Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

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SELF-INITIATION IN10 THE GoLDEN DAWN TRAOmON
Magical Tradition since ancient times. This magical current has surfaced at various
times and places in history as different magical groups with similar ideas, teachings,
techniques and goals. As we have already stated, anyone can tap into this
current by studying and applying oneself to the magical work of the current. An
egregore is a specialized aspect of a current. The word egregore comes from a Greek
word meaning "watcher." Whereas the current can be likened to a large river, the
egregore is like a small adjoining stream. The current is the raw power-somewhat
of a blind force-compared to the egregore, which is a more interactive and
personal force. When we speak of a group egregore, we are talking about the distinctive
energy of a specific group of magicians who are working together. The
single current can sustain several different group egregores.
As indicated earlier, there are two forms of initiation: astral and physical.
The first type occurs on the subtle planes of the astral and is not always perceived
by the initiate until after the fact, although s/he can also sometimes be aware of it
as it is occurring. This type of initiation is conferred upon a person directly by
spiritual archetypes within the psyche. A physical initiation is just what it sounds
like-an actual ceremony carried outby officers in a physical temple. Some might
think that the astral initiation is the only kind that matters-the physical one being
only an outward reflection of an inner process. This is simply not the case. A physical
initiation reaffirms the candidate's spiritual intent and Will by the act of submitting
him/her self to the process of the initiation ceremony. It is a physical
proclamation to the manifest universe of one's desire to follow the path of an initiate
of the Mysteries. Depending upon the candidate, it is sometimes unlikely that
an astral initiation would ever occur without the physical initiation and the skill of
the participating initiator. What is clear, however, is that one form of initiation,
astral or physical, almost always precedes or occurs simultaneously with the other
form. Both are important.
Any discussion of initiation into the G:.D:. tradition must include a
description of the various grades or levels of initiation. The grades of the Golden
Dawn correspond to the Sephiroth on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. These grades are
further divided into three separate groups known as the First, Second and Third
Orders. The list of the grades (from lowest to highest) is as follows:
Grade
Neophyte 0 0=0°
Zelator 1 0=10°
Theoricus2 0=9°
Practicus 3 0=8°
Philosophus 4 0=7°
Adeptus Minor 5 0=6°
Adeptus Major 6 0=5°
Adeptus Exemptus 7 0=4°
Magister Templi 8 0=3°
Magus 9 0=2°
Ipsissimus 10 0=1°
Corresponding Sephirah
Malkuth
Yesod
Hod
Netzach
Tiphareth
Geburah
Chesed
Binah
Chokmah
Kether
Element
Earth
Air
Water
Fire