overview of GD system

Anyone interested in the Golden Dawn could do with reading

Author: Shaw, Gregory, 1951-. Title: Theurgy and the soul : the neoplatonism of Iamblichus / Gregory Shaw. Pub. Info.: University Park, Pa. : Pennsylvania State University Press, c1995. Phy Descript: x, 268 p. ; 24 cm.

Some good points here, certainly the exercise of initiation is designed to progressively prepare the Ruach (personality) for the descent of the Neschemah (soul or awareness of divinity) so that the waking consciousness can perceive the inner divine nature of the initiate. I am not a great fan of Aleister Crowley, but there is no doubt he had some very good insights. I saw one of his offerings (can't remember which book - I think 'Aha' or 'Book of Lies', which was appebnded by the comment 'Thus spake the imp Crowley, not the Master Therion' (or words to that effect). He was drawing a clear distinction between the Ruach and Neschema as I have done above.

One of the benefits of the the popularisation of Magic is that many good books are more widely available than ever before; one of the problems is that it has bred a large number of instant experts. Have a look at alt.magick and you wiill see what I mean.

Good points here.

An interesting post. How do you see the relationship between the elements, the astrological signs and the concept of 'deeper psychic levels' which you refer to?

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Yes indeed, (sorry about the duplicate posts).

Let's get it rolling and see what can be achieved...