Have you ever heard of the Servants of the Light? How does the vibe of this crowd compare with that of the Builders of Adytum? Both seem very reclusive.

Servants of Light (SOL) are an offshoot of The Society of the Inner Light, itself founded by Dion Fortune in 1924. This order still exists today and as far as I am aware teaches much the same curriculum based around the founder's own interpretation of the Qabbalah, presented in her 'magnum Opus' The Cosmic Doctrine as well as the usual subjects covered in the Western Mystery Tradition.

SOL split from The Society of the Inner Light in 1956 and was run by Walter Ernest Butler until his death in 1976 when the present head, Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, took over the reins.

As far as I am aware both schools are alive and well. If the OP regards them as 'reclusive' then he or she has little experience of genuine occult orders and mystery schools which have always worked to some extent in secret, the better to protect and preserve their teachings from those who might misuse or misinterpret them. THis is an old and well-established occult practise.

I met Butler just before he passed away, and know his successor, the English occultist, 'Gareth Knight' (Basil Wilby) quite well. Knight was a leading figure in both orders, a close colleague of both Butler and Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki (who I've also met several times) and is still active today at the ripe old age of 89. I have also met many members of both orders over the last 50 odd year. The reason I say this is for the sake of approbation which I have never sought either on this sub or in general, but to demonstrate that both orders are above board, run by decent, honourable and sincere occultists who know their stuff. I may not necessarily see eye to eye with their teachings, but IMV both orders are a better school for the beginner than BOTA, and certainly MUCH better than the OTO or so-called 'Golden Dawn', that is, if the various factions calling themselves 'Golden Dawn' have stopped fueding with and sueing one another, which I rather doubt!

I hope that's of some help, not just to the OP, but anyone interested in a structured and disciplined course of instruction in occultism.

/r/occult Thread