William G. Gray (1913-1992) was a British occultist, the founder of the magical order the Sangreal Sodality and author of many books. He wrote extensively on the topics of ritual magic, Hermetic Qabalah, the nature of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. His focus was on the mystical unification of humanity with divinity. For Gray, the purpose of developing contact with higher beings is the joint pursuit of good and the avoidance of evil in the world and in oneself. In many of his works he places a high value on the use of magic for personal development towards these ends.
Whilst his extensive writings on Western Esoteric topics are now considered classics in their field, his major contribution to the Western mystery tradition was the development of The Rite of Light, which he officially renamed the Sangreal Sacrament after the foundation of the Sangreal Sodality. This rite is regarded as having given ritual expression to the innermost mysteries of Western esoteric orders in a way that did not limit itself to any given religious orientation.
Prior to his demise William Gray asked author Alan Richardson to write his biography. Later a collaboration between Alan Richardson and Marcus Claridge, resulted in "The Old Sod: The Odd Life & Inner Work of William G. Gray," which was published by Ignotus Press in 2003.
The Sangreal SodalityŽ is an internationally trademarked spiritual brotherhood of the Western Inner Tradition founded by William G. Gray and Jacobus G. Swart, and was officially launched by the said founders on 19th November 1980 on the occasion of the official inauguration of the first Sangreal Sodality Temple named “Domine Dirige Nos” in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the induction of the first initiated member of this brotherhood. Chapters and Temples of the Sangreal Sodality have been established in South Africa, Latin America, North America, Britain and Europe.
The designation “Sangreal Sodality” speaks of spiritual principles and ideals which prompted the foundation of this brotherhood. The term "Sangreal" is understood in this brotherhood to be “Sang” = “blood” and “Real” = “authentic.” The basic premise being the “True Identity” and “Inner Values” within each single human individual. The term sodality derives from a Latin root referring to a “Comradeship.”
Since the Sangreal concept means bringing out the very best in everyone which their own “Inner Identities” can offer, the “Sangreal Sodality” is open to all those intent on a processof personal spiritual development, here considered the most ideal path to Self discovery and service to our fellow humankind.
Members of the “Sangreal Sodality” gather in Temples, Lodges or Chapters. These are operated independently of one another. Individuals who agree with, or feel inspired by, the teachings and practices expounded in the basic textbooks of the “Sangreal Sodality,” may set up a Temple, Lodge or Chapter. Such a working circle is deemed an autonomous grouping, which may link with other such groups, or remain independent in accordance with preference. As such, each group is responsible for its personal self-government, financing, and organised being.
The Sangreal Sodality is not a religion, nor does it contra-indicate any valid religion of any denomination whatsoever. The Sangreal Sodality allows a focus for willing individuals to articulate their approach to divinity ... without external dictates or interference of hierarchical structures.
Lessons Learned from Occult Letters (1949 [privately owned manuscript])
Ladder of Lights, or Qabalah Renovata (1968/1981/2008 [Helios/Weisers/Sangreal Sodality Press])
The Office of the Holy Tree of Life (1970/1986/2009 [The Sangreal Foundation/Weisers/Sangreal Sodality Press, incorporated into A Beginners Guide to Living Kabbalah])
Inner Traditions of Magic (1970/1978 [Helios/Weisers])
Seasonal Occult Rituals (1970/1986 [Helios/Weisers] [incorporated into The Sangreal Rituals and Ceremonies)
Magical Ritual Methods (1971 [Helios/Weisers])
Magical Images: Ten Beautiful Lithographs of the Magical Images Together With a Booklet On their Purpose and Use (with Bruce C. Griffin) (1972/2009 [The Sangreal Foundation/Sangreal Sodality Press, incorporated into A Beginners Guide to Living Kabbalah])
Exorcising The Tree of Evil: How To Use The Symbolism Of The Qabalistic Tree of Life To Recognise And Reverse Negative Energy (1974/1984/2002 [Helios/Weisers/Kima Global] [originally The Tree of Evil])
The Rollright Ritual (1975/1990 [Helios/Llewellyns] [republished as By Standing Stone and Elder Tree)
A Self Made by Magic (1976/ [Weisers/Llewellyns])
The Rite of Light: A Mass of the Western Inner Mystery Tradition (1976 [incorporated into The Sangreal Sacrament])
The Talking Tree (1977/1991 [Weisers/Llewellyns][republished as Growing the Tree Within])
An Outlook on Our Inner Western Way (1980/2008 [Weisers/Sangreal Sodality Press])
Western Inner Workings (Sangreal Sodality Series Volume I) (1983 [Weiser])
The Sangreal Sacrament (Sangreal Sodality Series Volume II) (1983 [Weisers])
Concepts of Qabalah (Sangreal Sodality Series Volume III) (1984/1990 [Weisers][later republished as Qabalistic Concepts])
Sangreal Rituals and Ceremonies (Sangreal Sodality Series Volume IV) (1986 [Weisers])
The Novena of the Tree of Life (1987/2009 [The Sangreal Sodality Press, incorporated in A Beginners Guide to Living Kabbalah])
The Sangreal Tarot: A Magical Ritual System of Personal Evolution (1988 [Weisers])
Temple Magic: Building the Personal Temple Gateway to Inner Worlds (1988 [Llewellyns])
Between Good and Evil: Polarities of Power (1989 [Llewellyns])
The Simplified Guide to the Holy Tree of Life (1973/1989/2009 [Labrys/The Sangreal Sodality Press, incorporated into A Beginners Guide to Living Kabbalah])
By Standing Stone and Elder Tree: Ritual and the Unconscious(1990 [Helios/Llewellyns][republication of The Rollright Ritual])
Evoking the Primal Goddess: Discovery of the Eternal Feminine Within (1990 [Llewellyns])
Growing the Tree Within: Patterns of the Unconscious Revealed by the Qabbalah (1991 [Weisers/Llewellyns] [republication of The Talking Tree])
Qabalistic Concepts: Living the Tree (1984/1997 [Weisers] [republication of Concepts of Qabalah])
Condensation of Kabbalah (eBook published by Jacobus G. Swart)
A Beginners Guide to Living Kabbalah (2009 [Sangreal Sodality Press])
Language of the Gods (2009 [Sangreal Sodality Press, incorporated into A Beginners Guide to Living Kabbalah])