Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

126 SELF-INmATION IN10 THE GoLDEN DAWN 1'RAomoN
from theimpure, andrefine theGold oftheSpirit from theBlack Dragon,
thecorruptible body. Upon theCubical Altarare Fire, Water andIncense,
the Three Mother Letters of theHebrew alphabet, Aleph, Mem and Shin.
Memissilent, Shinissibilant, andAleph isthetongue ofa balance between
these contraries in equilibrium, reconciling andmediating between them. In
thisisagreat Mystery, very admirable andrecondite. The Fire produced the
Heavens, theWater, theEarth, andtheAir is thereconciler between them.
In theyear, theybringforth thehot, thecold andthetemperate seasons, and
in man, theyare imaged in thehead, thechest, andthetrunk.
Return to the guided visualization. See yourself in the Holy Place
before the altar. Take the golden censer thatyou obtained at the Altar
of Burnt Offering and pour out the coals and incense upon the
golden altar. As you visualize this, perform the Qabalistic Cross.
Then direct your attention to the Most Holy Place beyond
the Altar of Incense. This is the Holy of Holies-the most sacred
portion of the Tabernacle. It is separated from the Holy Place by a
Veil which is always kept closed and shrouded in darkness. The
Veil is made from fine linen, richly embroidered with blue, violet,
and red, and ornamented with figures of the Kerubim. Not yet are
you permitted to enter this most sacred chamber-this privilege is
granted but once a year on the Day of Atonement to the High Priest
who has passed through the mysteries by right of initiation. However
within your mind's eye, you are able to visualize the inner
chamber, which contains only the Ark of the Covenant.
The Ark is an oblong chest of wood inlaid with gold, with a
golden miter around the top. The upper side or lid is a plate of
pure gold comprising the Mercy Seat. Two golden Kerubim are
placed at either end of the lid. These beings are composite creatures
who assume a stooping position over the Ark, overshadowing and
protecting it with their expanded wings. They are the Right-hand
and Left-hand Kerubim of the
Ark, Sandalphon and Metatron.
Within the Ark itself are the Stone
Tablets of the Law, and above the
whole arrangement the Giorious
Light of God is said to reside.
. As you meditate upon the
Holy of Holies and its contents,
imagine that you have now firmly
established yourself as an initiate
of the mysteries. The Light above
the Cover of the Ark signifies that
you have passed through the
The Ark oftheCovenant Threshold of the Enterer withyour