Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

The Neophyte Grade 21
required to visualize each godform and be able to maintain the visualization for as
long as it is called for. The studentwill also be required to visualize the various officer-forms
within the temple-these forms are not the same as the godforms,
although they are lesser extensions of them. (The officer-form of the Hierophant
would appear as just that-a human being dressed in the robes and insignia of a
Hierophant. The same is true for all of the officer-forma) As stated earlier, it is the
officer-forms who carry out specific functions within the temple, not the godforms
themselves, that are assumed by the solitary initiate. When assuming an officerform,
the student inaugurates a separation of a particular godform and its corresponding
officer-form. The two are clairvoyantly seen to be separated, although an
etheric link between them remains. The officer-forms are returned to the dominion
of their respective godforms when not in active use by the aspirant. When this is the
case, the godform can be seen to absorb or overshadow the lesser form of the officer.
To summarize, a large part of the initiation rites in this book are to be carried
out on a physical level, with actual temple symbolism (banners, lamens, altar,
wands, etc.), to be constructed by the student. The astral work performed in these
rituals revolve entirely around visualization of godforms, officer-forms and certain
guided meditations.e
THE NEOPHYTE CEREMONY
Temple Set-up: The aspirant will need to set up the Hall beforehand in accordance
with the temple diagram. The black cubical altar is to be placed in the center of the
room. Upon it are the symbols of the cross and triangle (the red cross is above the
white triangle). The pillars are to be placed just East of the altar. The Banners of the
East and West are placed in their respective quarters. A cup of Water should be
placed in the North, and a censer of incense belongs in the South.
Around the circumference of the room are to be placed four candles: yellow
in the East, red in the South, blue in the West, black in the North. In the Easternmost
part of the temple should be placed a white candle. The aspirant should .
try to obtain glass candle holders which have two parts: a bottom which holds a
colored votive candle and a glass cover (colored or opaque) with a hole in the top>
which acts to shade the candlelight.
A lantern should be placed in the Southwest. The four Elements of the
Mystic Repast are to be placed on top of the altar near their respective quarters: a
rose in the East, a red candle in the South, a chalice of wine in the West, and a
paten of bread and salt in the North. The aspirant will need to have constructed
beforehand the Hierophant's Wand, the Hegemon's Wand, and the Keryx's Wand.
A convenient sword should also be procured for the station of Hiereus. The aspirant
will need a finished Neophyte sash placed in the East of the temple. Elemental
symbols may be placed in the four quarters. (See diagram.)