Free Will and control over our circumstances: I want to get peoples opinion on this. It's something I have always struggled to understand and it's a lesson that comes up for me again and again. I was recently reading in the lesson material about how we have the ability to control our circumstances and that through magick we could even heal ourselves of basically any disease if we were trained to that degree. This makes sense to me from a philosophical perspective but it's skewed from my experience of the world. I have seen many adepts with far more training and skill than myself get ill and die from various diseases and none of their training seemed able to prevent that. Also I have seen in the world people who are born into absolutely terrible situations who have their potential severely limited by the social and political order they find themselves in. So I am still assessing all of this and trying to understand. To what degree do we really have control over this stuff? It seems to me that we have a say but it doesn't seem like that say is final. I do worry that adopting this philosophy too stringently could leave people feeling very disillusioned if things don't go right. Also there is an element of it that can lead to victim shaming because there is a potential where you can use this idea to say that whatever terrible thing occurs is the persons own fault... and to me I am not signing up for that sort of thing.

I am really going to try and be as respectful as possible with this post. I just joined BOTA a month ago so what do I know. Though in my defense I have been practicing the occult for over 20 years so I have been around. I have been reading Paul Clark's book and the whole situation with Master R just strikes me as so odd. I will be the first to admit even the stories from the 1700's are very bizarre so maybe this is just one more foot note in history. However I just don't understand the arc of what is going on. I don't understand if there was some sort of angle being worked or confusion or maybe there was just something genuine but very strange. The narrative of events don't make sense to me.

1. PFC gets a phone call from Master R. Sure okay strange perhaps but hey why not if the stories are true and there is an inner school of masters who are immortal or something.

2. PFC meets master R in a hotel. Again sure why not if this is a real person it would make sense. Also it seems like this was an important step in some sort of a knowledge transfer.

3. PFC hangs with Master R for a while and collects a whole bunch of wisdom... strange but you have me so far....

4. Suddenly PFC for some reason can only communicate with Master R via Ouija Board.

So I don't know if other people think this is weird but why could he call him on the phone before but suddenly only Quija board communication. It would seem based on PFC's own private notes he was at least convinced of what was going on. I don't see a money making scheme or anything so I just don't get it...

I have been practicing the occult for a long time but not really studying Rosicrucian material. I joined BOTA to see if there was something there for me. But after reading the introductory material I am not sure. The language seems to be overtly Christian ( I am not monotheistic maybe panentheistic would be more correct of myself ) or at least it's couched in that type of language and symbolism. Reading between the lines a bit it seems this idea of Christos is really similar to the idea of a Bodhisattva. I am cool with all of that. But it seems like the position is that Jesus was the greatest Master in history. I am just not sure I am buying that idea. Pythagoras was at least as good if not more of an exceptional Master, as was, Gautama, and Hermes Trismegistus. Or am I missing something? Perhaps that is not what is being claimed. I am finding the language is creating spiritual hurdles that I need to jump so perhaps the language is more metaphorical and symbolic than what I think it's stating.

I thought it did not have any but I read on another forum that it has the same grade system as Golden Dawn.

I am having a different experience with this Key from the last sequence. I had Covid during the first week and I noticed an increase in negative thinking which is in contrast to the last time working with this key. However, the lessons of creative visualization are prominent, just harder to feel good about it. The question I have is this: In the past few months I got involved in a project because I wanted to believe I could help and generate / bolster the needs of the creator. I knew that what they had to work with was very much coming from an amateur level of experience and chose to focus on what I could bring to the table as someone more experienced. The process was pleasant as I visualized all I could to generate creatively, but when it came time to move forward all of the efforts were stunted because of the initial inexperience despite my focus on what good there was. So my question is - is the idea that the subconscious is elaborating on my incorrect assessment and therefore I put my creative visualization to a false suggestion? Or is my initial assessment of the amateur status the issue? Specifically, I am asking if the issue was my mental image of the amateur status and applying creative visualization and subconscious deduction to a false premise, knowing the reality of the amateur status? Or is the issue my current visualization of this reality? Or both? Am I right in thinking the point is not to elaborate / creatively visualize based on poor premises? Or is the point to turn premises around with creative imagination? If the latter, would I be right in perceiving that we must do so by focusing on what we want, rather than creating specific changes to a particular circumstance?

Hello Fraters and Sorors! I joined last March 2021 and I was wondering if there are members here in the Philippines. Would love to join a study group if there is. If there is none, maybe we can discuss and set up one!:)

Fraternally in LVX, Fra. Randell

Happy holidays everyone! I am new to reddit and very curious about magick. But I have noticed something. Everytime I get gain more knowledge about magick, I start to get headaches, and feel like something is almost choking me in my throat. It is quite disturbing. And when that happens. I just usually stop any involvement in magick.

I think I created a previous post saying I was very curious in magick earlier today but then the headaches and feeling like being choked started happening. So i deactivated account. Unfortunately deactivating doesnt just deactivate the account it erases everything! It erase my previous posts about

I am interesting in learning about magick. And if anyone has any tips for me, particularly about me getting pass the headaches and feeling of choking whenever I gain more knowledge about magic

I read an article of 2004 that claimed that at that time BOTA had about 5000 members worldwide. I am curious to know if there is any new data concerning the number of members today.

Is there anything such as Egregor in B. O. T. A and i really would like to know if it's very necessary to do the initiation. Please any contributions will be appreciated, thanks

Greetings. A week ago I became a member together with my wife. The main account is mine and I did a separated duo account for her. However, I committed a mistake regarding her email and now she can not login in her account because she needs to verify the account through a link that is being sent to an email that does not exist. I filled the contact form in the website in order to solve this situation but there has been no reply yet.

Can someone help?

Thanks.

Hey all.

So I have been meditating a bit on the associations between the keys of the tarot and the Hebrew letters. I find it interesting that among the decks that feature the Hebrew associations, the BOTA deck (along with the JK Waite and the Golden Dawn's Hermetic Tarot) correlate Aleph, the first letter, with the Fool and end with Tav as the World. Other decks start with the Magician as Aleph and end with the Fool as Tav. This is the case with the Oswald Wirth tarot as well as the Brotherhood of Light tarot and the Eternal Tarot used by Samael Aun Weor. Just curious if anyone else in here has thought about this and had any insight / preferences for one way or the other.

peace and light.

I am on lesson 3 of TF and I am debating whether I should use my water colors or colored pencils to work on Key 0. I tested out the pencils on the small version BOTA sent on the large sheet a while back but it looks dull. I thought maybe it’s because of the small size? Does anyone have any opinions on this?

This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but Iron Maiden has a new album out and, from a Qabalistic perspective, the video for the first single, which is centered on symbolism from the Book of Revelation, contains a neat little Easter egg at the end.

Tl; dw: At the end of the video, after the Four Horsemen have destroyed evil, two figures remain: one male, one female. They both get in the backseat of a car driven by Eddie, and as the car drives off, Eddie hands them an apple, which the female figure bites into before the male figure does... I thought the idea that the end of the New Testament came before the beginning of the Old Testament was thought-provoking... and right in line with Qabalistic teachings.

Near the end of the lesson the instruction is given to practice making inhalation and exhalation equal and rhythmic. Is this suggesting pranayama practice or in general throughout ones day?

Looks like BOTA has relaunched its newsletter The Lantern. The newest issue, vol. 10, no. 1, is available to read here and has articles on Key 14 - Temperance and on the building blocks of the universe.

Hello!

A series of synchronicities has led me to sign up with BOTA, just today! Beginning my occult study in 2012, I'm now longing to join a community. Initially I was looking at AMORC, but my enthusiasm for Tarot brought me here instead.

I'm interested in participating in meet ups, retreats, rituals and meditations IRL. Could anyone provide some insight into whether this is part of the BOTA culture? I am based in Glasgow, Scotland, but could travel to London or Europe.

​

Many thanks <3

Hello, I am considering joining the BOTA as I have a strong desire to learn alchemy, tarot and qabalah. However I recently had the opportunity to skim through Paul Case’s ‘Occult Fundamentals’ book and was surprised to find eastern mysticism weaved throughout the book. Mind you I didn’t actually read the whole book so maybe I just happened to see all of the parts about eastern traditions. Is there eastern mysticism in the BOTA lessons as well? I have a great respect for eastern systems but have no interest in learning them as I am primarily interested in the western esoteric traditions.

I've recently joined due to feeling like I need more structured lessons to supplement my more diverse personal studies. Being a Freemason I had heard of B.O.T.A. but have had interest in joining a HOGD lodge since before being initiated. Lately I did a deep dive trying to find an active lodge near me but after learning more about B.O.T.A it seemed to fit my beliefs better and I signed up. I've noticed already the Holy Guardian Angel mentioned a couple places. I've been very interested in the idea of the HGA lately and found this interesting. If you can answer this question I would appreciate it and if you can't I understand. Should I expect there to be material in future lessons pertaining to making contact or communication with my HGA?

I am asking because if there is I will hold off my studies until getting to that point in BOTA. If there is not though I'll just study it more in depth on my own. Not saying I plan on going through with anything but it is a subject that has been of immense interest lately. If I feel inclined to do so after thorough study of the concept and multiple methods I might but I'm still unsure right now.

I begin working with the 4th Key and I noticed that as I was working with the 3rd Key, my boss became agitated with himself over a showing of emotion and began reacting towards me in the energy of the 4th Key. Ive read that once you know the keys you will understand how to use them to counter energies coming at you. Here’s my question: would it be better to continue with my current meditation - 4th Key or should I try to counter it with something other now? He seemed really bothered with me over his reactions to my Key 3 energy.

Hey guys I was just wondering if there is any way to retrieve some lessons that have been lost in the mail/misplaced by careless landlords? I am currently missing "Esoteric Extension of Tarot to Develop ESP" Lessons 37-44. It would really irk me if I skip 2 whole months of lessons and I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me any possible way I can get them.

Thanks in advance!

How is the subconscious the real substance of all physical things?

This is my first time posting here. So, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask or not. If not then I'll delete it.

Also, I don't know if others are allowed to tell me the answer or I'm supposed to figure it out on my own. I'm sure it's the former. Still, although I've tried to understand this, I just for the life of me can't. I've been studying Tarot Fundamentals and I'm on lesson 8, part 2 of the High Priestess. I've been reading this lesson everyday for more than a week and I feel like I'm stuck.

Perhaps the answer is simple but I'm unsure why I'm not getting it.

Does anyone else get excited the week right before new lessons are delivered or is it just me? :)

Hello all,

I am looking seriously into applying to B.O.T.A. in the near future. Would any of you be willing to comment on the religious nature of the organization? I want to make sure that I feel at home with it and that we are a good match. Thank you in advance for any help, experiences, or opinions you might share.

Robertus

Hello, all. This morning I downloaded my first three lessons, and already I am stumped.

How specific did you get answering the question "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" I thought I had written a good answer, but the second page is asking me to define my most urgent desire, or the logical first step of my long-term project, and I don't even know where to start. How did you break down your goal?

I'm wondering if I'm overextending myself. I just started doing the BOTA Lesson 1 and devoting the necessary study time. However, I'm also feeling drawn towards the Middle Pillar ritual and as a prerequisite need to learn the LBRP (Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram). I'm moving slowly, but wonder if I shouldn't be doing these two things simultaneously- or are they two facets of the same mechanism? I have some quasi-serious chronic health issues that created a certain a sense of urgency, and after reading the The Art of True Healing, I got pretty enthused about the prospect of the Middle Pillar meditation helping me put my body in the best position to heal. Any thoughts on this?

Tonight I finally did it. Since 2016 when I heard of the BTOA I had periodically browsed the website and thumbed through the "open door". I have had a life long interest in both the Qaballah and the Tarot, the occult and ritual Magick. Why tonight did I finally pull the trigger and become a member?

I don't know, but I know that SOMETHING in me has been telling me to do it. I truly believe this and I'm as excited as anyone could be to read through the Associate Builder's Initiation.

Would love to find it, a friend is asking me about it and can't find it anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

Hello, I've been studying the BOTA curriculum for a few years. I am also a spiritual teacher and therapist using my own unique approach to spiritual awakening and healing. I have just published a new book called Why You're Still Stuck. It's a very practical book, there's little overt esotericism in it, but underlying it is the same truths we are all studying here and elsewhere. It's more of a book that infuses the light and truth into an approachable, everyday guide without getting too metaphysical.

Here is a review from the publisher:

“This practical and applicable book on transformation, embodiment, healing, and shadow work offers a divergent view on self-help and spiritual awakening—unlike anything we've read before.

It forces us to stop and take an unusually deep look in the mirror and question our reasons for not being and having what we want. His words invite us into a new paradigm of self-awareness and complete honesty, where freedom is found by feeling and truth reigns high.

Integrating holistic philosophies from transpersonal psychology, somatic therapy, mindfulness, and spirituality—Why You're Still Stuck delivers a hard-hitting, refreshing approach for overcoming our greatest challenge: ourselves. This book is essential for anyone looking for a grounded, no-fluff guide to conscious transformation, stuck or not.”

I'll happily send a free PDF copy to any of our brothers and sisters here to help on your path of liberation and awakening. Please send me a message.

In LVX

https://preview.redd.it/cnvgd106l5961.jpg?width=1728&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ffe4f09b41db46e2b4f4dae622ece9b664c7f92

Link for more information: https://drewgerald.com/why-youre-still-stuck/