High Magick & Initiatic Orders
For centuries, the ancient Western Mysteries have been transmitted through rituals called "initiations." Everyone can learn from books how to perform rituals, visualization, and self-empowerment, but nobody can seriously initiate himself. To do so, you need one or more persons who will perform a special ritual for you. We know the existence of such ceremonies of initiations from a very early period, 1700 BCE if we consider the Mysteries of Eleusis in Greece. Later, other closed groups such as the Pythagorean, Neoplatonists, Hermetists, and Theurgists practiced initiatic secret rituals. My goal is not here to write an historical study, but it is worth noting that such initiatic societies have existed for a very long time, and are still present today in the world.
Anyone interested in Western Traditions has heard something about initiatic Orders, but they don't speak much about what they are and what goals they have. In my book, Rediscover the Magick of Gods and Goddesses, I follow the Hermetic and Theurgic Traditions that eventually gave birth to the Ogdoadic Tradition, today known as Aurum Solis. This international organization provides initiations and serious magical training. A large part of the book is devoted to the practice of original rituals and exercises. The practice is very important when we really want to experiment with the elements provided in the book. However, sometimes you can be eager to use a book as an occasion to go further in your spiritual journey. Then knowing about the definition and goals of these ancient initiatic Orders can become essential.
