One of the things I encounter frequently on forums and through emails are requests for information about local temples which prospective candidates can approach. Often these requests are coupled with complaints about there being no Golden Dawn presence in their area.
So, start your own temple. If you think about it, all of the existing temples today were started when someone took some initiative. They got a few people together and made their own temple. Some even formed their own order, others joined an existing order, and others yet decided to remain independent.
It's easier than you'd think. Simply get a few like-minded people together in your area or country, start a study group, and let it develop from there. Some people might not want it to become more formal, in which case you could employ a study group as a kind of outer court to the temple, but ultimately if you want to get things going you have to take some risks.
You cannot wait for the Golden Dawn, or any tradition, to come knocking on your door with an invite. Temples don't simply spring up when and where you need them. They take a lot of work to start and particularly to keep active, but they are extremely rewarding.
You need to ask yourself how much you want a local temple. If you're not prepared for the kind of work involved, then going further afield might be your only option. It does beg the question though - are you only looking to take from a temple rather than give back to it? You'd be surprised at how much you gain when you put the effort into creating or helping to create a temple, and the subsequent running of it.
Some books that I'd recommend for those considering this option are Inside A Magical Lodge by John Michael Greer and Gathering The Magic by Nick Farrell.
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6 comments:
I think the underlying assumption most people have is that you already need to be of "learned status" before you attempt something of the magnitude of starting a temple. I'd hazard a guess at this being a side-effect of living in a society where what you do is so often based on the degree(s) you hold.
Still, even coming from that viewpoint, I tend to agree with Nick Farrell in that one should be able to consider uprooting and moving in order to follow your spiritual path.
Very good points, PR.
The reality is that people are far more likely to get to that "learned status" by diving right in and making all the mistakes along the way.
Another important element is the fact that adepts of one temple aren't necessarily 'adept' at setting up or running a new temple. That requires a whole new set of skills that aren't learned through gradework. They become Neophytes all over again.
I agree completely with Nick in regard to moving, if needs be, for one's spiritual path, although setting up one's own temple is an alternative to that option. Either way, there is work involved, which is to be expected for such a rewarding path.
LVX,
Dean.
I think perhaps many feel as if they need a great degree of experience and training before taking charge of their own path; they want a teacher and a set course. Of course, figuring it out yourself is a great teacher itself.
I am in the process of doing just this in the DFW area of Texas!
Very true, Adservio. Sometimes you just have to jump in the deep end and see where it takes you.
LVX,
Dean.
Great to hear, Tree! Best of luck with your new Temple :)
LVX,
Dean.
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