Hi Asenath,
I’m a big fan having followed your work for quite some time through your writings in Clavicula Nox, Dragon Rouge documents that are floating round the internet and buying your independent books and those anthologies written with TOAF (book of qlipoth is probably the best book on the nightside of the tree that I have read for a long time).
How did you initially come into contact with Dragon Rouge and how were you selected to become the head magan? Also what led to your exit of that order and how has it impacted your overview and workings now with TOAF?
Obviously TOAF anyone can join that you see fit, after they’ve entered into the initiatory rituals; how did you come to the decision to allow TOAF to become a ‘free’ order as opposed to the fee driven Dragon Rouge?
How did you form the alliances with people from all across the world for TOAF? Reading through the books there is a huge cross section of personalities and experiences how did you all unite to produce books like visions, rites and book of qlipoth?
What are your long term goals for TOAF?
How has Mark Alan Smiths primalcraft influenced the order? I know there has been influence taken and he himself references TOAF on his website regarding the trident trilogy.
When vetting those for membership to your Temple how do you assess people and is there anything that turns you off of people?
Many thanks!
AMSG
Well posed and thought out inquiry ^^
I worked in the past with dozens of magicians, book authors, magical groups and orders, and I still work on a regular basis with many other practitioners. ALL of them have influenced my personal work to a certain extent, some more, others less. It would take a long list to mention them all, though. The work of Dragon Rouge is certainly worth mentioning, because that’s where my spiritual path actually started. My reasons for leaving the order? Well, it is said that when you get to a certain point of your path, you will seek new ways to develop. For me those ways were outside the order. I simply felt that I’d grow with the path in a more in-depth and dynamic way if I pursue the work with the current on my own, and that has turned out to be the right decision, as I feel fulfilled in what I’m doing now.
Regarding your questions about the Temple of Ascending Flame:
- We publish books and this way we get the money for the group, so a member’s fee isn’t necessary. I like the way it works and I’d recommend it to the other groups and magical orders, too.
- Those who come to us find us through the publications or through other people that have already worked with us, either as members or in our open projects. These are people coming from various magical backgrounds and they bring in the knowledge and experience that is used and worked with by the group – here is where we get our inspiration and influence from. These influences may come from many sources, and we welcome all kinds of magic and gnosis, if only it’s compatible with the Draconian Tradition.
- About the goals and the work of the temple you can simply read on the website: http://ascendingflame.com and you’ll also find the affiliation procedure explained there. When you apply for membership, a group of temple initiates will review your results with the initial workings and we’ll either accept you or advise you to take a different path - this is based on many things and there isn’t a single rule - each person is different and there are no criteria that would apply to everyone. In any case, it’s not a one person decision, and you can be sure that you’ll be offered an open-minded and unbiased assessment.
4 Likes