goals of initiation

This may seem an abstract pondering, but perhaps those who monitor this group might be interested in sharing ideas on the underlying motivations and ultimate goals of the initiatory process.

Allow me to throw forth some notions. First, let's suppose there are two primary manifestations of 'initiation': 1) a dramatic and potentially educational enactment performed alone or in groups that may or may not lead to 2) an inner realization of the nature of certain aspects of the individual and their relationships to a larger context. The latter may arise spontaneously, in conjuction with enactment, or in most cases, not at all. The underlying motivations for the first manifestation may be sought in traditional psychology, ie

Initiation is a pilgrimage, wherein enlightenment is not achieved at the destination, but in and through the voyage itself. The voyage is one of breaking out of the circle and into a larger one.

Voyage it is intended to be, which is why arm-chair occultists never get to first base while the wandering mendicants, minstrels, as well as occultists of ill-repute (among them Dee/Kelly, Paracelsus, Goethe, Blavatsky, Crowley) got their inspirations from their travels abroad.

I accept goethe's explanation of the Vergoeder, or the second self projected forward and approaching backward from the destination to the point of origin. The purpose to engender the fusion of such experiences and energies.

The journey must be taxing (such that it not be a simple plane ticket) and must put the pilgrim himself in terra incognita and more than a little amount of personal risk (which would explain, why of all places, Dee/Kelly would risk a visit to the gallows of Rudolf II).