The Training & Work of an Initiate

Rating:
Summary: A well-written and informative book
Review: As usual, Ms. Fortune cuts to the chase, though I wouldn't say that this book is an easier read than her other texts. I found myself jotting down notes for future use, so despite the fact that it was written decades ago, her points are still applicable. She is very opinionated however, and obviously had definitive views on the purpose for occult study. Study for personal gain toes the line of dark magic, according to her.

She does not mention her contemporary, Aleister Crowley, by name but is quick to send sharp barbs of disapproval on what she calls "phallic rites" and other "black" practices. Sometimes she sounds almost eclectic and open-minded, but the next moment, she launches into a series of Christian apologetics. One would think that an accomplished psychic would move past such dogma. Like most Victorian/Edwardians, she clearly states that the progenitors of the Western Mystery Tradition: Judaism, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece were 'primitive' in comparison to Christianity, simply because Christianity misappropriated the 'important parts' of their doctrines. So if you can look past her quirks, she does give valuable information on the prerequisites to joining a society and more importantly, what being a master adept entails. It's not for the faint-of-heart but she says that even the failed aspirant is blessed in the attempt to climb Jacob's Ladder.

Rating:
Summary: EXPLANATION OF SANE OCCULTISM
Review: In this very readable work, Dion Fortune deals with the tradition of initiation in the Western Esoteric Tradition and explains the principles of these esoteric systems. An interesting foreword by Gareth Knight discusses Fortune's place in metaphysical thought, declaring her a great synthesist ever holding a balance between the strands of hermetic occultism, devotional mysticism and nature mysticism. Knight even refers to Tolkien's account of creation in The Silmarillion as reflecting Fortune's approach to certain metaphysical questions! The book provides information on how the initiate prepares the mind, spirit and body for the journey on the esoteric path and what the path of initiation looks like. The book is divided into three parts: Ethical, Theoretical and Practical. It details the way of initiation, preparations and daily life upon the path and provides a ground plan of illumination. There is also valuable information on the training of the mind and the body. I found the discussion of the relationship between natural and esoteric science very insightful and her division of what she terms "illuminism" into two branches - mysticism and occultism, very informative. According to the author, mysticism aims at the speediest possible attainment of the divine union of the soul with its source and in order to achieve this it eliminates all that causes separation. Occultism on the other hand, aims to organise and master phenomena and bring them into harmony with the eternal law of the real. Ultimately, the difference is only a matter of temperament. Fortune then proceeds to classify religions and movements like Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Theosophy, Spiritualism, Christian Science and New Thought into these two branches. The chapter on the Western Esoteric Systems deals with the Qabalistic, Greek and Egyptian traditions, claiming that they all contributed to modern Western esotericism that in addition, also draws on Eastern thought. The book contains a Tabular Classification of Illuminism demonstrating the mystical/occult division in detail as well as an index and a short biography and portrait of Fortune. This is a well written book explaining most of the important points of the occult path and the practice of sane occultism. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Mystery Schools Exist Now. Are you an initiate?
Review: Jesus of Nazareth was taught in mystical schools. Back then, we know that there were many. On my spiritual quest I had studied some of Alice Bailey's books, including those on initiation. I had wondered - am I being trained by a master? Am I an initiate? Reading this book and _Esoteric Orders and Their Works_, also by Dion Fortune, has answered my personal questions, and let me understand that this work is going on now.

Those two books also differentiated the mystic from the occultist - a fine point to the novice, but important in understanding yourself and others. I'm reading the rest of her books. If you are studying the Ageless Wisdom, shamanism, and/or the occult, you will love Ms. Fortune's books. You MUST READ her _Cosmic Doctrine_. Very deep.