The Rose and Cross transcend mere symbolism. They embody the profound mystery of practical magic, where ‘the Magician transforms into the victim invariably’.
What does the Interview with the Holy Guardian Angel signify? It unfolds as a narrative of death (Cross) and resurrection (Rose). It represents self-sacrifice, wherein the sole recompense is the emergence of a renewed individual – a ‘magical child’ as clarified by Aleister Crowley.
That late evening, I saw an old wooden chest in a soft glow emanating from an obscure source above, casting a dim light in the dark room. The sole illumination filtered through a small hole in the ceiling, allowing only a modest orb of light to infiltrate. I approached the chest with a measured pace and realised that there were no windows or doors. How had I arrived here?
I didn’t really walk; it was more like floating through the air without any arms or legs. Remembering those days, everything came back to me crystal clear. Even though I didn't have regular eyes, I could see everything just fine. However, I could only look forward. It was like a special kind of awareness, a spiritual knowing. Through it, I understood things that weren't easy to grasp. This awareness held the experiences of my soul.
I found myself compelled to stay close to the chest. I felt very clearly the boundary that one must not breach. It was like an unwritten decree that dictated restraint. I should not venture too near, and certainly, must refrain from looking inside. Hence, an awareness unfolded within my consciousness, guiding me on precisely how to conduct myself during those suspended moments.
My gaze was drawn to the chest. Fashioned from a natural, light-coloured wood, unadorned and slightly yellowish, it exuded an old-fashioned charm. A few flowers were placed around the chest lid, depicting a red rose. Yet, there were no additional patterns or crosses to be found. I realised that I had to get close and stay near the chest for a while, engaging in a period of quiet observation. There was no one else in the room. I was here alone.
Journeys of the Soul: What's there after life? Part 2
Journeys of the Soul: I am a dot. Part 1
Eventually, I found myself in a different room within the walls of a castle. This castle stood as a relic of the past, perched on the border between England and Scotland.
Castles and medieval fortresses serve as vivid reflections of Britain's rich history, concealing numerous secrets and mysteries within their robust walls. Initially constructed for military and defensive objectives, over time, they transformed into private fortified residences for feudal lords, adding a layer of enigma to their storied existence.
Who are the Sovereign Masters empowered to decide if we live or die?
I spotted a faint glow, and as I distanced myself, I saw Ruby and Sapphire rings. They adorned the robust left hand of a man. This hand, though alive, seemed more like a manifestation of energy — it’s almost impossible to put it into words. It resembled a substantial and potent energy mass taking on a human form. I didn't see who it was, but a distinct realisation dawned on me — it was a Sovereign Master.
I could catch a glimpse of the edge of his garment. It was smooth satin fabric, a red robe with hints of blue woven into it. Oddly, I found myself unable to look up. It wasn't a matter of choice; it felt forbidden on a subconscious level. There was no strength to protest or resist, no thoughts to ask questions or extract more information. I simply observed what was happening around me.
My focus remained fixed only on those two rings as the Sovereign Master sat in a huge chair, deliberating my fate. I lingered in anticipation, perhaps in the midst of a decision-making process that was anything but swift.
Suspended in the air, I experienced an unusual weightlessness. Without a physical form, there was no sensation of shifting or restlessness. I couldn't perceive myself externally, and there were no sounds or voices to break the profound silence.
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a society where the mysteries of the occult were explored, and ancient magical traditions that had shaped Europe for centuries were cultivated. This enigmatic organisation comprised three distinct orders:
The first, known as the Outer Order, imparted esoteric philosophy grounded in Hermetic Kabbalah. It guided personal development through the study of the four natural Elements, fundamental principles of astrology, tarot divination, and geomancy.
The second, known as the Inner Order, namely the Ruby Rose and Golden Cross (Latin: Rosae Rubeae et Aureae Crucis), focused on practical magic. This encompassed teachings in scrying, astral travel, and alchemy.
The Third Order comprised the ‘Secret Chiefs’ or ‘Unknowable Superiors’, entities of exceptional skills that were not manifested in a physical form. It was believed that these enigmatic beings directed the activities of the other two orders through a spiritual connection with the leaders of the second order.
And at last, the prolonged and suspenseful anticipation came to an end!
Suddenly, I found myself within my own body. I had beautiful long hair, which I could see looking at myself. I gazed directly into my own eyes. It wasn't a reflection in a mirror; it was my true image, vivid and clear. This revelation was utterly unexpected! Never before, with closed eyes, had I seen myself so distinctly. I was fixated on my own image when, for the first time throughout this entire experience, I heard a voice.
The voice told me something special that remained shrouded in secrecy.
It was a Dedication.
Following that, a remarkable transformation took place. I began to recover, gradually rising and taking tentative steps. Slowly but surely, life returned to me. The grip of fear lessened, and it felt like I had passed a significant threshold as if embarking on a new beginning from the ground up. The negativity ceased, cutting away all outdated and unnecessary elements of my previous state, bringing an end to magical and energy-laden influences.
It's worth mentioning that just before my recovery, I took a spontaneous step — dyeing my hair and completely altering my name and surname. It was an intuitive move, a realisation that it was essential for my well-being. It was only years later, while studying the Rune Code of Destiny, that I comprehended the profound impact a name and surname can have on an individual and their life.
In the castle, I witnessed an image of myself with my new hair colour — vibrant, healthy, and radiantly beautiful. Upon waking, I wasn't at my prime and found myself in a state of emotional intensity. Yet, it marked a genuine continuation of life, not an exit. This, to me, felt like a small yet significant triumph.
It would be comforting if, upon returning to Earth, one could receive guidance on what transpired during the time away. After years of living, it's challenging for anyone to truly articulate the profound experiences one has undergone.
A second chance at life — a reset within the current incarnation
During that period, I immersed myself in the processes of my own healing, acquiring skills and delving into magical knowledge. Looking back, I realised that it was the main stage of finding my way. The choices I made played a crucial role; without them, this transformative journey might not have happened. It was through the abundant guidance of masters, my persistent efforts, unwavering belief, and sheer determination that I not only survived but emerged stronger.
I can admit that during such fateful decisions, everybody one seeks aid from, be it people, saints, or supreme forces, offers their utmost assistance. However, at the most crucial moment, when the revision of your life and destiny unfolds, when the course of your future path is decided, all helpers step back. No one has the right to intervene. What one has accomplished becomes their companion into Purgatory.
Much like how you can't purchase the Moon, the Sun, or Magma, true initiation is beyond monetary transactions. Genuine initiation often arises from the words of a Teacher or a Guide. It's like being switched on, experiencing an activation that opens up secrets that cannot be found on the Internet.
Initiations come in varied forms. At times, it occurs through a rightful destiny, a mission set for a particular individual. However, there are also fake initiations, where a ‘price’ is established. It's not merely about payment; it's a human performance, that reminds us of buying tickets where the price varies. Yet, the outcome may not live up to your expectations.
Then, there's another kind of initiation, where a Power chooses and embraces you into its fold, vouching for you. The ‘entrance fee’ for such an event is your very life. The Lord of Fate, the Master, then determines what to do with the soul next. Only a worthy soul, granted permission to continue its life programme within the former body and replenish its life forces at the Holy Grail, can embark on subtle plane healing beyond the physical realm.
Next chapter:
Journeys of the Soul: The Holy Grail. Part 4.
Translated by Valentin Inozemtsev.
Эта же статья на русском языке:
Путешествия Души: Магическое посвящение. Часть 3.