4 replies to this topic

[inah]

Hey guys, I need your help in order to form a solid study plan and a way to progress throughout the golden dawn book by Regardie. I am working on the original complete golden dawn system of magic which contains ten volumes (not the Llwellyn version) which I downloaded by the way. At the end of the introduction to the first edition in the Llwellyn version I have found a recommended study plan and I applied it to the original version with minor changes.

First I should read and understand well volume 1 and 2, and then I move to volume 3 and begin studying the first and second knowledge lecture (which contain the Hebrew alphabet, the LBRP and the symbols etc…)

After that I should learn how to perform the LBRP, and practice it for a year with invoking form in the morning and banishing in the evening. I should also try doing meditation number one ( the Fourfold Breath). Then I should start reading the Neophyte ritual slowly for at least a month while still maintaining the LBRP and the meditation.

This then is the suggested scheme for approaching the rituals of the outer order, it consists of memorizing the knowledge lectures, practicing the corresponding meditation, and reading the ritual slowly in order to understand it almost perfectly.

After almost a year of practicing the LBRP and the meditations I should start studying the rituals of the inner order. By that time I should also take a look and start practicing the middle pillar and the rituals from volume 4 (the hexagram rituals and the consecration rituals). After that I should move to the Z documents and other volumes.

I should leave the Enochian system of the last volume till the very end, until no stone has been left unturned.

Is this a correct and a solid plan, what do you think? please give me advice.

[93rdcurrent]

Chic and Tabatha Cicero may have offered you some help, they wrote a book on how to self-initiate into the GD. Here's a link to the Amazon.com site where you can review it: http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/1567181368. Hope this is helpful.

[Vivian Zoe]

Israel reccomneds his other two books The Middle Pillar and the Garden of Pomegrants as a preliminary step to the G.D book...so much reading, and that's why I have yet to really delve into the G.D book. While that is definately a thorough approach as he advises I think that you could gather the concepts in a more condensed form that he is asking you to knowledge up on such subjects as the Kaballah and its relation to other occultic refferences. The initiation book is not meant to be a complete volume of the esoteric order teachings, but rather a book of practicum for the student who has acquired the required background. That's why it sounds so vague and bewildering.
But other than that (big step) your plan sounds good but I think you should do it in a shorter time as to not lose relevance. How about just reading it through and roughly deciding how much time you think each part will take you to grasp well enough. Set more attainable goals because your mundane life can get in the way.
It is a lot, I know, but I think that is why there are so few of us Golden Dawn enthusiasts. Find commentary on the text because it is written in the manner that expects you to already know the foundation on which it is based on so you might end up overlooking the meaning behind each lesson.

[93rdcurrent]

I have been studying ceremonial magick since I was 13 years old and now I'm 40. I have read many books on the subject and I have been initiated into 3 Wiccan covens and the Ordo Templi Orientis. There is no shortcut and unfortunately if you want any proficiency and to accomplish the Great Work. You will need to have a thorough understanding of how the Universe operates. If you are choosing the Western Esoteric traditions such as the GD, there are some basic background concepts you need to master. In order to do so you will need to study them. Read the books. The Garden of Pomegranets is actually a short book but it has some excellent concepts by Regardie. I would say that the education you will get by actually reading and applying the knowledge you get into daily ritual work is much more important than any initiation. Trying to shortcut education won't work. Just ask a surgeon or engineer how that would work out. Now apply that same reasoning to your spiritual pursuits...

[inah]

93rdcurrent, on 11 August 2012 - 10:26 PM, said:

Chic and Tabatha Cicero may have offered you some help, they wrote a book on how to self-initiate into the GD. Here's a link to the Amazon.com site where you can review it: http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/1567181368. Hope this is helpful.

Thank you, I will definitely check it out.

Vivian Zoe, on 25 August 2012 - 05:23 AM, said:

Israel reccomneds his other two books The Middle Pillar and the Garden of Pomegrants as a preliminary step to the G.D book...so much reading, and that's why I have yet to really delve into the G.D book. While that is definately a thorough approach as he advises I think that you could gather the concepts in a more condensed form that he is asking you to knowledge up on such subjects as the Kaballah and its relation to other occultic refferences. The initiation book is not meant to be a complete volume of the esoteric order teachings, but rather a book of practicum for the student who has acquired the required background. That's why it sounds so vague and bewildering.
But other than that (big step) your plan sounds good but I think you should do it in a shorter time as to not lose relevance. How about just reading it through and roughly deciding how much time you think each part will take you to grasp well enough. Set more attainable goals because your mundane life can get in the way.
It is a lot, I know, but I think that is why there are so few of us Golden Dawn enthusiasts. Find commentary on the text because it is written in the manner that expects you to already know the foundation on which it is based on so you might end up overlooking the meaning behind each lesson.

93rdcurrent, on 25 August 2012 - 06:23 PM, said:

I have been studying ceremonial magick since I was 13 years old and now I'm 40. I have read many books on the subject and I have been initiated into 3 Wiccan covens and the Ordo Templi Orientis. There is no shortcut and unfortunately if you want any proficiency and to accomplish the Great Work. You will need to have a thorough understanding of how the Universe operates. If you are choosing the Western Esoteric traditions such as the GD, there are some basic background concepts you need to master. In order to do so you will need to study them. Read the books. The Garden of Pomegranets is actually a short book but it has some excellent concepts by Regardie. I would say that the education you will get by actually reading and applying the knowledge you get into daily ritual work is much more important than any initiation. Trying to shortcut education won't work. Just ask a surgeon or engineer how that would work out. Now apply that same reasoning to your spiritual pursuits...

Thank you both for the advice, I am honored to chat with experienced practitioners like you. I understand what you wrote. I am currently studying Qabalah, Astrology, Alchemy, Psychology, Geometry, and the Eastern Traditions. I am also working on making a personalized magickal training program. All of this to gain knowledge about the Universe and ultimately myself. I know that this is a lifelong spiritual journey, I see everything as spiritual, every experience as something to learn from. I love to gain knowledge.

I try to enojy every experience since I started the spiritual path, and I try to stop actions from the ego.I try to put myself in the place of others and understand them. In one word , it is a lifestyle. And I hope that this life style will bring me balance on the great journey towards uniting with the HGA, Rewaking, Nirvana etc...