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First Sentence
THERE has always been a widespread belief that some men know more than others, and that instead of sharing certain aspects of their knowledge with their fellow-men, as they were willing, nay eager, to do with certain other aspects of it, they kept them sedulously to themselves, or communicated them only to a chosen few, whom they either bound to inviolable secrecy, or permitted to impart the knowledge in their turn only to those who were prepared to assume the same obligations and who were judged worthy to receive this great privilege. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
THERE has always been a widespread belief that some men know more than others, and that instead of sharing certain aspects of their knowledge with their fellow-men, as they were willing, nay eager, to do with certain other aspects of it, they kept them sedulously to themselves, or communicated them only to a chosen few, whom they either bound to inviolable secrecy, or permitted to impart the knowledge in their turn only to those who were prepared to assume the same obligations and who were judged worthy to receive this great privilege. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This text is aimed at those students interested in High Ceremonial Magick; it has nothing to do with new-age stuff.
Dion Fortune (aka as Violet Mary Firth) and G. Knight are the most talented representative of the Western Tradition Magick.
Serious students should not miss the chance to get this book.
Dion Fortune (aka as Violet Mary Firth) and G. Knight are the most talented representative of the Western Tradition Magick.
Serious students should not miss the chance to get this book.
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bought this to add to my collection of Dion fortunes books.an interesting read if somewhat obscure in places.
Dion Fortune is one of the best occult writers
Dion Fortune is one of the best occult writers
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