Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

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SELF-INITIATION INTO THE GoLDEN DAWN TRADITION
spiritual ecstasy is attained. Aclear and open channel is created between the mind
and the soul, concluding in an increased concentration of magical abilities and the
exaltation of the true and divine nature of the magician.
To accomplish these lofty goals in the tradition of the Golden Dawn, memorization
of certain materials known collectively as "Knowledge Lectures" is very
important. The Hermetic Art is a true science and would-be magicians must commit
the rudimentary knowledge of the system to memory, just as if s/he were a student
entering a school of medicine or engineering. Physicians and engineers
require years of training to achieve their career goals. This training naturally
includes much memorization of materials that are important to the specific trade.
Training and study are no less imperative for the magician who seeks to journey
between the astral realms and explore the inner workings of the human mind.
Magic is real. It is not something that should be toyed with by "dabblers" who
know next to nothing about the subject, but assume that it would be fun to "make
something happen." Surgeons who practice medicine without a license often end
up in jail. Superficial occultists who occasionally manage to open psychic doors
without knowing what to do next sometimes end up in mental hospitals.
This is what makes the Golden Dawn's curriculum of study so important
to any student of the Western Magical Tradition. Memorization of a large amount
of information is required. This material is fundamental to building a solid foundation
of knowledge that will steadily become second-nature to the magician,
enabling him/her to perceive more clearly the astral influences that permeate the
physical world-influences which the average person cannot perceive. The conscious
commitment to learn the symbolic (magical) alphabet of the unconscious
mind results in the cultivation of psychic reflexes which aid the magician and
make all ceremonial work flow more smoothly. But more importantly than this,
the memorization of magical data changes the very structure of the psyche, which
is gradually infiltrated by holy symbols that speak on a subconscious level to the
Divine Being in each of us. The mind of the magician is steadily purified by this
process as an increasing percentage of mundane thoughts are supplanted or transformed
by spiritual thoughts.
Initiation is the preliminary step in the realm of magic. A true initiation is
the inner and hidden essence which pushes the student to seek the Path of Knowledge
with a tenacity that cannot be denied. This initial step is the enfolding of the
Divine Light; the gentle nurturing of the spark of consciousness within the Inner
Self. Attaining this point of growth requires peace of mind, awareness of one's
subconscious impulses, persistent hard work and a certain degree of self-sacrifice.
When the secret recesses of the Inner Selfhave been reached, communication with
the universal Power is then possible. And by the single act of one student tapping
into this Divine Power, the whole of humanity is enriched.
The word "mystery" plays an important role in the drama of initiation. It
is derived from the Greek word mysteria, meaning "that which is reserved for initiates
only." Several magical groups and secret societies have a tradition of tracing
their ancestral roots back to the mystery cults and religions that flourished in the
ancient world. Many people were drawn to these mystery religions because of the