There is great contemporary interest in the ancient mystery centers, such as prehistoric caves, the pyramids of Egypt, Newgrange in Ireland, and the Externsteine in Germany. The trials and rites that took place there were for a chosen few and are vividly described in this book--from the trials of fire and water to the three-day near-death sleep.

The author suggests that modern-day initiation, however, has a substantially different character. Whereas a "hierophant"--or guide--was needed in ancient times to navigate an inner trial, today it is life itself that brings us the trials we...