QUOTE(bym @ Apr 18 2007, 10:57 PM)
Just curious marsyas555...have you ever experienced initiation through an established occult order?
I'd agree that we need to be vigilant with groups of unknown quality, especially those that charge money for the service...but what I was speaking of was those groups that are established. There are ways of 'knowing' that the procedure(s) hold merit. Develope your senses...you can 'feel' the intense energies involved with true ritual magic. The air will feel 'electric' or very similar to that after a thunderstorm is/has happened. Posers do not achieve the 'charged' atmosphere! I was never billed for an initiation! Ever! And I would be highly suspect of those that do! IMHO, of course...
This doesn't invalidate solo practitioners from achieving Initiation! Not every one will have access to a magical fraternity/sorority/organization. But the active part of the Initiation isn't based in the physical at all...whether done solo or in numbers! Good Luck! (IMG:
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Yes I have been formally initiated in an established order and have been actively officiating in intitiations for many years now.
I suppose it depends on what order one is joining, but imho, in what I am aware of in terms of orders of western ceremonial magick, I don't think astral initiations are to be taken seriously, generally speaking.
Imho there can be no stronger impact on the auric field of a candidate (provided the candidate is open to recieving the experience) than the presence of actual physical symbolism and actual physical people who are trained in affecting the aura of a candidate through the various modes of symbolism, which range from impliments, admission badges/talismans and the like to sensory stimulation through incense, sound/ vibration, lighting and such.
Imo just because a group is established doesn't mean they are trust worthy. Jim Jones had a pretty established group, and so did David Koresh. But we are in agreement that groups which exploit the name of their order for monetary profit are not to be trusted.
The astral aspect of an intitiation is extremely important, indeed. In fact I think it is the etheric affects that carry the most weight in how effective an intitation is. But personally I don't think it's gonna happen unless the physical candidate is present amongst the intiating body of officers.
It's only my opinion I'm stating. I feel solitary/self intitiation is a far better way if one can't put themselves physically with an initiating body. At least then you know that the work is actually being done.