Initiation or rite of passage are words that have a mysterious ring to them in our western world, making many people curious or sometimes even scared off.
So what does it really mean? The Duden dictionary explains the term as follows: “The admission of a newcomer into a community of status or age, a secret society or the like, regulated by certain customs, especially the initiation of young people into the circle of adults among primitive
peoples”.
This explanation contains three crucial elements: firstly, the transition, the passage from one status to another; secondly, the initiation into an existing community; and thirdly, the associated ritual act. However, the process of maturation initiated by the rite is barely hinted at.
The Initiation – The spiritual context of an initiatory order presupposes contact between the initiate and the higher worlds. The spiritual initiatory flame must be maintained or the effect will not be realised.
The power that flows in a Mystery School has a tremendous effect. In the jungle of secret societies, orders and mystery schools, it is difficult for the inexperienced to find their way and to distinguish an authentic organisation from a counterfeit one.
Initiations into the Mysteries lead to a higher world and bring about the ascent of the soul on Jacob’s Ladder. This requires striving for the higher, the willingness to serve and subordinate oneself, and the willingness to give up the egoistic parts of one’s personality.
Initiation is a ritual-magical process that gradually leads to a connection with ancient wisdom and answers to the ultimate questions of life. Rituals are generally an important part of the Western mystery tradition. They serve to raise awareness of cosmic order and laws.
The magic that is expressed through ritual is a secret science that is carefully guarded and not shared lightly. Candidates are therefore sworn to secrecy before they are accepted. The organisation carefully examines which candidates are worthy of initiation.
Initiation requires a willingness to accept responsibility. To receive it is a gift and a grace.
The Hermetic Academy is an authentic Mystery School that provides access to the initiation path of the Western Mystery Tradition.
