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0=0: Opening the Hall of the Neophytes
Thelemic Redaction
Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn
Public Release Version 1.0, October, 2002
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For Lodge and Temple study and use this ritual script may be downloaded as a PDF in your choice of two different formats. The first is in continuous spreads suitable for study. The second, when printed with odd numbered PDF pages on one side and even on the other, can be folded and stapled into convenient booklets suitable for ritual use. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please respect our generous copyright. |
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OFFICERS:
On The Dais:
- Imperator - Cancellarius - Hierophant - Past Hierophant - Praemonstrator.
In The Hall:
- Hiereus (Black Robe, Lamen, Sword)
- Hegemon (White Robe, Lamen, Scepter)
- Kerux (Lamen, Lamp and Wand)
- Stolistes (Lamen, Cup of Lustral Water)
- Dadouchos (Lamen, Thurible)
- Sentinel (Lamen, Sword)
REQUIRED:
For the Altar:
- Cross and Triangle
- Red Rose
- Red Lamp
- Cup of Wine
- Paten of Bread and Salt
For the Aspirant:
- Black Gown and Red Shoes
- Hoodwink
- Rope
- Sash
- Chair
Opening the 0=0 Hall
(Click here for a diagram of the hall layout)
When members are assembled and clothed, Hierophant gives one knock and the Officers rise. Whenever officers address the Throne of Ra, or enter or leave the Temple, they give the Sign of the Enterer (SoE) towards the Throne while speaking, followed by the Sign of Silence (SoS). In moving about the hall, the Sign of the Enterer is given while passing the Throne, as below, and the Sign of Silence upon returning to seat. Members wear black with red footgear, sashes, collars, and lamens. Members do not rise except for Adorations to the East or when asked for the Signs. Nor do they circumambulate with the officers, but when they have occasion to move in the Temple, they do so in the direction of the SUN. Members make the Neophyte Signs on passing the Throne of the East whether the Hierophant is there or not. The Grade Sign is made in the direction of movement except when entering or leaving the Hall, when it is made towards the East.
! –This sign represents one knock made by rapping the base or shaft of wand or the pommel of sword on a table. For the sake of clarity the Aspirant will always be referred to with the male gender and the officers with the female. During speeches this pronoun must be changed to match the subject’s gender.
Greeting
Take refuge by 3 Ahs.
Hiero:(Knock)
Kerux on hearing the Hierophant's knock, goes to the North East, to Hierophant's right, faces West, raising the Lamp and Wand and says:
Kerux: HEKAS, HEKAS, ESTE BEBELOI!
Kerux returns to place. Hierophant rises with one knock.
Hiero: Fraters and Sorors of Het Nuit of the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn, Please assist me to open the Hall of the Neophytes. Sr./Fr. Kerux, please see that the Hall is properly guarded.
Kerux goes to the door and gives one knock. Sentinel replies with one knock.
Kerux: (SoE) Sr./Fr. Hierophant, the Hall is properly guarded. (SoS)
Kerux remains by door.
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Hiereus, please guard the hither side of the portal and assure yourself that all present have witnessed the Golden Dawn.
Hiereus goes to the door, stands before it with Sword erect, Kerux being on the right with Lamp and Wand, and says:
Hiereus: Fraters and Sorors of the Order of the Golden Dawn, Please rise and give the signs of a Neophyte.
All make Signs (SoE — SoS) towards Altar while Hiereus observes.
This done, Hiereus gives Signs towards Hierophant, and says:
Hiereus: (SoE) Sr./Fr. Hierophant, all present have been so honored. (SoS)
The Officers
Hiereus and Kerux return to their places. Hierophant gives the Sign of the Enterer towards the West, but NOT the Sign of Silence.
Hiero: Let the number of Officers in this degree and the nature of their Offices be proclaimed once again, that the Powers whose images they are may be re-awakened in the spheres of those present and in sphere of this Order– for by Names and by Images are all Powers awakened and re-awakened.
S/he makes the Sign of Silence and sits.
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Hiereus, how many Principal Officers are there in this Hall?
Hiereus: There are three Principal Officers; the Hierophant, the Hiereus, and the Hegemon.
Hiero: Is there any peculiarity in these Names?
Hiereus: They all commence with the letter 'H'.
Hiero: Of what is this Letter a symbol?
Hiereus: Of Life; because the Letter H is our mode of representing the ancient Greek aspirate or breathing, and Breath is the evidence of Life.
Hiero: How many other Officers are there?
Hiereus: There are three besides the Sentinel; the Kerux, the Stolistes, and the Dadouchos. The Sentinel is without the Portal of the Hall and has a Sword in her hand to keep out intruders. It is her duty to prepare the Aspirant.
Hiero: Bar the Door! Anpu en Amenta, Watcher at the Threshold. Sr./Fr. Dadouchos, your station and duties?
Dad: (SoE) My station is in the South to symbolize Heat and Dryness, and my duty is to see that the Lamps and Fires of the Temple are ready at the opening, to watch over the Censer and the Incense, and to consecrate the Hall and the Fraters and Sorors and the Aspirant with Fire. (SoS)
Hiero: Kindle the fires, Thaum-aesch-niaeth, Guardian of the Hidden Flame Sr/Fr. Stolistes, your station and duties?
Stol: (SoE) My station is in the North to symbolize Cold and Moisture. My duty is to see that the Robes and Insignia of the Officers are ready at the opening, to watch over the Cup of Lustral Water, and to purify the Hall and the Fraters and Sorors and the Candidate with Water. (SoS)
Hiero: Pour forth the Waters, Aur-a-mo-ooth, Guardian of the Cauldron, Un-Dry Sr./Fr. Kerux, your station and duties?
Kerux: (SoE) My place is within the portal. My duties are to see that the furniture of the Hall is properly arranged at the Opening, to guard the inner side of the portal, to admit the Fraters and Sorors, and to watch over the reception of the Aspirant; to lead all Mystic Circumambulations carrying the Lamp of my Office; and to make all reports and announcements. My Lamp is the symbol of Hidden Knowledge, and my Wand is the symbol of its directing power. (SoS)
Hiero: Come Forth, Apuat, Opener of the Ways Sr./Fr. Hegemon, your station and duties?
Heg: (SoE) My station is between the Two Pillars of Hermes and Solomon and my face is towards the cubical Altar of the Universe. My duty is to watch over the Gateway of the Hidden Knowledge for I am the reconciler between Light and Darkness. I watch over the preparation of the Aspirant and assist in his reception, and I lead him in the Path that conducts from Darkness to Light. The White Color of my Robe is the color of Purity, my ensign of office is a Feather-crowned scepter to symbolize balance which guides and regulates life, and my Office symbolizes those higher aspirations of the soul which should guide its action. (SoS)
Hiero: Hold the Center, Maat, Lady of the Balance Sr./Fr. Hiereus, your station and duties?
Hiereus: (holds Sword and Banner) (SoE) My station is on the Throne of the West and is a symbol of the increase of Darkness and the decrease of Light and I am the Master of Darkness. I keep the Gateway of the West and watch over the reception of the Aspirant and over the Supporting Officers in the doing of their work. My black Robe is an image of the Darkness that was upon the Face of the Waters. I carry the Sword of Judgment and the Banner of the Evening Twilight, which is the Banner of the West, and I am called Fortitude. (SoS)
Hiero: Ward the Hall, Set, Master of Darkness. Hierophant stands, holding Scepter and Banner of the East.
Hiero: My station is on the Throne of the East in the place where the Sun rises, and I am the Captain of the Hall, guiding it according to the Laws of the Cosmos, as that which Image I am, is the Guide of all who work for the Hidden Knowledge. My robe is red because of Created Fire and Uncreated Fire, and I hold the Banner of the Morning Light which is the Banner of the East. I am called Power and Mercy and Light and Wisdom, and I am the Expounder of the Mysteries. Hierophant sits down.
All: Take thy seat in the East, Ra-Hoor-Khuit, In thy secret name and splendour art thou Lord Initiating.
Purification & Consecration
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Stolistes and Sr./Fr. Dadouchos, will you purify and consecrate the Hall with Water and with Fire. Dadouchos and Stolistes rise and salute.
S & D: (SoE) (in unison) I will.
Dadouchos goes to West. Stolistes goes to the East, faces Hierophant, and making a cross in the Air with her Cup, sprinkles a few drops of Water three times towards the East. She passes to the South, West and North, repeating the purification in each quarter and returns to the East to complete the circle. She then holds the Cup on high and says:
Stol: I purify with Water.
Dadouchos follows Stolistes when she goes to the East, and when Stolistes has gone to the South, Dadouchos faces East, raises her Censer and swings it towards the East. She then goes to the south, West and North repeating the censing at each quarter and returns to the East where she completes the circle and raising the censer says:
Dad: I consecrate with Fire
Stolistes and Dadouchos return to their places. (SoS)
Circumambulation
Hiero: Let the Mystic Circumambulation take place in the Pathway of LIGHT
Hierophant stands holding the Scepter in her right hand, the Banner of the East in her left. Kerux goes to the North-East with Lamp and Wand. Then follow Hegemon, Hiereus with Banner and Sword, Members, Stolistes with Cup, Dadouchos with Censer and last, Sentinel with Sword. They all line up in this order behind the Kerux who leads the procession past Hierophant, making the Signs of Horus as she passes. Each Officer in turn does the same. Hiereus falls out as soon as she reaches her Throne. Hegemon returns to her place after passing Hierophant twice (one full orbit) and then the rest take their places as they come to them.
Hiero: The Mystical Circumambulation symbolic of the Rise of LIGHT is accomplished. Let us adore the Universe and Space.
Members rise. All face East and make the Sign of the Enterer following the lead of Hierophant. The Sign of Silence is made at the end of the Prayer.
ALL: Holy art Thou, who art Universe! (SoE)
Holy art Thou, who art in Nature Formed! (SoE)
Holy art Thou, the Vast and the Mighty! (SoE)
Source of Darkness, Source of Light! (SoS)
Hierophant, Hiereus and Hegemon raise Wands and Sword in salute, and sink them in unison. All face as usual, but remain standing.
Charge to the Hall
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Kerux, in the Name of the Lord of Initiation, I ask you to declare that we have opened the Hall of the Neophytes.
Kerux goes North-East, faces West, and raising her Wand says:
Kerux: (SoE) In the Name of the Lord of Initiation, Lord of Silence and of Strength, I declare that the Sun has arisen and the Shadows flee away.
Kerux returns to her place. (SoS)
All remain standing.
Kerux knocks. / Hiereus knocks. / Hegemon knocks.
Hiero: (!) KHABS
Hiereus: (!) AM.
Heg: (!) PEKHT.
Hiereus: (!) KONX.
Heg: (!) OM.
Hiero: (!) PAX.
Heg: (!) LIGHT.
Hiero: (!) IN.
Hiereus: (!) EXTENSION.
All make Signs (SoE & SoS) towards Altar and are seated.
The Initiation
Hiero: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Fraters and Sorors of Het Nuit, of the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn, by virtue of our ability to wield a current of initiation, I would undertake to receive ______________, into the 0=0 Degree of Neophyte. What is your will?
All: (respond)
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Hegemon, bid the Aspirant to prepare for the Ceremony of his/her Reception, and superintend his/her preparation.
Hegemon rises and removes her chair from between the Pillars and goes out followed by Sentinel, who carries the Hoodwink and Rope. Hegemon sees that the Aspirant is properly dressed in black clothes and preferably with red shoes or sox. The rope goes three times around his/her waist or is tied with 3 ropes. Heg. leads Asp. to door and gives one knock. Meanwhile the Kerux removes the Elements from the Altar, dispersing them to the Four Winds, one at a time in a spiral motion.
Heg: (Knocks)
Kerux: (Knocks from within) (SoE) The Aspirant seeks for entrance. (SoS)
Hiero: Bring him/her upon the threshold. (done) You who stand upon the threshold of this hall– Know that to enter herein is to undergo certain change! Is it your will to enter?
Aspirant:(responds)
Hiero: Therefore I call ___________ to enter.
Aspirant is brought within and the door closed behind him.
Hiero: Who now looses his/her name to be henceforth known among us as ____________. Let the Stolistes and the Dadouchos assist in the reception.
Kerux admits Asp. when Stolistes and Dadouchos are present with Kerux they formulate a Triangle. When Candidate is within hall, Heg along side and Sentinel behind forming a matching triangle. The Officers speak in turn.
Heg: Inheritor of a Dying World, arise and enter the Darkness.
Stol: The Mother of Darkness hath blinded him/her with Her Hair.
Dad: The Father of Darkness hath hidden him/her under His Wings.
Hiero: His/Her limbs are still weary from the wars which were in Heaven.
Kerux: Unpurified and Unconsecrated, thou canst not enter our Sacred Hall.
Stol comes forward and marks Asp.'s brow with cross and circle, then sprinkles water thrice, saying:
Stol: In thy Name, ____________, I purify with Water.
Dad comes forward and signs before Asp. with cross and circle, then waves thrice, saying:
Dad: In thy Name, ____________, I consecrate with Fire.
Hiero: Conduct the Aspirant to the foot of the Altar. Inheritor of a Dying World, Why seekest thou to enter our Sacred Hall? Why seekest thou admission to our Order?
Asp: My Soul wanders in Darkness and seeks the Light of Hidden Knowledge, and I believe that in this Order Knowledge of that Light may be obtained.
Hiero: I hold your pledge to keep sacred everything that relates to this Order. I now ask you, are you willing to take a profound Obligation in the presence of this Assembly, to keep the Mysteries of our Order inviolate?
Asp:I am (or some such, Heg prompting as needed.)
Hiero: Although the Magickal virtues can indeed awaken into momentary life in the mean and malicious heart, they can not reign in any heart that hath not the natural virtues to be their throne. Are you ready to take this Oath?
Asp: I am (or some such, Heg prompting as needed.)
Hiero: Then you will kneel on both your knees. (done) The powers of Mercy and Severity have brought you to this place. Are you willing to take this supreme vow?
Asp: I am (or some such, Heg prompting as needed.)
Hiero: Fr/Sr Hiereus and Fr/Sr Hegemon, control the aspirant.
Hiereus, at the Aspirant’s left, places his sword on the nape of the Aspirant’s neck and Hegemon, at the Aspirant’s right, places her wand at the base of the Aspirant’s throat.
Hiero: This Vow binds you in your Civic, Religious and Moral life. It touches on every aspect of your being. No one can ever release you from this vow. Is it your will to take this ultimate vow?
Asp: It is. (or some such, Heg prompting as needed.)
Hiero: Give me your right hand, which I place upon this Holy Symbol, the Sign of Our Order. Place your left hand in mine, and repeating your full name by which you are known in the world, say after me: I, ___________So with my all, I have no right but to do my will; I shall do that and no other shall say nay. For pure will unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect.
ALL: THE PERFECT AND THE PERFECT ARE ONE PERFECT AND NOT TWO: NAY, ARE NONE!
Hiero: (knocks) Remove the Sword and Wand.
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Hegemon, place the Aspirant in the Northern part of the Hall: The place of Forgetfulness, Dumbness and Necessity, and the greatest symbolic Darkness.
Hegemon takes Asp to North and faces him/her East. Kerux goes with Lamp and Wand to the North East. Stolistes & Dadouchos follow Asp. at the ready.
Heg: The voice of my Undying and Secret Soul said unto me: "Let me enter the Path of Darkness and, peradventure, there shall I find the Light. I am the only Being in an Abyss of Darkness: from an Abyss of Darkness came I forth ere my birth, from the Silence of a Primal Sleep. And the Voice of Ages answered to my soul":
Hiero: "I am That which formulates in Darkness, the Light that shineth in Darkness, yet the Darkness comprehendeth it not" (knell) Let the Mystic Circumambulation take place in the Path of Knowledge that leads unto Light, with the Lamp of Hidden Knowledge to guide us.
Kerux leads, followed by Heg with Asp., Stol and Dad last. [Exception: If space is too tight let the S & D precede the Aspirant.] As they pass, Hiero gives one knock, just as the Asp. passes. They travel clockwise, and passing Hiereus she similarly knocks. Kerux stops in the South after the second passing of Hiero, barring the way with her Wand, saying:
Kerux: Unpurified and Unconsecrated, thou canst not enter the path of the West!
Stol and Dad Lustrate and Consecrate as before:
Stol: In thy Name, ____________, I purify with Water.
Dad: In thy Name, ____________, I consecrate with Fire.
Heg: Child of Earth, twice purified and twice consecrated, thou mayest approach the Gateway of the West.
Kerux leads procession to the throne of the Hiereus. Heg raises hoodwink, Hiereus stands threatening with her sword.
Hiereus: Thou canst not pass by me, saith the Guardian of the West, unless thou canst tell me my name.
Asp: (Hegemon prompting) Darkness is thy Name, thou Great One of the Paths of the Shades.
Hiereus: Thou hast known me now, so pass thou on. Fear not at all. Fear neither men nor Fates nor gods nor anything. Money fear not, nor laughter of the folk folly, nor any other power in heaven or upon the earth or under the earth. Nu is your refuge as Hadit your light; and Ra-Hoor-Khuit is the strength, force, vigour of your arms.
Kerux leads, followed by Heg with Asp, Stol and Dad last. As they pass, Hiero gives one knock, just as the Asp passes. They travel clockwise, and passing Hiereus she similarly knocks. Kerux stops in the North after passing the Hiereus, barring the way with her Wand, saying:
Kerux: Unpurified and Unconsecrated, thou canst not enter the path of the East!
Stol and Dad Lustrate and Consecrate as before:
Stol: In thy Name, ____________, I purify with Water.
Dad: In thy Name, ____________, I consecrate with Fire.
Heg: Child of Earth, thrice purified and thrice consecrated, thou mayest approach the Gateway of the East.
Kerux leads procession to the throne of the Hiero. Heg raises hoodwink, Hiero stands threatening with her wand.
Hiero: Thou canst not pass by me, saith the Guardian of the East, unless thou canst tell me my name.
Asp: (Hegemon prompting) Light dawning in Darkness is thy Name, the Light of a Golden Day!
Hiero: Unbalanced Power is the ebbing away of Life. Unbalanced Mercy is weakness and the fading out of the Will. Unbalanced Severity is cruelty and the barrenness of Mind. Thou hast known me now, so pass thou on to the Cubical Altar of the Universe.
Hoodwink is replaced. Kerux leads to the Altar. Asp placed due West, Hiereus on North, Heg on South, Kerux form a supporting triangle to rear. Hierophant descends Samekh holding wand in right hand and Banner of the East in left, coming between pillars to the East of the Altar, saying:
Hiero: I come in the Power of the Light; I come in the Light of Wisdom; I come in the Mercy of the Light; The Light hath Healing in its Wings.
Hierophant makes Sign of the Enterer with his Scepter towards Aspirant, then Sign of Silence. The two triangles of Officers are united forming a hexagram with the Asp at its center. Hierophant invokes:
Hiero: O Nuit! continuous one of Heaven, let it be ever thus that men speak not of Thee as One but as None; and let them speak not of thee at all, since thou art continuous!
ALL: None, breathed the light, faint & faery, of the stars and two. For I am divided for love's sake, for the chance of union. This is the creation of the world, that the pain of division is as nothing, and the joy of dissolution all.
Officers form Tetrahedron over Aspirant with tools
Heg: Inheritor of a Dying World, we call thee to the Living Beauty
Hiereus: Wanderer in the Wild Darkness, we call thee to the Gentle Light.
Hoodwink removed…
Hiero: Long hast thou dwelt in Darkness: Quit the Night and seek the Day.
H&H&H: (Aspirant’s motto), we receive thee into the Order of the Golden Dawn!
Hiero: (!) KHABS
Hiereus: (!) AM.
Heg: (!) PEKHT.
Hiereus: (!) KONX.
Heg: (!) OM.
Hiero: (!) PAX.
Heg: (!) LIGHT.
Hiero: (!) IN.
Hiereus: (!) EXTENSION.
Hiero: (!)
Officers lower their wands, Kerux moves to North East holding Lamp aloft, Hiero directs Aspirant's attention there.
Hiero: In all thy wandering in Darkness, the Lamp of the Kerux went before thee, though it was not seen by thine eyes. It is the Symbol of the Light of the Hidden Knowledge
Officers return to their places, except for Heg., Hiereus and Asp.
Hiero: Let the Neophyte be led to the East of the Altar.
Done, but Neophyte is not yet between the Pillars. Heg takes her place outside White Pillar.
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Hiereus, will you give the Neophyte the Word, Grip and Signs as well as the current password of the 0=0 Hall of the Neophytes of the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn.
Hiereus: (SoE) I will. (SoS)
Hiereus, having handed the Hegemon her Sword and Banner, instructs Neophyte in the Step, Signs, Grip, Grand Word & Password as follows, while Hiereus is standing exactly between the Pillars:
Hiereus: Fra/Sor ________ I shall now instruct you in the Step, Signs, Grip and Words of this Grade.
First, advance your left foot a short pace, as if stepping through a doorway. (done) This is the Step. It symbolizes that you have taken the first step on the path to Adepthood.
The Signs are two. The first is the Sign of the Enterer: take the Step, then thrust out both your hands forward, palms down, hands level with your eyes. (done) It alludes to reaching out from the darkness toward the Light, and for sending the power of your own Light out from the darkness.
The second sign is the Sign of Silence: step back firmly so that the left heel touches the right instep, and place the tip of your finger to your lips. (done) It alludes to grounding, to hermetically sealing your energy within yourself. The first sign is always answered with the second.
The Grip or Token is this: take the Step and place your left foot next to mine, heel to toe. (done) Then reach for my right hand with yours, and touch your fingers to mine, draw back, then catch my fingers in yours. (done) It alludes to reaching for guidance in the darkness, and finding it.
The Words are delivered along with the Grip, whispered from mouth to ear, one syllable at a time. The Grand Word of this Grade is "HAR... PAR... KRAT" -- exchange it with me (done). The password of the current Equinox is ______. Exchange it with me. (done)
Hiereus moves the Neophyte to between the pillars saying:
Hiereus: With this knowledge, I now place you between the two Pillars of Hermes and of Solomon in the symbolic Gateway of Occult Wisdom. Let the final Consecration take place.
Stol and Dad proceed around hall as in opening but upon returning to the East, instead of facing East and saying lines, turn and anoint the Neophyte with cross and circle.
Stol: In thy Name, ____________, I purify with Water.
Dad: In thy Name, ____________, I consecrate with Fire.
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Hegemon, will you please remove the Rope, the last remaining symbol of the Path of Darkness, and invest our Sr./Fr. with the Badge of this degree.
Heg: (SoE) I will. (SoS)
Heg proceeds to remove Rope and throws it away from Neo. in a suitable direction and ad libs explanation of grade sash.
Hiereus: Let the Mystical Circumambulation take place in the Path-way of Light.
Kerux leads in North East, Heg guides Neo. back behind Black Pillar to follow Kerux. Hiereus follows then, next, Stol and Dad. Circumambulate as at opening, Neo. directed by Heg to follow Kerux and then to be seated in North East. Once all are in place Hegemon recovers chair and is seated. Kerux replaces Rose, Lamp, Cup and Patten in their places on the Altar as at opening. All are seated.
Hiero: Welcome among us. (applause) We will not regale you with lengthy explanations of the symbolism of this Hall, that is published and for you to study. It is well worth the effort. But know this: In the time of the writing of one of our many scriptures there was a priest-scribe who had been given the task of writing that scripture. In the midst of that writing… …the priest fell into a deep trance or swoon and & said unto the Queen of Heaven; Write unto us the ordeals; write unto us the rituals; write unto us the law! But she said: the ordeals I write not: the rituals shall be half known and half concealed: the Law is for all. Sr./Fr. Kerux will you declare that our Sr./Fr. Neophyte has been initiated into the Mysteries of the 0=0 Hall?
Kerux: (SoE) I will. (SoS) In the Name of the Lord of Initiation, The Lord of Silence and of Strength, I proclaim that (worldly name) , who will henceforth be known among us by the Motto _________, has been duly admitted to the 0=0 Hall as a Neophyte of the Order of the Golden Dawn.
ALL: Love is the law, love under will.
Note: If more than one aspirant is to be initiated in this session stop here and perform the next initiation(s) up to this point. Conclude the initiations with the following speeches with all new Initiates present.
Hiereus: Aum! All words are sacred and all prophets true; save only that they understand a little; solve the first half of the equation, leave the second unattacked. But thou hast all in the clear light, and some, though not all, in the dark. Love is the law, love under will. Nor let the fools mistake love, for there are love and love. There is the dove, and there is the serpent. Choose ye well!
Hiero: There is a word to say about the Hierophantic task. Behold! there are three ordeals in one, and it may be given in three ways. The gross must pass through fire; let the fine be tried in intellect, and the lofty chosen ones in the highest. Before you lies the task of committing certain rudiments of occult knowledge to memory. When you have satisfied yourself with your attainment, arrangements will be made for you to sit for examination. Upon passing, you will be ready at your discretion for the next Degree.
Kerux moves to Heraldic Post.
Kerux: Saith Nuit: Now, therefore, I am known to ye by my name Nuit, and to him/her by a secret name which I will give him/her when at last s/he knoweth me. Since I am Infinite Space, and the Infinite Stars thereof, do ye also thus. Bind nothing! Let there be no difference made among you between any one thing & any other thing; for thereby there commeth hurt. But whoso availeth in this, let him/her be chief of all! Obey my prophet! follow out the ordeals of my knowledge! seek me only! Then the joys of my love will redeem ye from all pain. This is so: I swear it by the vault of my body; by my sacred heart and tongue; by all I can give, by all I desire of ye all.
Closing
Hiero: (!)
Kerux on hearing the Hierophant's knock, goes to the North East, to Hierophant's right, faces West, raising the Lamp and Wand and says:
Kerux: HEKAS, HEKAS, ESTE BEBELOI!
Kerux returns to place. Hierophant rises with one knock.
Hiero: Fraters and Sorors of Het Nuit of the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn, Please assist me to close the Hall of the Neophytes. Sr./Fr. Kerux, see that the Hall is properly guarded.
Kerux goes to the door and gives one knock. Sentinel replies with one knock.
Kerux: (SoE) Sr./Fr. Hierophant, the Hall is properly guarded. (SoS)
S/he salutes the Hierophant's Throne, remains by door.
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Hiereus, guard the hither side of the portal and assure yourself that all present have witnessed the Golden Dawn.
Hiereus goes to the door, stands before it with Sword erect, Kerux being on her right with Lamp and Wand, and says:
Hiereus: Fraters and Sorors of the Order of the Golden Dawn, give the signs of a Neophyte.
All make Signs towards Altar while Hiereus observes.This done, Hiereus gives Signs towards Hierophant, and says:
Hiereus: (SoE) Sr./Fr. Hierophant, all present have been so honored. (SoS)
S/he sits down.
Purification & Consecration
Hiero: Sr./Fr. Stolistes and Sr./Fr. Dadouchos, will you purify and consecrate the Hall with Water and with Fire.
S&D: (SoE) I will. (in unison)
As with opening.
Stol: I purify with Water.
As with opening.
Dad: I consecrate with Fire
Stolistes and Dadouchos return to their places.
Reverse Circumambulation
Hiero: Let the Mystic Reverse Circumambulation take place in the Pathway of LIGHT. (This is done.) The Mystical Reverse Circumambulation symbolic of the Fading of LIGHT is accomplished. Let us adore the Universe and Space.
Members rise. All face East and make the Sign of the Enterer following the lead of Hierophant. The Sign of Silence is made at the end of the Prayer.
ALL: Holy art Thou, who art Universe! (SoE)
Holy art Thou, who art in Nature Formed! (SoE)
Holy art Thou, the Vast and the Mighty! (SoE)
Source of Darkness, Source of Light! (SoE)
Mystic Repast
Hiero: Nothing now remains but to partake together in silence of the Mystic Repast, composed of the symbols of the Four Elements, and to remember the call to do our Will.
All are seated. Hierophant puts down scepter and returns the Banner of the East to its place Hiero. goes to the West of the Altar and facing East gives the Saluting Sign, but withholds the Sign of Silence, and taking up the Rose says:
Hiero: I invite you to inhale with me the perfume of this Rose, as a symbol of Air. To feel with me the warmth of this sacred Fire, To eat with me this Bread and Salt as types of Earth And finally to drink with me this wine, the consecrated emblem of Elemental Water. (Cross)
Placing the Cup on the altar between the Cross and Triangle, Hiero then comes east of the Altar and faces West, all others partake as per custom, giving the Sign of Enterer approaching altar, and answered by Sign of Silence. Officers receive sacrament in the reverse order of the proclamation of their offices in the opening, save with dais officers first, in descending order on the Tree.
Kerux: (inverting cup and placing it on altar) It is finished! (then replaces cup aright, re-joining cross and triangle, cup to west.)
The Closing Charge
Hiero: (!) TETELESTAI.
Hiereus: (!)
Heg: (!)
Hiero: May what we have partaken bring us to the Qunitessence, the accomplishment of our true wills, the Great Work, the Summum Bonum, True Wisdom and Perfect Happiness.
Hiero: (!) KHABS
Hiereus: (!) AM.
Heg: (!) PEKHT.
Hiereus: (!) KONX.
Heg: (!) OM.
Hiero: (!) PAX.
Heg: (!) LIGHT.
Hiero: (!) IN.
Hiereus: (!) EXTENSION.
All make Signs towards Altar (SoE - SoS).
Dedication of Merit
ALL: May the benefit of this act, and all acts, be dedicated unto the complete liberation and supreme enlightenment of all beings everywhere pervading space and time; so mote it be. May the benefits of practice, ours and others, come to fruition, ultimately and immediately, and we remain in the state of presence.–Ah!
For Aspirant:
You will need:
- black clothing or tau, "T", shaped robe, red shoes or socks.
- a New Name, a name or motto, preferably not in English, to be used in ritual. This should express your aspirations.
- to memorize beforehand:
Asp: "My Soul wanders in Darkness and seeks the Light of Hidden Knowledge, and I believe that in this Order Knowledge of that Light may be obtained."
The Order will need:
- your pledge to keep sacred everything that relates to this Order.
- your aspiration to penetrate the Mysteries of the Initiations
©2003 The Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn. All rights reserved. The rituals of the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn may be freely used, distributed, and modified with the following restrictions: These rituals may not be sold or performed for profit even in modified form. If published and/or distributed, they must carry this notice.