Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

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SELF-IN1TIATION INTO THE GoLDEN DAWN TRADITION
and six months in each of the grades from Zelator through Practicus. Seven
months should be spent in the Philosophus grade, while the duration of the Portal
grade should be nine to twelve months. Ceremonial work provided in each
grade is to be performed daily (though sometimes weekly depending upon the ritual).
Finally the student can test his/her knowledge with the quizzes provided.
Although the main focus of this book is on the solitary practitioner, there
is no reason why two people cannot undertake the same course of study and
progress together. Itis certainly easier for two people to study the Knowledge Lecture
material and quiz each other. However, each person must spend the probationary
period separately while establishing his/her own dialogue with the godform
of Thme, The initiation ceremonies presented here may be performed
together so long as each person takes part in the visualizations and ritual gestures.
The longer speeches may be divided between the two participants. Another technique
which may prove helpful to one or two people undertaking this route is to
pre-record some of the longer speeches and guided visualizations presented for
later playback in the rituals. Hearing one's own voice speaking the words of the
gods can have a powerful initiatory effect.
There is also no valid reason why students who may already belong to a
Golden Dawn temple shouldnot perform these self-initiatory rituals, for performance
of them can only serve to increase the student's knowledge and proficiency.
The Knowledge Lectures and meditations given here can also be used to
supplement any student's existing gradework.
Ifthe student perseveres through this study course and the rituals furnished
here for self-attainment, we have no doubt that the result will be the birth of an initiate
of the Golden Dawn tradition of magic.Itis our sincerest hope that, through this
book, individuals who previously have had no opportunity to do so may initiate
themselves into the Western Mystery Tradition.e
Daily Awareness Exercises:
Preliminary Meditative Work
Darkness Technique: Before the commencement of any meditation, breathe deeply
and rhythmically. Cover your eyes with the palms of your hands; overlapping the
fingers of one hand with the other. You should experience total darkness.
Sense Awareness Techniques: For the duration of a week, take a daily walk
and make a mental note of everything you see, not focusing on anything in particular.
Do not attempt to analyze or make judgments; merely observe. Keep a
journal of your observations.
For the following week, take a daily walk and stop, deliberately focusing
in on one particular object. Take note of everything concerning this object.
On the following week of daily walking, try to look for a single color each
day. On Sunday look for orange; Monday-blue, Tuesday- red, Wednesdayyellow,
Thursday-violet, Friday-green, Saturday-blue-violet (indigo).