Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

blindfolded and lead around the temple (it is also not advised
that you try this on your own- unless you enjoy starting small
fires in your temple space). Does this mean that self initiation
into the golden dawn tradition is impossible? Maybe, or
maybe you just need to examine the rituals and see what they
are attempting to achieve and work from there. As much as I
am loath to say it; nothing compares to a full physical temple
initiation.
• Let’s face it, the Cicero’s are tool crazy, it is easy to understand
when you find out that Chic is a carpenter and Tabby is an
Artist. However a mere mortal who doesn’t possess the
relevant skills (or the equipment and cash for that matter) to
create an entire temple full of tools, may find it useful to decide
what is completely necessary.
• I am not altogether keen on the structure of the initiation
ceremonies themselves, in practice they are unnecessarily
complicated and do not flow correctly. In some cases it seems
that stage directions are more important than actual magical
work, in these cases I think simplifying what you are doing is
best.
• It is my less than humble opinion that the use of “officer
forms” is possibly the worst element in this method of self
initiation, the argument used to justify this method is of course
that the student is not capable of “assuming Godforms” at
such an early stage of their magical career. If this is true then
one could also argue that the various ceremonies themselves
are actually well beyond the reach and ability of the aspiring
student.
Although I am sure the reader who has bothered to read all this may
think I am giving this book and undue bashing, I actually believe it is
still of some use to the student, it should be remembered that within
magic the aim is to train individuals not to have students blindly
following what one book says. I feel that any student approaching this
work should read this book and others on the subject thoroughly and
then work from there.