Introduction, Esotericism, Occultism and Mysticism, the Origin of the Mysteries, the Three Great Traditions, the Paths of the Western Tradition, the Evolution and Functions of the Msters, the Training and Work of an Initiate, the Occult Schools, Orders Fr.

The first volume examines how occultists have rstricted admission to their secret societies. The mystery is uncovered and their operations are descrobrd in detail. The second volume describes the ancient heraldry magical system and clarifies typical misunderastandings.

Esoteric Orders and their Work examines how and why esoteric schools have restricted admission to their secret societies and orders, and shrouded their practices in mystery. The knowledge guarded by these schools--passed down through the ages, and revised from time to time by great teachers--is a secret traditional science that studies the causes that lie behind observable phenomena. Dion Fortune reveals every aspect of these secret organizations and the training they offer to initiates.

Contents - I. What Is Occultism? - II. Is Occultism Worth While? - III. The Deeper Issues Of Occultism. - IV. Credulity In Occult Research - V. Meditation And Psychism - VI. The Use And Abuse Of Astrology - VII. Records Of Past Lives - VIII. Numerology And Prophecy - IX. Group Karma In Occult Societies - X. Authority And Obedience In Occultism - XI. Secrecy In Occult Fraternities - XII. The Left-Hand Path - XIII. Occultism And Immorality - XIV. Psychic Pathologies - XV. Mental Trespassing - XVI. Occultism And Vegetarianism - XVII. Eastern Methods And Western Bodies - XVIII. Standards Of Judgment - XIX. The Ideals Of Occultism

The Training and Work of an Initiate shows how, from ancient Qabalistic, Greek, and Egyptian roots, the Western Esoteric Systems have an unbroken initiation tradition that has been handed down from adept to neophyte. In this book, Dion Fortune indicates the broad outlines and underlying principles of these systems, illuminating an obscure and greatly misunderstood aspect of the path. Thanks to her teaching, even if you cannot give your entire life over to the pursuit of esoteric science, you can still develop a philosophy of life and learn your individual relationship to the cosmic whole. You will discover how initiates prepare body, mind, and spirit for the challenging journey that is the esoteric path, what the path of initiation looks like, and what it is to be called to this work. The book is filled with accessible information, presented in a way so that "even that which the smallest cup can carry away is the true water of life". This revised edition contains a new foreword by Gareth Knight, and an index.