Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

Introduction
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For one week concentrate on the various sounds that are heard on the
daily walk. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight
does not interfere with this exercise. Do not attempt to analyze or make judgments;
merely take note.
For the following week, take a daily walk and stop, deliberately focusing
in on one particular sound. Take note of everything concerning this sound.
For one week, take note of different tactile or touch sensations that you
encounter during the course of a day. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so
that the faculty of sight does not interfere with this exercise.
For one week, take note of every taste that you encounter during the
course of a day. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of
sight does not interfere with your sense of taste. For the following week, focus on
one particular taste.
For one week, take note of every smell that you encounter. Stop at certain
times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with your
sense of smell. For the following week, focus on one particular smell.e
Exercise:
It is vitally important that in the quest to exalt the health of the Spirit, the student
does notneglect the health of the body. Physical well-being and endurance are essential
to the magician who wishes to perform lengthy rituals as well as Astral work.
During this probationary period, the student should begin a regular discipline of
exercise to maintainphysical fitness. We leave the choice of exercise to the individual
student; swimming, biking, jogging, martial arts, aerobics, yoga or some other. Israel
Regardie recommended that the student perform certain exercises that are designed
to raise both the physical and psychic vitality of the practitioner. They are taken from
a small pamphlet by Peter Kelder called The Five Rites ofRejuvenation or The Eye of
Revelation. These exercises can also be found in Donald Michael Kraig's bookModern
Mngick(pages 222-229).
Whatever form of exercise is undertaken, the student should never overwork
to the point of strain. Ifone is not used to exercise, begin slowly and gradually.
Ifhealth concerns are an issue, consult a doctor before commencing any form
of physical exertion.e
Visualization Exercise:
Spend a few moments of each day in this exercise. Begin with the eyes closed and
relax, breathing deeply and rhythmically. Then open your eyes and gaze into the
palm of your left hand. Imagine a small yellow lump of a non-sticking substance
formulating in your hand. It is somewhat clay-like and elastic in consistency. Cup
your righthand over the other and press this yellow substance as ifyou were making
a hamburger patty. Then begin to roll the substance between your hands as if
youwere making a meatball. When the image of the yellow ball of astral substance
is veryclear within your mind, place it somewhere near you. Repeat this technique
threemore times, forming next a red ball, a blue ball and finally a black ball.