Original post: DeviouZ
Hi there guys. I've been reading a lot of material related to initiation through the Elemental Grades and have decided I would like to do it myself. The problem is, there is no Golden Dawn chapter here in Melbourne, Australia... I was wondering, then, what are my options.
Does anyone know of the possibility of adapting the Golden Dawn rituals such that they can be performed by the self? Is it even worth doing, does one still experience the same catharsis and meaning behind the ritual as a result? I sincerely believe I am ready, my life needs some focus, I want to dedicate myself to the spiritual path, and to me, these rituals seem the best way to do it...
Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: Nero
The Cicero's also have a self initiation book for the Golden Dawn. It has everything you need to complete the outer order. Also if you would like additional support then their are online GD lodges as well.
http://www.ritual-magic.com/welcome/
The Cicero's also have a self initiation book for the Golden Dawn. It has everything you need to complete the outer order. Also if you would like additional support then their are online GD lodges as well.
http://www.ritual-magic.com/welcome/
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: philalethes
The Book Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition by Chic and Sandra Tabitha Cicero is designed to accomplish this. In my opinion the rituals are much too cumbersome, however. The original initiatory rituals of the elemental grades have two primary features, the ritual procedures intended to attune the canditate to the appropriate elemental force and qabalistic doctrine and esoteric teaching delivered through lecture. Due to the fact the the modern student already has these doctrines available in the form of the ritual text itself, it is unnecessary to include them in the context of a ritual self-initiation. It is therefore possible to exclude extraneous elements and form a shortened ritual designed for elemental attunement specifically. An ideal method of accomplishing this is by following Israel Regardie's example in Ceremonial Magick wherein he provides a highly elaborated version of the Watchtower ritual which may be extrapolated into four complete self-initiatory rituals. In describing his method of elaborating the rite he states:
"The ritual itself is first presented in all its simplicity. Study it well. Then in a succeeding section, additions will be made. These additions are extrapolated from the elemental Grades of the Order of the Golden Dawn from Vol. I, No. 8 Equinox. Note them well, please. In these grades, the officiating officer invokes the Elements by a specific process so that they may influence the aura and character of the candidate undergoing initiation. This specific process is added in the appropriate place to the Watchtower Ritual, lengthening it a little bit, but rendering it not only more explicit to the student, but more potent. It would not be amiss, then, to read into this statement that the Watchtower Ritual may be turned into a ritual of self-initiation." (p. 12)
With the time, effort, and dedication that it takes to accomplish this task, the outcome is liable to be just as if not more rewarding that initiation into a Golden Dawn organization. I am reminded of the words of Manly P. Hall in Self-Unfoldment by Disciplines of Realization.
"The principle function of metaphysical organizations," he states, "is to bolster up the mutual courage of the members. They do not give individual considertation; all members get the same teaching regardless of their fitness. The wise person is not a 'joiner.' He is an individual thinking his own thoughts and building his own life through increase of knowledge and personal consecration. It may be harder to accomplish by himself, but the results of personal accomplishment are the most satisfactory." (p. 41)
Good Luck!
DeviouZ wrote:Does anyone know of the possibility of adapting the Golden Dawn rituals such that they can be performed by the self?
The Book Self-Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition by Chic and Sandra Tabitha Cicero is designed to accomplish this. In my opinion the rituals are much too cumbersome, however. The original initiatory rituals of the elemental grades have two primary features, the ritual procedures intended to attune the canditate to the appropriate elemental force and qabalistic doctrine and esoteric teaching delivered through lecture. Due to the fact the the modern student already has these doctrines available in the form of the ritual text itself, it is unnecessary to include them in the context of a ritual self-initiation. It is therefore possible to exclude extraneous elements and form a shortened ritual designed for elemental attunement specifically. An ideal method of accomplishing this is by following Israel Regardie's example in Ceremonial Magick wherein he provides a highly elaborated version of the Watchtower ritual which may be extrapolated into four complete self-initiatory rituals. In describing his method of elaborating the rite he states:
"The ritual itself is first presented in all its simplicity. Study it well. Then in a succeeding section, additions will be made. These additions are extrapolated from the elemental Grades of the Order of the Golden Dawn from Vol. I, No. 8 Equinox. Note them well, please. In these grades, the officiating officer invokes the Elements by a specific process so that they may influence the aura and character of the candidate undergoing initiation. This specific process is added in the appropriate place to the Watchtower Ritual, lengthening it a little bit, but rendering it not only more explicit to the student, but more potent. It would not be amiss, then, to read into this statement that the Watchtower Ritual may be turned into a ritual of self-initiation." (p. 12)
Is it even worth doing, does one still experience the same catharsis and meaning behind the ritual as a result? I sincerely believe I am ready, my life needs some focus, I want to dedicate myself to the spiritual path, and to me, these rituals seem the best way to do it...
With the time, effort, and dedication that it takes to accomplish this task, the outcome is liable to be just as if not more rewarding that initiation into a Golden Dawn organization. I am reminded of the words of Manly P. Hall in Self-Unfoldment by Disciplines of Realization.
"The principle function of metaphysical organizations," he states, "is to bolster up the mutual courage of the members. They do not give individual considertation; all members get the same teaching regardless of their fitness. The wise person is not a 'joiner.' He is an individual thinking his own thoughts and building his own life through increase of knowledge and personal consecration. It may be harder to accomplish by himself, but the results of personal accomplishment are the most satisfactory." (p. 41)
Good Luck!
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: DeviouZ
ok, thanks for the help guys. I've actually already come across those references, I've also found the True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order by Paul Foster Case to be an invaluable resource also.
The Watchtower Ritual idea looks very interesting I'll definitely look into doing it myself. I'm curious about people's own experiences with the Elemental Grading system, however. Is it really as it seems to suggest, that the elements specific to the grade predominate, leading to learning experiences specific to that sphere? What are examples people here could suggest of how this manifests in one's everyday life?
The reason I find it so attractive is it seems to be a very clean framework on which to base one's practice upon. The problem is, I have my own practice, and don't have the time to adapt all the extraneous practices Sanctuary of Maat for instance suggest... ie. meditating on the Archangel Auriel, Zelator Meditation, Zen Work etc... would it perhaps be good enough to think that I could get away with doing the Initiation Ritual and find the Malkuth energies manifesting in my life of their own? Perhaps do the Invoking Ritual of Earth everyday as well... I'm curious to know people's opinions of whether or not they feel it necessary to do 'Earth-related' work in Malkuth if one is to get the full benefit of working with the Golden Dawn system.
ok, thanks for the help guys. I've actually already come across those references, I've also found the True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order by Paul Foster Case to be an invaluable resource also.
The Watchtower Ritual idea looks very interesting I'll definitely look into doing it myself. I'm curious about people's own experiences with the Elemental Grading system, however. Is it really as it seems to suggest, that the elements specific to the grade predominate, leading to learning experiences specific to that sphere? What are examples people here could suggest of how this manifests in one's everyday life?
The reason I find it so attractive is it seems to be a very clean framework on which to base one's practice upon. The problem is, I have my own practice, and don't have the time to adapt all the extraneous practices Sanctuary of Maat for instance suggest... ie. meditating on the Archangel Auriel, Zelator Meditation, Zen Work etc... would it perhaps be good enough to think that I could get away with doing the Initiation Ritual and find the Malkuth energies manifesting in my life of their own? Perhaps do the Invoking Ritual of Earth everyday as well... I'm curious to know people's opinions of whether or not they feel it necessary to do 'Earth-related' work in Malkuth if one is to get the full benefit of working with the Golden Dawn system.
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged
Good day,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged here. I believe the 'Earth-related' work in the Zelator Grade is important (and all the other Element-related work in the grades of Theoricus, Practicus, and Philosophus) because one will require a very good grounding in Elemental work before attempting any sort of higher work, for example Enochian Magick. This is important I believe because Enochian Magick will require a good knowledge of the Elements since it releases a high amount of elemental currents at you (so to speak). If one were to be generally 'unbalanced' Element-wise, it would be detrimental to practice.
My two cents.
Cheers,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged
Good day,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged here. I believe the 'Earth-related' work in the Zelator Grade is important (and all the other Element-related work in the grades of Theoricus, Practicus, and Philosophus) because one will require a very good grounding in Elemental work before attempting any sort of higher work, for example Enochian Magick. This is important I believe because Enochian Magick will require a good knowledge of the Elements since it releases a high amount of elemental currents at you (so to speak). If one were to be generally 'unbalanced' Element-wise, it would be detrimental to practice.
My two cents.
Cheers,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: Nero
[QUOTE=DeviouZ]
The Watchtower Ritual idea looks very interesting I'll definitely look into doing it myself. [/QUOTE]
Here is a nice site that has the outer order SI's adapted from the Opening by Watchtower Ritual. Seems very straight forward.
http://www.geocities.com/solomon_4/index.html
[QUOTE=DeviouZ]
The Watchtower Ritual idea looks very interesting I'll definitely look into doing it myself. [/QUOTE]
Here is a nice site that has the outer order SI's adapted from the Opening by Watchtower Ritual. Seems very straight forward.
http://www.geocities.com/solomon_4/index.html
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: DeviouZ
Hmm... cool, thx guys. I've now put together a formula for my workings that I will now continue to pursue from this present moment forth. I'm quite belatent about it actually, all I've done is assimilated the workings from many different paths into one that suits me, but it makes sense to me, and solves the main problem I've been having of late, the nagging doubt that I was spreading my resources too thin in pursuing too many paths at once.
I'll explain it here, I'm curious to know what thoughts ppl on this board might have themselves. It's probably a path that isn't familiar to many since it draws heavily on the works of Paul Foster Case. I'm a member of BOTA, the order that Case formed, and I think his works are genius but probably many of his ideas are a bit foreign to what ppl here usually associate with Magick...
My plan is to begin working through the Elemental Grades through self-initiation. I intend to continue ritual work, some visualisation exercises and adorations, and study in the BOTA system, but my other work will be focused primarily on the Tarot and the Cube of Space... Case, in his book, the True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order, states the Tarot as being a Key tool to be utilised to ascension upon the Tree of Life and the Grading System... his idea is that every grade of the Tree of Life represents an increasing refining of consciousness... and, interestingly, that each of the lessons to be learnt in the Grades are summed up Gematrically in the name of the Sephiroth (ie. Malkuth) and the Intelligence it represents spelt out in Hebrew! (ie. Resplendent = MThNVTzO) Thus each of the teachings are summed up by a Hebrew letter, obviously represented by the Tarot Major Arcana, and meditation upon the Tarot card, and the relations they have to each other summed up in the word of the Grade, will assist in the Elemental Work and Learning of the Grade. Sounds great, I've had quite a number of experiences with the Tarot already which makes me think this is probably the right path for me... it's crazy, I've just gotta say this is probably the first time I've ever had a real coherent direction to my practices. I feel big changes are about to start coming on...
Hmm... cool, thx guys. I've now put together a formula for my workings that I will now continue to pursue from this present moment forth. I'm quite belatent about it actually, all I've done is assimilated the workings from many different paths into one that suits me, but it makes sense to me, and solves the main problem I've been having of late, the nagging doubt that I was spreading my resources too thin in pursuing too many paths at once.
I'll explain it here, I'm curious to know what thoughts ppl on this board might have themselves. It's probably a path that isn't familiar to many since it draws heavily on the works of Paul Foster Case. I'm a member of BOTA, the order that Case formed, and I think his works are genius but probably many of his ideas are a bit foreign to what ppl here usually associate with Magick...
My plan is to begin working through the Elemental Grades through self-initiation. I intend to continue ritual work, some visualisation exercises and adorations, and study in the BOTA system, but my other work will be focused primarily on the Tarot and the Cube of Space... Case, in his book, the True and Invisible Rosicrucian Order, states the Tarot as being a Key tool to be utilised to ascension upon the Tree of Life and the Grading System... his idea is that every grade of the Tree of Life represents an increasing refining of consciousness... and, interestingly, that each of the lessons to be learnt in the Grades are summed up Gematrically in the name of the Sephiroth (ie. Malkuth) and the Intelligence it represents spelt out in Hebrew! (ie. Resplendent = MThNVTzO) Thus each of the teachings are summed up by a Hebrew letter, obviously represented by the Tarot Major Arcana, and meditation upon the Tarot card, and the relations they have to each other summed up in the word of the Grade, will assist in the Elemental Work and Learning of the Grade. Sounds great, I've had quite a number of experiences with the Tarot already which makes me think this is probably the right path for me... it's crazy, I've just gotta say this is probably the first time I've ever had a real coherent direction to my practices. I feel big changes are about to start coming on...
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: Nero
Good for you DeviouZ!
Everyone seems to end up the same place regardless of the system they use. Only the details change. Pick a course of study that is challenging and interesting to you. (Otherwise why stick with it?) Then see how far the rabbit hole goes. Good luck!
Good for you DeviouZ!
Everyone seems to end up the same place regardless of the system they use. Only the details change. Pick a course of study that is challenging and interesting to you. (Otherwise why stick with it?) Then see how far the rabbit hole goes. Good luck!
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged
Good day,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged here. Since DeviouZ has posted his form of a curriculum I have a question. Is it recommendable for a relative neophyte as me to devise a curriculum all by himself, such as DeviouZ has done (no offense to you, DeviouZ)? I am most interested to devise a curriculum all by myself based on the structure given at the Golden Dawn Sanctuary [ http://home.earthlink.net/~lyam ]. In fact I remember that once in my earlier times in the occult I was so caught up in a Group Study idea I even devised a curriculum. As I look back that curriculum was a little too intensive, though on the other hand I am interested if I keep the curriculum as it mostly is with a little changes here and there, its intensity remaining. As a note I included the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram in this start-off curriculum. Is this recommendable?
Cheers,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged
Good day,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged here. Since DeviouZ has posted his form of a curriculum I have a question. Is it recommendable for a relative neophyte as me to devise a curriculum all by himself, such as DeviouZ has done (no offense to you, DeviouZ)? I am most interested to devise a curriculum all by myself based on the structure given at the Golden Dawn Sanctuary [ http://home.earthlink.net/~lyam ]. In fact I remember that once in my earlier times in the occult I was so caught up in a Group Study idea I even devised a curriculum. As I look back that curriculum was a little too intensive, though on the other hand I am interested if I keep the curriculum as it mostly is with a little changes here and there, its intensity remaining. As a note I included the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram in this start-off curriculum. Is this recommendable?
Cheers,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged
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Golden Dawn Ritual Adaptation
Original post: Nero
That is a tough question. Yes and No I would say. I would recommed you stick with a exsisting curriculum until you get used to the feel of the current etc, then branch out. In the end only you can decide what is right for you.Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged wrote:Good day,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged here. Since DeviouZ has posted his form of a curriculum I have a question. Is it recommendable for a relative neophyte as me to devise a curriculum all by himself, such as DeviouZ has done (no offense to you, DeviouZ)?
I think this is a very sound course. In fact I have incorporated much of it into my work. Try it and see what you think. The cicero's also have a very sound outline you may want to look at.I am most interested to devise a curriculum all by myself based on the structure given at the Golden Dawn Sanctuary [ http://home.earthlink.net/~lyam ].
Traditionally the GD didn't advise this saying planetary energies were too subtle to work with at first. This is valid but shouldn't hold you back. Once again only you know what is best. Try sticking with elemental at first and then see. If you like it go with it. It should be safe. I hope this helps....As a note I included the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram in this start-off curriculum. Is this recommendable?
Cheers,
Frater Ha-Pha-Sha-Ged