Notes on 'Initiation into Hermetics' by Franz Bardon

Jul 1, 2024

Initiation into Hermetics by Franz Bardon: Summary and Key Points

Foreword

  • The book provides a practical and reliable training system for spiritual development.
  • Claims to encompass universal methods for magic given by divine providence.

Introduction by the Author

  • Emphasizes that magic is not for attaining power out of selfish aims, requires patience, perseverance, and a pure mindset.
  • Warns against the dangers of hastily attempting to use occult practices without a proper foundation.

Part 1: Theory

Picture of the Magician: Interpretation of the First Tarot Card

  • Shows symbolism related to elements (fire, air, water, earth) and the mystical synthesis in the human body and the universe.
  • Introduces mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms as representations of the basic principles of Hermetic science.

About the Elements and Their Powers

  • The universe relies on the interaction of the four elements and the akosha principle (ether or quintessence).
  • Details the specific qualities, polarities, and reciprocal actions of fire, air, water, and earth.
  • Methods to work and manipulate elements for practical use.

The Human Body, Soul, and Spirit

  • Elaborates on the interplay between elements in the human body, their roles in health and balance, and concepts of vitality.
  • Discusses the structure and anatomical basis for practical work with the elements in healing, magnetism, and influencing physical functions.

Diet and Nutrition

  • Emphasizes that a balanced diet maintains harmony of elements in the body.
  • Specific dietary recommendations for different elemental imbalances and their corrective measures.

Subtle Planes: Mental and Astral Bodies

  • Details the nature of the mental plane, astral plane, and their interactions with the physical body.
  • Methodologies to access and work within these planes for higher knowledge and practical magic.
  • Mention of karma and the causal world, suggesting controlled thought and actions bring harmony.

Magic and Mysticism Principles

  • Outlines ideal attributes for a magician: knowledge, daring, volition, and silence.
  • Stresses the importance of speaking the truth, using wisdom and knowledge hand in hand, and a universal sense of order and ethics.
  • Introduces concepts from a universal religious perspective and God as a central guiding force.

Part 2: Practice

Step 1: Initial Training Practices

  • Mental Exercises: Control and discipline of thoughts, achieving vacancy of mind.
  • Psychic Exercises: Introspection and compiling black and white mirrors of the soul; understanding elemental imbalances within one's psyche.
  • Physical Exercises: Habituation to cold water treatments, basic control of physical breathing and body posture.

Step 2: Developing Deeper Abilities

  • Mental: Enhancing auto-suggestion techniques and imaginative faculties.
  • Psychic: Achieving astral balance of elements, refining character through fight/control, auto-suggestion, and transformation.
  • Physical: Poor breathing, enhanced bodily control.

Step 3: Element Mastery and Rituals

  • Mental: Concentration exercises using multiple senses; deepening visualization abilities.
  • Psychic: Techniques for manifesting and dissolving elements within the body as well as in external rituals.
  • Physical: Accumulating vital force in the body, specific exercises for maintaining internal harmony.

Step 4: Advanced Concentration and Transference Skills

  • Mental: Developing skills of deep spaces, object consciousness transference.
  • Psychic: Advanced handling of elements to influence bodily regions and external forms.
  • Physical: Using rituals and gestures to materialize and control desires.

Step 5: Higher Elemental and Spiritual Practices

  • Mental: Establishing space networks for distant influence and communication.
  • Psychic: Projecting elements outside the body, into space, or external objects.
  • Physical: Passive communication with spiritual guides and deceased entities.

Step 6: Self-Mastery and Understanding of Fluid Principles

  • Mental: Integration and analysis of will, intellect, and feeling — aligning with appropriate elemental influences.
  • Psychic: Mastery of Okosho, generating strong influences in personal and external spheres.
  • Physical: Creating personal elementaries for various applications using fluid condensers and rituals.

Step 7: Handling Higher Magic and Elemental Entities

  • Mental: Understanding and evoking planetary, spiritual entities in advanced magical workings.
  • Psychic: Advanced astral sensory development techniques for clairvoyance, hearing, and feeling.
  • Physical: Advanced loadings and rituals for creating and controlling powerful talismans and entities.

Step 8-10: Mastery and Spiritual Assimilation

  • Mental: Extensive mental and astral wandering, communicating with higher entities, synthesis of divine-based sensory states.
  • Psychic: Uniting with the concept of personal godhood, integrated spiritual cognition.
  • Physical: Summoning, controlling, and establishing direct interactions with deity forms, using higher astral influences for divine communication and higher miraculous acts.

Epilogue

  • Final dedication to truth and wisdom sharing and the ethical conduct required of a magician.
  • Encourages contemplation, spiritual maturity, and alluded continuations to deeper Hermetic studies with further tarot cards.

This structured path leads the magician from basic mental and physical principles to advanced spiritual and practical applications of Hermetic magic.