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The Training & Work of an Initiate

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As usual, Ms. Fortune cuts to the chase, though I wouldn't say that this book is an easier read than her other texts. I found myself jotting down notes for future use, so despite the fact that it was written decades ago, her points are still applicable. She is very opinionated however, and obviously had definitive views on the purpose for occult study. Study for personal gain toes the line of dark magic, according to her.

She does not mention her contemporary, Aleister Crowley, by name but is quick to send sharp barbs of disapproval on what she calls "phallic rites" and other "black" practices. Sometimes she sounds almost eclectic and open-minded, but the next moment, she launches into a series of Christian apologetics. One would think that an accomplished psychic would move past such dogma. Like most Victorian/Edwardians, she clearly states that the progenitors of the Western Mystery Tradition: Judaism, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece were 'primitive' in comparison to Christianity, simply because Christianity misappropriated the 'important parts' of their doctrines. So if you can look past her quirks, she does give valuable information on the prerequisites to joining a society and more importantly, what being a master adept entails. It's not for the faint-of-heart but she says that even the failed aspirant is blessed in the attempt to climb Jacob's Ladder.

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.

Jesus of Nazareth was taught in mystical schools. Back then, we know that there were many. On my spiritual quest I had studied some of Alice Bailey's books, including those on initiation. I had wondered - am I being trained by a master? Am I an initiate? Reading this book and _Esoteric Orders and Their Works_, also by Dion Fortune, has answered my personal questions, and let me understand that this work is going on now.

Those two books also differentiated the mystic from the occultist - a fine point to the novice, but important in understanding yourself and others. I'm reading the rest of her books. If you are studying the Ageless Wisdom, shamanism, and/or the occult, you will love Ms. Fortune's books. You MUST READ her _Cosmic Doctrine_. Very deep.

It should be noted that there is another book entitled `Dion Fortune's Esoteric Orders and Their Work and the Training and Work of the Initiate'. The `Esoteric Orders and Their Work' (1928), is the companion volume to `The Training & Work of an Initiate' (1930). These books were written together with the launching of Dion Fortune's school `The Fraternity of inner light'; of this school there is an address at the back of this book of which you can write to and acquire a correspondence course.

"The Training and Work of an Initiate shows how, from ancient Qabalistic, Greek, and Egyptian roots, the Western Esoteric Systems have an unbroken initiation tradition that has been handed down from adept to neophyte. In this book, Dion Fortune indicates the broad outlines and underlying principles of these systems, illuminating an obscure and greatly misunderstood aspect on the path... you will discover how initiates prepare body, mind and spirit for the challenging journey that is the esoteric path" back cover.

This is a marvellous book which definitely points the true initiate in the right direction. This book is divided in three parts 1.Ethical 2. Theoretical & 3. Practical. Dion Fortune gives us some concrete techniques and insights, alludes to, but does not go the greater distance as to what is discoverable in other works. Still the essence of what is required of a true initiate is described in this book. This book smashes the delusion of what is espoused by most of the `New age' movement and shows us that serious effort and understanding is required for those on the greater path.

Dion provides a marvellous insight into Christianity's true beginnings. The men who made primitive Christianity were made from two sources, initiates of the mysteries and non-initiates. The writer of the gospel of John was influenced by the mystery schools, as was the writer of the Apocalypse, influenced by Qabalistic thought. There was a struggle between the two types of Christians, initiates and non-initiates, the latter winning out in the end. " The orthodox then gradually developed, as was inevitable, something of a mystery system of their own in the sacraments, which are ritual magic pure and simple..."pg 88

"The highest degree of initiation is crucifixion for the salvation of mankind the various abreacting of racial karma. Let those who aspire to initiation bear ever in mind what reward it is that will crown their efforts with a crown of thorns. Unless we have so great a love for humanity, so great a sympathy for suffering, that we are not only willing but anxious to avail ourselves of the opportunity in some small measure to offer ourselves as a sacrifice for the sins of the people, there is no point in setting out upon the way of initiation, for its goal will be dust and ashes to the man who remains unregenerate. The aim of initiation is neither magical power nor marvellous experience, but simply the ability to offer an acceptable sacrifice that shall be effectual for the neutralisation of cosmic Karma" pg 90

"...Divination, which is the discernment of the unseen, is a very different thing from fortunetelling..."pg 93

Some essential tools of an initiate > knowledge of psychology > Jung > Consciousness and the ego. Pg 95

"Viewed metaphysically, all the planes of manifestation are different types of existence, and the seven bodies of man, not excepting the physical, are different modes of consciousness and different types of organisation of force. Unless we know exactly what consciousness is and how apprehension takes place, we shall be unable to translate our consciousness from one mode to another." Pg 104

"Consciousness is raised to a given plane by inhibiting the thoughts of the modes of consciousness of all the planes below it. This of course requires perfect concentration" pg 105

"...unless men work at occultism as they work for the prizes of their professions, they will not achieve" pg 107

Deo Non Fortuna. God not luck. When I first heard that name it made me smile.
From this, her pen name of "Dion Fortune" also gave me an inner joy, because of the knowledge
each of her books has provided over the years. No matter if you are new to the esoteric world or experienced, if
you read these early texts of hers with a receptive heart (and mind) you won't come away empty handed.
When I train new members of our group, this book is one of the first I hand them. If they are "experienced"
this book is one of the first I hand them. If they give me "Oh, I already know all that." I suggest they look elsewhere.
You never know too much to learn from her basic texts.

This gives the reader a true insight into how the early neo-pagan and 'traditional' witchcraft paths were evolved.
Dion Fortune was both a person of her times, powerful woman in a predominately male world and quasi Christian/pagan in a world were only Christianity existed.
Her work in so many areas was to have a profound effect upon today, if she knew I would imagine she would have been surprised but pleased, her correspondence with Aliester Crowley shaped the Thelemic and OTO traditions as, when you read their letters, he wasn't adverse to incorporating others work into his own and her interest in the Golden Dawn was to produce some of the most influential books on how the circle/coven system and ritual would continue, her work on Kaballah is still the most profound which was to also influence the way modern tarot is perceived.
Although she was raised a Christian and never lost that faith she redefined it into it's most early beliefs back to the days of Gnostic Christianity when the belief in what we see and what we are able to see if we believe in more than what we are told we see.
If one wants to understand today one has to look at the past, these books by Violet Firth allow us to understand who we are from the glossed over 'quasi traditions' we were supposed to have inherited from the past.

Dion's work is well known among old school Wica as well as people looking into occult and Mystery Tradition seekers, but I venture to say that she is not as well known among the majority of the modern Pagan and Wiccan community today. One can get into the mind set that since Dion is most well known for her book on Qaballa published well over half a century ago therefore she might not be relevant to today's pagans, and here I strongly disagree.

This work is a quick read but one of great depth in understanding the fundamentals of working with a mystery tradition, of which Wicca is one. The reason that Wicca is one is because it is one that must be practiced and taught, preferably by another Wiccan. It is not a religion that you can grasp by just reading a book, it must be experienced to understand it. With that in mind Dion goes into the different steps of how one cam prepare the mind for such an initiation. Don't pick up the book looking TO be initiated because you read it, but rather pick it up to understand what the mind goes through when such a thing does happen.

The one small thing that I could warn people about is that she does come to this book as more of an occult Christian mystic then a pagan one, but as both stem from the same mystery traditions of the past it's a small gripe at best. Pick this book up to know where the generation that is writing now got their information and make your own conclusions about things.

Dion Fortune remains one of the foremost gaurdians of western esoteric tradition, sadly forgottem in today's new age mentality.