The Rods of Initiation are of four kinds:

1. Cosmic, used by a cosmic Logos in the initiations of a solar Logos and of the three major Planetary Logoi.

2. Systemic, used by a solar Logos in the initiations of a Planetary Logos. With cosmic initiation we have naught to do; it concerns expansions of realization beyond even the ken of the highest initiate in our solar system. With systemic initiations we are concerned only in trifling measure, for they are on so vast a scale that the average human mind cannot as yet envisage them. Man appreciates these initiations only in so far as they produce effects in the planetary scheme with which he may be concerned. Particularly is this so should the scheme in which he plays his microscopic part be the center in the Logoic body receiving stimulation. When that is the case, the initiation of his own Planetary Logos takes place, and consequently he (as a cellular body) receives an added stimulation along with the other sons of men.

3. Planetary, used by a Planetary Logos for initiatory purposes, and for the third, fourth, and fifth major initiations, with the two higher. At the planetary initiation the Rod of Power, wielded by the solar Logos, is charged with pure electrical force from Sirius, and was received by our Logos during the secondary period of creation, from the hands of that great Entity who is the presiding Lord of the Lords of Karma. He is the repository of the law during manifestation, and he it is who is the representative in [127] the solar system of that greater Brotherhood on Sirius whose Lodges are found functioning as the occult Hierarchies in the different planets. Again, he it is who, with the solar Logos to assist him, invests the various Initiators with power, gives to them that word in secret which enables them to draw down the pure electric force with which their rods of office must be charged, and commits to their keeping the peculiar secret of their particular planetary scheme.

4. Hierarchical, used by an occult Hierarchy for minor initiations, and for the first two initiations of manas by the Bodhisattva.