The Lesser Mysteries 

The Lesser Mysteries have a relation to the elements and seasons and can be divided into the Water, Air, Fire and Earth Initiations.  This division has its origins in the Druid and Celtic traditions, which have clearly influenced the Grail mystery.

Whether we speak of the Grail or Egyptian Mysteries we are simply referring to different historical expressions of the same enlightenment process. The Master Jesus is said to have experienced the Lesser Mysteries within the Egyptian Mystery School.

The Lesser Mysteries focus on the elements and seasonal changes, the latter providing the spiritual aspirant with opportunities for spiritual growth and service. As you may well know the four seasonal festivals that the Druids celebrated are the key points of the year, when certain energies are released into nature. For instance, the Winter Solstice marks the onset of growth that only comes into overt activity at the Spring or Vernal Equinox.

Each festival relates to specific energies and initiations (See Table). They were traditionally important times and provided an opportunity for an initiation for those who had prepared themselves in the preceding period.

Before we work through the 4 Degrees and see how they describe the unfoldment of consciousness in the aspirant, let us outline the 3 major Laws of Life, the spiritual dynamic within which the Lesser Mysteries are played out.

The Law of Nature (Karma)

This is another name for the Law of Karma, the inexorable law that records all action.  It decrees that for every cause there is an effect. In the case of Humanity, we can say that for every action there is a reaction and so we understand that in the fullness of time we will truly reap what we sew. The suffering and humbling nature of this form of education within the Earth school is designed to teach us one thing - how to love.

The Law of Redemption

As we take on more suffering due to our ignorance and the reaping of karma, the Law of Redemption comes into play. This law offers us a chance to redeem ourselves from immersion in matter through the practice of unconditional or overwhelming love. 

If we respond to those with whom we are in conflict by directing unconditional love and light towards them, it leads to the rapid resolution of our karma and toward the portal of initiation. We then become the Initiate, the individual with raised consciousness.

This opportunity comes from identifying with our spiritual nature and learning to accept all challenges, accepting the need for them and forgiving those who appear to direct negativity and hatred towards us. Acceptance of conflictual and difficult experiences and relationships we may find ourselves in, is indeed crucial to our growth and alignment with our Soul. Non-acceptance can be a form of spiritual arrogance, where the ego regards acceptance as some form of passivity. However, acceptance is the most active form of response to challenges because it brings us into the present moment where solutions can then arise. 

The Law of Initiation

If we truly understand the Law of Redemption as it operates within the Law of Nature and we learn the lessons, it will then lead to the Law of Initiation. The 4 Degrees of Initiation will open to us and our spiritual awareness grows accordingly once we respond to our experience with love and forgiveness.   Initiation refers to the experience of challenges which when faced squarely offer us the opportunity to grow on all levels. 

Part 2 will deal with the 4 Degrees of Initiation.