SCROLL OF THE ZELATOR
(Recommendations for the Grade of the Magician)
By Brian Goldstein
(Frater Achad AL)
Copyright © 2005 e.v.
Thelemic Order
of the Golden Dawn.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
“The Grade of Zelator is a preparation for
other more Exalted Grades, a threshold before our Sacred Discipline; and it
shows by its imagery the Light of the Hidden Knowledge dawning in the Darkness
of Creation. You are now to begin to analyze and comprehend the true nature of
that Light.” This is something you were advised of, or acknowledged, during your
initiation as a Zelator. You were also advised, or acknowledged, that “there are
Four Gates to one Palace.” What does all this mean? Seek and find the answers,
for your own sake and the sake of the Universe. Now, on with the Great Work! The
Holy Work must not be left undone!
This could be an exciting stage in your magickal and spiritual development,
where your efforts could produce real attainments. It is all up to you. Only you
can do the work for yourself and only you can determine the pace. Therefore,
proceed as you Will.
Your Great Work as a Neophyte was to discover your True Will. Your Great Work as
a Zelator is to do your True Will. So do it! Take action!
As a Zelator, you are to keep the fire burning within. Your work is to balance
the four elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire within your Sphere. In the
process, you will come to know these elements through direct experience. Keep in
mind that, to control the forces of Nature, you must first learn how to control
yourself.
You have undertaken the elemental initiation process below the Veil of Paroketh.
This is a real process, and not merely a symbolic or an intellectual “thing”.
There are hallmarks of attainment, which you will come to know. Even though
these hallmarks may have been explained to you in plain, simple language, it was
unlikely that you comprehended what was really meant. You will do so when it is
your time. This is the case with a great deal of magickal writing. Just do your
best to comprehend, and persevere.
In all cases, we stress the need to make an effort, and to assert your Will, to
accomplish the Great Work. Continue to creatively apply those energies. Repeated
workings help. Then, after a working, let the Magick do its work. In the
process, may you truly equilibrate the energies, and be initiated into the
mysteries, of the Elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire, and may you attain the
four Glories of Thelema. So mote it me!!!
The work of the Zelator also includes work, on at least an elementary level,
with the four lower Sephira of Malkuth, Yesod, Hod and Netzach. This work can
effectively be combined with your elemental grade rites, by adding the tattwa
rites as described below.
In addition, now would be an excellent time to begin your initiation into the
Paths of the Tree of Life. This work can be done using the Order’s Tarot System
of Self-Initiation, which is profoundly simple and profoundly powerful, as you
may soon find out. We cannot over-emphasize the importance of this. It is best
to begin your initiation with the Path of Tau, on or shortly after the New Moon
following your initiation (when you also begin your work with the Element of
Earth). You, therefore, may want to investigate this as soon as possible to
prepare.
Every man and woman is a star. We each have our own orbit. Accordingly, each of
us must craft our own approach to the work. What works for one person may not
necessarily work best for another person. So, consider this Scroll as suggestive
information like anything else. It is intended to provide guidance to assist you
in developing your own patterns, and not something to be slavishly adhered. The
same goes with any other magickal writing. This is the Aeon of Horus! Be free to
do your True Will.
As described in the Scroll of the Neophyte, the work recommended through the
Sanctuary of Thoth includes, for each grade, all the work described on the
Order’s website. It also includes other work designed to assist you in
developing as a Zelator and to prepare you for the Portal Grade of the Dominus
Liminus. So, as a Member of the Sanctuary of Thoth, we recommend the following
approach to the work of the Zelator:
You were advised in the Scroll of the Neophyte to begin to attune yourself to
lunar currents and cycles. In the process, you may have learned how to “plant
seeds” on or shortly after a New Moon, and how to nourish them so they grow
during the lunar cycle. You may have also learned how this cultivation process
differs during the waxing and waning phases of the Moon. If you have not come to
an understanding of these matters as of yet, we strongly recommend that you do
so sooner than later. As suggested above, the work of the Zelator is best
started on the New Moon following your initiation. During the period between
your initiation and the New Moon, we recommend that you take some time to
contemplate what occurred during your initiation, and to prepare yourself for
the work that lies ahead.
With respect to the elemental grade work of the Zelator, we recommend that you
formulate your Will, as best you can, to complete the work during a specified
period of time. For present discussion purposes, let’s say a minimum period of
one year or so. We suggest that you work on Lunar Cycles. Use each one wisely
and well. Each New Moon marks a new beginning for you and the Great Work. If you
intend to spend approximately one year on the work of the Zelator (which would
be the minimum period under the rules of the Order), you would dedicate three
Moons to each of the elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire, in that order (12
Moons in total). We again stress that the elemental initiations are not
automatic, and are not merely symbolic or intellectual achievements (or
certificates) handed out after certain “wait” periods have expired or certain
academic tests have been passed. Therefore, consider truly dedicating yourself
to properly doing the work at every stage or step, so you are truly prepared to
take the next step in your initiation process. If your pace is slower or
irregular, which is fine (zeal waxes and wanes), you might want to dedicate four
or five Moons to each element, or whatever time period you believe you will
need. If you are working almost everyday, a year (12 Moons) may suffice. If you
are working only several times a week, a longer period will likely be warranted.
Try to dedicate the same amount of time to each element. This assists in
creating balance. Also, in all cases, we caution aspirants not to move to fast.
Over-eagerness can be a disadvantage. If you proceed to the next step before you
are truly prepared to do so, you may slow your progress (in which case you may
need to go back to complete any unfinished work). Follow your intuition as to
your pace and whether you have completed the tasks, but be honest with yourself.
No steps can be skipped.
We recommend that you alternate your elemental grade work on one day and a tarot
path-working on the next day. We recommend that you do not do both (i.e., an
elemental grade working and a tarot path-working) on the same day, to avoid
confusion or an “overload” of energy. You want the energies you invoke to do
their work, and you want to be able to identify the energies and their effects.
This being the case, we recommend that you create and stick to a schedule.
Establishing rhythms, whatever they may be (do as you Will), can greatly assist
in your development. A schedule can help create balance between different types
of workings, and provide structure. It also permits “guidance” to “float to the
top” as coming rites approach.
When working with an element, you will essentially be flooding your Sphere with
the element. This is why we work with one element at a time in this grade. It
assists you in gaining experience with the element. Study everything you can
about the element. Consider astrology, tarot and the zodiacal signs. Reference
777 for correspondences and read the appropriate chapter from Liber LXV. This
may aid you in getting to intellectually know the element. Your goal is to
equilibrate (or balance) the energies of the element, and be initiated into the
mysteries of the element.
On an elemental grade work day, we recommend that you (1) review your Oath as a
Zelator and (2) study some aspect of the element before commencing your working,
if possible. This will aid you in attuning your mind to the force you are
invoking and the method of the working, and formulating any questions regarding
the element, which you may ask during the working or otherwise throughout the
day. On an elemental grade work day, your ritual practice might go something
like this - (1) perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (“LBRP”),
(2) purify and consecrate with water and fire, respectively, the space and
yourself, and (3) perform the Lesser Invoking Ritual of the Pentagram (“LIRP”)
of the element you are working with at the time. Assure yourself that the
element has been properly invoked. Concentrate on all pertinent visualizations.
See it!!! Feel it!!! Know it is there. In this regard, take notice that, with
the LIRP, you are invoking the particular element in all four quarters, which
will flood your Sphere with the force invoked, as alluded to above. Also, please
take a moment to acknowledge something very important - our rites are not merely
symbolic, they are real. (Pause and think about this.) Following the working,
throughout the day, think of the element you invoked, and how the working may
have affected, or may be affecting, you. Also, think of how you are actually
prosecuting the Great Work of the Universe.
A tattwa rite is recommended with many (but not all) of your elemental grade
workings, following the LIRP. The reason is that the LIRP will support or aid
your tattwa rites, which will also correspond with the element you are working
with at the time. We stress again the importance of the tattwa rites. They add a
sephirothic component to the curriculum which is not addressed elsewhere, so
they are important to your initiation process and should not be “skipped” (or
done irregularly). You will likely find that, over time, one aspect of the work
(which seems unrelated at first and maybe even distasteful) will aid in your
development in other aspects of the work. They are all related.
To commence your initiation with the Paths on the Tree of Life, we recommend
that you use our Tarot System of Self-Initiation. This will require you to print
the 22 Oaths that may be found on the Order’s website. As a general rule of
thumb, we recommend that you formulate your Will to spend at least one Lunar
Cycle on each Path. On your next scheduled tarot path-working day following a
New Moon, take the Oath of the Path you will be working on during the Lunar
Cycle. This should be done, if possible, in a properly constructed circle
(formed by the LBRP), which has been purified and consecrated with water and
fire, respectively. The Oath should then be read aloud (if possible or
appropriate), acknowledged and then signed (and sealed). You might then take
action to confirm the Oath by performing a path-working rite, as described
below.
On tarot path-working days, we recommend that you (1) review your Oath for the
Path and (2) study (and view) the card before your working, if possible. This
will assist you in attuning your mind to the force invoked and the method of the
working, and formulating any questions you may have about the work. Keep in mind
that your goal is to equilibrate the energies of the path, and be initiated into
the mysteries of the path. An example of a path-working rite may be found in the
paper “Concerning the Astral Plane” available on the Order’s website.
If the work described above was not enough to keep you busy (hence the need for
the Zelator to have “zeal” to keep the fire burning within with respect to the
Great Work), there is more. We strongly recommend that you study the Ritual of
the Sphinx and perform this rite as often as possible. This can be performed at
any time, alone (without any other workings), or preceding or ending your other
rites. You may find it to be of great aid in your attainment process.
Continue to refine and cultivate your meditation skills, and other ritual and
magickal practices. Have fun! The Great Work is the greatest of all personal
adventures! By experimentation, find out what works, and what does not work, for
you. Keep in mind that, as you attain, your perspective changes, so you may find
new insight in prior work.
In the Scroll of the Neophyte, we recommended that you study astrology in the
context of your natal chart. Now, as a Zelator, we recommend that you expand
your studies to include astrology in the context of your rites, as alluded to
above.
With respect to the elemental weapons, we refer you to Liber A vel Armorum sub
figura CDXII (which is in Book 4 on Magick). You might also read other Golden
Dawn material that has been published on the subject. Consider all this
information as guidance. Make or acquire your elemental weapons as you deem
appropriate. We stress – the weapons do not need to adhere to the detailed
specifications provided in these varying materials. Many find that making the
weapons according to their own ingenium is the most powerful, because the
process of constructing the weapon, and working through the symbolism, greatly
assists in attuning yourself to the element which the weapon will symbolize. As
a result, the weapon, so to say, “gains power”. If possible, acquire or
construct each weapon during a Waxing Moon while working with that element.
Accordingly, you would acquire or construct your Earth Pantacle when working
with the Element of Earth, your Air Dagger when working with the Element of Air,
and so on.
After working with an element for some time, and acquiring or constructing your
corresponding elemental weapon to your satisfaction, consecrate it on a Waxing
Moon according to your own ingenium. In this regard, we recommend that you
review other consecration rites that have been published (as information) and,
considering all you have learned, construct your own rite, which personally will
be the most powerful and effective. Other rites are simply guidance to you in
this regard.
There is so much more. However, this Scroll, combined with the materials on the
Order’s website, is intended to give you guidance and structure to properly
commence and prosecute the work of the Zelator. The Zelator has much to do, so
get started. Just do it!
During the course of your progress, your intuition will likely guide you to
other areas of interest. Investigate them, and see how they relate to the work
at hand. However, be careful not to become distracted. Further, it is important
to work in accord with the rhythms you have established, and not against them.
May you accomplish the Great Work of the Zelator, and may you truly be prepared
to take the next step in your initiation process. So mote it be!!!
In our Order, the Dominus Liminus initiation is always a self-initiation rite,
and never a ceremonial initiation performed by another initiate. To become a
Dominus Liminus is a great and wondrous step, not to be taken lightly. May you
take this step in all due course, when it is your time, with Love in your Heart
and the Light in your Eyes.
The Dominus Liminus initiation is best performed while on the Path of Samekh or
Nun. Thus, you might slow the pace of your path-workings once you approach these
Paths, and prepare for your Dominus Liminus initiation. Staying on the Paths of
Ayin, Samekh and Nun for long periods of time is highly recommended. Wait for
the right time. You will know when it is.
May you truly be prepared for other more Exalted Grades, and comprehend the true
nature of the Light of the Hidden Knowledge dawning in the Darkness of Creation.
So mote it be!!!
We are here for you to answer any questions you may have about the Great Work.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours in the Great Work,
Frater Achad AL.
Anno IVxiii: Sol in Sagittarius,
Luna in Pisces.
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