Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

120 SELF-INITIATION INTO THE GoLDEN DAWN TRAOmON
to make the perfect sacrifice to the
Almighty One on behalf of the
entire congregation of the Camp.
A bearded High Priest with a tall
triple miter-headdress, jeweled
breastplate and embroidered robes
oversees the entire operation as
several people lay their lands
upon the garland-covered head of
an ox, confessing their personal
sins and shortcomings. At the
appropriate time in the ceremony,
the officiating priest slays the animal,
and its blood is caught in
basins by other attendant priests.
TheAltar of Burnt Offering The sight of the animal being
slaughtered startles you-you are
not accustomed to witnessing such archaic and bloody practices
of worship. But you realize that what you are watching is something
that happened ages ago when everything concerning
human existence was a struggle, and often a bloody one. You are
secure in the knowledge that today, in your own time, such blood
sacrifices are no longer essential to spiritual beliefs thatthe idea
of sacrifice is a symbolic one that can entail the sacrifice of one's
lower personal desires to higher goals.
Prayers are recited continuously as the ox is cut into twelve
pieces, all of which are placed upon the burning wood of the altar.
The blood of the slain animal is sprinkled around the base of the
brazen altar and smeared upon the four horns at the corners. The
entire animal is consumed by the flames, as if sent to God on wings
of fire. The flame burns continuously; never is it allowed to go out.
As you continue to meditate on the Altar of Burnt Offering,
place your personal offering of paper into the censer of Dadouchos
until it is wholly consumed. Contemplate this action as part of
your desire to become more than human. Imagine yourself taking
up a golden censer at the foot of the altar. See yourself taking some
of the coals from the brazen altar and placing them within the
censer along with some incense.
When you feel ready, bring your consciousness back to the Zelator Hall. Put down
the censer of Dadouchos and say:
Between theAltar and theentrance to the Holy Place, stood the Laver of
Brass wherein the Priests washed before enteringthe Tabernacle. It was
thesymbol of the Waters of Creation.