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Noble Order of Tara
Initiation Structure
"I woke up with an idea yesterday, the planets
Jupiter, Mars and Saturn were all sitting together in the night sky!"
Olivia Robertson, 4/7/2000
The Noble Order of Tara Initiation structure was developed and introduced by Olivia Robertson in the year 2000. You can read her announcement of it here: Lughnasad 2000 Announcement and read the beginning formative ideas from her letters on this page: initiation structure letters.
Within this framework, there are 12 Initiations divided into 4 Grades. The Priory Grand Dame/Knight Commander offers a program of study around the NOT Initiation dramas. These may be taught either in person or through correspondence. Each program of study is completely original based upon the Dedicatory Deities of the Priory and the FOI Liturgy. Please also see Olivia's letter regarding the equality of all training programs in the Fellowship of Isis: Coursework ~ Inclusion
Olivia writes on the significance of using the rituals in the booklet "Melusina" for the Noble Order of Tara initiation system:
"It is our own Bodies of Light which link us with the sphere of Nature Spirits. This on an ascending scale, will draw us up the spiral of Being, to Divine Source. But it is through the basic etheric realm, that we can transform the earth, by uniting nature with spirit. Otherwise we are helpless. Physically, we are mortals. Spirits are immortal. And when we develop our own spirit bodies, we can commune with animals, plants, trees – all nature. And this includes those humans who in ignorance are destroying their own habitat." (Quote from "Isis of Fellowship, How the FOI was Founded")
Rite of Tara (Olivia on Right)
image © Foundation Center
(additional cropping & enhancement by this site)
Entry rite for the NOT:
NOT Companion Entry Ritual:
The entry ritual to the NOT is the "Rite of Tara, Initiation into a NOT Priory". (PDF Version / HTML Version) This is the first ritual that a Companion undertakes and is separate from the NOT Liturgy initiations below. It is enacted only when the candidate is spiritually ready to become a Companion in a specific Priory of the NOT.
Olivia writes on May 4th, 2000: "The 2 formal Dana and Tara Initiations are separate from the study-rites. Indeed, the candidate may not be ready for these at any specific point, so they cannot be always used during a specific time. People develop at different paces." She writes again on May 25th, 2000: "I feel people need some time to get used to the Order/Clan before they make such an important step." This ritual may also be found in the NOT Manual.
Grades and Liturgy of the NOT:
(Summaries below written by Olivia Robertson)
The Noble Order of Tara promotes dedicated work for our planet. The 12 Initiations are divided into four Grades. Three Initiations are experienced within each Grade.
1st Grade: Dame/Knight
The first Grade brings spiritual strength to those who work for their local environment. Success brings the designation of "Dame or Knight". The following rituals within the booklet Melusina are used to attain initiations for this Grade: 1) Initiation of the Pylons, 2) The Awakening of the Golden Phoenix, 3) The Descent of the White Eagle.
2nd Grade: Lady/Lord of the Grael
The 2nd Grade develops spiritual awareness and the ability to commune with Nature Spirits. The designation "Lord or Lady of the Grael" is conferred. The following rituals within the booklet Melusina are used to attain initiations for this Grade: 4) Arousing the Kundalini Serpent, 5) Creation of Life Forms, 6) Dawn of the Inner Sun.
3rd Grade: Dame/Knight Commander
The 3rd Grade honours skills in working with other groups and cultures, with our common purpose of saving the Earth. The appointment for this Grade is "Dame or Knight Commander." The following rituals within the booklet Melusina are used to attain initiations for this Grade: 7) Opening the Heart's Rose, 8) Unfolding Wings, 9) Music of the Spheres.
4th Grade: Grand Dame/Knight Commander
The final Grade, confers the right to found a Priory as a "Grand Dame or Knight Commander" because of all-around abilities. The following rituals within the booklet Melusina are used to attain initiations for this Grade: 10) Opening the Eye of Vision, 11) Crowned with Glory, 12) Lighting the Rainbow Aura.
Olivia Robertson bestows the Accolade
image © Foundation Center
(additional cropping & enhancement by this site)
Consecration Rituals for each Grade:
Rites for the 4 Grades :
The ritual "Consecration of a Dame/Knight" (PDF Version / HTML Version) is used to consecrate a Dame/Knight in the Noble Order of Tara. It is also available in the NOT Manual.
The presiding Grand Dame/Knight Commander is responsible for creating the consecration rites for the following Grades in their Priory:
Lady/Lord of the Grael: Presentation of a Chalice
Dame/Knight Commander: Presentation of Sash & Brooch of Tara
Grand Dame/Knight Commander: Presentation of a Stone of Destiny for their own Priory
Grade Registration:
When a member achieves any of the four Grades in the NOT, it is then registered with the Fellowship of Isis.
The NOT Cosmic Web
© FOI Homepage All Rights Reserved
NOT Initiate System:
There are 12 working initiations in the NOT. The rites 1-12 of the booklet Melusina, Life Centres of the Goddess, make up the Liturgy of the NOT and are noted on the planetary rays of the Cosmic Web diagram. Grand Dame/Knight Commanders create their own courses, linking with these rites from the above NOT Liturgy. The Dramas of Initiation are based upon the intersecting points made by the Star of Ishtar bisecting the 4-fold coils of the Dragon Tiamat. Please see the Cosmic Web of the Universe for more information.
"Quick Key" to the Cosmic Web for the NOT Initiation System
The taking of an Initiation lies with the member and may involve months or years. The number of Initiations acquired in no way has any bearing upon a member's status within the Noble Order of Tara. Each member is given equal honor and privileges. Initiations are simply a way for an individual to chart a path for their own personal growth and to keep track of their spiritual progress. (See also the Initiation Guidelines.)
For more information on the NOT, see the appropriate section:
NOT Overview
The Strathloch Coat-of-Arms
Applying to a NOT Priory
Founding and Managing a NOT Priory
Guidelines for all Centers
Oracle of the Goddess Tara
NOT Publications
Order the Noble Order of Tara Manual
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All Rights Reserved.
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