Experiencing an initiation originating directly from the Invisible Order, while encapsulated in a human body, is an extremely infrequent event; notwithstanding, the claims of Divinity touted by many false prophets and gurus. I am sure some are thinking, “How can I tell, whether or not the person speaking in front of me is a false Magus?”

First, listen carefully to the speaker’s claims and actions. You possess reasoning skills and so can determine whether the content of the claims is consistent with what you have learned from your personal knowledge of the laws of nature and psychology. If what you are hearing is greatly at odds with what you know, ask many questions so to come to a better appreciation.

If the speaker is delighted to hear and respond to your questions, shows patience for your genuine need to understand what is being taught; tries to explain based upon your current view, and does not demean you nor act condescending, it is likely the speaker is sincere (even if he or she is in error). Perhaps, the two of you can find a better answer (this is how esoteric schools work).

Simply put, the more outrageous the claims the less likely they are true. Also, beware of accepting beliefs your various personas want to hear, rather than need to hear. Your operational self is often the most dangerous enemy limiting your spiritual development.

Second, observe the feelings arising in your body as you listen. What happens to your heartbeat, does your stomach tighten, is your posture relaxed or defensive, do you feel anxious or do you feel calm? It is important to observe yourself in daily life so to determine how your body reacts to truth and to lies. Failing to properly calibrate your observations of your body’s response to truth and untruth is the most common cause of being taken in by a false prophet.

As an aid, I would recommend studying the words of John in the Testament of the Christ, as to false prophets.

1 John 4.1 – 6: 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Moving on, vertical Initiation is possible, only after, an Adeptus has completed the opening of the nascent Red Rose upon his or her Gold Cross. In other words, the Rosicrucian has faced the Terrors of Human Tribulation and remains standing in the Golden Light of the True Sun forever shining beyond der Geist. The Adeptus has only one last step in securing a permanent soul and so attain to immortality as to the lifetime of the physical universe. Such persons have nothing to gain or lose by acting and doing in the world. They are complying with destiny, knowing that ‘Thy Will shall be done and not mine.’ Following the final initiation, the first vertical Initiation, the Adeptus is inducted into the Invisible Order, known as Rose-Croix in the earthly schools.

When and where, vertical Initiation is first experienced, depends upon the conscious evolutionary attainment of the individual. A few, very ancient Rose-Croix are initiated as young children during mystical dreams and so function as ripe vessels for guiding the evolution of der Geist–under tutelage of der Ubergeist, or Oversoul. Early initiates are here to open new mesoteric schools (interfaces between the spiritual and mundane worlds), to prepare teachings suitable for the new age, immerse themselves caring for the suffering of the world. Each has a different destiny to maximize. All are employed in the highest Octaves of Spiritual Work.

Other Significant Cosmic Beings, another name for the Rose-Croix, are initiated later in life, as their life paths do not begin quite right (there is much chance and perilousness in the universe). Therefore, the Masters wait for the appearance of a more opportune time for the first Great Initiation. Such was the case with H. Spencer Lewis. When one receives his or her first Great Initiation is of little importance–other than later means less time for the Work.

Such Grand Initiations may or may not occur during, or after, a horizontal initiation, as occurred most likely for H. Spencer Lewis.

Another question often asked by students, “How can you tell if your horizontal initiator is connected directly with the Invisible Order?”

There are several pieces of evidence. For instance,

You will feel a great difference in the psychoistic impact of the horizontal initiation, whenever, a finalized Initiator conducts said initiation.

First, being in front of a true Initiator generates within the candidate an ominous and foreboding feeling, a feeling that the Initiator can see into the candidate’s heart and will know if the promises made are true or false.

Second, underneath the foreboding, the candidate finds his or her heart opening to the Initiator’s heart and the Great Heart of God. The candidate sees the Initiator as his confidant and friend and is concerned for the progress of the candidate.

Third, later in his studies, the candidate will discover that his or her Initiator comes into the candidate’s dreams in times of great trouble and doubt as to the proper actions. For the Initiator understands that true initiatory bonds create inner connections so to benefit the student in the future.

A student is extremely lucky to have access to a true Initiator and should treat this as a great gift from the Invisible Order and use it to the advantage of personal Work, school Work, and cosmic Work.

I realize that my explanation is a summary, as to the nature of Esoteric Initiation, but sufficient.

As an aside, I did not discuss anthropological initiations, common with our early ancestors. These often contain religious teachings, but are not esoteric.

Tomorrow, we return to the subject of horizontal initiation and what is required for success when a true Initiate is not in attendance–as a ritualistic officer or observer.

Later, I will review the ‘darker’ side of unguided, exploratory or initiatory journeys into the psychoistic world.