neophyte in tgd

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GRADE

OF THE NEOPHYTE (Probationer)

Issued by the Thelemic Order

of the Golden Dawn

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

For those of you who are seeking to initiate yourselves into the grade of the Neophyte, you should have in your possession the following material:

1. The Instructions of the Neophyte 2. The Tasks of the Neophyte 3. The Oath of the Neophyte 4. The Self-Initiation Ceremony of the Neophyte 5. The Middle Pillar Exercise 6. The Thelemic Middle Pillar Exercise 7. Instructions on the Middle Pillar 8. Instructions on the Middle Pillar Exercise 9. The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram 10. The Lesser Thelemic Ritual of the Pentagram 11. Instructions on the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram 12. The Invocation to the Lord of the Universe

What you are currently reading is number 1 listed above (The Instructions of the Neophyte). The following instructions are designed to assist you in the comprehension of the preliminary steps to be taken to commence the Self-Initiation Work of the Neophyte.

In the Tasks of the Neophyte there is written all that must be known concerning the actual work of the grade. Read this document and contemplate the tasks until you are sufficiently satisfied that you understand the work of the Neophyte. Also read the Ceremony, Oath and Rituals of the grade and then determine whether or not it is in fact your Will to become a Neophyte. If so, determine a magical Motto for yourself and take the Oath of the grade. Remember that the Magical Motto should represent the aspiration of your Will.

The Oath of the Neophyte is the link to the First Order of the Thelemic Golden Dawn. It is designed to prepare you for the realization of your True Will. After

taking the Oath of the Neophyte, you are a participant in the Mysteries of the grade. The Oath does not entail that you are recognized as an official member or initiate of the grade, only that you are aspiring to be such.

After you take the Oath of the grade, you should then study, rehearse, and eventually perform the Self-Initiation Ceremony of the Neophyte. There should be a probationary period of nine months after performing the Self-Initiation Ceremony of the Neophyte before you conduct the Self-Initiation Ceremony of the Zelator.

The Self-Initiation Ceremony of the Neophyte is a most serious ceremony to perform. It will influence your whole life. The Oath of the ceremony is a most solemn obligation, and it will inspire you in such a manner that you must, of your own free will, advance in the essential knowledge of your own true nature and True Will, in this life or in another to come.

You should by no means perform the Self-Initiation Ceremony of the Neophyte unless you are prepared and willing to dedicate yourself to the Great Work of realizing your own True Will; for it is an irrevocable step; and it binds you to the grand course of cosmic evolution and to the essential unfoldment of your own True Self. Unless you are willing to take responsibility for yourself, to advance in the knowledge of who, what, and why you are, and to begin the essential process of attaining Freedom, and to make manifest that Freedom in the domain of your own practical experience, it would be much better for you to wait till such a time that you are willing to do so, with a complete comprehension of the work to be achieved.

The Middle Pillar Exercise and the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram are the suggested ritualistic practices for the Neophyte. These two basic Rituals contain the keys by which to comprehend various significant principles of the Magick Art. It is most essential to understand and apply the basics of Ritual Magick before attempting the more advanced forms. These two Rituals are what constitute the fundamentals of Ritual Magick in the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn. It is only after these two Rituals are perfected that members of the Order can begin to understand some of the more essential and advanced forms of Ritual Magick.

Through genuine mastery of the basic forms of Ritual Magick, the advanced forms will naturally follow. The foundation of all practical magical work rests upon the ability of the Magician to properly focus upon the nature of the work, and also his/her ability to create a state of impression that allows the mind to alter its processes at will. Until the Magician is able to do this, the higher magical states of consciousness will remain closed to him/her. The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram and the Middle Pillar Exercise prepare Magicians for the essential development of higher magical states of awareness, making them fit vehicles for their inner genius, by which all true magical ritual is accomplished.

Now has come the time for you to prepare yourself to take your first real step upon the Great Ladder of the Stars, and to become an initiate of the New Order of the

Golden Dawn. May you attain the Great Work, the SUMMUM BONUM, True Wisdom and Perfect Happiness. In the Name of the Lord of Initiation, Sic sit vobis!

Love is the law, love under will.

THE TASKS OF THE NEOPHYTE

Probationer (Zero Degree)


of the Golden Dawn


The principal business of the Neophyte of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn is to discover his/her own True Will, and to begin to obtain knowledge and control of the nature and powers of his/her own being. S/he is further to devote him/herself to the study and practice of such things as s/he may deem fit for the cultivation of his/her aspirations to the Higher Life of Thelema. However, the Neophyte shall do best by devoting him/herself to the diligent study and practical application of the principles of the Law of Thelema as expounded in Liber Legis (The Book of the Law).

The Neophyte should learn, regularly practice, and master the following simple technique of the Fourfold Breath:

1. Empty the lungs and remain thus while counting 4. 2. Inhale, counting 4, so that you feel filled with breath to the throat. 3. Hold this breath while counting 4. 4. Exhale, counting 4 till the lungs are empty.

The Neophyte should practice this Fourfold Breath technique while s/he is composed in a basic posture or Asana, counting slowly or quickly till s/he obtains a

suitable rhythm. This simple technique will help to still the body and quiet the mind of the Neophyte.

Having attained this, the Neophyte should consider a point as defined in mathematics -- having position, but no magnitude -- and let him/her take note of any important ideas that arise during this simple meditation. Concentrating his/her mind on this point of Meditation, let him/her endeavor to realize the Immanence of the Divine throughout Nature, in all Her aspects.

Two Magical Rituals are suitable for the Neophyte to begin to study and perform. Every Neophyte should know and be able to properly perform these two rituals before advancing to the next grade of the Zelator. These two rituals are the Middle Pillar Exercise and the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram.

It is a common error for Magicians to ignore the fundamentals of Ritual Magick. For instance, rarely will you find a Magician who is willing to devote any serious amount of time to performing the simple Middle Pillar Exercise. Yet such a simple ritual of this type is a proper magical method of making contact with the Light and bringing it into manifestation and actualization. In other words, it is a dynamic method of the Great Work, and it is worthy of great attention from those who are truly serious about engaging themselves in Ritual Magick. It is one of the most important of all rituals for any serious Magician to know and be able to perform. The same applies to the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram.

The Neophyte may also find it advantageous to learn the following Thelemic rituals by Aleister Crowley: The Star Ruby (Liber XXV), A.·. A.·. Publication in Class D, which is a Thelemic form of the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram; and also Liber Resh vel Helios (Sub figura CC), A.·. A.·. Publication in Class D, being the four Adorations to the Sun.

Now those who undertake an initiation without understanding and doing the necessary grade work are missing the whole point of the initiation. It is simply stupid to undergo an initiation in a Magical Order without the will to advance in the Great Work. Initiation is the first real step toward the accomplishment of the Great Work; it is the first rung upon the ladder to the Palace of Wisdom. Without it there is no possibility for genuine self-realization. It is the beginning of the creative process of individuation, of the soul traveling inward and achieving integration or true unity of being. It is the golden dawn of the soul, the blossoming of the inner lotus of the spirit.

From the Thelemic point of view, initiation is the birth of the golden flower of the True Will; it is the realization of one's true path in the cosmos, thus making for the manifestation of the knowledge and power of one's True Self. To put it in other words, Thelemic initiation is the realization of the True Will, which makes for the greater attainment of the Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel.

Thelemic initiation is the awakening of the development of efficiency with regard to the active execution and fulfillment of one's True Will. Efficiency is, in a nutshell, the power to produce effects. It is, ergo, the proper application of the Will, and the power to make changes in conformity with the Will. Of this there are definite grades of attainment, and only the most dedicated and diligent student need apply him/herself to the serious work of these grades.

Thelemic Initiation is the scientific exploration and realization of the nature and powers of your own Being. It is the purification of all that is an hindrance to your progress, and it makes for the free development and consecration of all those parts of yourself which are an essential element in the constitution of your True Will, that you may attain the Great Work of the New Aeon of Horus.

Thelemic initiation is a very serious matter, involving the awakening of the highest in you. Those who take a Thelemic initiation without understanding the actual powers that are awakened in the process are unaware of what they do and, more often than not, they will fail the initiation, being unable to comprehend the serious quality of its formula. To be initiated in a Thelemic system of Magick within a Thelemic Order is to take complete responsibility for yourself, to dedicate yourself to the task of realizing all of your creative potentials as a human and spiritual being. Such is the task of one who is, relatively speaking, seeking to master him/herself in all things.

The grade of Neophyte has no real correspondence with a Chakra, Planet, Alchemical Metal or Sephira on the Tree of Life. It is purely a probationary grade. It is a stage of inner trial, when the Secret Guardians of the Mysteries test the aspirant's devotion to the Great Work. It is the key to the higher initiations.


Copyright © 1990. David Cherubim.

All rights reserved.

OATH OF THE NEOPHYTE


of the Golden Dawn


1. I, ........................................................ [Motto], being of sound mind and body, and having resolved on this day ....................................... to

prosecute the Great Work, do hereby solemnly swear:

2. To devote myself to the discovery of my True Will.

3. To understand all things.

4. To love all things.

5. To do all things and endure all things necessary to the discovery of my True Will.

6. To aspire to the Knowledge and Conversation of my Holy Guardian

Angel.

7. To work without lust of result.

8. To banish the illusions.

9. To rely only upon myself.

10. To dedicate my every thought, word and deed to the discovery of my

True Will.

May the Order crown the work, lend me of its wisdom in the work, and enable me to understand the work!

Witness my hand [Neophyte Motto] ....................................................


SELF-INITIATION

CEREMONY

OF THE ENTERER

OF THE THRESHOLD

Issued by the

Thelemic Order

of the Golden Dawn

FOR THE NEOPHYTE

GRADE OF THE

THELEMIC ORDER

OF THE GOLDEN DAWN

REQUIRED

For the Candidate: Black Tau Robe. Red Shoes or Socks. (Note: Black pertains

to the Outer Order, referring to the darkness of Matter, which conceals the Light.

Red pertains to Mars and to the God Horus. Mars is the Planet of the Warrior and

Horus is the Warrior God. Thus wearing Red shoes or socks indicates that you

are on the Path of the Warrior-Magician.)

For the Temple: Altar. Temple Pillars of the Sun and Moon (White Pillar with a

Gold Sun and Black Pillar with a Silver Moon). Thelemic Golden Dawn Banners

of Therion and Babalon (White Banner with a Gold Unicursal Hexagram and

Black Banner with a Silver Heptagram). Stele of Revealing. Cup of Lustral

Water for Purification. Censer of Incense for Consecration.

For the Altar: Rose in the East. Red Lamp in the South. Cup of Wine (or Water)

in the West. Paten of Bread and Salt (or Cake of Light) in the North. Copy of

Liber Legis (The Book of the Law) in the Center.

(Important Note: If you do not have any of the Temple requirements listed

above, you may substitute them with other similar objects. These objects,

however, should be magically consecrated before you apply them in the

ceremony. In other words, the objects should be dedicated to the ceremony

through Prayer and with Fire [Abramelin Oil], making them fit instruments of

your Will.)

THE OPENING

Perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram or Liber XXV, the

Ritual of the Star Ruby.

Go to the Center of the Temple, knock 3-5-3 on the Altar, and say:


Take up the Cup of Purification, hold it up toward the East, and say:

So therefore first the initiate who governeth the works of Fire must sprinkle

with the Lustral Waters of the resounding Sea.

Make a Cross in the Air with the Cup, and sprinkle a few drops of Water three

times toward the East. Pass to the South, West and North, repeating the

purification in each quarter, then return to the East, and say:

I purify the Temple with Water.

Take up the Censer of Consecration, hold it up toward the East, and say:

And when all the phantoms have vanished, thou shalt see that Holy and

Formless Fire, that Fire which darts and flashes through the hidden depths of the

Universe.

Make a Cross in the Air with the Censer, and swing it thrice toward the East.

Pass to the South, West and North, repeating the censing at each quarter, then

return to the East, and say:

I consecrate the Temple with Fire.

Circumambulate three times, clockwise, giving the Sign of Horus when

passing the East so as to project the force that radiates therefrom, and say:

The Mystick Circumambulation symbolical of the Rise of Light is

accomplished!

Go to the Center of the Temple, face East, give the Sign of Horus, and say:

Unity uttermost showed!

I adore the might of Thy breath,

Supreme and Terrible God,

Who makest the gods and death

To tremble before Thee: --

I, I adore Thee!

Appear on the Throne of Ra!

Open the ways of the Khu!

Lighten the ways of the Ka!

The ways of the Khabs run through

To stir me or still me!

Aum! let it fill me!

Return in the Sign of Silence, and then say:

In the Name of the Supreme and Terrible Lord of the Universe, Crowned and

Conquering, I declare that the Sun of Light has arisen and the Shadows of

Darkness flee away!

Knock and say: KHABS.

Knock and say: AM.

Knock and say: PEKHT.

Knock and say: KONX.

Knock and say: OM.

Knock and say: PAX.

Knock and say: LIGHT.

Knock and say: IN.

Knock and say: EXTENSION.

Knock 3-5-3 on the Altar, and say:


Make the Signs of the Neophyte and depart from the Temple in the Sign of

Silence.

THE INITIATION

I have gladly received dispensation from Frater A.·. A.·.the Founder of the

Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, to initiate myself into the Grade of the

Neophyte and to be initiated as a Warrior-Magician of Thelema.

I shall now lose my public name and will henceforth be known as Frater/Soror

[Neophyte Motto].

I am the Inheritor of a Dying World. I shall now rise and enter the Darkness!

The Mother of Darkness hath blinded me with Her Hair!

The Father of Darkness hath hidden me under His Wings!

My limbs are still weary from the wars that were in Heaven.

Unpurified and Unconsecrated, I cannot enter the Temple.

Dip your thumb in the Lustral Water, make with it a Cross on your Brow,

sprinkle yourself three times, and say:

I purify myself with Water.

Make a Cross with the Censer, and waving it toward yourself three times, say:

I consecrate myself with Fire.

Enter the Temple, go to the foot of the Altar, face East, and say:

I, [Neophyte Motto], proclaim that it is my Will to be initiated as a Neophyte

of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn.

The One Law of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn is the Law of

Thelema: "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law,

love under will." In freedom I have entered this Temple to initiate myself as a

Neophyte, and only in freedom must I obligate myself to anyone or anything. The

Sun of Light came not to bind, but to free humanity. In freedom I must do my

Will. I have no right but to do my Will. I will do that, and no other shall say nay.

I will now place my hands on the Book of the Law to signify my Will to

exercise the Law of Liberty, and I will take the Oath of the Neophyte.

THE OATH OF

THE NEOPHYTE

I, [Neophyte Motto], in the Presence of the Supreme and Terrible Lord of the

Universe, Crowned and Conquering, and in this Temple of the Neophyte of the

Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, do, of my own free Will, hereby and

hereon, most solemnly promise and swear to keep sacred and inviolate all real

secrets and true mysteries of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, to regard

myself as owing to mankind the preservation of those most Holy Secrets, and to

neither abuse nor debase them for my own selfish or ill intent. I submit myself, by

my own consent, to the Spiritual Current of this Order of Thelema, that I may

learn its Holy Secrets, and acquire its Hidden Knowledge, for the attainment of

the Great Work, and not for the abuse or betrayal of the Wisdom of its Holy

Sanctuary.

I solemnly promise and swear not to suffer myself to be placed in such a state

of passivity, that any uninitiated person or profane power may cause me to lose

control of my words or actions, lest I reveal what must never be known to the

profane.

I solemnly promise and swear to obtain knowledge and control of the nature

and powers of my own being, to discover my own True Will, and to allow for the

free fulfillment of my magical development in the Thelemic Order of the Golden

Dawn.

I solemnly promise and swear to persevere with courage and determination in

the labors of the Magick Art, even as I shall persevere with courage and

determination through this Magical Ceremony of Initiation.

I solemnly promise and swear that I will not debase my magical knowledge

and powers to harm another at any time tried or under any temptation. I will only

use my magical knowledge and powers to accomplish the Great Work of

Thelema.

I solemnly promise and swear that I will endure every experience necessary to

the growth and expansion of my freedom; and that I will persist in all Sacred

Labors and endure all Magical Ceremonies of the Thelemic Order of the Golden

Dawn.

I solemnly promise and swear to undertake to maintain a Fraternal/Sororal

relation with all the Fratres and Sorores of the Thelemic Order of the Golden

Dawn. I will honor every member of the Order as a Star, and I will assist them by

whatever means are necessary to accomplish their True Will, if so called upon;

and I will respect them by doing my own True Will in freedom, without

interference or conflict of any kind.

I solemnly promise and swear to assist in the creation and development of a

New Race of free men and women who are governed by the Law of Thelema, and

to always uphold that Law in adoration of the Spirit of Liberty, and to exercise

that Law in all of my actions that I may be free to know and do my own True

Will.

I solemnly promise and swear upon the Book of the Law to freely observe all

these things without evasion, equivocation or mental reservation.

Furthermore, if I break this, my Magical Obligation, I will nevertheless

continue to submit myself, by my own consent, to the Spiritual Current of this

Order of Thelema, that I may one day again be called and prepared for the Great

Initiation, in this life or in another to come.

May the Secret Chiefs of the Order crown this Work, lend me of their Wisdom

in this Work, and enable me to Understand this Work of the Thelemic Order of

the Golden Dawn.

I will now seal this solemn Oath of Obligation three times with my lips on the

Book of the Law.

Kiss the Book of the Law three times and then put it back on the Altar.

I will now place myself in the Northern part of the Temple -- the place of

Forgetfulness, Weakness and Necessity, and of the greatest symbolical Darkness.

Go to the Northern part of the Temple, and say:

The Voice of my Undying and Secret Soul said unto me, "Let me enter the Path

of Darkness and, peradventure, there shall I find the Light. I am the only Being in

an Abyss of Darkness; from an Abyss of Darkness came I forth ere my birth, from

the Silence of a Primal Sleep."

And the Voice of Ages answered to my Soul, "I am He who formulates in

Darkness -- the Light that shineth in Darkness, yet the Darkness comprehendeth

it not."

I will now perform the Mystick Circumambulation in the Path of Knowledge

that leadeth unto Light!

Circumambulate clockwise, but without Signs. Stop in the South after the

second passing of the East, and say:

Unpurified and Unconsecrated, I cannot enter the Path of the West.






Twice purified and twice consecrated, I may approach the Gateway of the

West.

Continue to Circumambulate, but halt in the West, imagine a Threatening

Force emanating from the West, and say:

Darkness is the Name of the Guardian of the West, O Thou Great One of the

Paths of the Shades.

Fear is failure and the forerunner of failure. Therefore I shall fear neither men

not Fates, nor gods, nor anything. For Nu is my refuge, as Hadit my Light; and

Ra-Hoor-Khuit is the strength, force, and vigor of my arms.

Continue to Circumambulate, but halt in the North after passing the West, and

say:

Unpurified and Unconsecrated, I cannot enter the Path of the East.






Thrice purified and thrice consecrated, I may approach the Gateway of the

East.

Continue to Circumambulate, but halt in the East, imagine an Illuminating

Force emanating from the East, and say:

Light Dawning in Darkness is the Name of the Guardian of the East, O Thou

Light of a Golden Day!

Unbalanced Power is the ebbing away of Life.

Unbalanced Mercy is weakness and the fading out of the Will.

Unbalanced Severity is cruelty and the barrenness of Mind.

Go to the West of the Altar, face East, and say the Invocation to Horus.

THE INVOCATION

TO HORUS

O Thou Supreme and Terrible Lord of the Universe, Who art the Crowned

One: the Hawk-Headed Lord of the Sun: Conquering Child of the New Aeon:

Lord of the Force and the Fire of the World: Thee, Thee, I invoke!

Hear me, Thou Supreme and Terrible One, and grant that my Will be done:

that I be initiated and instructed in thy Wisdom and thy Power: that I be granted

the strength and courage to uphold and exercise thy Way of Liberty, as a God

who is free to do my True Will among the legions of the living; and grant unto me

the comprehension of all that will bring me nearer unto Thee!

Teach me, Lord Horus, more of thy Mystery and thy Mastery; let each day and

night bring me nearer unto Thee! Let me aid Thee in thy Great Work upon the

earth, so that I may one day become truly united unto Thee in all Thy Infinite

Glory of Light, Life, Love and Liberty.

I invoke Thee, Lord Horus, to guard and guide me through the many Paths of

Life, that I may at length become one with thy Supreme and Terrible Essence! O

Lord of the Universe, grant Thou that upon me may shine forth the Light of my

True Soul; and let me be guided by the help of my Holy Guardian Angel unto the

attainment of Thy Infinite Light.

And from hereon, teach me this one thing: how I may learn from Thee the

Mysteries of thy Sacred Magick of Thelema: that I may obtain the Knowledge

and Power of my True Will, and thus attain to the Knowledge and Conversation

of my Holy Guardian Angel; and how best I may use that Knowledge and Power

to assist my fellow men and women to accomplish the Great Work on earth.

And finally, I implore Thee, to let there be a link of unity between us; that I

may ever seek, and seeking, obtain Freedom and Knowledge in Thee who art my

very Selfhood, that I may duly partake of thy Supreme Spirit of Power to attain

the Philosopher's Stone, the Summum Bonum, True Wisdom, and Perfect

Happiness.

AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN.

Make the Signs of the Neophyte, and say:

I am the inheritor of a Dying World, but I am now called to the Living Beauty.

I am a wanderer in the Wild Darkness, but I am now called to the Living Light.

Long have I dwelt in Darkness -- but I will now quit the night and seek the Day!

For I am now a Neophyte of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn! May the

Light of the Dawning Sun extend upon me!

KHABS AM PEKHT.

KONX OM PAX.

LIGHT IN EXTENSION.

THE SECRETS

OF THE GRADE

Go to the East of the Altar. Face East.

I will now proclaim the Signs and Word of the Neophyte.

The Signs are two. The First or Saluting Sign is given thus: <Advance your

left foot about 12 inches, throw forward your body, and stretch both arms out.>

This is the Sign of Ra-Hoor-Khuit, the Conquering Child of Force and Fire, the

Supreme and Terrible Lord of our Order of Thelema. It has also these names:

"The Sign of the Enterer of the Threshold", "The Sign of Consecration" and

"The Sign of Attacking". It represents the involution and bringing forward of the

Light into the material to aid the Will of the Neophyte in his/her search for and

aspiration toward his/her True Self. It is a Sign of tremendous Attacking Force

and of projection of Will Power. It may be used in the Magical Acts of

consecrating and charging Talismans or other objects of the Great Work.

The second Sign is the Sign of Silence, and is given thus: <Place your right

fore-finger on your lower lip.> This is the Sign of Hoor-Paar-Kraat, the

Concealed Child of the New Aeon. This Sign has a double meaning. Firstly, it is

the Sign of Defense. It is a Protection against all attack and danger of obsession.

Secondly, it alludes to your obligation to keep sacred and inviolate all real

secrets and true mysteries of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, to keep

silence regarding those most holy secrets and mysteries in the presence of the

profane, to never reveal what must not be told. The first sign is always answered

by the second.

The Word of the Neophyte Grade is HOOR-PA-KRAAT. It is the Egyptian

Name for the God of Silence, also called Harpocrates in the Greek tongue. Hoor-

Pa-Kraat is the Concealed Child of the New Aeon and represents the Current of

Forces ruling the earth at present. He is a Universal Symbol of the Silent Self or

Holy Guardian Angel within. His Name, or the Word of this Grade, can be used

as an Invocation of the Spirit of the Grade. When properly vibrated in the Sign of

Silence, it becomes a Magical Word of Spiritual Power and Protection for the

Neophyte of Magick.

Advance forward and place yourself between the two Pillars of the Temple,

and say:

I will now perform the final Purification and Consecration.






I will now perform the Mystick Circumambulation in the Path-way of Light.

Circumambulate clockwise, three times, giving the Sign of Horus on passing

the East.

THE LECTURE

OF BALANCE

Now position yourself between the Two Pillars of the Temple, assume the

Stance of Equilibrium (Sign of the Cross), and say:

I will now read and impress upon myself the Lecture of Balance, so that I may

understand the importance of the Path of Equilibrium as essential to magical

progress.

Learn first -- Oh thou who aspirest unto our New Order of Thelema! -- that

Equilibrium is the basis of the Great Work. If thou thy self hast not a sure

foundation, whereon wilt thou stand to direct the forces of Nature?

Know then, that as man is born into this world amidst the Darkness of Matter,

and the strife of contending forces; so must his first endeavor be to seek the Light

through their reconciliation.

Thou then, who hast trials and troubles, rejoice because of them, for in them is

Strength, and by their means is a pathway opened unto that Light.

How should it be otherwise, O man, whose life is but a day in Eternity, a drop

in the Ocean of Time; how, were thy trials not many, couldest thou purge thy soul

from the dross of the earth?

Rejoice therefore, O Initiate, for the greater thy trial the greater thy Triumph!

Yet, oh aspirant, let thy victories bring thee not vanity, for with increase of

Knowledge should come increase of Wisdom. He who knoweth little, thinketh he

knoweth much; but he who knoweth much hath learned his own ignorance.

Thou therefore who desirest Magical Gifts, be sure that thy soul is firm and

steadfast; for it is by flattering thy weaknesses that the Weak Ones will gain

power over thee.

Humble thyself before thy Self, yet fear neither man nor spirit. Fear is failure,

and the forerunner of failure: and courage is the beginning of virtue.

Therefore fear not the Spirits, but be firm and courteous with them; for thou

hast no right to despise or revile them; and this too may lead thee astray.

Command and banish them, curse them by the Great Names if need be; but

neither mock nor revile them, for so assuredly wilt thou be led into error.

A man is what he maketh himself within the limits fixed by his inherited

destiny; he is a part of mankind; his actions affect not only what he calleth

himself, but also the whole Universe.

Worship, and neglect not, the physical body, which is thy temporary

connection with the outer and material world. Therefore let thy mental

Equilibrium be above disturbance by material events; strengthen and control the

animal passions, discipline the emotions and the reason, nourish the Higher

Aspirations.

Remember that unbalanced force is but folly and stupidity; that unbalanced

severity is but cruelty and oppression; but that also unbalanced mercy is but

weakness that would allow and abet ignorance.

Act passionately; think rationally; be Thyself.

True Ritual is as much action as word; it is Will.

Remember that this earth is but an atom in the Universe, and that thou thyself

art but an atom thereon, and that even couldest thou become the God of this

earth whereon thou crawlest and grovellest, that thou wouldest, even then, be but

an atom, and one amongst many.

Nevertheless have the greatest self-respect, and to that end sin not against

thyself. The sin which is unpardonable is knowingly and willfully to deny truth, to

fear knowledge lest that knowledge pander not to thy prejudices.

To obtain Magical Power, learn to control thought; admit only those ideas

that are in harmony with the end desired, and not every stray and contradictory

idea that presents itself.

Fixed thought is a means to an end. Therefore pay attention to the power of

silent thought and meditation. The material act is but the outward expression of

thy thought. Thought is the commencement of action, and if a chance thought

could produce much effect, what cannot fixed thought do?

Therefore, as hath already been said, Establish thyself firmly in the

equilibrium of forces, in the center of the Cross of the Elements, that Cross from

whose center the Creative Word issued in the birth of the Dawning Universe!

THE PROCLAMATION

OF THE NEOPHYTE

In the Name of the Supreme and Terrible Lord of the Universe, Crowned and

Conquering, and by the magickal lineage of Frater A.·. A.·.the Founder of the

Order, I now proclaim that I, [Public Name], who will henceforth be known by

the Motto [Neophyte Motto], have initiated myself as a Neophyte in the Thelemic

Order of the Golden Dawn.

Make the Signs of the Neophyte.

THE CLOSING

Go to the Center of the Temple, knock 3-5-3 on the Altar, and say:


Go to the East of the Temple.

Take up the Cup of Purification, hold it up toward the East, and say:

So therefore first the initiate who governeth the works of Fire must sprinkle

with the Lustral Waters of the resounding Sea.

Make a Cross in the Air with the Cup, and sprinkle a few drops of Water three

times toward the East. Pass to the South, West and North, repeating the

purification in each quarter, then return to the East, and say:

I purify the Temple with Water.

Take up the Censer of Consecration, hold it up toward the East, and say:

And when all the phantoms have vanished, thou shalt see that Holy and

Formless Fire, that Fire which darts and flashes through the hidden depths of the

Universe.

Make a Cross in the Air with the Censer, and swing it thrice toward the East.

Pass to the South, West and North, repeating the censing at each quarter, then

return to the East, and say:

I consecrate the Temple with Fire.

Circumambulate three times, counterclockwise, giving the Sign of Horus when

passing the East, and then say:

The Mystick Circumambulation is accomplished. It is the symbol of the Fading

Light.

Go to the Center of the Temple, face East, give the Sign of Horus, and say:

Unity uttermost showed!

I adore the might of Thy breath,

Supreme and Terrible God,

Who makest the gods and death

To tremble before Thee: --

I, I adore Thee!

Appear on the Throne of Ra!

Open the ways of the Khu!

Lighten the ways of the Ka!

The ways of the Khabs run through

To stir me or still me!

Aum! let it fill me!

Return in the Sign of Silence.

Nothing now remains but to partake of the Mystick Repast, composed of the

symbols of the Four Elements, and to establish myself in the Center of the Holy

Cross, in the Sanctuary of my Soul.

Take up the Rose.

I inhale the perfume of this Sacred Rose, as a symbol of the Element of Air and

Liberty.

Smell the Rose.

I feel the warmth of this Sacred Flame, as a symbol of the Element of Fire and

Light.

Spread your hands over the Fire.

I eat this Cake of Light (or Sacred Bread and Salt), as a symbol of the Element

of Earth and Life.

If you are not using a Cake of Light, then dip the Bread in the Salt and eat it.

And finally, I drink this Sacred Wine (or Holy Water if under twenty-one years

of age), as a symbol of the Element of Water and Love.

Make a Cross with the Cup and drink from it.

It is done!

Replace the Cup.

Knock and say: KHABS.

Knock and say: AM.

Knock and say: PEKHT.

Knock and say: KONX.

Knock and say: OM.

Knock and say: PAX.

Knock and say: LIGHT.

Knock and say: IN.

Knock and say: EXTENSION.

Now say:

In the Name of the Crowned and Conquering Lord of the Universe, I declare

that the Temple of the Neophyte is duly closed.

May what I have partaken maintain me in my search for the QUINTESSENCE,

the Stone of the Philosophers, the SUMMUM BONUM, True Wisdom and Perfect

Happiness.

Knock 3-5-3, and say:


ABRAHADABRA.

Make the Signs of the Neophyte toward the East of the Temple, and depart

from the Temple in the Sign of Silence, yea, depart from the Temple in the Sign

of Silence.

THE MIDDLE PILLAR EXERCISE


of the Golden Dawn

The following is the Traditional Middle Pillar Exercise.

1. Visualize yourself standing in the Temple, facing West.

2. Formulate the Black Pillar of Severity on your right side and the White

Pillar of Mercy on your left side.

3. Imagine now that the Black Pillar is reflected in your left side and the

White Pillar in your right side.

4. Visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant White Light emanating seven inches from above your head. Inhale deeply and vibrate the divine name

of Eheieh, which means I Will Be or I Am.

5. Bring down the Light from above and visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant Indigo at the nape of your neck. Inhale deeply and vibrate the divine name Yehowah Elohim, which means Lord God or Lord of the

Gods.

6. Bring down the Light and visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant Yellow at your heart center. Inhale deeply and vibrate the divine name Yehowah Eloah va-Daath or IAO. The former means Lord God of all Knowledge and the latter is a Gnostic name of The Sun and is a Notariqon of the

former.

7. Bring down the Light and visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant Violet at your genital region. Inhale deeply and vibrate the divine name Shaddai

el Chai, which means Almighty God of Life.

8. Bring down the Light and visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant Green at your feet. Inhale deeply and vibrate the divine name Adonai ha-Aretz,

which means My Lord of Earth.

9. Circulate the Light by formulating in your Aura the Talismatic Atom.

10. Equilibrate the Light by formulating the Qabalistic Cross, thus:

a. Touch the forehead with the Sign of Benediction (or the index finger), and say Atah (Thou).

b. Touch the breast, and say Aiwaz (Angel of the Aeon) or IAO (God

Name of Tiphareth).

c. Touch the genitals, and say Malkuth (the Kingdom).

d. Touch the right shoulder, and say ve-Geburah (and the Power).

e. Touch the left shoulder, and say ve-Gedulah (and the Glory).

f. Place the two palms of the hands together upon the breast, and say le-

Olahm, Amen (To the Ages, Amen).

THE THELEMIC MIDDLE PILLAR EXERCISE


of the Golden Dawn

The following is the Thelemic Middle Pillar Exercise.

1. Visualize yourself standing in the Temple, facing West.

2. Formulate the Black Pillar of Severity on your right side and the White Pillar of Mercy on your left side.

3. Imagine now that the Black Pillar is reflected in your left side and the

White Pillar in your right side.

4. Visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant White Light emanating seven inches from above your head. Inhale deeply and vibrate the Holy Name PTAH.

5. Bring down the Light from above and visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant White Light at the nape of your neck. Inhale deeply and vibrate

the Holy Name TAHUTI.

6. Bring down the Light and visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant White

Light at your heart center. Inhale deeply and vibrate the Holy Name RA.

7. Bring down the Light and visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant White Light at your genital region. Inhale deeply and vibrate the Holy Name

ANPU.

8. Bring down the Light and visualize a Flaming Sphere of brilliant White

Light at your feet. Inhale deeply and vibrate the Holy Name SEB.

9. Circulate the Light by formulating in your Aura the Talismatic Atom.

10. Equilibrate the Light by formulating the Thelemic Cross, thus:

a. Touch the forehead, and say HOOR-PAAR-KRAAT.

b. Touch the breast, and say HERU-RA-HA.

c. Touch the genitals, and say RA-HOOR-KHUIT.

d. Touch the right shoulder, and say TA-NECH.

e. Touch the left shoulder, and say BES-NA-MAUT.

f. Place the two palms of the hands together upon the breast, and say ANKH-AF-NA-KHONSU, visualizing a five-petaled Rose blossoming from the Center of the Cross.

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE MIDDLE PILLAR


of the Golden Dawn


The Middle Pillar is the Central Pillar of the Qabalistic Tree of Life. It is also called the Pillar of Equilibrium, the Pillar of Consciousness, and the Pillar of Initiation. It is poised between the two Pillars of Mercy and Severity, which represent the two extremes or polarities in Nature. To understand the Middle Pillar aright, it is necessary to ascertain the nature of the two Pillars between which it is positioned. The Middle Pillar consists of the Sephiroth called Kether, Tiphareth, Yesod, and Malkuth. Daath, the invisible Sephira, is also a part of the Middle Pillar, but is generally not regarded as such since it is not really a Sephira in any true sense of the word. The Middle Pillar indicates the balanced principle in Nature. The Pillar of Severity, which consists of the Sephiroth called Binah, Geburah, and Hod,

indicates the Passive principle in Nature. The Pillar of Mercy, which consists of the Sephiroth called Chokmah, Chesed and Netzach, indicates the Active principle in Nature.

The Two Pillars of Mercy and Severity symbolize factors operative within the psyche of an individual; they are constituents of his/her own nature. In Jungian Psychology they are the Animus and Anima. Animus is the Qabalistic Chiah (Will) and Anima is the Qabalistic Neschamah (Soul). Animus is in contact with the objects of the outer world; Anima is in contact with the objects of the inner world. In occult psychology, Animus is Consciousness and Anima is Subconsciousness. Animus is the Soul of a Woman; Anima is the Soul of a Man.

Anima and Animus are the equivalent of the Oriental Yin and Yang, the principles of Darkness and Light. Yin is Anima and Yang is Animus. The Child of the interplay of Yin and Yang, and also the source of their balanced activity, is the Mystical Tao. The Middle Pillar is the Mystical Pillar of the Tao. It is the Qabalistic Yechidah (One Self) which is seated in Kether, the Sphere of the Limitless Light revealed. The Yechidah is the Pure Essence of the Soul, Mind and Body. It is the Life that abides in Light. It is the Spirit of the Tao, which is also a metaphor for the Middle Way or Path of Harmony.

The realization of the Tao is the sublime fruit of following The Middle Way or The Path of Harmony represented by the Middle Pillar of Initiation and Integration. This realization is the Awakening of the Golden Flower of Wisdom and Understanding. To attain this Great Awakening, or to become enlightened in other terms, the two extreme principles or polarities symbolized by the two Pillars of Mercy and Severity must be balanced through transcendence of their compulsions in the human personality and organism. The proper work of the Initiate of the Middle Pillar is the gradual development of self-control, or the increase of will-power, to refrain from the blind and fatal compulsions of extreme action represented by the two Pillars of Mercy and Severity, to balance these two aspects of his/her psyche, and to cultivate harmony between the two cerebral hemispheres of his/her brain which are the neurological equivalents of the two Pillars.

The three Pillars correspond with Sulphur, Salt and Mercury, which are the three Principles of Alchemy (Ars Regia, the Royal Art). The three Pillars also correspond with the three Gunas (qualities or principles) of Samkhya, which is one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu Philosophy founded by Kapila, and upon which the whole of Raja-Yoga is based. The famous Yogic system of Patanjali is derived from the Samkhya Philosophy. The Gunas of Samkhya Philosophy are called Rajas (Activity), Tamas (Passivity), and Sattva (Equilibrium).

The three Pillars also correspond with the three Mother Letters of the Hebrew Alphabet which, in turn, correspond with the three Aristotelian Elements of Fire, Water and Air. The left hand Pillar corresponds with the letter Mem (Water), for this Pillar is rooted in Hod and is crowned by Binah, which are watery in nature; the right hand Pillar corresponds with the letter Shin (Fire), for this Pillar is rooted in

Netzach and is crowned by Chokmah, which are fiery in nature; and the Middle Pillar corresponds with the letter Aleph (Air). The Sephiroth of the Middle Pillar (including the so-called invisible Sephira called Daath) are assigned to the element Air, except Malkuth which is assigned to the element of Earth which is the consolidation or synthesis of Fire, Water and Air.

The three Pillars also correspond with the three principal Nadis of Yoga. These Nadis are the primary nerves in the spinal column and are called Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna, the latter of these three being a hollow canal running through the spinal cord and extending from the base of the spine to the brain. Ida is on the left and Pingala on the right of the Sushumna. The Chakras are on the vertebral column in the Sushumna. Kundalini, when awakened, rises through Sushumna and pierces each petal of the Chakras which then rise up erect, blossoming into full Lotuses. The Kundalini sleeps until it is awakened in the Muladhara Chakra, closing with its mouth the entrance to the Sushumna. When the Kundalini (Shakti) is awakened, by way of proper initiation, She enters the Royal Way in the Central Nadi (Sushumna) to embrace her Lord Shiva above in the Brahmarandhra (Sahasrara, the Crown Chakra).

The three Pillars are embraced in the Hermetic Symbol of the Caduceus. In this symbol there are two Serpents, which represent the two Pillars of Mercy and Severity, being the two forces of Life and Death; and in the Center, at the summit of the Caduceus, there shines the Golden Globe of Glory which represents the Equilibrated Light of the Middle Pillar. These are the Qabalistic Forces of OD, OB and AOUR. OD (AVD) is the special Fire of the Sacred Magick of Light, Life, and Love. OB (AVB) is the special Fire of Black Magic. AOUR (AVR) is the Balanced Light of Open Day. These represent the three Ways in which the Kundalini or Serpent Force, called the Astral Light by Eliphas Levi, expresses its various modes of power. AOUR is the divine product of the balanced interplay of OB and OD, or Light and Darkness; it is the Child of their consummation, and the Golden Flower of Equilibrium. So is the Middle Pillar the Child and Flower of the Perfect Harmony between the principles of Mercy and Severity, the two extremes or polarities of Nature which, in their constant interplay of orgasmic ecstasy, constitute and support all created things on earth, fulfilling their function as providers of Equilibrium.

The Middle Pillar is a phallic symbol. It is the Kundalini made erect. The Kundalini is the Serpent, which itself is a Phallic symbol. The Phallus in our Royal Art of Magick does not necessarily refer to the male organ, but to the Sexual Force in Nature that is the Creative Energy in every man and every woman. This Sexual Force is the essence of the Sephiroth on the Pillars of the Tree of Life. It can manifest as Active, Passive or Equilibrated. The Middle Pillar represents this Sexual Force and its five principal modes of expression (represented in Magick by the five Aristotelian Elements) within which operate its three forms of manifestation (Activity, Passivity and Equilibrium).

The Middle Pillar is the equivalent of the Wand of the Magician. It is the Scepter of Power, the Wand of the Hierophant of the Golden Dawn. This wand is of Scarlet color, and it has four gold bands that represent the places of four Sephiroth on the Middle Pillar, called Daath, Tiphareth, Yesod and the pommel is Malkuth. The Crown, which surmounts the Wand, is symbolic of Kether. The Paths of Gimel, Samekh, and Tav are also represented on the Wand by the spaces in between the four gold bands. The Hierophant of the Golden Dawn wields this Scepter of Power above the pommel, at the place of the Path of Tav. This act represents his power to attract and govern the forces of the Light of Kether. By this Scepter of Power the Hierophant brings down the Light of Kether (Spirit) to the place of Malkuth (Earth) through the Middle Pillar.

The Middle Pillar is integration; it is the point of equilibrium between the two Pillars of the Tree of Life; it is the point of balance between the two extremes or polarities of the Universe. Initiation in itself is a magical process of integration. To integrate is to unite all the parts of oneself or to blend all the parts of oneself into a whole; and it is the process of bringing to a point of balance the opposing elements of the psyche. It is an operation that is essential to the proper development of the human personality. Without integration the aspirant can in no manner realize the Great Work of the Sages. Thus, in the Neophyte Ceremony of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, it is proclaimed in the Lecture of Balance, "Equilibrium is the basis of the Great Work." Consider also Aleister Crowley's statement, "The Great Work is the raising of the whole man in perfect balance to the power of Infinity." Perfect equilibrium through integration is the Key.

The numbers of the Sephiroth of the Middle Pillar, excluding Daath, are 1 (Kether), 6 (Tiphareth), 9 (Yesod), and 10 (Malkuth). The sum of these numbers is 26, which is the number of the Tetragrammaton (IHVH). It is also the sum of the numbers of the four Fixed Signs of the Zodiac, that is, Taurus (2), Leo (5), Scorpio (8), and Aquarius (11). These are the Kerubim, the Angels of the Elements from the point of view of Malkuth (Earth), or the Holy Living Creatures from the point of view of Kether (Spirit). Moreover, 26 is the magical number of the Cube. For the Cube has 6 sides, 8 points or corners, and 12 edges or boundary lines. The Cube is said to contain the Great Secret of the Universe. In Alchemical terminology it is the Stone of the Philosophers. It is a symbol of the Sanctum Sanctorum or the Cubical Holy of Holies that contained the Ark of the Covenant on which rested the Holy Shekinah. The Cube is a symbol of the World and the Throne of the Deity. It is the Cubic Throne we see on certain Tarot Atu of Thoth upon which sit certain archetypal figures. The Cube is a symbol of the Perfect Word and the Heavenly Kingdom. It is Truth expressed on the physical plane. The Cube is made of six squares; it is the Folded Cross of six squares, which is the Rosicrucian Cross with the Rose in its center. The Rose is hidden in the Cube or Folded Cross; it represents the Great Secret of Man. By the unfolding of the Cube is this Great Secret revealed. It is also worth mentioning that it is written in The Book of the Law that the Cube is a symbol of Hadit, the Flame that burns in every heart of man and in the core of every star.

The numbers of the Paths of the Middle Pillar are 13 (Gimel), 25 (Samekh) and 32 (Tav). The sum of these numbers is 70. 70 is the value of the Hebrew letter Ayin which corresponds with "Path 26" on the Tree of Life. It is the Path of the Exalted Phallus and the Pillar itself is a symbol of the erect Phallus. It is the Path of the Atu of Thoth called "The Devil". The Devil is Pan, the God of Sexual Lust or Phallic Energy; and He is Baphomet, the Supreme Hieroglyph of the True Self of Man. The sum of the numbers of the Hebrew letters of each Path of the Middle Pillar is 463 (Tav = 400, Samekh = 60, and Gimel = 3). 463 is the numerical value of RA-HOOR-KHUIT (Lord of the New Aeon) and it is the number of MTH HShQD (A Rod of Almond). Note in this connection that Ra-Hoor-Khuit is, in the Thelemic Qabalah, the God of Kether. Also note that Almond is attributed to Kether on the Tree of Life, and Kether is the Crown of the Middle Pillar. The Middle Pillar is, in point of fact, a symbol of the nature of Kether unfolded as the Universe.

The numbers of the Tarot Atu of Thoth (Major Arcana) which correspond with the Paths of the Middle Pillar are 2 (Gimel), 14 (Samekh), and 21 (Tav). The sum of these numbers is 37. 37 is the numerical value of YChIDH (True Self). Kether, the Crown of the Middle Pillar, is the seat of the Yechidah. Thus we may conclude that the Middle Pillar is a symbol of the Yechidah. 37 is also the sum of the numbers of all the Sephiroth of the Middle Pillar if we include Daath. (Kether = 1, Tiphareth = 6, Yesod = 9, Malkuth = 10, and Daath = 11.) Note also that 3x7=21. 21 is the Mystic Number of the Sixth Sephira on the Tree of Life called Tiphareth. In other words, it is the sum of the numbers from 1 to 6 (1+2+3+4+5+6=21). Tiphareth is the reflection of Kether in the mind of man. 21 is also the number of the three actual letters of the Tetragrammaton, that is, Yod-Heh-Vav. It is said in the Sepher Yetzirah, or Book of Formation, that by these three letters God sealed the six directions or formulated the Cosmic Cube of Space.


Copyright © 1993. David Cherubim.

All rights reserved.

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE MIDDLE

PILLAR EXERCISE


of the Golden Dawn


The Golden Dawn Middle Pillar Exercise is, to all intents and purposes, a Magical Ritual of Self-Initiation. That is, it is a magical method of commencing the subtle and inevitable process of uniting human consciousness with the divine consciousness, which is symbolized universally by the Light. In other words, it is a dynamic method of the Great Work, and it is worthy of vast attention from those who are truly serious about engaging themselves in the Great Work.

The Middle Pillar Exercise is a proper magical method of commencing the process of making contact with the Light and bringing it into conscious manifestation. But this Light of which we speak has naught to do with the mushy metaphysical mumbo-jumbo prattled and preached by the credulous critters of the so-called Metaphysical or New Age movements. Rather is it a metaphorical symbol for the Holy Guardian Angel or one's Central Self so often symbolized by the Lord of the Solar System, the Sun. It is LVX, the Light of the Cross. It is Khabs, the Light of a Star. The Middle Pillar Exercise is an inner recognition of that Light in the five Spheres of the Middle Pillar of Consciousness. It is a technique for concentrating and crystallizing into being the Light and bringing that Light down into conscious manifestation.

The Middle Pillar Exercise serves as an excellent prelude to any type of spiritual working, for it aligns the human personality with the Divine Self of Kether. All true spiritual work is done under the guidance of Kether. By performing the Middle Pillar Exercise you literally manifest the Light of your own Divine Self, concentrating it into being from your own limitless nature, as a sign thereof, and you gradually bring that Light into the sphere of your own human consciousness which is then transformed into a higher form of potential consciousness of your own True Nature.

The student should perform the Middle Pillar Exercise slowly and with great care and attention. It is a most effective magical method for awakening the higher currents within, and must be used with great patience and earnest aspiration. This cathartic exercise purifies and nourishes the Aura or Sphere of Sensation with the Divine Light from above. Thus it is a highly potent and serious method of the Great Work. Let the student begin visualizing each Sphere five minutes separately, vibrating each Name as many times as he/she feels inclined, however five times per Sphere seems an appropriate limit. The Ritual should take no more than 30 minutes to perform. To become identified with the Divine Energy of each of the five Spheres, periodically visualize yourself as a little person existing and moving inside each Sphere. Try to maintain this visualization within each Sphere for a period of five minutes. It is also a good practice in this respect to periodically visualize in the

Spheres the letters that make up the God Names of each Sphere. In this way you enhance the meaning and power of each Sphere in your archetypal model of the Middle Pillar.

The White Sphere above the Head is the place of Kether on the Tree of Life. The Indigo Sphere at the Throat is the place of Daath on the Tree of Life. The Yellow Sphere at the Heart is the place of Tiphareth on the Tree of Life. The Violet Sphere at the Genital is the place of Yesod on the Tree of Life. The Green Sphere at the feet is the place of Malkuth on the Tree of Life. These five Spheres naturally correspond with the four Aristotelian Elements (Fire, Water, Air and Earth) and the Quintessence or Spirit (the so-called fifth Element). Thus they also correspond with the five Tattvas or Elements of Eastern Philosophy. Kether is Spirit/Akasha, Daath is Air/Vayu, Tiphareth is Fire/Tejas, Yesod is Water/Apas, and Malkuth is Earth/Prithivi. The student may find it a valuable practice to visualize in the five Spheres of the Middle Pillar their corresponding Elemental Tattvic symbols. These Tattvic symbols are an Indigo Ovoid for Spirit/Akasha, a Blue Circle for Air/Vayu, an upright Red Triangle for Fire/Tejas, a Silver Crescent for Water/Apas, and a Yellow Square for Earth/Prithivi.

The Middle Pillar Exercise may be performed while standing, sitting, or even lying down. There is no strict rule concerning this matter; it must be left to the experience of the Magician to determine what position shall suit him/her best in this practice. However, it is the more common method among members of the Order to stand erect while performing the Middle Pillar Exercise. In this way we maintain an active conscious role in the practice, less inclined to enter into a passive state of trance or sleep. The Middle Pillar Exercise is capable of inducing a certain species of trance if it is performed for a long period of time in a relaxed or passive state. There is nothing wrong in this, but the object of the Middle Pillar Exercise is to actively manifest the Light in the consciousness of the Magician, to dynamically expand his/her awareness of that Light. It is therefore suitable to stand.

Concerning the formulation of the Talismatic Atom. See the Light ascend vertically in front of you from your feet to the Sphere of White Light above your head, and then feel it descend vertically down your back to the feet again. See it forming itself into a Circle of Light moving rapidly around you. Then visualize another Circle of Light forming itself and moving rapidly around your waist area. The idea here is to build up the Talismatic Image of the Atom, so that you will now need to form two more Circles of Light moving rapidly around you. Visualize one circle forming itself, moving up from your left foot to your right shoulder and back to your left foot from behind you, and then visualize another circle forming itself, moving from your right foot to your left shoulder from behind you and back to your right foot in front of you. Visualize all four Circles moving rapidly at the same time.

The Atom is one of the most significant of all symbols for the modern Magician to understand and apply. The symbol of the Atom, like the Atom itself, is a source of vast potential energy and its value in the world of modern Magick is simply inestimable. The symbol of the Atom does not only represent one of the minute

indivisible particles of which, according to ancient materialism, the Universe is composed, but is a symbol of the Whole Universe itself. Its formulation in the Aura of the Magician helps to circulate the Light invoked through the Middle Pillar and awaken his/her consciousness to a more universal mode of awareness or a higher circuit of cosmic potential.

This practice of the formulation of the Talismatic Atom also helps to fortify the Magician's power to concentrate. In this Talismatic Image we must concentrate on four distinct yet parallel parts to make up the whole of the single image of the Celestial Atom. In this simple practice is contained much wisdom for those who have eyes to see.

Concerning the formulation of the Qabalistic or Thelemic Cross. This helps to equilibrate the Light in the Aura or Sphere of Sensation. The Cross in itself is an invocation of the Divine Light of Kether and an equilibration of that Light in the four elemental quarters. By ending the Middle Pillar Exercise with the Cross you are sealing the ritual with the Light of Kether. You also formulate in your Aura the Cross of Light and seal your Aura with that Light. It is a suitable idea at this final point of the exercise to increase the size of the Cross, so that its vertical and horizontal bars extend into infinity. It is this which is the fulfillment of the Golden Dawn proclamation, "Khabs Am Pekht. Konx Om Pax. Light in Extension." After the formulation of the Talismatic Image of the Cross in the Aura, the Magician may find it a suitable practice to compose him/her self in the Sign of Silence, assuming the God-form of Harpocrates in the Egg of Blue.

The Middle Pillar is the Great Key to the Royal Path of Initiation. Thus the Middle Pillar Exercise can be used as an actual method for initiating oneself into the Mysteries of the Light. Initiation is a conscious realization of the Light. It is the beginning of the process of the gradual development of self-awareness and of self-actualization. The initiate is one who has come to a conscious realization of the Light of his/her own True Self, whose consciousness is one with his Inmost Self, with the Star of his/her own celestial nature.

The Light is a metaphor for pure Consciousness, or the unstained awareness of one's True Nature, which is the Eternal Matrix of one's being. It is Awareness of one's Universal Self, that great part of us all which is one with every other thing in the Infinite Universe, that majestic part of our own beings which we so often term the Holy Guardian Angel. It is what the foolish folk call God, and we call the Ideal Identity of our inmost nature. It is the Quinta Essentia or QUINTESSENCE of our being. It is the Light of the Star that we are in truth, and the Burning Radiance of our Eternal Self coursing through the great Heavens of Nuit. It is the Great Mystery of all Prophets and Sages, and the Goal of all Philosophers. It is That to which all men and women attain at their appointed time of death.


THE LESSER RITUAL OF THE PENTAGRAM


of the Golden Dawn

1. Touching the forehead, say Atah.

2. Touching the breast, say Aiwass or IAO.

3. Touching the genitals, say Malkuth.

4. Touching the right shoulder, say ve-Geburah.

5. Touching the left shoulder, say ve-Gedulah.

6. Place the two palms of the hands together upon the breast, and say le-

Olahm, Amen.

7. Advance to the East, and trace the Pentagram with the proper weapon. Say (i.e., vibrate) IHVH.

8. Turning to the South, the same, but say ADNI.

9. Turning to the West, the same, but say AHIH.

10. Turning to the North, the same, but say AGLA.

11. Return to the East, completing the Circle, extend the arms in the form

of a Cross, and say:

12. Before me Raphael;

13. Behind me Gabriel;

14. On my right hand, Michael;

15. On my left hand, Auriel;

16. For about me flames the Pentagram,

17. And in the Column shines the Six-rayed Star.

18-23. Repeat 1 through 6, the Qabalistic Cross.

THE LESSER THELEMIC RITUAL

OF THE PENTAGRAM


of the Golden Dawn

1. Touch the forehead, and say HOOR-PAAR-KRAAT.

2. Touch the breast, and say HERU-RA-HA.

3. Touch the genitals, and say RA-HOOR-KHUIT.

4. Touch the right shoulder, and say TA-NECH.

5. Touch the left shoulder, and say BES-NA-MAUT.

6. Place the two palms of the hands together upon the breast, and say

ANKH- AF-NA-KHONSU.

7. Advance to the East, and trace the Pentagram with the proper weapon.

Say (i.e., vibrate) THERION.

8. Turning to the North, the same, but say NUIT.

9. Turning to the West, the same, but say BABALON.

10. Turning to the South, the same, but say HADIT.

11. Return to the East, completing the Circle, extend the arms in the form

of a Cross, and say:

12. Before me AMESHET;

13. Behind me TUMAUTEF;

14. On my right hand, KABESHUNT;

15. On my left hand, AHEPHI;

16. For about me flames the Star of Five,

17. And in the Column shines the Star of Six.

18-23. Repeat 1 through 6, the Thelemic Cross.

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LESSER RITUAL OF

THE PENTAGRAM FOR THE GRADE OF NEOPHYTE


of the Golden Dawn


There is a much employed Golden Dawn Ritual which utilizes the symbol of the Pentagram as a general means to banish and invoke the elemental forces. This Ritual is called the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram. However, it should not simply be regarded as a mere device to invoke or banish, for it is really the Stone of the Wise and incorporates within its structure a high magical formula of Self-Initiation. It is, to all intents and purposes, a Ritual of Self-Initiation. This ritual is given to the Neophyte of the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn as a means for him/her to

come into contact with the invisible forces of Nature and to learn how to direct those elementary forces according to his/her Will.

The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram can be used to open and close any magical or mystical work, such as a ceremony or meditation; as a minor form of exorcism; or as an opening and closing for the day. In the latter case, you perform the Lesser Ritual of the Invoking Pentagram during Sunrise or upon awakening, and the Lesser Ritual of the Banishing Pentagram during Sunset or before going to sleep.

It is a suitable idea for the Neophyte to perform the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram at least twice a day. For it helps the Neophyte to develop around him/herself an Aura or Circle of Light; it purifies the Aura or Sphere of Sensation of all base elemental influences which are chaotic in nature, and it consecrates and fortifies the Magician with divine Light. Of course, when the Neophyte advances to Adeptship, it will become less of a matter for him/her to perform the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram except during those times where it is necessary to the opening and closing of some magical or mystical working. It should always be performed at the beginning and end of every Ceremony.

When using the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram, the Neophyte must understand that to invoke or banish is nothing more than a tuning in or tuning out. To invoke is to tune in; to banish is to tune out. We cannot really invoke or banish an elemental force; it is an intrinsic part of our nature; all we do is focus in or focus out of the elemental force, which is just as much a part of our nature as the nose on our faces or the toes on our feet.

The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram can be used by the Neophyte as a practical form of exorcism, to eliminate obsessing or disturbing thoughts. In this the Neophyte should first formulate a mental image of the obsession or disturbing thought, then s/he should project the image outside of his/her Aura with the Sign of Projection (Sign of Horus), and when the image is approximately three feet away, the Neophyte should give the Sign of Silence (Sign of Harpocrates) to prevent the image from returning unto him/her. With the image of the obsession or disturbing thought in the East, the Neophyte should then perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram to disintegrate the image, seeing it in his/her mind's eye dissolving on the further side of the Circle of Flame which is formulated in the Pentagram Ritual.

The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram can also be used as a simple exercise in the development of the power of concentration. In this the Neophyte should first formulate a mental image of him/herself and then transfer his/her consciousness to this mental image, so that s/he can perform the ritual entirely in his/her imagination. By doing this a number of times, the Neophyte will enhance his/her powers of concentration and s/he will experience a gradual sensation of obtaining a higher degree of centralization in his/her conscious mind.

The Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is composed of Four Parts: (1) The Qabalistic

Cross, (2) The Tracing of the Pentagrams, (3) The Invocation of the Archangels, and (4) The final Qabalistic Cross. These four parts relate to the Four Elements,

which the Pentagram Ritual is intended to invoke and banish.

In the formulation of the Qabalistic Cross you use the microcosmic Tree of Life. In other words, as you form the Cross you visualize yourself as with your back against the Tree of Life, whereas with the macrocosmic Tree of Life you are facing it, so that the Sephiroth called Geburah and Gedulah are located on your left and right respectively. In the Qabalistic Cross, however, we become the Tree of Life, so that Geburah and Gedulah are located on our right and left respectively.

For general magical purposes, the Pentagram of Earth alone is used by the Neophyte in the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram. In other words, you invoke towards and banish from the point to which the Element of Earth is attributed on the Pentagram. In the Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram is given to the Neophyte as a general means for him/her to invoke or banish the elemental forces of Nature, but by use of the Pentagram of Earth alone. It is given to the Zelator for the same purpose, but by use of all four Pentagrams of Fire, Water, Air and Earth. The Greater Ritual of the Pentagram, which incorporates the Spirit Pentagrams, is given to the Dominus Liminis. The student will need to consult Aleister Crowley's A.·. A.·. Publication in Class B, Liber O Vel Manus et Sagittae, Sub figura VI, for proper instructions and illustrations concerning the method of tracing the various Elemental Pentagrams.

When tracing the Pentagrams in the Lesser Ritual, the Neophyte should see them in a bluish-white flame. For purposes of tracing the Pentagram, its five points should coincide with certain parts of the body: the two lowest points should coincide with the left and right thighs; the two upper points with the left and right shoulders; and the uppermost point with the forehead.

When tracing the Pentagrams, you should exhale through the nose while tracing the first line of any Pentagram, and inhale through the nose while tracing the second line, keeping this rhythm of breath until the fifth line, which will always be done with the exhaling breath. In this way you can inhale the Divine Name before vibrating it, as an act of inspiration. When going from quarter to quarter you must connect the center of a completed Pentagram to the area that will become the center of the next Pentagram, to trace around yourself a Circle of Protection.

When vibrating the Divine Names, you may give the Sign of Horus or you may simply advance your right foot forward, placing its heel in the hollow of the left foot. However, giving the Sign of Horus helps to project the Divine Names with greater force. When you give the Sign of Horus, you must return in the Sign of Silence.

You envisage the Archangels behind the Pentagrams as you vibrate their Names. The Archangels can be either facing toward or away from you, depending on whether you are invoking or banishing. Raphael means "Healing of God";

Gabriel means "Strength of God"; Michael means "Likeness of God"; and Auriel means "Light of God."

When saying, "For about me flames the Pentagram", you should see the Pentagrams blazing around you. Then, while saying "And in the column shines the Six-rayed Star", you should see a Hexagram above and below you, and also the image of a Column. This represents the true nature of this ritual, which is to unite the Pentagram and Hexagram, that is, the Microcosm (Man) and Macrocosm (God). It is the equilibration of the Five and the Six. The Column itself is a

symbol of the Middle Pillar of the Tree of Life.

The Qabalistic Cross is repeated at the end of the ritual so as to balance it from beginning to end. The Qabalistic Cross is an invocation of the Divine Light and an equilibration of that Light in the four quarters of the Universe. By ending the ritual with the Qabalistic Cross you are sealing the ritual with the Light. It is a suitable idea at this final point of the ritual to increase the size of the Cross, so that its vertical and horizontal bars extend into infinity.

After performing the final Qabalistic Cross you should give the Sign of Silence. When giving this Sign, you should assume the God-form of Harpocrates, the God of Silence, seeing yourself inside the Egg of Blue Light.


THE INVOCATION OF THE LORD

OF THE UNIVERSE


of the Golden Dawn

For daily use of the Neophyte.

Adoration be unto Thee, Lord of my Life: for Thou hast permitted me to enter thus far into the Sanctuary of thine Ineffable Mystery; and Thou hast vouchsafed to manifest unto me some little fragment of the Glory of thy Supreme Being.

Hear me, thou Supreme and Terrible One, and grant that my Will be done: that I be initiated and instructed in thy Wisdom and Power: that I be granted the strength

and courage to uphold and exercise thy Way of Liberty, as a God who is free to do my True Will among the legions of the living; and grant unto me the comprehension of all that will bring me nearer unto Thee!

Teach me, Lord Horus, more of thy Mystery and thy Mastery; let each day and night bring me nearer unto Thee! Let me aid Thee in thy Great Work on earth, so that I may one day become truly united unto Thee in all thine Infinite Glory of Light, Life, Love and Liberty.

Come Thou forth unto me, O thou Mighty and Vast One, that art the Lord of the Aeon, thou Supreme and Terrible God who makest the gods and death to tremble before Thee, and whose Law is DO WHAT THOU WILT. O Thou Heart of my Soul: O Thou Self-Shining Flame: O Thou Glory of the Light of the Sun: Thee, Thee, I invoke!

Come Thou forth unto me, my Lord; to me, who am thy reflection in the mighty sea of matter. O hear me, thou Lord of the Gods: hear me in the habitations of Eternity; and come Thou forth unto me to purify and consecrate to thy Great Work my mind and will. Without Thee I am nothing. In Thee I am All-Self Existing in thy Selfhood to Eternity!

Come Thou forth unto me, O Thou Most Hidden Light! O Thou Heart of my Soul, Thee, Thee, I invoke! Come Thou forth unto me, O Thou who art my very Selfhood, mine Essence, my Light; and do Thou guard me and guide me through the manifold paths of Life, that I may at length become one with thy Supreme and Terrible Essence! O Lord of the Universe, grant Thou that upon me may shine forth the Light of my True Soul; and let me be guided by the help of my Holy Guardian Angel unto the attainment of thine Infinite Light.

And from hereon, teach me this one thing: how I may learn from Thee the Mysteries of thy Sacred Magick of Thelema: that I may obtain the Knowledge and Power of my True Will, and thus attain to the Knowledge and Conversation of my Holy Guardian Angel; and how best I may use that Knowledge and Power to assist my fellow men and women to accomplish the Great Work on earth.

And finally, I implore Thee, to let there be a link of unity between us; that I may ever seek, and seeking, obtain Freedom and Knowledge in Thee who art my very Selfhood, that I may duly partake of thy Supreme Spirit of Power to attain the Philosopher's Stone, the Summum Bonum, True Wisdom, and Perfect Happiness.

O Lord, may my Will which is Thine be done!

AUMGN. AUMGN. AUMGN.

(Important Note: This magical invocation to the Lord of the Universe can be performed by the Neophyte after his/her daily performance of the Lesser Ritual of the Pentagram and/or the Middle Pillar Exercise.)

neophyte in tgd

Documents

neophyte probationer

selfinitiation ceremony

selfinitiation work

serious ceremony

following instructions

lesser thelemic ritual

thelemic order

true nature