Order bashing, what sheer nonsense. Have we nothing better to do with our time? Why is it that so many feel the need to belittle someone for their affiliations with certain organizations? Why is it that so many feel the need to simply slander and drag the name of other schools of Ageless Wisdom through the mire? Let me take just a moment to give a couple of examples.

There is a particular school of Ageless Wisdom that has come under considerable attack from within the occult community in recent years. Everything from rumours circulating concerning problems with the IRS, the FBI, down to questions concerning their lineage. Much may or may not have any real truth to it, but does it really matter whether any of it is true or not? Problems with Federal and State Authorities are simply matters to be handled on a mundane level, and do not concern us, or at least shouldn't, when it comes to our own personal magical work, particularly if we are not members of said organization. Questions of lineage may concern people that are joining the order, but for those that are not members, and are not looking to join, what is the concern? If the school is claiming to be something that they are not, that is between them, the prospective member, and the Inner Guardians of the tradition to work out.

Another example that I just recently came across compares a very well known and respectable school of the Ageless Wisdom to simple Kindergarten. This person made the comment that the type of Magick that they teach and practice is simple Kindergarten Magick, implying I would have to assume, that their work contains no real substance and is not to be taken seriously. Well, I have come across many a would be magician that could probably use more elementary training, if not pure Kindergarten. I personally have met numerous individuals over the years that belong to this particular school and can personally vouche for their authenticity, integrity, ability, and knowledge when it comes to the Occult Arts and Sciences, as well as their abilities as practicing magicians upon the path. They do not advance just anyone, and will not work with those that do not take the work seriously.

The people that make these types of comments and slanderous remarks about other Occult Orders often remind one of the type of people that watch soap operas on a daily basis. I call this type of mentality the Soap Opera Mentality. That's not to say that there is anything wrong with soap operas, or watching them, unless you are one of those individuals whose life revolves around them. This type of mentality is simply one of slander and gossip turned in and upon the occult community. One can only surmise that these types of individuals have nothing better to do with themselves or their lives, and are seeking some way in which to make their own lives just a little more interesting by playing on what they perceive to be the shortcomings of others. Is this the way to lead a Magical Life? Is this the charachter of a would be Adept of the Sacred Mysteries?

In the first example given above, who cares about their lineage, particularly if not a member? If they have lineage, that is all well and good. But, if they do not, what is the big deal? In fact, if they have no valid lineage, they are at the very least to be commended on the work that they have done in building their organization and spreading the Great Work to potential initiates. As for the Kindergarten school, this person obviously did not know what they were really talking about, nor did they really care. This individual simply wanted to be heard by someone.

As initiates of the Sacred Mysteries, whether initiates of traditional working lodges or initiates through our own sweat and perseverance, we gradually become Stewards and Caretakers of the Sacred Knowledge and spiritual abilities that we aquire. This applies to anyone that is successfully working within the mysteries, and it does not matter what order or tradition that one is working within, or whether one is working within the framework of a lodge or working on ones own. Within the traditions that are handed down from within the initiatory lodges, much to this effect is referenced in many of the oaths that the initiate takes. In the case of the solo practioner, much of this understanding is only hinted at in the published works, and is slowly conveyed upon the practioner through dream and intuition. The point here is the fact that we do indeed become Stewards of this knowledge, and as Stewards we are each held liable for our actions, words, and any and all harm that we inflict upon another, and this includes slander and gossip.

In the Golden Dawn Neophyte Initiation Ritual we are taught that 'by names and images are all powers awakened and reawakened'. How quickly those of us that work within this tradition forget that simple and yet so powerful a teaching. Whether we realize it or not, our subconscious minds utilizes symbols to communicate and convey ideas. Whenever we speak, our subconscious deals with symbols, when we think it uses symbols, when we dream it uses symbols. We use symbolism in our occult work, and words themselves are symbols for the powers they represent. Even our day to day conversation is based in symbols, so what is it that we are feeding our subconscious with everyday? If we are a part of this constant barrage of slander and gossip, what are we feeding the subconscious and Astral levels of existence?

The Astral levels and the collective consciousness of mankind are key things to worry about here. As Custodians it is our responsibility to ensure that whatever we put in our personal consciousness is going to grow fruit and not weeds, but it is just as important that we place close attention to what we are seeding the Astral and collective levels of consciousness with. If we are polluting our own minds, are we not polluting the whole? As Custodians it is simply imperative that we become more aware of what it is that we are seeding, not just within our own personal sphere of sensation, but within the entirety of creation. If we abuse this ability we are going to pay the price. Particularly since we become co-creators and caretakers of life on this little planet of ours, and of mankind in particular.

Each individual school of Ageless Wisdom has a part to play in the grander scheme of spiritual evolution. Lineage does not matter, financial difficulties do not matter, geographical boundaries are not a hindrance. What matters is the completion of the great work, and any attempt at furthering this process is an admirable and worthy goal to aspire to and attain. The attempt by some to undermine the work of another school is to be avoided, and those types of people should be shunned and thrown out as not worthy to enter our Sacred Halls with their profaned thoughts and poisoned seed. Each school has its own symbolism and ways of doing things, and each school contributes to the whole. Each school contributes in its own way to the Astral Levels, and contributes to the overall purification and transformation of the Collective Consciousness. On a collective level the Collective Consciousness of Mankind, and the Astral Levels that permeate this one, are slowly seeded by the thoughts, energies, and symbols of the various schools, and by the members that partake of the schools energies. Because of this it is imperative that we forge a way to work with each other, and not against one another.

Each school has its place, and there is no reason that we cannot learn to work with each other for the advancement of Mankind and the Human Race. That is, after all, one of the primary goals of our work, or have we simply forgotten this? Indeed, this is imperative. Or perhaps we have set this goal aside for more personal and immediate gains? If that is the case, then you should leave this work alone and proceed to the gratification of your more mundane desires and needs. The work that we are involved in is one of personal transformation and spiritual progression and attainment. But, at the same time, it is also one that is involved in the advancement of Mankind on a larger scale. It is a slow process, but it is a necessary one if we are to survive as a species. As Custodians of this Sacred Knowledge it is the responsibility of all of us to proceed with this task and to see it to its fruition, which we will see, even if we are no longer incarnate upon our little planet.

So, the real question is, on a personal level are you helping? Or are you one of those that are hindering the process of Spiritual Evolution?