Initiation
From Thelemapedia
Part of the Magick in Theory & Practice series.
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Coming from the Latin initiare, initiation implies a beginning. The related term, initiate, means to begin or start a particular action, event, circumstance, or happening. But it is also an ending as existence on one level drops away in an ascension to the next.
An initiation is also a ceremony by which a person is introduced into a society, or other organized body, especially the rite of admission into a secret society or order.
Normally an initiation rite would imply a shepherding process where those who are at a higher level guide the initiate through a process of greater exposure of knowledge. This may include the revelation of secrets, usually reserved for those at the higher level of understanding.
References
- Wikipedia (2004). Initiation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiation). Retrieved Sept. 24, 2004.
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Thelemapedia: The Encyclopedia of Thelema & Magick, focusing on the works and philosophy of Aleister Crowley