Correspondance Schools
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I have been studying the website of the B.O.T.A and The Fraternity of the Hidden Light. Both seem to be the same price, and both seem to be built around (more or less) this Paul Foster Case person, although the B.O.T.A. moreso. If I'm understanding correctly, they seem to be more inclined towards the Golden Dawn teachings as opposed to the A.·. A.·. or Thelema. Because of living in the Midwest and not currently having the option of moving, I was looking at pursuing this path at this time.
Any helpful information anyone might have about Correspondace Schools, the B.O.T.A., the The Fraternity of the Hidden Light, or perhaps another, more Thelemic path to follow would be much appreciated. I do wish the C.O.T. offered something like this, or perhaps online work, but I also understand the need for personalized, group work.
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I wish C.O.T. did too
I outlined a 72-week initial correspondence course in the early 1990s and simply haven't had time to write it in the intervening years.I've taken both of the others you mention. I can vouch for them both though they are quite different. That of F.L.O. is primarily (but not exclusively) aimed at moving one toward possible F.L.O. initiation, so it concentrates a lot of preparation in about a year. (It stands on its own, but is primarily in that direction.) B.O.T.A.s courses cover the same ground in about six or seven years (out of an eventual 17 years IIRC of total courses) and cover it much more deeply and thoroughly.
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Any info or opinion on the Servants of the Light, a correspondence course originally written by W. E. Butler and Gareth Knight (mostly the former)? (I understand the current head is re-writing the lessons to make them less Christian and more New Agey.)
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Thanks Jim, you've helped me make my decision. I appreciate the time you take to make posts as I can only imagine how busy you are. As far as the Servants of the Light, from what I researched, they are too far removed from in certain ways from the Golden Dawn or the AA, which have certainly proved themselves to stand the test of time. The SOL just feels too much like it was built on the shoulders or someone else's hard work, with a strong Christian vibe.
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The line of SOL goes GD-S/FIL-Bill Butler, who formed first the Ibis group and then SOL. Much of the SOL material, when inherited by Dolores Ashcroft Nowicki (a lovely lady) was re-written by Gareth Knight, who later left because SOL wasn't Christian enough.
Nevertheless there is a strong Christian element. They disapprove of much that Dion Fortune did during her Pagan phase in the late 1930s. -
SOL grew out of the Helios Course which was begun by Gareth Knight who was joined by W.E. Butler. Gareth dropped out early in its development due to other obligations and the majority of the course was developed by Butler. The main emphasis in the course is the teaching of practical approaches to Qabalah particularly working with the Tree of Life. While Butler was an ordained Priest in the Liberal Catholic Church I would hardly say SOL has a Christian bias though Christianity as one thread in the tapestry of the Western Mystery Tradition is represented. His successor Dolores Ashcroft Nowicki emphasizes the many strands of the WMT including the Pagan ones and has brought much of the those teachings into the work of the SOL.
The course is highly recommended and provides a solid foundation of training. I know of many Thelemites who have or still do participate in the work of SOL and find great value in it. They also have working lodges in various parts of the world, including the USA, as well as offering workshops at various locations throughout the year so group work is available to many depending on your geographic location.
Although I am no longer an active member of SOL, I found great value in its course work which has added to my growth and understanding of Magic and Qabalah.
In LVX,
Howard -
I am currently working on the second lesson of the B.O.T.A. and I am not dissappointed, the emphasis on building such a solid groundwork, and this references to Levi and a number of other things have all come together to make me feel like I made the right decision. I am a little put off about not getting an answer to some questions I emailed in about four or five days ago, but I'm nothing if not patient.
Here's hoping that someday they can make the C.O.T. or T.O.T. into some kind of correspondance situation!