What exactly is "initiation"?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Redmoon	19 Jul 2002
I read a thread below about "initiation". I have to say that i'm somewhat confused. Could anyone give me some information on it? Could anyone explain this further to me? Thanks. Here's the origional post: http://tarotforum.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5503

Rhiannon	19 Jul 2002
In these terms (Ravenswing's post) I would define initiation as a feeling of being accepted by the divine or the universe or Gaia or whatever you want to call it. It's an epiphany. A moment of realization that you belong to everything around you, as much as it belongs to you. A feeling of being a part of everything and loved by everything and welcomed by everything. Does that make sense to you? R :)

Laurel	19 Jul 2002
I agree with Rhiannon's definition. Initiation is a funny thing, one of those truly "occult" experiences that can only be experienced, not explained. But its something universal to all mystical and magical traditions. Its a moment in time when you are suddenly exposed to love/light/sacredness/God and touched in a way that your eyes are opened and something inside you feels completely connected with the rest of the cosmos. It can happen once a lifetime, or many times. Living in a perpetual state of this connection is the ultimate goal in many spiritual paths. Laurel

Starfish	19 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Rhiannon It's an epiphany Perfect description. :D :T4W Starfish

Ravenswing	20 Jul 2002
errtu-- since it was my post you were wondering about, i guess i should elaborate. for years (i think it's been 30 some odd) i have studied all sorts of systems of belief, reality, magic, magick, majick, kabbalah..... notice i say i studied. i collected all sorts of knowledge. and it was all on the sword level. the initiation... it was a moment of FEELING all that i knew. the total at-one-ment with all that was, is, will be, will never be, couldn't ever happen, always is..... i finally really understand those people that tell you that words don't cut it. i had my moment-- then promptly forgot it. i guess initiation is not initiation until it's been re-membered. and that's what the triad of ravens brought about. a re-membering-- putting things back together again. well, things are back together. the moment is past, but continues on. and so do i ravenswing ***taking flight along a path previously unknown

jmd	20 Jul 2002
The word 'initiation' is used, to be sure, in more than one way, each of which points towards its fulfilment. Let me explain a little what I mean. The word comes from Latin meaning something like 'beginning'. The difference is that, whereas in English the word seems to refer to an instant, the Latin seems to contain within it its own (later) fulfilment - it seems to be pulled towards its (Aristotelian) final cause. Let us move away from the word's etymology, to its uses. When a person joins a group of people, in which a particular ritual may be used, the ritual is usually called an initiation. To be fair, the rituals used, at least in esoteric groups, whether Masonic or other, have, as part of their intent, the very transformation of the individual into someone better - more truly themselves - than prior to the ritual. Also, the ritual aims to bring the candidate closer to an understanding of the spiritual dimensions of reality. A metamorphosis slowly begins to quicken the being of the person having undergone such initiation. In earlier stages, it begins to affect their abstract understanding of the world. If pursued or continued, however, a more permanent state opens. As represented in one of the early episodes of Star Wars, the candidate has to, at some stage, face his own being - which stands as a guardian at the threshold of the spiritual. To achieve - and pass - such stage is already quite elevated. - - - - - - There are numerous books you may be interested in, but here are two: from an anthropological perspective: J. S. La Fontaine's Initiation: Ritual Drama and Secret Knowledge Across the World , Penguin, 1985; and, from an esoteric, and far deeper, perspective: R. Steiner's Knowledge of the Higher Worlds: How is it Achieved , R. Steiner Press, 1993 (also published as A Modern Path of Initiation: How to Know Higher Worlds , Anthroposophic Press, 1994). Others will, I'm sure, add their valued contributions.

The What exactly is "initiation"? thread was originally posted on 19 Jul 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.