A
spiritual tradition often involving
Occult or
metaphysical themes.
It finds its counterparts in the East, for example, Taoism in China, Zen in Japan or even Sufism in the Middle East.
Some of the tradition is derived from Judaic sources in this case the Qabalah (also Kabbalah & Cabala), although it would be an error to think this is pure Orthodox Judaism. Also involved are the Tarot, Astrology, Alchemy and Hermeticism.
Mystery Schools which have taught the tradition stem back into the distant past, but they always had for their motto "Know Thyself".
The A.:A.: is one such school and has a system of magical grades through which to document the progress of the aspirant.