwood’s motto “Do what thou wilt” influenced later occultists, particularly Aleister Crowley, who adapted it into his Thelemic philosophy.
The Hellfire Club has become a symbol of aristocratic excess, secret societies, and the tension between Enlightenment skepticism and occult fascination.
Conclusion
Francis Dashwood’s Hellfire Club occupies a unique place in the history of secret societies. While it likely functioned more as a libertine satire of religious and political hypocrisy than as a genuine occult order, its blend of mysticism, indulgence, and political influence has ensured its lasting legacy in both popular culture and esoteric history.
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- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Do_what_thou_wilt ]
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