Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

The Zelator Grade
113
The 0 = 0 grade ofNeophyte isa preparation for other grades, a threshold
before discipline, and it shows by its imagery the Light of the Hidden
Knowledge dawning in the Darkness ofCreation. I amnowabout tobegin
to analyze and comprehend theNature of that Light. To thisendI stand
between thepillars, in theGateway where thesecrets ofthe0 = 0 grade were
communicated tome. I shall nowprepare toenter theImmeasurable region.
And Tetragrammaton Elohim planted agarden Eastward in Eden, andout
of the ground made Tetragrammaton Elohim to grow every tree that is
pleasant tothesight andgood forfood; theTree ofLife also, in themidstof
theGarden, andtheTree ofKnowledge ofGood andofEvil. This is theTree
thathas twoPaths, andit is theTenth Sephirah Malkuth, andit hasabout
it seven columns, andtheFour Splendors whirl about it asin theVision of
theMerkabah ofEzekiel; andfrom Gedulah it derives andinfluxofMercy,
andfrom Geburah an influxof Severity, andtheTree of theKnowledge of
Good andof Evil shall it be until it is united with theSupernals in Daath.
But theGood which is'under it is called theArchangel Metatron, andthe
Evil is called the Archangel Samael, and between them lies thestraight
andnarrow waywhere theArchangel Sandalphon keeps watch. The Souls
andtheAngelsare above its branches, andtheQlippoth or Demons dwell
under its roots.
The officer/ form of the Hierophant speaks:
Let the Neophyte enter the Pathway of Evil.
The officer/ godform of the Keryx steps in front of you and leads you in a North­
Eastern direction to the station of the Hiereus, The form of the Hiereus rises up
before you with a threatening attitude. He lunges between you and the Keryxhis
sword at your chest. No longer does he have the appearance of Mighty Horus.
He has instead taken on the countenance of a dark menacing bird-like being with
flaming ruby colored eyes.
Whence comest Thou? (He snarls.)
(Youanswer:) I comefrom between thetwopillars andI seek theLight of
theHidden Knowledge in theName ofAdonai.
The dark Angel seems somewhat appeased.
And the Great Angel Samael answered and said: I am the Prince of
Darkness and of Night.The foolishand rebellious gaze upon the face
of the created World, and find therein nothing but terror and obscurity.lt
is to them the Terrorof Darkness and they are as drunken men
stumbling in the Darkness. Return for thou canst not pass by.