An adept is an individual identified as having attained a specific level of knowledge, skill, or aptitude in doctrines relevant to a particular author or organization. He or she stands out from others with their great abilities. All human qualities are developed in them, including intelligence and spirituality. Anyone can become an adept through spiritual development and self-improvement.

Etymology

The word "adept" is derived from Latin ''adeptus'' 'one who has attained' (the secret of transmuting metals).

Authors

H. P. Blavatsky

Madame Blavatsky Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, uk, Олена Петрівна Блаватська, Olena Petrivna Blavatska (; – 8 May 1891), often known as Madame Blavatsky, was a Russian mystic and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875 ...

makes liberal use of the term ''adept'' in her works to refer to their additional function as caretaker of ancient occult knowledge. She also mentions their great compassionate desire to help humanity and also documents other powers of the adept such as being able to take active control of elemental spirits as well as the physical and

astral Astral may refer to: Concepts of the non-physical * Astral body, a subtle body posited by many religious philosophers * Astral journey (or ''astral trip''), the same as having an ''out-of-body experience'' * Astral plane (AKA astral world), a p ...

conditions of non-adepts.

Alice Bailey

In Alice Bailey's body of writing she outlines a hierarchy of spiritual evolution and an initiatory path along which an individual may choose to advance. In her works an Adept is defined as a being who has taken five of the seven initiations.

Orders

Various occult organizations have steps in which an initiate may ascend in their own magical system. Some call these steps degrees or grades.

Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

In the initiatory system of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an adept is one who has taken the oath of the 5=6 grade and has been granted the title Adeptus Minor. Symbolically this degree represents a spiritual aspirant who, having mastered the union of the four elements under an upright and balanced spirit, is allowed passage from the ''Portal of the Vault of the Adepti'' into the tomb of

Christian Rosenkreutz Christian Rosenkreuz (also spelled Rosenkreutz, Rosencreutz, Christiani Rosencreütz and Christian Rose Cross) is the legendary, possibly allegorical, founder of the Rosicrucian Order (Order of the Rose Cross). He is presented in three manifest ...

in the center of the Rosicrucian Mountain of Initiation, Abiegnus, at the center of the universe. The grade of Adeptus Minor and subsequent grades, Adeptus Major, and Adeptus Exemptus form the Second Order of the Golden Dawn, also called the Rosæ Rubeæ et Aureæ Crucis (The Ruby Rose and Golden Cross). These grades correspond to the

kabbalistic Kabbalah ( he, קַבָּלָה ''Qabbālā'', literally "reception, tradition") is an esoteric method, discipline and Jewish theology, school of thought in Jewish mysticism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ( ''Məqūbbāl'' "rece ...

sephirah of Tiphereth, Geburah, and Chesed respectively.Eshelman. ''The Mystical & Magical System of the A∴A∴''. p. 21. The oath of the Adeptus Minor includes a provision to "unite myself with my higher and Divine Genius", a process which is sometimes equated with "Knowledge and Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel." To undertake this process the Adeptus Minor must reconfirm the work of earlier grades (Zelator through Philosophus) with their newfound knowledge before passing to the Adeptus Major degree, as a full-fledged adept.

A∴A∴

Aleister Crowley, who formed the A∴A∴, restructured the Golden Dawn system. This system still holds to three forms of adept. *Student *Probationer—The Order of the Golden Dawn-- *Neophyte *Zelator *Practicus *Philosophus *Dominus Liminis—The order of the RC (Rose Cross)-- *Adeptus Minor *Adeptus Major *Adeptus Exemptus *Babe of the Abyss—The Order of the S. S. (Silver Star)-- *Magister Templi *Magus *Ipsissimus

Temple of Set

The Temple of Set calls their steps degrees, and places adept second. Its system is as follows: *Setian ( First Degree ) *Adept ( Second Degree ) *Priest / Priestess ( Third Degree ) *Magister / Magistra Templi ( Fourth Degree ) *Magus / Maga ( Fifth Degree ) *Ipsissimus / Ipsissima ( Sixth Degree )

Illuminates of Thanateros

Also distinguished as degrees, the

Illuminates of Thanateros The Illuminates of Thanateros () is an international magical organization that focuses on practical group work in chaos magic. The idea was first announced in 1978, while the order proper was formed in 1987. This fraternity, fraternal magical so ...

, is a newer style of magic called chaos magic, which places adept closer to the top of their system. *4° Neophyte *3° Initiate *2° Adept *1° Magus

Ceremonial magic and theurgic practices

Those who practice esoteric arts such as theurgy and Kabbalah are familiar with the word 'adept.' In the traditions of esoteric Christianity and ceremonial magic, an adept is one who is skilled or profound, but not a master in these arts.''The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage''

Notes

References

* Bailey, Alice A.: ''Initiation Human and Solar''. New York: Lucis Publishing Company, 1997. * Blavatsky, H. P.: ''Isis Unveiled''. Theosophical University Press, 1998. * Eshelman, James A.: ''The Mystical & Magical System of the A∴A∴''. Los Angeles: College of Thelema, 2000. * Leadbeater, Charles W.: ''The Inner Life''. The Theosophical Publishing House, 1978. * Regardie, Israel: ''The Complete Golden Dawn System of Magic''. Scottsdale, AZ, USA: Falcon Press, 1984. {{ISBN, 0-941404-12-9 Magic (supernatural)