We teach the Mystical Qabalah in a progressive way, and although we respect pioneer occultists, esoteric and spiritualistic writers from previous centuries, we acknowledge that their work often becomes dated, culturally irrelevant, or shaped by the assumptions of their time; therefore, we approach these teachings with discernment, preserving what is timeless while refining, clarifying, and renewing them for the needs of the present day.
Servants of the Light is a school, not a church or religious organisation. We do not promote creeds or dogma, nor do we require adherence to any particular belief system.
We welcome people from diverse backgrounds, and honour the dignity and uniqueness of every individual.
We are an educational body devoted to the study of philosophy, symbolism, and the esoteric traditions that underlie many of the world’s religions. Our work explores the perennial wisdom found in traditions such as the Mystical Qabalah, Hermetic philosophy, Neoplatonism, magic and mystical beliefs of ancient mystery school teachings from Egypt, Greece, and beyond.
Often described as a modern Western Mystery School, we teach the esoteric and psychic sciences both practically and theoretically, with a focus on personal spiritual development and inner experience.
Our archival material is vast, and we present the teachings of W.E. Butler, Dolores Ashcroft Nowicki and many other members of our school. The Director of Studies creates courses and offers training opportunities based on traditional teachings and exercises.
Our students come from many different backgrounds and paths. We support each individual in discovering their own spiritual identity, encouraging independence, free thinking, and direct experience.
The school’s core curriculum is taught entirely online. Each student works independently and is guided in their studies individually. There are no buildings, no membership fees, and no required beliefs—only a structured course of study. Occasionally, we hold public workshops that students can attend in person. There are also some groups that meet for practical lodge work in various parts of the UK and around the world.
For over fifty years, Servants of the Light has provided a clear and grounded path for those seeking deeper understanding within the Western Esoteric Tradition and practical training in meditation, awareness and ceremonial work.
W.E. Butler founded the school, and it has taught thousands of students from many nations under the leadership of Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, who served as Director of Studies from October 31 1976, until 11th June 2018. Dr Steven Critchley is the third Director of Studies of the SOL, succeeding Dolores after several years working in the school as her Assistant Director of Studies.
(Dolores Ashcroft Nowicki and Dr Steven Critchley at Teotihuacan, visiting the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon near Mexico City in 2012, whilst working and travelling together)
Steven has decades of experience in esoteric, philosophical and spiritual work. He is a graduate of the University of York, and his MA Thesis was entitled Thomas Taylor Singer of Songs: Hymns and Initiations in London 1787-1824.
His Doctoral thesis is available to read online and is entitled Pagan Taylor : the emergence of a public character 1785-1804 : an enquiry into the life and selected works of Thomas Taylor the Platonist (1758-1835). PhD thesis, University of York.
Steven actively researches Classical Theurgy and the Western esoteric tradition, Spiritualism, ancient mystery religions and folklore, and this is reflected in his teaching, which is complemented by practical experience.
The SOL school has trained many teachers and initiates of high repute. The teaching work of the school, carried out by SOL supervisors when we taught by correspondence alone, is now continued by mentors and lodge magi who assist students with practical work.
It is the goal of the SOL to teach practical ways of working with the Mystical Qabalah in the context of the Western Mystery Tradition to all who wish to learn, both as a school and an esoteric order, into the future.
The Servants of the Light School began as the Helios Course in 1964 when Gareth Knight and John Hall appointed W.E. Butler as Director of Studies of a course they had already begun, with six lessons already written. Ernest Butler added another 44 lessons to the Helios Course, and then in 1973/1974 it became The Servants of the Light Correspondence Course, which had 50 Lessons.
W.E. Butler received his training in Dion Fortune’s Fraternity of Inner Light, which in turn stemmed from The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. He was also trained by the psychic, medium and Spiritualist pioneer Robert King. He was a Spiritualist, Theosophist, and one of the early bishops of the Liberal Catholic Church (which values theosophical and mystical Christian teachings and respects the wisdom found in all world religions).
W.E. Butler was a Spiritualist medium in his early life and later became an ordained Liberal Catholic Priest, serving as Director of Studies until he retired in 1975. He died in 1978 and was succeeded by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, a third-generation psychic, mediator, author, lecturer, and workshop facilitator.
The purpose of the SOL is to assist in spreading esoteric knowledge ethically to all who want to receive it, regardless of religious denomination, gender, nationality, race, age, sexual orientation, social position, or income. All who desire to do so should be able to study the Mysteries, the true inner spiritual heritage of the West.
SOL is not affiliated with any political organisations, nor is it representative of any religious traditions.
The School is administered as a not-for-profit organisation. There are no offices and no hired staff. Steven receives royalties for his published teaching work. All students pay a low cost per phase for our online courses to support the school’s operation and ongoing costs. No other fees are involved. There is no membership fee. We do not charge for ceremonial initiations in any of our lodges or groups that meet around the world, provided enough students want to work together on practical work in various regions.
We emphasise independence and free thinking.
The school is organised with a loose structure to emphasise this and to avoid all forms of sectarianism. Our students are expected to draw their own occult conclusions and to depend first and foremost on their own judgment.
For 50 years, SOL has taught thousands of students in 23 countries. A wide range of traditions are represented within the school, both historically and contemporarily: we count ourselves fortunate to have Wiccan witches, Pagans, Christian nuns and priests, Sufi Muslims, Shamans, Hermetists, Kabbalists, Buddhists, Spiritualists, Isis-worshippers and many others among our students. All paths to the Light are worthy of respect.
The SOL is a school. This means that our members work according to a specific curriculum. Each student is supported in their work.
It teaches through online courses. In other words, there is no such thing as a school building. Each student works independently at home, separate from other students.
The SOL is a contacted school that works with inspiration from inner-plane spiritual teachers; it also means that Initiation, in the true sense of the word, can be experienced within the school’s structure.
