Entry and Introduction

The Opening of the Gates of Power – a necessary stage in the development of mind and its transition to a higher level.

As we’ve often discussed, the development of mind is the sequential opening of one door after another, the actualization of one potential after another. In that sense, it is equally valid to speak of the acquisition of Power and of its awakening, since both views describe the very same process, though from different perspectives.

At the same time, the moment of “opening” the vessel — that is, the emergence of access to new realms of Power — may be a more or less revolutionary event, sometimes producing major shifts in consciousness and sometimes occurring almost unnoticed.

Traditional Magical schools and Lines have always paid special attention to this moment, since the direction that opens development determines the further path of consciousness.

First and foremost, the opening of the key elements of consciousness that determine the very individuality of the Way was considered essential. The Magi noticed that predators exert great effort defending these “outposts” of mind, since the more pronounced an entity’s individuality, the harder it is to keep it subjugated. Accordingly, by discovering its features, its gifts and its natural limitations, consciousness takes a colossal step toward freedom.

It is no wonder that all Ways of mind development insist, above all, on the necessity to “become oneself.” Yet, despite the apparent simplicity and even banality, this event — the discovery of oneself — is the most important stage, which without exaggeration can be regarded as a second birth of the self, the birth of its individuality.

As long as the mind harbors “dark corners”, silenced, ignored parts, it provides an ideal environment for predators and parasites.

But, as is well known, “to make gold you must have gold.” Therefore, attempting to open the Gates independently is hindered by the risk of illusion and self-deception, to which destructive elements readily lead. Thus all Ways of mind development point to the importance of initiatory events that reduce the danger of a mistaken choice.

In principle, any Gate of Power can be opened independently; any ability and gift can be acquired independently.

But there is a fundamental difference between “self-initiation” and traditional Initiation.

The ancient Egyptians long ago noted that each of the Gates of Power is guarded by its own “Gatekeeper” (an Ostiary; in modern times the “planetary gatekeepers” were also called “Consiliaries” — “counselors,” implying the possibility and necessity of dialogue with them for passing the corresponding Gates) — a being that admits no one without special permission and, conversely, opens the Gates on condition of proper approach.

Most often, the Consiliaria was represented as a particular goddess — the spirit or personification of the Gate — who manifested in three aspects: as Gatekeeper, Guardian, and Herald. The Gatekeeper’s task was to identify those approaching the Gates, the Guardian’s to ensure that “just anyone” did not enter them, and the Herald’s to record passage through the Gates.

The funerary texts mention 21 “Secret Portals of the Palace of Osiris in the Field of Reeds“, each of which has its own name and epithet. These portals are guarded by deities with animal-headed features, often depicted seated on the ground with large, menacing knives. Some of these portals bear fearsome names, for example the 14th Gate — “Mistress of Wrath, Dancing on Blood“, while others seem harmless, for example Gate 3 — “Mistress of the Altar“. The guardian gods also bear terrifying names, such as “Devourer of Sinners” and “One Who Exists on Larvae“. However, in some texts, their names are not mentioned directly.

In fact, the whole of Egyptian Magic was aimed precisely at training to interact with these Spirits or the forces of the Gates. The Egyptians (as indeed other peoples did — for example, the Tibetans with their concept of Bardo demons, and the Orthodox Greeks, who have a doctrine of “toll-houses” that bar the way to Heaven) attached great importance to overcoming these Gates after death, during disembodiment; yet development of consciousness during life also requires overcoming the Gates, and therefore — knowledge of the Gatekeepers.

However we view these Gatekeepers — as manifestations of the dead ends of the mind itself or as “external” forces in relation to it — their task is the maintenance of the mind’s current state and limiting its developmental possibilities.

Indeed, one cannot awaken within oneself, say, the sphere of Yesod without passing by Shad Bershemot ha Shartatana, nor the sphere of Tiferet without overcoming Sorat. One cannot attain the power of realization without passing by Gismael, nor penetrate the depths of knowledge without encountering Taftratarat. Accordingly, both the attainment of the degree of Adept and, more generally, the awakening of creative activity require interaction with Sorat and Nakiel. And it is very important to remember that the Gatekeeper is not simply an “enemy” to be defeated, but a force that must be mastered.

Therefore Magical Lines and Schools long ago developed schemes for passing the Gates, which they called “degrees of Initiation,” designed for maximum effectiveness and minimal danger.

Of course, one must not idealize these schemes, yet anyone who has encountered, for example, the effectiveness of the Golden Dawn’s Neophyte Ritual or the Kolo Velesa discovers that seemingly simple actions and their sequences bring the mind into contact with the Hierophantic forces that guide it through the Gates and open new possibilities and perspectives for development.