Doing Golden Dawn self initations despite not having room or resources

[CyanTheRedPanda]

The biggest turn off for the GD for me is that even with the Cicero's Self Initiation book, I would still need to create and set up a temple that would take up a fair amount of space, which doesn't even account for the fact that I live with my parents (they're accepting, but making even a temporary ritual space would be too bothersome for them). Is there anything I can do, or am I out of luck until I move out? There also aren't any GD lodges in my city (not even the OTO/A*A), so joining a lodge is also out of the question :/

 

[Talon]

I am doing the same course. I don’t live with my parents but I am working in a small space (living room). I’m making it easy to tear down when I’m done so the pillars are mailing tubes, stations are TV trays, tile floor is being made of poster board.
Maybe there’s a day your parents won’t be home that you could set up and tear down before they return home?
I also found a virtual temple on VR if you have a headset. I’ve heard of people simply visualizing ritual as well.

 

[TransGothGirl]

I am doing the same course. I don’t live with my parents but I am working in a small space (living room). I’m making it easy to tear down when I’m done so the pillars are mailing tubes, stations are TV trays, tile floor is being made of poster board.
Maybe there’s a day your parents won’t be home that you could set up and tear down before they return home?
I also found a virtual temple on VR if you have a headset. I’ve heard of people simply visualizing ritual as well.

I'm doing something very similar! I work in a frame shop so I'm getting together some foamcore in black and white squares for my tiled floor, and any time one of our giant paper rolls runs out I take the cardboard spool home for the pillars.

 

[odrep]

I hold the opinion and I think most people, if not everyone, will disagree that the initiation ceremonies, the rituals, and the lectures of each degree are sufficient. The implements and furnishings serve as a template for what a lodge looks like on the inside, I think? If you can't follow it to the letter, do it with what you have, even if it's none.

I was in the same situation, which is what led me to choose systems that, in my view, are more flexible on that issue, Rufus Opus's Red Work Course/Seven Spheres, and the first book by Franz Bardon mostly.

 

[stalkinghyena]

A long time ago I had tried doing an "astral temple" version of the grade ceremonies using a method adapted from Donald Michael Kraig's Modern Magick. I was not using Cicero material, but Regardie's Golden Dawn brick of a book. While I can't say I was convinced I was authentically initiated into the GD, I did feel like I had found a new rabbit holes of exploration, and that I also gained the attention of forces that subsequently insinuated themselves into my sleep cycle.
Looking back, I consider the experiences as valuable steppingstones.

 

[CyanTheRedPanda]

I am doing the same course. I don’t live with my parents but I am working in a small space (living room). I’m making it easy to tear down when I’m done so the pillars are mailing tubes, stations are TV trays, tile floor is being made of poster board.
Maybe there’s a day your parents won’t be home that you could set up and tear down before they return home?
I also found a virtual temple on VR if you have a headset. I’ve heard of people simply visualizing ritual as well.

I do have a VR headset, so I'll look into doing it that way. Otherwise I think I can work something out in my basement if it's small enough

Post automatically merged: Today at 5:50 AM

A long time ago I had tried doing an "astral temple" version of the grade ceremonies using a method adapted from Donald Michael Kraig's Modern Magick. I was not using Cicero material, but Regardie's Golden Dawn brick of a book. While I can't say I was convinced I was authentically initiated into the GD, I did feel like I had found a new rabbit holes of exploration, and that I also gained the attention of forces that subsequently insinuated themselves into my sleep cycle.
Looking back, I consider the experiences as valuable steppingstones.

Any suggestions on methods for creating an astral temple or resources that cover it?

 

[stalkinghyena]

Any suggestions on methods for creating an astral temple or resources that cover it?

If I recall DMK's approach correctly, one has to replicate the "daily work" regimen and build on it. That is, astral LBRP, BRH, MPR, etc. Projecting into Tarot cards was a fundamental exercise towards pathwork, which is kind of analogous to grade advancement. This is actual OOB work, which I reasoned then could be applied to any form of ritual, though I personally don't prefer it.

For GD grade work, I remember using their diagrams (from Regardie) as a blueprint, to include the various banners and uniformed officers - a bit of a strain on the mind, but in a good way. It's a LOT of symbolism to disentangle towards essence, but I was doing this in the early to mid-90's with no guides. I am certain a diligent search will yield writers who have built on this area.

If you can burn incense, this is a good aid to dealing with the correspondences. Back then, finding "Dittany of Crete" was like a quest, until a psychic shop lady told me to just burn oregano. My apartment neighbor asked me if I was Italian.

 

[akenu]

I think Donald Tyson had a book called Portable Magick where he used tarot cards to replace pretty much the entire setup

 

[iseht]

If you can set up a small table or shelf at the four directions then that is all you really need. The stage dressing largely comes from visualization anyway. I've made do with a single table in front of me holding one candle and using my hand instead of a wand or dagger. If you progress you will find that much of the adept work is in making the ritual your own, while its certainly more impactful to see the fully decorated ritual space, its not necessary.