Egregore

This article is about the esoteric concept. For the album by Smak, see Egregor (album).

An egregore (from Ancient Greek ἐγρήγορος 'egrēgoros' and wakeful) also called Collective Effervescence in the scientific field, is a sociological and psychological concept that describes a feeling of interconnectedness of members of a group or participant in an activity, it is described as force or feeling that arises from the collective thoughts, emotions, and actions of a group of people. This phenomenon is very well known across many traditions, has been studied and is related to the sociological phenomenon of collective effervescence, first described by Émile Durkheim. It is also connected to magic in some traditions.

Overview

The concept of egregore encompasses various interpretations across different fields, including sociology, psychology, and esoteric traditions. In sociological terms, it is closely related to the idea of collective consciousness and group dynamics. In psychological contexts, it can be understood as a manifestation of collective unconscious or shared mental states. In esoteric and occult traditions, it is often viewed as a kind of perfect harmony, sometime a thought-form, of a group becoming one through perfect union and harmony.

Historical Development

The term "egregore" has its roots in various traditions and has evolved over time:

Ethymology

The word "egregore" is believed to have originated from the Greek word "egrēgoroi" (ἐγρήγοροι), which means "watchers" or "those who are awake." This Greek term is itself derived from the verb "egrēgorein" (ἐγρηγορεῖν), meaning "to be awake" or "to be vigilant."

Ancient and Religious Origins

• The concept of “a strong feeling of being one with a group” no matter the terminology used, appears in many and various forms in ancient religious and mystical traditions for example the Zulu word “Ubuntu”: "I am because we are".

Modern Interpretations

• 19th century: Occultist Éliphas Lévi used the term in his writings on esotericism.
• Early 20th century: The concept gained traction in both scientific and occult and esoteric circles.
• Mid-20th century: The idea continued to be explored in psychological and sociological contexts most of the time under the name of collective effervescence or group Psychology.

Attempts at definition

The concept of egregore has evolved over time, with its definition and interpretation varying across different periods and schools of thought. Due to its intangible and experiential nature, the egregore defies simple explanation. It is more akin to a shared feeling or collective energy than a concrete, easily definable phenomenon. Some people might feel the egregore being part of cheering fans during a game, or playing music together. Recently others have even described Artificial Intelligence as an type of egregore.

In esoteric circles, the egregore is often described as a kind of group mind or collective consciousness that emerges from the focused intentions and shared experiences of a group. This phenomena is thought to grow stronger and more distinct as the group's cohesion and shared purpose intensify over time.

Some view the egregore as a subtle energetic construct, while others interpret it more metaphorically as the unique "spirit" or "personality" of a group. In magical traditions, it may be seen as a type of thoughtform or semi-sentient psychic entity created and sustained by group ritual and belief.

The elusive quality of the egregore makes it challenging to pin down with words alone. Like many profound experiences, it is something that must be felt to be truly understood. Those who have experienced a powerful egregore often struggle to adequately convey its essence to others who haven't shared in that collective energy. This ambiguity surrounding the egregore concept has allowed for a rich diversity of interpretations and applications across various mystical, philosophical, and social contexts. Its meaning continues to evolve as new generations encounter and work with this enigmatic aspect of group dynamics and consciousness.

• In the scientific community, Egregore is known as collective effervescence, it is defined as; it refers to a state of shared excitement and enthusiasm within a group, characterized by an intensification of social interactions and collective emotions. This phenomenon often occurs during gatherings, rituals, or important events for a community. Still according to Durkheim, these moments of collective effervescence can strengthen social bonds, generate a sense of solidarity, and contribute to the creation or reinforcement of collective representations and social norms.
• For Stanislas de Guaita, the term refers to the idea of "personification" of non-supernatural physical or psychophysical forces. The word is often also synonymous with thought-form.
• Robert Ambelain defines the term as "a force generated by a powerful spiritual current and then fed at regular intervals, according to a rhythm in harmony with the universal Life of the Cosmos, or to a gathering of entities united by a common character. In the invisible realm beyond man's physical perception, there exist artificial beings, engendered by devotion, enthusiasm, fanaticism, which are called egregores.
• The physician Pierre Mabille, author of several works on this movement, defines the term egregore as a "human group endowed with a personality different from that of the individuals who form it. Although studies on this subject have always been either confused or kept secret, I believe it is possible to know the circumstances necessary for their formation. I immediately indicate that the indispensable, though insufficient, condition lies in a powerful emotional chaos. To use chemical vocabulary, I say that synthesis requires intense energetic action".
• For Gaetan Delaforge, it is a "group spirit that binds members, harmonizes them, motivates and stimulates them to achieve the group's objectives. It also allows them to make 'spiritual' progress that they would not make if they worked alone. However, an egregore can be disturbed by the negative thoughts of people who do not agree with the objectives. Consequently, esoteric groups try to protect themselves from negative thoughts that could affect their egregore".
• In Freemasonry, Jack Chaboud describes it as a moment of collective exaltation, often experienced during ritual or at the end of a meeting during the chain of union gathering the masons forming a circle, hands intertwined, evoking the bond that unites them to masons around the world, to those who preceded them and to those who will follow them or while in taking part of a Ritual in Lodge.
• Moreover, Jules Boucher describes the egregore in Freemasonry as such; "An EGREGORE is a collective being resulting from an assembly. Any assembly of individuals forms an Egregore. There is an Egregore for each religion, and this Egregore is powerful with all the forces of the faithful accumulated over the centuries. Similarly for Freemasonry, each Lodge has its own Egregore, and the union of all these Egregores forms the great Masonic Egregore."

In science; Collective Effervescence

Émile Durkheim

The scientific concept used when relating to egregore is "collective effervescence," a term coined by French sociologist Émile Durkheim in the early 20th century. Collective effervescence describes the shared emotional excitement and sense of unity experienced by groups engaged in common actions or rituals. This phenomenon can be observed in various social contexts, such as:

• Religious ceremonies and gatherings
• Sports events and fan behavior
• Political rallies and social movements
• Musical concerts and festivals

Collective effervescence can lead to:

• Heightened emotional states
• Increased sense of group cohesion
• Shared beliefs and values
• Feelings of empowerment and transcendence

Scientific Studies on the Egregore

The Egregore (collective effervescence) in the scientific field, has been the subject of various studies across different fields, including sociology, psychology, and anthropology. This section outlines key research that has contributed to our understanding of the egregore and its effects on individuals and groups.

Psychological Well-Being and Social Connectedness

A significant study by Velez et al. (2022) examined the relationship between collective effervescence and psychological well-being. The research, which included a large-scale survey across 12 countries, a longitudinal study, and an experimental study, found that:

• Experiences of collective effervescence were positively associated with psychological well-being across cultures.
• The relationship was partially mediated by increased social connectedness and perceived meaning in life.
• Changes in collective effervescence predicted changes in well-being over time.
• Inducing collective effervescence in online group interactions led to increased positive affect and sense of connectedness.

Religious Contexts

A photo (c. 1909) by Ada Lee. It shows a Hindu pilgrim gathering at a Magha Mela at Ganga Sagar, West Bengal – where river Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal.

Hopkins et al. (2016) investigated the Egregore in the context of a large Hindu religious gathering, the Magh Mela. Their findings suggested that:

• Participation in collective events was associated with heightened positive emotions.
• The sense of shared social identity among participants played a crucial role in facilitating these positive experiences.

Sporting Events

Sport fans experiencing Egregore

Research by Cottingham (2012) applied the concept of egregore to sporting events, particularly focusing on American football. The study found that:

• Sporting events can generate Egregore among fans.
• This shared emotional experience contributes to the creation and reinforcement of group symbols and solidarity.

Workplace Settings

Metiu and Rothbard (2013) explored egregore in the context of work teams. Their comparative study revealed:

• Egregore can occur in workplace settings, particularly during periods of intense collaborative work.
• Teams experiencing Egregore showed higher levels of engagement and productivity.

Music and Dance

Páez et al. (2015) studied egregore in the context of music and dance rituals. Their findings indicated that:

• Participation in collective music and dance activities led to increased positive emotions and social integration.
• The intensity of these effects was related to the level of perceived emotional synchrony among participants.

These studies collectively demonstrate the diverse contexts in which egregore occurs and its potential impacts on individual well-being, group cohesion, and social identity. The studies all demonstrated a very positive impact for individuals to experience Egregore. However, researchers note that more work is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying collective effervescence and its long-term effects on individuals and communities.

In esoteric and occult thought

Origins and development

The concept gained broader usage in esoteric circles during the 20th century. A 1987 article in Gnosis magazine defined an egregore as "a kind of group mind which is created when people consciously come together for a common purpose".

Theoretical approaches

Several different interpretations of egregores have emerged in esoteric literature:

Group mind interpretation

Some esoteric traditions view egregores as manifestations of collective consciousness within religious or spiritual communities. Guénon described these as "collective entities" composed of "subtle force made up in a way of the contributions of all its members past and present.

Independent entity interpretation

Other authors describe egregores as autonomous spiritual entities that develop from collective thought and practice. The Meditations on the Tarot characterized them as "artificial beings" generated by collective will, similar to the concept of tulpas in some traditions.

Species essence interpretation

Peter J. Carroll, in his work on chaos magic, suggested that egregores are psychic fields that evolve alongside organic forms, describing them as "magical essence" specific to each species.

In Freemasonry

In Freemasonry the Egregore is understood by a vast majority of members as a word used to signify the common shared experience of a Lodge, it is not seen as a "magical" or "supernatural" phenomenon but a naturally occurring feeling that arises when a group of people achieve prefect harmony and share mutual goals. Some believe each individual lodge develops its own unique egregore over time, shaped by its particular history, membership, and practices.

Development in Masonic thought

The concept of egregore entered Masonic discourse in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable contributors to its development included:

Oswald Wirth

• Oswald Wirth, in his 1931 book "Who is the King of the Temple?", discussed the idea of a lodge egregore, describing it as a "collective soul" formed by the combined energies of the lodge members, not as a “magical entity” but as a natural phenomenon.
• Edmond Gloton, who emphasized in 1948 that the Masonic egregore in Freemasonry is seen as a natural phenomenon and not a supernatural entity
• Marius Lepage, in various writings from the 1940s-1950s, further developed the concept of the Masonic egregore, presenting it as “a key aspect of lodge dynamics and ritual work.” Explaining that a Lodge that experience egregore or harmony among its members the goal to attain for any successful Lodge.
• R.A. Gilbert, in "The Masonic Egregore" (1985), provided a comprehensive overview of the concept's development within Masonic thought, also describing it as a natural phenomenon that arises when a group is perfectly synchronized.

Role in Masonic practice

Several Masonic practices are associated with the concept of egregore:

• The Chain of Union, where Masons join hands in a circle at the end of meetings.
• Opening of the Lodge, practicing ritual, ceremonies of lodges and closing, when practiced in perfect harmony by the members.
• Masonic Landmarks, sometimes interpreted as manifestations of Freemasonry's collective egregore.

Theoretical foundations

Masonic writers have connected the concept of egregore to various theoretical frameworks:

• Carl Jung's collective unconscious
• Thoughtforms from Theosophy and Western esoteric traditions
• Rupert Sheldrake's theory of morphic resonance

Contemporary perspectives

While some Masonic writers and researchers continue to explore the metaphysical implications of egregores, most contemporary Masons view the concept metaphorically, as a natural phenomenon, representing group cohesion and shared purpose, rather than a literal energetic phenomenon.

See also

• Akashic records – Term in theosophy and anthroposophy
• Collective unconscious – Term of analytical psychology
• Faith healing – Prayer and gestures that are perceived to bring divine intervention in physical healing
• Gestalt psychology – Theory of perception
• Jungian archetypes – Psychological concept
• Memetics – Study of self-replicating units of culture
• Panpsychism – View that mind is a fundamental feature of reality
• Pathetic fallacy – Attribution of human emotion and conduct to non-human things
• Servitor – Psychological complex employed in the use of chaos magic
• Synchronicity – Jungian concept of the meaningfulness of acausal coincidences
• Vitalism – Belief about living organisms

Further reading

• Benchamma, Abdelkader (2022). Ibars, Stéphane (ed.). Abdelkder Benchamma: Egregore. France: Actes Sud Editions. ISBN 978-2330144999.
• Butler, Walter Ernest (1970). "The Egregore of a School". Servantsofthelight.org. The Servants of the Light. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
• Constable, Simon (May 21, 2018). "What Magic Got Trump Elected?". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
• Flowers, S. Edred (1995). Fire & Ice: Magical Teachings of Germany's Greatest Secret Occult Order. Llewellyn's Teutonic Magick Series (2nd ed.). Llewellyn Publications. ISBN 0-87542-776-6.
• Greer, J. M. (2017). Circles of Power: An Introduction to Hermetic Magic. Aeon Books Limited. ISBN 978-1904658856.
• Greer, J. M. (2021). Inside a Magical Lodge: Traditional Lodge Methods for Modern Mages. Aeon Books Limited. ISBN 978-1913504755.

External links

• The dictionary definition of egregore at Wiktionary