esoteric Study & magical TRAINING

These first two, preparatory grades are focused on giving the aspirant a solid grounding in meditation and contemplative practice and the Philosophy of the Guardians, while developing their personal spiritual practice, and gaining an overview of mysticism and the Qabalah/Kabbalah. 

1. PROBATIONER

  • Foundation Meditation Course (click here for further information) and/or Centering Prayer Meditation (20 mins once or twice per day).
  • Read the Public articles and resources of the order including meditation, breathing exercises, philosophy etc.
  • Daily brief prayers/salutations for the Stations of the Spiritual Sun. 
  • The Little Office of the Guardians (Weekly personal spiritual practice)
  • Course: The Qabalah of the Guardians: An Elementary Course in Technical Mysticism (169 Page course. 12 weekly Lessons).
  • Attend the Chapel Services if you live in the Auckland and optional reception into Minor Orders (Cleric and Doorkeeper)

2. NEOPHYTE (TEIRO)  

  • Eremiados Temple Lessons (6 Months / 13 Fortnightly packs of Lessons). Each pack contains knowledge, technique, ritual, and philosophy papers: Magical Alphabets & Numbers, Mysticism, Sacred Geometry, The Tree of Life and Sephiroth, The Qabalistic Cross, The Seven Worlds, Invocation & Evocation, Angels, The Tarot, The Art of Memory, Seasonal & Daily Tides, Astrology & Planetary Lore, High Magic, Consecrations etc. 
  • Guardians Handbooks - 'Tides of Time: Cosmic Correspondences' & 'Astrological Magic' (each booklet has 12 Lessons/Chapters).
  • Practical Tasks: Keep a spiritual/magical diary and seasonal journal and undertake a form of Volunteer Community Service.
  • Attend the Chapel Services and optional admittance to Minor Orders (Reader)

The Third Grade (Apprentice) marks the point at which the student can be received into the Society as the Frater (Brother) or Soror (Sister) through a ceremony whereby the new apprentice receives the hooded robe/habit and cordellier/cingulum of the order.

3. APPRENTICE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  • Guardians Handbook: The Power of the Pentagram & its Rituals (2 Volumes. 21 Lessons/Chapters). 
  • Course: "Tarot and the Tree of Life" (24 Weekly lessons). 
  • Course: The Way of the Great Work & The Keys of the Kingdom (Tarot, Hebrew Letters, Gematria)
  • Notes on the 22 Hebrew Letters and Paths of the Tree by Frater Fiat Lux (Frank Salt), Whare Ra Temple, Stella Matutina.
  • Ceremonies: Attend Sanctuary Rituals for the Solstices and Equinoxes 4 x per year. 
  • Practical Task: Make/acquire, and consecrate a set of ritual tools (wand, dagger, cup, pentacle, Cup, lamp, water bowl, censor etc.,). 
  • Optional Minor Orders (Healer) and empowerment and practices for Exorcism, Cleansing, and Spiritual Healing & Protection.

 4. COMPANION                                                                                                                                     

  • Course: The Metaphysics of the Qabalah (12 Booklets) -  Qabalah, The Tree of Life , Lessons on the paths and Sephiroth, The Four Worlds etc.
  • Course: Working with High Magic (1988). 
  • Study of world religions and philosophies from different traditions and cultures. 
  • Books on  Tarot: The quintessence of Hermetic Philosophy by Mouni Sadhu (Michael Sudowski).
  • Guardians Handbook: Cosmic Correspondences for Ritual Magicians (11 Chapters).
  • Assist at Chapel Services and optional Minor Order (Acolyte)

  5. GUARDIAN (CUSTOS)

  •  Assist at the Chapel Mystical Mass Services (optional ordination: Deacon). 
  • Book on Theurgy by Mouni Sadhu.
  • Guardians Lessons: "The Mystical Quest, The Grail, The Alchemist's Work.
  • Solar Mysteries and Grail Mysticism, Esoteric Psychology, and Spiritual Alchemy.
  • Lessons from "Les Chevaliers de la Rose et de La Croix” (Knights of the Rose and Cross). 
  • Lessons and Teachings of Frank Salt (Whare Ra Temple, Stella Matutina/Golden Dawn)
  • Rosicrucian, Martinist, and Mystical Christian Lessons, Manuscripts, practices, and teachings. 
  • Magical Retreat: 'The Mystic Quest' (Traditionally a 5 day personal silent retreat). 

   6. MAGISTER (Master/Teacher)

  • Administrative Duties and Leadership of the Order (e.g. Prior, Cancellarius, Treasurer).
  • Teaching and guidance of those in the lesser grades. Bringing out new knowledge. 
  • Optional Ordination (Priest). Leading Mystical Mass Services and Pastoral Care. 

     7. MAGUS (SENIOR GUARDIAN / ABBESS)

  • The seventh Grade is generally only held by the Senior Guardian and Abbess, but may be retained by past Senior Guardians or Abbesses of the Society who had obtained that grade, even if they no longer hold the related position. 

Note: To be made a Priest within the Society so as to officiate at the Mystical Eucharist services, one must have reached the Guardian (Custos) grade and received valid ordination by a Bishop with  Apostolic lines of succession. Ordinations to the Priesthood may only be done with the express permission and blessing of the Senior Guardian.