Raido - A Handbook of Traditional Living

S.K.

The publication of the present booklet serves two complementary purposes: a) to present the reader with an accessible introduction to the world of Tradition; b) to offer ideal guidelines to those already active in the arena of revolutionary politics. Parts One and Two of this volume were originally published separately in Italy, under the titles of Il Mondo della Tradizione and Il Fronte della Tradizione.

Part One sets out to define Tradition as that eternal source of spiritual and normative values which infuses the lives of individuals and societies with meaning and dignity. Its authors touch upon the chief aspects of the traditional outlook: the notions of metaphysics, esotericism and initiation, caste and authority, cyclical decline and renewal. Traditionalist values are here set forth as a bulwark against the onslaught of profoundly disruptive forces:

The rejection of all injustices, lies and illusions gives rise to two fronts: if falsehood is the tool of Subversion, truth is the victorious weapon of Tradition. Truth is not a human product, but exists independently of individuals, whose duty it is to grasp it and realise it by means of action in the world.

That of action is the path advocated in this volume. The reader, therefore, should take note that the exposition of traditional doctrines it presents is closely tied to the personal equation of the authors, who have followed the legionary example in choosing as their motto Vita est militia super terram: Life is a soldiers service upon this earth.

Given its kshatriya inclination, Raido is not a writers guild but a base militante: a local community formed of individuals seeking to uphold the values of Tradition through active social and political engagement. When this writing was first published some ten years ago, it was primarily to educate the young political militants in the ranks of the Italian radical Right.

The approach to Tradition presented in this booklet, therefore, is unabashedly Evolian. There is nothing in these pages that Julius Evola would not have subscribed to and perhaps a few things that traditionalists of a different disposition might take issue with. This is particularly the case with the meta-historical narrative presented in 7 of Part One, which is almost entirely based on Revolt Against the Modern World.

Far from being a drawback, the Evolian twist of this work offers the reader who is new to the world of Tradition a concise introduction to the meta-historical vision of one of its great Twentieth century spokesmen. The Evolian direction of the first half of the volume also sets the pace for Part Two, where an attempt is made to relate the values of Tradition to the active fight against Subversion in contemporary society.

The reflections articulated in Part Two have their roots in decades of challenging political activism: in a desire to learn from past mistakes and make a clean break with sterile ideologies. The suggestions and models proposed by Raido, and inspired by the legionary example of the Rumanian Iron Guard, are applicable to all traditionally orientated communities. Yet, if the education of the political soldier remains

the most explicit aim of this work (originally issued as part of a series on The Formation of the Militant of Tradition), its teaching is far more broadly applicable: for the unfashionable notions it invokes of Loyalty, Love, Justice and Truth are as relevant to the life of the lone wolf as they are to that of the man of militia. The Front of Tradition, regardless of what external form it might take, is first and foremost an inner condition: a greater jihad to be waged at every moment against the enemies within.

For more information on Raido, which continues to publish books, distribute traditionalist material and organise conferences in Rome, visit the website www.raido.it.

JOHN B. MORGAN

All footnotes to the text, unless otherwise attributed, appeared in the original Italian editions. In some instances where quotations from other texts are used, I have used the relevant passages from existing translations. These are always cited in the accompanying footnotes. Wherever quotations are used I have attempted to provide a bibliographical citation if a citation is lacking, this means that I was unable to identify its source.