Liber XV-II
Ecclesiae Gnosticae Catholicae Canon Missae
Revised by Order of the Acting Council of Elders
Gnostic Church of L.V.X.
Member A.M.H.R.
I
OF THE FURNISHINGS OF THE TEMPLE
In the East, that is, in the direction of Boleskine, which is situated on the South-Eastern shore of Loch Ness in Scotland, two miles east of Foyers, is a shrine or High Altar. Its dimensions should be 7 feet in length, 3 feet in breadth, 44 inches in height. It should be covered with a crimson altar-cloth, on which may be embroidered fleur-de-lys in gold, or a sunblaze, or other suitable emblem.
On each side of it should be a pillar or Obelisk, with countercharges in black and white. Beside each column and slightly out front are two small altars for each of the Children of the mass and countercharged with each respective column. These altars contain the elements of the Mass (Salt, Water, Censor, Incense). Below it should be the dais of three steps, in black and white squares.
Above it is the super-alter, at whose top is the Stele of Revealing in reproduction, with four candles on each side of it. Below the stele is a place for the Book of the Law, with six candles on each side of it. Below this again is The Holy Graal, with roses on each side of it. There is room in front of the Cup for the Paten. On each side beyond the roses, are two great candles.
All this is enclosed within a great Veil.
In front of this is the Great Circle with the qabalistic squares.
And in front of this is the Dark Cell
(approximately three steps from the circle).
II
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE MASS
The PRIEST. Bears the Sacred Lance, and is clothed at first in a plain white robe.
The Priestess is clothed in white, blue, and gold. She
bears the Sword from a red girdle, and the Paten and Hosts, or Cakes of Light.
The Deacon. He is clothed in white and yellow. He bears the Book of the Law.
Two Children. They are clothed in white and black. One bears a pitcher of water and a cellar of salt, the other a censer of fire and a casket of perfume.
The congregation is gathered about the circle but a convenient distance from its circumference for the drama to unfold with eloquence.
All present should show no signs of Christist detente.
The Priest is stationed in the cell and the Priestess is behind the veil on the High Altar.
III
OF THE CEREMONY OF THE INTROIT
The Deacon performs the Star Ruby, then places the Priest in the Dark Cell, and finally places the Priestess on the High Altar; drawing the Veil. She then disrobes and places Liber AL vel Legis upon her breast and her hands forming a descending triangle over the book; pressing it against her breast plate.
The Deacon admits the congregation and retires to the square of Malkuth and performs Reguli. The Deacon then approaches the East and ascends the stairs and peaks behind the veil being careful to keep the Priestess concealed from the Congregation. The book of the Law on her naked breast, it is kissed thrice. Withdrawing from the veil, the Deacon turns around to face the hall and presents both arms in the Sign of Benediction proclaiming:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
I proclaim the Law of Light, Life, Love, and Liberty in the name of
IAO.
The Congregation responds accordingly:
Love is the law, love under will.
The Deacon then descends to the square of Malkuth in the Great Circle and leads the congregation in the Articles of Gnosis:
I acknowledge one secret and ineffable LORD; and in one Star in the company of Stars of whose fire we are created, and to which we shall return; and in one Father of Life, Mystery of Mystery, in His name CHAOS, the sole vice-regent of the Sun upon the Earth; and in one Air the nourisher of all that breathes.
And I acknowledge one Earth, the Mother of us all, and in one Womb wherein all men are begotten, and wherein they shall rest, Mystery of Mystery, in Her name BABALON.
And I acknowledge the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mystery, in His name BAPHOMET.
And I acknowledge one Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Life, Love and Liberty, the Word of whose Law is THELEMA and whose Gnosis is the certainty of the divinity of consciousness.
And I acknowledge the communion of Saints, especially of those living amongst us as prophets constantly articulating the ever-evolving spiritual Truth.
And, forasmuch as meat and drink are transmuted in us daily into spiritual substance, I acknowledge the Miracle of the Mass.
And I confess one Baptism of Wisdom, whereby we accomplish the Miracle of Incarnation.
And I confess my life one, individual, and eternal that was, and is, and is to come.
(The Priestess robes during the final chant of these Collects and draws her Sword)
AUMGN AUMGN AUMGN
The Deacon now takes his position before the Dark Cell.
The Priestess then pierces the veil with her sword and steps down to the top stair invoking in a strong tone:
Silence! the moon ceaseth (her motion),
That also was sweet
In the air, in the air, in the air!
Who Will shall attain!
Who Will shall attain
By the Moon, and by Myself, and by the Angel of the Lord!
She then descends the stairs as the Deacon stands in front of the Dark Cell as if to protect it from the raw power of her force. The Priestess then starts circumambulating the circle in a widdershins direction upon a deosil axis (for she is the Earth revolving about the Sun and spinning on its own axis) calling forth her great power and continuing in her rapture:
Now Silence ceaseth
And the moon waxeth sweet;
(It is the hour of) Initiation, Initiation, Initiation.
The kiss of Isis is honeyed;
My own Will is ended,
For Will hath attained.
The first Child speaks as she continues her dance:
Behold the lion-child swimmeth (in the heaven)
And the moon reeleth:–
(It is) Thou! (It is) Thou! (It is) Thou!
Triumph; the Will that staggered
Before Ra Hoor Khuit!–Hadit!–Nuit!
The second Child speaks as she finished her dance and marches towards the Deacon and the Dark Cell:
To the God OAI
Be praise
In the end and the beginning!
And may none fall
Who Will attain
The Sword, the Balances, the Crown!
The Priestess then casts the Deacon aside with her sword saying:
I am the harlot that shaketh Death.
This shaking giveth the Peace of Satiate Lust.
Immortality jetteth from my skull,
And music from my vulva.
Immortality jetteth from my vulva also,
For my Whoredom is a sweet scent like a seven-stringed instrument,
Played unto God the Invisible, the all-ruler,
That goeth along giving the shrill scream of orgasm.
Music from a 7-stringed Lyre is heard and performed up to the start of the Collects and the Deacon approaches the East and ascends the stairs and divines the word for the Mass as the purpose of the Mass is silently declared. The Deacon then turns to face the back of the Priestess and utters that word.
The Priestess then opens the veil of the Dark Cell with her sword and says:
By the power of +Iron, I say unto thee, Arise. In the name of our Lord the +Sun, and of our Lord + …, that thou mayst administer the virtues to the Brethren.
The Priestess then sheathes her Sword and retreats to the Square of Malkuth and stands with both arms giving the Sign of Benediction.
The Priest, issuing from the Dark Cell, holding the Lance erect with both hands, right over left, against his breast, takes the first of three steps corresponding to the three modes of existence; Birth, Life, and Death-so called. These steps culminate just in front of the Priestess.
The Priest then kneels to worship the Lance. As his knee hits the floor, the Child chimes the Bell. Next the Priest says:
I am a man among men.
The Priest then lowers the Lance and says:
How should I be worthy to administer the virtues to the Brethren?
The Lance is then raised and the Priest arises.
The Priestess turns to greet the approaching Child with an ewer of Water in one hand and Salt in the other. She then sprinkles Salt into the Water and mixes it with her hand while proclaiming:
Let the salt of Earth admonish the Water to bear the virtue of the Great Sea.
She then genuflects before the Child while stating:
Mother, be thou adored!
The Priestess then rises and turns; taking some Water and makes three crosses over the Priests forehead, breat and body while declaring:
Be the Priest, pure of body and soul!
The Priestess then turns to see the other child approaching with the open censor in one hand and incense in the other. She places incense on the hot brick while proclaiming:
Let the Fire and the Air make sweet the world!
She then genuflects before the Child while stating:
Father, be thou adored!
The Priestess then rises and takes the censor, making three crosses as before over the Priest while declaring:
Be the Priest, fervent of body and soul!
The Deacon then takes the scarlet and gold Robe from the High Altar and brings it to the Priestess whereupon she covers the shoulders of the Priest and declares:
Be the flame of the Sun thine ambiance, O thou Priest of the Sun!
The Deacon returns for the crimson Nemyss and gold Crown, bringing it again to the Priestess whereupon she crowns him and proclaims:
Be the Serpent thy crown, O thou Priest of the Lord!
The Priestess then kneels, taking the Lance between her open hands, running them up and down upon the shaft very gently for eleven strokes and culminating at the end of the last stroke with the flinging of her hands to the heavens and proclaiming:
Be the Lord present amongst us!
The Congregation responds with:
So mote it be.
IV
OF THE CEREMONY OF THE OPENING OF THE VEIL
The Priest then invokes:
Thee therefore whom we adore we also invoke. By the power of the lifted Lance!
He then raises the Lance and the Congregation cowers and howls.
The Priest takes the Priestess by her right hand with his left, keeping the Lance raised. He then proclaims:
I Priest and King greet thee and meet thee.
The Deacon takes his place on the square of Tiphareth.
He raises her to her feet and states while escorting her to the High Altar (hands passing over the head of the Deacon-who then genuflects as they pass over):
I ascend with thee to the summit of the earth wherein you are enthroned and adored.
The Deacon has arisen and turned to the Priest having enthroned the Priestess upon the altar. The Children following in rank, behind him and to their respective stations.
The Priestess takes the Book of the Law, resumes her seat, and holds it open on her breast with her two hands, making a descending triangle with thumbs and forefingers.
The PRIEST gives the lance to the Deacon to hold, and takes the ewer from the child, and sprinkles the Priestess, making five crosses, forehead, shoulders, and thighs.
The thumb of the PRIEST is always between his index and medius, whenever he is not holding the Lance.
The PRIEST takes the censer from the child, and makes five crosses, as before.
The children replace their weapons on their respective altars.
The PRIEST kisses the Book of the Law three times. He kneels for a space in adoration, with joined hands, knuckles closed, thumb in position aforesaid.
He rises, and draws the veil over the whole altar.
All rise and stand to order.
The PRIEST takes the lance from the Deacon, and holds it as before, as Osiris or Pthah. He circumambulates the Temple three times, followed by the Deacon and the children as before. (These, when not using their hands, keep their arms crossed upon their breasts.)
At the last circumambulation they leave him, and go to the place between the font and the small altar, where they kneel in adoration, their hands joined palm to palm, and raised above their heads.
All imitate this motion.
The PRIEST returns to the East, and mounts the first step of the altar.
The PRIEST. O circle of Stars whereof our Father is but the younger brother, marvel beyond imagination, soul of infinite space, before whom Time is Ashamed, the mind bewildered, and the understanding dark, not unto Thee may we attain, unless Thine image be Love. Therefore by seed and root and stem and bud and leaf and flower and fruit do we invoke Thee.
Then the priest answered & said unto the Queen of Space, kissing her lovely brows, and the dew of her light bathing his whole body in a sweet-smelling perfume of sweat; 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.
During this speech the Priestess must have divested herself completely of her robe. See CCXX I:62. She also takes a small piece of the Paten and places it on the Altar, between her legs. Note: The Alchemists say that to get gold, you must start with gold.
The Priestess. But to love me is better than all things; if under the
night-stars in the desert thou presently burnest mine incense before me, invoking me with a pure heart, and the serpent flame therein, thou shalt come a little to lie in my bosom. For one kiss wilt thou then be willing to give
all; but whoso gives one particle of dust shall lose all in that hour. Ye shall gather goods and store of women and spices; ye shall wear rich jewels; ye shall exceed the nations of the earth in splendour and pride; but always in the love of me, and so shall ye come to my joy. I charge you earnestly to come before me in a single robe, and covered with a rich head-dress. I love you! I yearn to you! Pale or purple, veiled or voluptuous, I who am all
pleasure and purple, and drunkenness of the innermost sense, desire you. Put
on the wings, and arouse the coiled splendour within you: come unto me! To
me! To me! Sing the raptuous love-song unto me! Burn to me perfumes! Wear to me jewels! Drink to me, for I love you! I love you. I am the blue-lidded
daughter of sunset; I am the naked brilliance of the voluptuous night-sky.
To me! To me!
The PRIEST mounts the second step.
The PRIEST. O secret of secrets that art hidden in the being of all that lives, not Thee do we adore, for that which adoreth is also Thou. Thou art That, and That am I.
I am the flame that burns in every heart of man, and in the core of every star. I am Life, and the giver of Life; yet therefore is the knowledge of me the knowledge of death. I am alone; there is no God where I am.
The Deacon and all rise to their feet, with the Hailing sign.
The Deacon. But ye, O my people rise up and awake.
Let the rituals be rightly performed with joy and beauty.
There are rituals of the elements and feasts of the times.
A feast for the first night of the Prophet and his Bride.
A feast for the three days of the writing of the Book of the Law.
A feast for Tahuti and the child of the Prophet-secret, O Prophet!
A feast for the Supreme Ritual, and a feast for the Equinox of the
Gods.
A feast for fire and a feast for water; a feast for life and a greater
feast for death.
A feast every day in your hearts in the joy of my rapture.
A feast every night unto Nu, and the pleasure of uttermost delight.
The PRIEST mounts the third step.
The PRIEST. Thou that art One, our Lord in the Universe the Sun, our
Lord in ourselves whose name is Mystery of Mystery, uttermost being whose radiance enlightening the worlds is also the breath that maketh every God even and Death to tremble before TheeBy the Sign of Light appear Thou glorious upon the throne of the Sun. Make open the path of creation and of intelligence bewteen us and our minds. Enlighten our understanding. Encourage our hearts. Let thy light crystallize itself in our blood, fulfilling us of Resurrection.
A ka dua
Tuf ur biu
bi a'a chefu
Dudu nur af an nuteru.
The PRIESTESS fills the Cup with wine and drops the piece of Paten that she has placed between her legs, into the Cup. She then next proclaims: There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt.
The DEACON next announces: Visitae Inferior Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidus.
The PRIEST parts the veil with his lance. During the previous speeches the Priestess has, if necessary, as in savage countries, resumed her robe.
The PRIEST. IO IO IO IAO SABAO KURIE ABRASAX KURIE MEITHRAS KURIE PHALLE. IO PAN IO PAN PAN IO ISCHURON IO ATHANATON IO ABROTON IO IAO.
CHAIRE PHALLE CHAIRE PAMPHAGE CHAIRE PANGENETOR. HAGIOS HAGIOS HAGIOS IAO.
The Priestess is seated with the Paten in her right hand and the cup in her left.
The PRIEST presents the Lance, which she kisses eleven times. She then holds it to her breast, while the PRIEST, falling at her knees, kisses them, his arms stretched along her thighs. He remains in this adoration while the Deacon intones the collects.
All stand to order, with the Dieu Garde, that is, feet square, hands, with linked thumbs, held loosely. This is the universal position when standing, unless other direction is given.
V
OF THE OFFICE OF THE COLLECTS, WHICH ARE ELEVEN IN NUMBER
(the sun)
The Deacon. Lord visible and sensible of whom this earth is but a frozen spark turning about thee with annual and diurnal motion, source of light, source of life, let thy perpetual radiance hearten us to continual labour and enjoyment; so that as we are constant partakers of thy bounty we may in our particular orbit give out light and life, sustenance and joy to them that
revolve about us without diminution of substance or effulgence for ever.
The People. So mote it be.
(the lord)
The Deacon. Lord secret and most holy, source of life, source of love, source of liberty, be thou ever constant and mighty within us, force of energy, fire of motion; with diligence let us ever labour with thee, that we may remain in thine abundant joy.
The People. So mote it be.
(the moon)
The Deacon. Lady of night, that turning ever about us art now visible and now invisible in thy season, be thou favourable to hunters, and lovers, and to all men that toil upon the earth, and to all mariners upon the sea.
The People. So mote it be.
(the lady)
The Deacon. Giver and receiver of joy, gate of life and love, be thou ever ready, thou and thine handmaiden, in thine office of gladness.
The People. So mote it be.
(the saints)
Lord of Life and joy, the might of man, that art the essence of every true god that is upon the surface of the Earth, continuing knowledge from generation unto generation, thou adored of us upon heaths and in woods, on mountains and in caves, openly in the marketplaces and secretly in the chambers of our houses, in temples of gold and ivory and marble as in these other temples of our bodies, we worthily commemorate them worthy that did of old adore thee and manifest thy glory unto mankind, Laotze, Siddartha, Krishna and Tahuti, Mosheh, Dionysus, Mohammed and To Mega Therion, with these also the Vestil Virgins, Hermes, Pan, Priapus, Osiris and Isis, Khem and Amoun and Mentu, Orpheus and Odysseus, Nephertiti and Akhenaten; with Rabelais, Swinburne, and many an holy bard; including Simon Magus, Mary Magdalene, Valentinus, that transmitted the Light of the Gnosis to us their successors and their heirs; with Merlin, Arthur, Parzival, and many another, prophet, and king, that bore the Lance and Cup, the Sword and Disk, against the Heathen; and these also, Jacobus Burgundus Molensis the Martyr, Christian Rosencrentz, Paracelsus, Joan of Arc, Lady Godiva, Jacob Boehme, Francis Bacon Lord Verulam, Johannes Dee, Sir Edward Kelly, Thomas Vaughan, Molinos, Wolfgang von Goethe, Ludovicus Rex Bavariae, Richard Wagner, Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Alphonse Louis Constant, Friedrich Nietzsche, Carl Kellner, Sir Richard Francis Burton, Doctor Gerard Encausse, G.I. Gurdjieff, Carlos Casteneda, Fulcanelli, Frater Albertus, Ouarda, Laylah, and all Scarlet Women. As well, Dion Fortune, Florence Farr, Mother and Sri Aurbindo; and all those we claim heirship to by lineage; Doctor Theodor Reuss, and Sir Aleister Crowley, Karl Germer, and Marcelo Ramos Motta,. Oh Sons of the Lion and the Snake and Daughters of the Eagle and the Egg! with all Thy saints we worthily commemorate them worthy that were and are and are to come.
May their Essence be here present, potent, puissant and paternal to perfect this feast!
(At each name the Deacon signs with thumb between index and medius. At ordinary mass it is only necessary to commemorate those whose names are italicized, with wording as is shown.)
The People. So mote it be.
(the earth)
The Deacon. Mother of fertility on whose breast lieth water, whose cheek is caressed by air, and in whose heart is the sun's fire, womb of all life,
recurring grace of seasons, answer favorably the prayer of labour, and to
pastors and husbandmen be thou propitious.
The People. So mote it be.
(the principles)
The Deacon. Mysterious Energy, triform, mysterious Matter, in fourfold and sevenfold division, the interplay of which things weave the dance of the Veil of Life upon the Face of the Spirit, let there be Harmony and Beauty in your mystic loves, that in us may be health and wealth and strength and divine pleasure according to the Law of Liberty; let each pursue his Will as a strong man that rejoiceth in his way, as the course of a Star that blazeth for ever among the joyous company of Heaven.
The People. So mote it be.
(birth)
The Deacon. Be the hour auspicious, and the gate of life open in peace and in well-being, so that she that beareth children may rejoice, and the babe catch life with both hands.
The People. So mote it be.
(marriage)
The Deacon. Upon all that this day unite with love under will let fall
success; may strength and skill unite to bring forth ecstasy, and beauty answer beauty.
The People. So mote it be.
(death)
The Deacon. Term of all that liveth, whose name is inscrutable, be favourable unto us in thine hour.
The People. So mote it be.
(the end)
The Deacon. Unto them from whose eyes the veil of life hath fallen may there be granted the attainment of Pure Will; whether they will absorption in the Infinite, or to be united with their chosen and preferred,
or to be in contemplation, or to be at peace, or to achieve the labour and
heroism of incarnation on this planet or another, or in any Star, or aught
else, unto them may there be granted the accomplishment of their wills; yea,
the accomplishment of their wills. AUMN. AUMN. AUMN.
The People. So mote it be.
All sit.
The Deacon and the children attend the PRIEST and Priestess, ready to hold any appropriate weapon as may be necessary.
VI
OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE ELEMENTS
The PRIEST makes the five crosses. 1 on paten 3 2
and cup; 4 on paten alone; 5 on cup alone.
The PRIEST. Life of man upon earth, fruit of labour, sustenance of endeavour, thus be thou nourishment of the Spirit!
He touches the Host with the Lance.
By the virtue of the Rod
Be this bread the Body of God!
He takes the Host.
TOUTO ESTI TO SOMA MOU.
He kneels, adores, rises, turns shows Host to the PEOPLE, turns, replaces Host, and adores. Music.
He takes the Cup.
Vehicle of the joy of Man upon earth, solace of labour, inspiration of
endevour, thus be thou ecstasy of the Spirit!
He touches the Cup with the Lance.
By the virtue of the Rod
Be this wine the Blood of God!
He takes the Cup.
TOUTO ECTI TO IIOTHPION
TOU HAIMATOC MOU.
He kneels, adores, rises, turns, shows the Cup to the PEOPLE, turns replaces the Cup, and adores. Music.
For this is the Covenant of Resurrection.
He makes the five crosses on the Priestess.
Accept, O LORD, this sacrifice of life and joy, true warrants of the Covenant of Resurrection.
The PRIEST offers the Lance to the Priestess, who kisses it; he then touches her between the breasts and upon the body. He then flings out his arms upward, as comprehending the whole shrine.
Let this offering be borne upon the waves of Aethyr to our Lord and Father the Sun that travelleth over the Heavens in his name ON.
He closes his hands, kisses the Priestess between the breasts, and makes three great crosses over the Paten, the Cup, and himself.
He strikes his breast. All repeat this action.
Hear ye all, saints of the true church of old time now essentially present, that of ye we claim heirship, with ye we claim communion, from ye we claim benediction in the name of IAO.
He makes three crosses on Paten and Cup together. He uncovers the Cup, genuflects, takes the Cup in his left hand and the Host in his right.
With the Host he makes the five crosses on the Cup.
1
3 2
5 4
He elevates the Host and the Cup.
The Bell strikes.
HAGIOS HAGIOS HAGIOS IAO.
He replaces the Host and the Cup, and adores.
VII
OF THE OFFICE OF THE ANTHEM
The PRIEST. Thou who art I, beyond all I am,
Who hast no nature and no name,
Who art, when all but thou are gone,
Thou, centre and secret of the Sun,
Thou, hidden spring of all things known
And unknown, Thou aloof, alone,
Thou, the true fire within the reed
Brooding and breeding, source and seed
Of life, love, liberty, and light,
Thou beyond speech and beyond sight,
Thee I invoke, my faint fresh fire
Kindling as mine intents aspire.
Thee I invoke, abiding one,
Thee, centre and secret of the Sun,
And that most holy mystery
Of which the vehicle am I.
Appear, most awful and most mild,
As it is lawful, in thy child!
THE CHORUS. For of the Father and the Son
The Holy Spirit is the norm;
Male-female, quintessential, one,
Man-being veiled in woman-form.
Glory and worship in the highest,
Thou Dove, mankind that deifiest,
Being that race, most royally run
To spring sunshine through winter storm.
Glory and worship be to Thee,
Sap of the world-ash, wonder-tree!
FIRST SEMICHORUS. MEN. Glory to thee from gilded tomb!
SECOND SEMICHORUS. WOMEN. Glory to thee from waiting womb!
MEN. Glory to Thee from earth unploughed!
WOMEN. Glory to Thee from virgin vowed!
MEN. Glory to Thee, true Unity
Of the eternal Trinity!
WOMEN. Glory to Thee, thou sire and dam
And self of I am that I am!
MEN. Glory to Thee, beyond all term,
Thy spring of sperm, thy seed and germ!
WOMEN. Glory to Thee, eternal Sun,
Thou One in Three, Thou Three in One!
CHORUS. Glory and worship unto Thee,
Sap of the world-ash, wonder-tree!
(These words are to form the substance of the anthem; but the whole or any part thereof shall be set to music, which may be as elaborate as art can devise. But even should other anthems be authorized by the Church, this shall hold its place as the first of its kind.)
VIII
OF THE MYSTIC MARRIAGE AND CONSUMMATION OF THE ELEMENTS
The PRIEST takes the Paten between the index and medius of the right hand.
The PRIESTESS clasps the Cup in her right hand.
The PRIEST. Lord most secret, bless this spiritual food unto our bodies, bestowing upon us health and wealth and strength and joy and peace, and that fulfilment of will and of love under will that is perpetual happiness.
He makes with Paten and kisses it.
He uncovers the Cup, genuflects, rises. Music.
He takes the Host, and breaks it over the Cup.
He replaces the right-hand portion in the Paten.
He breaks off a particle of the left-hand portion.
TOUTO ECTI TO SIIERMA MOU. HO IIATHP
ECTIN HO HOUOC DIA TO IINEUMA HAGION.
AUMN. AUMN. AUMN.
He replaces the left-hand part of the Host.
The Priestess extends the Lance-point with her left hand to receive the particle.
The PRIEST clasps the Cup in his left hand.
Together they depress the Lance-point in the Cup.
The PRIEST and the Priestess. HRILIU.
The PRIEST takes the Lance.
The Priestess covers the Cup.
The PRIEST genuflects, rises, bows, joins hands.
He strikes his breast.
The PRIEST. O Lion and O Serpent that destroy the destroyer, be mighty among us. O Lion and O Serpent that destroy the destroyer, be mighty among us. O Lion and O Serpent that destroy the destroyer, be mighty among us.
The PRIEST joins hands upon the breast of the Priestess, and takes back his Lance.
He turns to the People, lowers and raises the Lance, and makes upon them.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
The People. Love is the law, love under will.
He lowers the Lance, and turns to East.
The Priestess takes the Lance in her right hand. With her left hand she offers the Paten.
The PRIEST kneels.
The PRIEST. In my mouth be the essence of the life of the Sun!
He takes the Host with the right hand, makes with it on the Paten, and consumes it.
Silence.
The Priestess takes, uncovers, and offers the Cup, as before.
The PRIEST. In my mouth be the essence of the joy of the earth!
He takes the Cup, makes on the Priestess, drains it and returns it.
Silence.
He rises, takes the Lance, and turns to the People.
The PRIEST. There is no part of me that is not of the Gods.
(Those of the People who intend to communicate, and none other should be present, having signified their intention, a whole Cake of Light, and a whole goblet of wine, have been prepared for each one. The Deacon marshals them; they advance one by one to the altar. The children take the Elements and offer them. The People communicate as did the PRIEST, uttering the same words in an attitude of Resurrection, which is Immortality: There is no part of me that is not of the Gods.
The exceptions to this part of the ceremony are when it is of the nature of a celebration, in which case none but the PRIEST communicate; or part of the ceremony of marriage, when none other, save the two to be married, partake; part of the ceremony of baptism, when only the child bapitsed partakes; and of Confirmation at puberty, when only the persons confirmed partake. The Sacrament may be reserved by the PRIEST, for administration to the sick in their homes.)
The PRIEST closes all within the veil. With the Lance he makes on the people thrice, thus.
The PRIEST. The LORD bless you.
The LORD enlighten your minds and comfort your hearts and sustain your bodies.
The LORD bring you to the accomplishment of your true Wills, the Great Work, the Summum Bonum, True Wisdom and Perfect Happiness.
He goes out, the Deacon and children following, into the Dark Cell.
Music. (Voluntary.)
Note. The Priestess and other officers never partake of the Sacrament, they being as it were part of the PRIEST himself.