The Salient Points of the NEOPHYTE GRADE

1=10

The Great Work, for the Neophyte, is defined as, “to obtain control of the nature and powers of my own being.” 

“Neophyte” generally means any beginner, novice, tyro, or new convert. The English “Neophyte” derives from the Greek neophytus, “new plant.” The official A.'.A.'. commentary on the grade name in Liber 185 says: “Let him be mindful that the word Neophyte is no idle term, but that in many a subtle way the new nature will stir within him, when he knoweth it not.” 

INTERPRETATION: To borrow a phrase from alchemy, the Neophyte Grade marks a “volatilizing of the fixed,” an intentional stirring into instability of a relatively inert “first matter,” as a necessary stage of its transformation.

ADVANCEMENT

Let any Probationer who has accomplished his task to the satisfaction of the A.'.A.'. be instructed in the proper course of procedure: which is:- Let him read through this note of his office, and sign it, paying the sum of One Guinea for Liber VII which will be given him on his initiation, and One Guinea for this Portfolio of Class D publications, B-G. Let him obtain the robe of a Neophyte, and entrust the same to the care of his Neophyte.

He shall choose a new motto with deep forethought and intense solemnity, as expressing the clearer consciousness of his Aspiration which the year’s Probation has given him.

Let him make an appointment with his Neophyte at the pleasure of the latter for the ceremony of Initiation. (Liber 185)

The “Portfolio of Class D publications” refers to Liber 185, the Task and Oath papers for each grade from Neophyte through Adeptus Minor. The robe of a Neophyte is a black Tau robe, hooded, and totally unadorned with no other symbols or insignia. Regarding "the ceremony of his initiation,"

When the sun shall next enter the sign under which he hath been received, his initiation may be granted unto him. He shall keep himself free from all other engagements for one whole week from that date. (Liber 185)

Let him make an appointment with his Neophyte at the pleasure of the latter for the ceremony of Initiation. (Liber 185)

At the end of the Probation he passes Ritual DCLXXI which constitutes him a Neophyte. (Liber XIII)

Ritual DCLXXI is the temple ceremony Liber T’raa (ThROA). The ritual, including its preparation, requires seven days.

NEOPHYTE WORK
(Overview)

The duties of a Neophyte are in Malkuth, in which is Kether.
Therefore he still tries many paths, yet always with the idea of the One Path. (Aleister Crowley)

He shall apply himself to understand the nature of his Initiation. (Liber 185)

INTERPRETATION: At its simplest, this means that the Neophyte is to do what every aspirant to self-knowledge and spiritual progress is encouraged to do; namely to witness, and seek to understand, the actual process, the patterns, the road signs of her particular journey. However, the Neophyte, as well, is to study and practice the actual Neophyte Initiation ceremony and, especially, the Neophyte Formula which underlays it.

The Equinox of the Gods is the term used to describe the Beginning of a New Aeon, or a New Magical Formula. It should be celebrated at every Equinox, in the manner known to Neophytes of the A.'.A.'.. (The Master Therion)

One specialized application of the Neophyte Formula which is specifically referred to the Neophyte is the Feast of the Equinox. 

The Ceremony of the Feast of the Equinox serves two purposes. First, it is a ritual by which each initiate magically can unite her consciousness with that of the Sun, and attune himself or herself thereby to a new magical current inaugurated twice annually, at the commencement of spring and autumn. Second, by this same ceremony is derived a Word which quintessentializes the nature of the magick current prevailing for the six months following. Those who are at least Neophytes are entitled to receive the Word from the Chancellor, Praemonstrator or Orator. (It is also communicated at his discretion to any person working under his direct supervision by any member of the Third Order.)

LIBER O

. . . he shall study and practice Liber O in all its branches. (Liber 185)
Examination in Liber O, caps. I-IV, Theoretical and Practical. (Liber XIII)

Both theoretical knowledge and practical skill are to be examined. Examination on these points is designed by the supervising Zelator.

BUILDING THE PANTACLE

Furthermore, he shall construct the magic Pantacle, according to the instruction in Liber A. (Liber 185)
Further, he builds up the magic Pantacle. (Liber XIII)

The Pantacle is the magical implement attributed to the element of Earth. As such, it is the characteristic implement of the Neophyte. 

One additional level of this “building up of the Pantacle” is found in Liber 185:

He shall in every way fortify his body according to the advice of his Zelator,
for that the ordeal of advancement is no light one.

THE FOUR POWERS OF THE SPHINX
(Malkuth & The Path of Tav)

He shall pass the four tests called the Powers of the Sphinx. (Liber 185)
Examination in The Four Powers of the Sphinx. Practical. Four tests are set. (Liber XIII)

To Know, To Will, To Dare, and To Keep Silent: these are the Four Powers of the Sphinx.

As quoted above, the Neophyte is given four distinct practical tests in these Four Powers of the Sphinx. These tests are designed by the Neophyte’s Zelator. Unpublished instructions clarify the basic form of these examinations.

MASTERY OF THE ASTRAL PLANE
(The Path of Tav)

Neophyte. - Has to acquire perfect control of the Astral Plane. (One Star in Sight)
He will further be examined in his power of Journeying in the Spirit Vision. (Liber 185)
TAV - The Formulation of the Body of Light. Liber O. (Liber Viarum Viae)

The essential instructions for this method are given in Liber O, Caps. V-VI. Liber O makes clear that the training from its earlier chapters “should be completely mastered before the dangerous Methods of Chapter V and VI are attempted.”

LIBER HHH & DIVINATION
(The Paths of Shin & Qoph)

...he shall begin to study Liber H and some one commonly accepted method of divination. (Liber 185)

“Liber H” is Liber CCCXLI, more fully identified as Liber HHH. These assignments are attributed to the Paths of Shin and Qoph, respectively. As such, they later form part of the Work of the Zelator and Practicus.

OTHER WORK

He shall commit to memory a chapter of Liber VII. (Liber 185)

Liber VII is Liber Liberi vel Lapidis Lazuli, Adumbratio Kabbalae Aegyptiorum, “The Book of Wine (or, of the god Liber), or The Book of Lapis Lazuli, Outline of Egyptian Qabalah.”

Beside all this, shall perform any tasks that his Zelator in the name of the A.'.A.'.
and by its authority may see fit to lay upon him. (Liber 185)

THE NEOPHYTE SYLLABUS

Click here for a complete annotated listed of the Neophyte Syllabus.

ADVANCEMENT TO ZELATOR

According to Liber 185, “any Neophyte who has accomplished his task to the satisfaction of the A.'.A.'.” is to be prepared for advancement to Zelator. 

The Neophyte Grade lasts at least eight months. The earliest date of advancement is, “When the sun shall next enter the sign 240 degrees to that under which he hath been received” (Liber 185). To prepare for this, the Neophyte is instructed to deliver a copy of the Magical Record of the Neophyte period to the supervising Zelator, and, at that time, to recite the chosen chapter of Liber VII. This is to occur one month before the completion of the Neophyte period. 

The Neophyte is to remain free from all other engagements for four days, which is the length of the Zelator advancement process.

Lecture on the Neophyte grade

To be studied in the Grade of Neophyte (0=0). Aspirants will be tested on their knowledge of the following material, which must be committed to memory.

Elements

The Four Elements of the Ancients are duplicated conditions of:

Zodiac

These twelve signs are distributed among the for Triplicities, or sets of three signs, each being attributed to one of the four Elements, and they represent the operation of the elements in the Zodiac.

The Planets

To the Ancients, six Planets were known, besides the Sun, which they classed with the planets. They also assigned certain planetary values to the North and south Nodes of the Moon that is, the points where her orbit touches that of the Ecliptic.

These they named:

The Old Planets are:

THE NEOPHYTE

IT was on November 18, 1898, that through the introduction of Fra. V.N., and under his guidance P. entered the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and became a Neophyte in the Grade of 0° = 0¤ in the Outer.

It may be of some interest to the reader, and also it may in some ways help to elucidate the present chapter, if a short account of the origin of this order is first entered upon. But it will be understood that the following historical sketch, as well as the accounts we are about to give of the rituals themselves, are very much abbreviated and summarised, when we state that, the actual MSS. in our possession relating to the G.'. D.'. occupy some twelve hundred pages and contain over a quarter of a million words.

The official account of the G.'. D.'. (probably fiction) known as "The Historical Lecture," written and first delivered by Fra. Q.S.N., runs as follows:

"The order of the G.'. D.'. in the Outer is an Hermetic Society which teaches Occult Science or the Magic of Hermes. About 1850 several French and English chiefs died and Temple work was interrupted. Such chiefs were Eliphas Levi, Ragon, Kenneth R. H. Mackenzie, and Fred Hockley. These had received their power from even greater predecessors, {239} who are traced to the Fratres Rosa (sic) Crucis of Germany. Valentine Andrea (opera A.D. 1614) has given an esoteric account of the S.R., probably he also edited the 'Fama Fraternitatis,'  or 'History of the Society,' which must have been derived from the old records of C. R.'s pupils. ...

"The first order is a group of four grades: the second order is a group of three grades of adeptship.

"Highest of all are those great rulers who severally sustain and govern the Third Order, which includes Three Magic Titles of honour and supremacy; in case of a vacancy the most advanced 7° = 4¤ obtains by decree the well-earned reward. The grades of the first order are of Hebrew design; of the Second, Christian.

"The Rituals and Secrets are received from the Greatly Honoured Chiefs. ..."

The account given in the first paragraph may or may not be correct; and the following "History Lection" written by a brother of the Order of the A ∴ A ∴ throws considerable light on the origin of the above Society; and what is of still more interest to us mentions P. and his final rupture with the Order of the Golden Dawn. It runs as follows:

"Some years ago a number of cipher MSS. were discovered and deciphered by certain students. They attracted much attention, as they purported to derive from the Rosicrucians. You will readily understand that the genuineness of the claim matters no whit, such literature being judged by itself, not by its reputed sources.

"Among the MSS. was one which gave the address of a certain person in Germany, who is known to us as S.D.A. Those who discovered the ciphers wrote to S.D.A., and in accordance with instructions received, an Order was founded which worked in a semi-secret manner.

"After some time S.D.A. died: further requests for help were met with a prompt refusal from the colleagues of S.D.A. It was written by one of them that S.D.A.'s scheme had always been regarded with disapproval. But since the absolute rule of the adepts is never to interfere with the judgment of any other person whomsoever --- how much more, then, one of themselves, and that one most highly revered! --- they had refrained from active opposition. The adept who wrote this added that the Order had already quite enough knowledge to enable it or its members to formulate a magical link with the adepts.

"Shortly after this, one called S.R.M.D. announced that he had formulated such a link, and that himself with two others was to govern the Order. New and revised rituals were issued, and fresh knowledge poured out in streams.

"We must pass over the unhappy juggleries which characterised the next period. It has throughout proved impossible to elucidate the complex facts.

"We content ourselves, then, with observing that the death of one of his two colleagues, and the weakness of the other, secured to S.R.M.D. the sole authority. The rituals were elaborated, though scholarly enough, into verbose and pretentious nonsense: the knowledge proved worthless, even where it was correct: for it is in vain that pearls, be they never so clear and precious, are given to the swine.

"The ordeals were turned into contempt, it being impossible {241} for any one to fail therein. Unsuitable candidates were admitted for no better reason than that of their worldly possessions.

"In short, the Order failed to initiate.

"Scandal arose, and with it schism.

"In 1900 one P., a brother, instituted a rigorous test of S.R.M.D. on the one side and the Order on the other. ..."

Here we must leave the "Lection," returning to it in its proper place, and after explaining "the Diagram of the Paths and the Grades," enter upon the Ritual of the 0ø=0ø Grade of Neophyte.

It will be at once apparent to the reader that the Diagram of the Paths is simply the ordinary Sephirotic Tree of Life, combined with the Tarot trumps, the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, the thirty-two paths of the Sepher Yetzirah, the signs of the Zodiac, and the signs of the planets and the elements.

The following account of it is taken from S.A.'s copy No. 2 of the "Ritual of the 24th, 25th, and 26th Paths leading from the First Order of the G.'. D.'. in the outer to the 5° = 6¤, Associate Adept speaking:

"Before you upon the Altar is the diagram of the Sephiroth and Paths with which you are already well acquainted, having marked thereon the grade of the order corresponding to each Sephira, and the Tarot Trumps appropriated to each Path.

"You will further note that the First Order includes: Malkuth, answering to Neophyte and Zelator, and the element of earth. Yesod to Theoricus and air. Hod to Practicus and water. And Netzach to Philosophus and fire.

"Of these the last Three Grades alone communicate with the Second Order, though cut off from it by a veil which may

only be drawn aside by invitation from the Second Order for the Philosophus who has passed the five examinations symbolic of the five elements and the five Paths leading from the First Order thereto, and who has been duly approved of by the Higher Powers.

"The Three grades of the Second Order are entitled: Adeptus Minor, or Lesser Adept, 5° = 6¤ answering to Tiphereth, the Reconciler, in the midst of the Sephirotic Tree. Adeptus Major, or Greater Adept, 6° = 5¤ answering to Geburah. And Adeptus Exemptus, or Exempt Adept, 7° = 4¤ answering to Chesed."

Ritual Signs of the Golden Dawn

Ritual signs are positions assumed by the body, whether physical or astral. Their use is common in Thelemic ritual magick. The following sets of signs were assigned by Aleister Crowley to the various Grades of his order, the A.'.A.'.. The first sets (the Neophyte, elemental grade signs and L.V.X. signs) were derived from the grade signs of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Such signs often have multiple uses and meanings, depending on the context.

Neophyte Signs

Common title: The Enterer. Horus.
A.'.A.'. grade: 0°=0°
Description: The Sign of the Enterer is performed by taking a step forward with the left foot, and then leaning the body forward while thrusting out with both hands, fingers outstretched, as if reaching for something.






Common title: Silence. Harpocrates.
A.'.A.'. grade: 0°=0°
Description: Standing upright, left hand at the side, place the tip of the index finger of the right hand just on the lower lip.

Elemental Grade Signs

Common title: Earth. The God Set fighting.

A.'.A.'. grade: 1°=10°
Description: Advance the right foot, and swing the right arm up and forward at a 45° angle, with the left arm back and down, also at a 45° angle.








Common title: Air. The God Shu supporting the sky.
A.'.A.'. grade: 2°=9°
Description: Arms raised, elbows bent 90°, forearms vertical, with wrists bent as though holding up the sky.







Common title: Water. The Goddess Auramoth.
A.'.A.'. grade: 3°=8°
Description: With thumbs and index fingers, place the hands together on the torso, forming a downward-pointing triangle.








Common title: Fire. The Goddess Thoum-aesh-neith.
A.'.A.'. grade: 4°=7°
Description: With thumbs and index fingers, place the hands together on the forehead, forming an upward-pointing triangle.








Common title: Spirit. The Rending and Closing of the Veil
A.'.A.'. grade: Dominus Liminis
Description: Properly speaking, this is two different signs, where the magician is either tearing open a split veil or closing it. The forearms should be roughly parallel to the floor.

The L.V.X. Signs

Common title: Osiris Slain. The Cross.
Letter of LVX: [+]
A.'.A.'. grade: 5°=6°
Description: At shoulder level, hold arms straight out at the sides to form a cross.







Common title: Isis Mourning. The Svastika.
Letter of LVX: L
A.'.A.'. grade: 5°=6°
Description: Right arm is bent at 90°, upper arm parallel with the ground, forearm pointing upwards, fingers extended. Left arm is the same, but with the forearm arm pointing downwards. Head faces to the left and down. Right foot rests on its ball, with the knee bent.







Common title: Typhon. The Trident.
Letter of LVX: V
A.'.A.'. grade: 5°=6°
Description: Raise arms above the head at an angle of 60° to each other, and throw the head back, as if looking upwards. Stand up on the balls of both feet.








Common title: Osiris Risen. The Pentagram. Attitude of Resurrection.
Letter of LVX: X
A.'.A.'. grade: 5°=6°
Description: Standing upright, cross the arms over the chest, right over left, so that the open hands rest on the shoulders.

The N.O.X. Signs

Common title: Puer. Khem. Horus and Mentu.
Letter of NOX: N
A.'.A.'. grade: 6°=5°
Description: Right arm forms an "L", with closed hand, thumb pointing towards the head. Closed left hand rests at the base of the torso, thumb pointing away from the body.






Common title: Vir. Pater. Amoun. Attitude of Pan or Bacchus.
Letter of NOX: O
A.'.A.'. grade: 7°=4°
Description: Place closed hands at the temples with thumbs facing outwards, resembling horns.







Common title: Puella. Venus Pudica. The Sign of Chastity.
A.'.A.'. grade: Babe of the Abyss
Description: Standing upright, place open right hand over the breast, and the open left hand over the groin.








Common title: Mulier. Isis in Welcome. Sign of Babalon. Attitude of Baphomet.
Letter of NOX: X
A.'.A.'. grade: Babe of the Abyss
Description: Arms form a 90° angle above head, elbows bent slightly, with hands open. Feet are a little over shoulder width apart, facing forward. Head looks upwards.




Common title: Isis Rejoicing. Mater Triumphans. Isis with Horus.
A.'.A.'. grade: 8°=3°
Description: Head looking downwards, the right hand pinches the left nipple, while the left hand cradles just below solar plexus, as if holding a baby.