Editing Adept (section)

==Western esotericism==
{{further|Mystery cult|Rosicrucianism}}
Those who practice [[Western esotericism|esoteric]] arts such as [[theurgy]] and [[Practical Kabbalah|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.{{sfnp|Leitch|2005|p={{page needed|date=January 2024}}}}{{sfnp|Von Worms|1975|p={{page needed|date=January 2024}}}} Various [[magical organization]]s have steps in which an initiate may ascend in their own 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 (this grade system was taken from the [[Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia]]).{{sfnp|Regardie|1984|loc=Vol. 7, p. 52}} Symbolically this degree represents a spiritual aspirant who, having mastered the union of the [[Classical element|four elements]] under an upright and balanced spirit,<ref>{{harvp|Regardie|1984|loc=Vol. 7, p. 25}}. The symbol representing spirit over the [[Classical element|four elements]] in the Golden Dawn tradition is the upright [[pentagram]].</ref> is allowed passage from the ''Portal of the Vault of the Adepti'' into the tomb of [[Christian Rosenkreutz]] in the center of the Rosicrucian Mountain of Initiation, Abiegnus, at the center of the universe.{{sfnp|Regardie|1984|loc=Vol. 7, p. 56}} 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 [[Kabbalah|kabbalistic]] [[sephirah]] of [[Tiphereth]], [[Geburah]], and [[Chesed]] respectively.{{sfnp|Eshelman|2000|p=21}}

The oath of the Adeptus Minor includes a provision to "unite myself with my higher and Divine Genius",{{sfnp|Regardie|1984|loc=Vol. 7, p. 42}} 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.{{sfnp|Eshelman|2000|p=21}}

===A∴A∴===
[[Aleister Crowley]], who formed the [[A∴A∴]], restructured the Golden Dawn system. This system still holds to three forms of adept.{{sfnp|Eshelman|2000|p=21}}

*Student
*The Order of the Golden Dawn
**Probationer 
**Neophyte
**Zelator
**Practicus
**Philosophus
*The Order of the R. C. (Rose Cross)
**Dominus Liminis 
**Adeptus Minor
**Adeptus Major
**Adeptus Exemptus
*The Order of the S. S. (Silver Star)
**Babe of the Abyss 
**Magister Templi
**Magus
**Ipsissimus