Results

This section of my website summarises some of my findings.

Whilst it can be said that each of the three traditions has its own merits and pitfalls, there are some interesting similarities and differences in experiences and outcomes. Chart Three shows the percentage each tradition contributed to the total sample.

This may reflect the relative popularity of each tradition. Theosophy has probably attracted the most followers with the Fourth Way and the Golden Dawn being somewhat less popular. Also, whilst Golden Dawn initiates kept Magical Diaries, they were sworn to secrecy. However, membership statistics do not necessarily reflect the subsequent influence of a movement.

The best source of accounts, 63%, was the published literature. Given more time and further reading many more interesting accounts would be found. Whilst the RERC Archive at Lampeter University yielded 29% of the total sample contemporary sources only provided 8% of the sample. There are probably several reasons for this: the traditions being studied, whilst fairly well known, are small relative to other mainstream religions; the awareness of negative attitudes towards such traditions may also have dissuaded respondents; as with most spiritual experiences people may be reluctant to share what are considered highly personal accounts due to their ineffable quality (‘I never speak of this because I know I cannot make myself understood.’(1)) or fear of ridicule.

(1) RERC Archive Account Number 002716, Male.