A RITUAL TO CELEBRATE
THE FESTIVAL OF THE EQUINOX
Issued by the Sanctuary of Thoth
On behalf of
The Great Order of the Universe
Copyright © 2008 Sanctuary of Thoth. All rights reserved.
It is recommended that you perform a ritual (mentally or physically) to celebrate the Festival of the Equinox shortly after Sol enters Aries (marking the Vernal Equinox and the beginning of a new Zodiacal Year), and after Sol enters Libra (marking the Autumnal Equinox).
The Vernal and Autumnal Equinox also mark the beginning of the “Solar Tides” corresponding with Fire and Air, respectively. The Summer and Winter Solstices mark the beginnings of the Solar Tides corresponding with Water and Earth, respectively, which is why the Solstices are traditionally celebrated in a more mystickal than magickal fashion.
A Ritual to Celebrate the Festival of the Equinox is given below for your use. This is to be performed in the context of the Ritual of the Stars, which will evolve as you evolve magically, spiritually and materially. The Ritual is performed for several reasons.
First and foremost, it is a Ritual of Union. During the Ritual, you erect your Sphere using the formula of the Ritual of the Stars on the highest Magickal Plane that you know (see the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars), acknowledge the Unity which exists between your Sphere (or Little World) and the Macrocosm (or Great World) and consecrate your Sphere to this Beloved Unity and the Great Work so Divine Light (Wisdom) and Love (Understanding) may further manifest within your Sphere and Conscious Mind to be your guide in all ways. Although the formula for opening and closing an Equinox Ritual may vary among magickal orders and texts, there is a certain skeletal formula common among rites of Initiates according to Ancient Custom to effect the consecrations. This is retained in the Ritual offered below. The use and repetition of this skeletal formula from Equinox to Equinox assists in the process of evoking Truth.
Second, the Ritual is performed to open your Eye to the work of the coming six months (from Equinox to Equinox). In this regard, it is recommended that you engage in the practice of divination during the Ritual to divine a Word, a Tarot card and an I-Ching Hexagram from the Most High to provide insight and guidance as to the work to come. The “Word” is divined during the Ritual with eyes closed while opening the pages of a Holy Book and pointing to a word in the text. The Holy Book may be the Book of the Law, the Bhagavad-Gita or any other illuminated text from which you draw Divine Wisdom. The Tarot card is selected during the Ritual, also with eyes closed, after shuffling your cards and laying them before you. The I-Ching Hexagram is selected during the Ritual using normal procedure (whether you use the coin or yarrow stick method). Following the Ritual, it is recommended that you analyze what you have received on a Qabalistic basis to see how it all formulates into a coherent message. The Ritual may be performed without engaging in any practice of divination, though some divination is recommended. Further, every Equinox, the Ritual is performed at the Sanctuary, when these divinations are performed to receive the “Auguries” for the Equinox on behalf of the Members of the Sanctuary, which will be posted on the Sanctuary’s website.
Third, the Ritual is performed to make your initial projections at the inception of the Solar Tide as best you know how. In this regard, consider the Zodiacal Signs which Sol will pass through during the course of each Solar Tide. Also, consider how the energies of the Solar Tides may be used consistent with their natures to further your work and initiation process. When celebrating the Vernal Equinox, it would be appropriate to make initial projections to open your Eye to the work to be performed during the next six months (and coming Zodiacal Year) and how best to perform and accomplish this work in a healthy, balanced and focused way. Use those energies of Sol in Aries (and those to follow during the Solar Tide) to initiate, further and advance your work. When celebrating the Autumnal Equinox, you have already passed through the Solar Tides corresponding to Fire and Water (half the Zodiacal Year), and have undergone certain transformations in the process. Your perspective has changed. Accordingly, your projections will also change. It would now be appropriate to focus on your goals, and the work necessary to achieve them. Defining and working towards each Step on the Royal Path of Initiation will assist you in taking the Step. Using the Solar Tides in ways consistent with their nature will greatly assist your progress. Your projections may be made by charging a Eucharist of the four Elements to be consumed during the Ritual as further described below.
Fourth, the Ritual is performed to celebrate the “Equinox of the Gods”, which marks the beginning of a New Magickal Aeon and a New Magickal Formula. We are presently in the New Aeon of Horus, that of the Crowned and Conquering Childe, which began on or about April 8, 9 and 10, 1904 when Aleister Crowley received the Book of the Law, announcing the Equinox of the Gods and the Law of Thelema. A Magickal Aeon lasts approximately 2,000 years. The Magickal Aeons which preceded the Present One where of Osiris (the Father) most recently and of Isis (the Mother) before then. All historical events may be rightly interpreted within the context of the nature of these Aeons.[1] The Ritual celebrates the Present Aeon and, to a certain extent, those of the past. It is a time to “party with the Gods”, to celebrate with them and honor them. An aspect of this is preparing and taking a Eucharist of the four Elements (or Feast). This, most simply, may be done by: looking into a flame for Fire; tasting a sip of water for Water; smelling a rose or some corresponding incense for Air; and eating a small piece of bread, or consecrating yourself with some Holy Oil feeling it touch your skin, for Earth. The Eucharist may be charged just before consuming it, as suggested above, simply by spreading your hands over it and directing a current of energy into the Eucharist while you say what you want to say to make your projections. During the course of doing so, ask your Gods to empower, bless and protect your work. May your Eucharist be a Sacrament of the Magickal Power raised during your Ritual, and a libation to the Holy Names spoken and adored. When done, stop the flow of energy, and proceed to consume the Eucharist as described in the Ritual, giving thanks.
It is recommended that the “Sign of the Cross” be used during the Ritual in making all projections, towards the quarters and otherwise. This is a variation of the Ritual of the Stars appropriate to the Equinox Ritual as it further affirms the Unity of the Circle and the Cross, and balances and equilibrates the Sphere. Remember, we invoke, equilibrate and evolve as described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars. The Ritual of the Equinox will further this process.
Frater AHBH AChD
(Brian Goldstein)
For the Sanctuary of Thoth
93 93/93
The Ritual of the Equinox may be performed mentally or physically with equal success. You are already equipped with the magickal, spiritual and material tools you need to perform the Ritual and the Great Work. Accordingly, your focused activity is the only thing necessary. Nothing else physical or material is required.
You could simply sit in a chair in the center of your Sphere and perform the Ritual mentally, adding such physical aspects as you are inclined to add. Focus the Eye and Will to perform the Rite.
Alternatively, if you are inclined to perform the Ritual physically and have the opportunity to do so, some suggestions to arrange your space to perform the Ritual would be as follows:
· Establish a Holy Altar in the center of your Circle. This may be a double cubical altar (which is recommended for its symbolism, if possible), or simply a table or stand you are using as your altar or have available to you. Cover your Altar as you deem appropriate with a cloth.
· Prepare a Eucharist of the four Elements (as described above) in advance of the Ritual, and arrange the Eucharist on your Altar in a manner which corresponds with the elemental formula you will be using in the Ritual. This will generally be the terrestrial elemental formula (also known as the “Traditional/Four Winds” formula) for the reasons given below. Therefore, for example, if Air is assigned to the East, you would put your rose or incense in the East. Continuing the example: if Fire is assigned to the South, you would put your candle in the South; if Water is assigned to the West, you would put your cup of water in the West; and if Earth is assigned to the North, you would put your bread in the North.
· If you are engaging in any of the divination described above during the Ritual, you would bring your Holy Book, Tarot deck and/or I-Ching (with coins or yarrow sticks) into your Circle. The Holy Book may be placed in the center of your Altar as a symbol of Spirit. The others should simply be available to you within your Circle.
· When tracing the Sign of the Cross used in the Ritual (further described below), you use your Will to do so. If you have a Magick Wand as a symbol of your Will, it would be appropriate to use it. Alternatively, it is always appropriate to use the Sign of Benediction as your Magick Wand to aid your Will, which is made by pointing the index and middle fingers, laying the thumb against these two, and curling the remaining fingers to the palm.
· Purifications and consecrations are called for during the Ritual. These are important, and should not be dispensed with regardless of whether the Ritual is performed mentally or physically. They are performed by calling on the Waters of Creation to purify your space with Love, and the Fires of Creation to consecrate your space with Light, for the accomplishment of the Great Work to be performed. If you are performing the Ritual mentally, the purifications and consecrations may be performed from the Center of your Sphere. When you do so, see and feel the Waters of Creation flood your Sphere during the purification, and the Fires of Creation flame through your Sphere during the consecration. If you are performing the Ritual physically, mix some water and salt together, perhaps with some incense ash used in your holy work, before the Ritual to create a physical symbol of the Holy Water to be used. Then, breathe onto the Holy Water during the Ritual just before using it. Your incense may be used as a physical symbol of the Holy Fire to be used in consecration. Nothing else is necessary.
A RITUAL TO
CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF THE EQUINOX
The Ritual given below uses the terrestrial elemental formula (also known as the “Traditional/Four Winds” formula), which is usable by every Childe working on the Assiatic and Lower Yitziratic Planes. It is recommended that Initiates who have been admitted to the Solar Plane focus the Eye on rising to the Briatic Plane, formulating the Supernal Triangle, and performing the Ritual from this Plane which also uses an Elemental Formula akin to the terrestrial elemental formula, but more exalted, as described in the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars. The likeness and correspondence of these two formulas is, itself, an aspect of the Ritual, which is important to retain.
1. Enter the Childe. When your space is prepared, and you have adorned yourself with such holy clothing as you deem appropriate for the Ritual (whatever this may be), enter your place of working and begin your Holy Breathing. In simplest terms, this is done by breathing in and out of your belly, feeling the breath come in through the nostrils and down into the belly (filling and expanding it), and then out from the belly and up and through the nostrils (as the belly deflates and falls towards the spine).[2] Focus on the Holy Breathing, until all mundane matters fall away, then focus your Mind’s Eye on the Great Work to be performed. As you embody the Tree of Life, feel the top of your skull open to influence of your God, and the Light and Love of the Crown upon your head. Proceed as follows:
2. Erect the Sphere. Erect your Sphere using the formula of the Ritual of the Stars on the highest Magickal Plane that you know (see the Scroll of the Ritual of the Stars). In doing so, trace or project only the Sign of the Cross (as described below), and no Stars.
3. Purify your Sphere with the Holy Water. This may be done mentally from the Center of your Sphere. Alternatively, if you are performing the Ritual physically: go to the East with your Cup of Holy Water; trace a Cross with your Cup of Holy Water; dip your fingers in the Cup of Holy Water and sprinkle Holy Water three times in the center of the Cross three, seeing the Waters of Creation flow in the direction of your Eye; then repeat in the South, West and North. Return to the East to complete your Circle. Move to the Center of your Sphere, face East. Purify yourself by dipping your thumb in the Cup of Holy Water and tracing with your thumb a Cross in center of your forehead, and then dipping your fingers again in the Holy Water and sprinkling once at the location of Tiphareth, Yesod and Malkuth on the embodied Tree of Life. Hold the Cup of Holy Water up high, and say:
I purify with the Waters of Creation and Love.
4. Consecrate your Sphere with the Holy Fire. This also may be done mentally from the Center of your Sphere. Alternatively, if you are performing the Ritual physically: go to the East with your Holy Incense; trace a Cross with the Incense; wave the Incense three times in the center of the Cross, seeing the Fires of Creation flame in the direction of your Eye; then repeat in the South, West and North. Return to the East to complete your Circle. Move to the Center of your Sphere, face East. Consecrate yourself by tracing a Cross with the Incense in the center of your forehead, and then waving the Incense once at the locations of Tiphareth, Yesod and Malkuth on the embodied Tree of Life. Hold the Holy Incense up high, and say:
I consecrate with the Fires of Creation and Light.
5. Announce the Equinox. In the center, facing East, say:
For the Vernal Equinox:
The Sun hath risen from the depths of Darkness and entered the Sign of
the Ram,
let us celebrate the Vernal
Equinox and consecrate according to Ancient Custom.
For the Autumnal Equinox:
The Sun setteth in West, having entered the Sign of Justice,
let us celebrate the Autumnal Equinox and consecrate according to
Ancient Custom.
6. Consecrate according to Ancient Custom. With your hand, touch the Kether above your head on the embodied Tree of Life, gilding your hand with the Light of the Crown. Keep your hand (glistening with the Light) over your head, and proceed as follows:
Point your hand over your head to the East, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Eastern ends of the Universe, and say:
Light
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the West, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Western ends of the Universe, and say:
Night
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the East, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Eastern ends of the Universe, and say:
East
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the West, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Western ends of the Universe, and say:
West
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the East, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Eastern ends of the Universe, and say:
Air
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the West, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Western ends of the Universe, and say:
Water
Bring your hand down from over your head, touch the center of your Altar (where you may have placed your Holy Book), and say:
I, Thy Childe, who know them, wholly reconcile between them.
Point your hand over your head to the South, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Southern ends of the Universe, and say:
Heat
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the North, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Northern ends of the Universe, and say:
Cold
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the South, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Southern ends of the Universe, and say:
South
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the North, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Northern ends of the Universe, and say:
North
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the South, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Southern ends of the Universe, and say:
Fire
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the North, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Northern ends of the Universe, and say:
Earth
Bring your hand down from over your head, touch the center of your Altar (where you may have placed your Holy Book), and say:
I, Thy Childe, who know them, wholly reconcile between them.
Point your hand over your head to the East, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Eastern ends of the Universe, and say:
One Creator
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the South, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Southern ends of the Universe, and say:
One Sustainer
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the West, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Western ends of the Universe, and say:
One Destroyer
Keeping your hand over your head, swing it to point to the North, fully extending the arm and sending a Ray of Light to the Northern ends of the Universe, and say:
One Redeemer
Bring your hand down from over your head, touch the center of your Altar (where you may have placed your Holy Book), and say:
I, Thy Childe, who know them, reconcile by Thy Will between them.
Move to the East, trace the Sign of the Cross[3], point to the center of the Cross, and say:
Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.
Hail unto Thee, O Lord of the Air,
Thy Firmament, Thy Liberty I do
revere.
May Thy Breath move us to ever know Thee,
In Whom we, Thy Children, are Truly Free!
Stand in the Sign of the Cross (feet together, with arms extended straight from the shoulders), and may you assume the Cross and beam with Light, as you invoke Air. Proceed when you are ready.
Move to the South, trace the Sign of the Cross, point to the center of the Cross, and say:
Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.
Hail into Thee, O Lord of the Fire,
The Throne of Thy Glory, Thy Light I admire.
May Thy Will inspire us to rightly evolve Thy Empire,
And the Flame of Thy Eye ignite our Holy Pyre!
Stand in the Sign of the Cross (as described above), and may you assume the Cross and beam with Light, as you invoke Fire. Proceed when you are ready.
Move to the West, trace the Sign of the Cross, point to the center of the Cross, and say:
Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.
Hail unto Thee, O Lord of the Waters,
From which Thy Spirit moved, with Love, to aspire.
May Thou exalt our souls so we may eventually Understand,
And attain Perfect Union and Divine Bliss by Thy Hand.
Stand in the Sign of the Cross (as described above), and may you assume the Cross and beam with Light, as you invoke Water. Proceed when you are ready.
Move to the North, trace the Sign of the Cross, point to the center of the Cross, and say:
Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.
Hail unto Thee, O Lord of the Earth,
Thy footstool, Thy Life, we serve with mirth.
May Thou aid us, Thy Children, to overcome the Eternal Curse,
And restore the Kingdom during the course!
Stand in the Sign of the Cross (as described above), and may you assume the Cross and beam with Light, as you invoke Earth. Proceed when you are ready.
Complete your Circle by passing the East, then return to the Center, face East and say:
Let us adore the Lord of the Universe.
Hail unto Thee, O Lord of the Universe,
Who is in All, and All are in Thee.
From the Zenith to the Nadir of the Celestial Sphere,
In every cardinal direction, Thou art there.
Thou art the Spirit hidden in All things,
And the Source of All that we see.
Thou art the Light and the Night,
And the One above their Moving Might.
Thine is the Air with its Movement.
Thine is the Fire with its Flashing Flame.
Thine is the Water with its Flux and Reflux.
Thine is the Earth with its Eternal Stability.
We know Thee, O my Lord, so may your Spirit descend,
Enflaming our Swords to the very end.
May Thou empower, bless and protect our work,
And be our guide in all ways,
So we may evolve rightly along the Chosen Way!
Stand in the Sign of the Cross (as described above), and may you assume the Cross and beam with Light, as you invoke Spirit to descend in the midst and Enflame your Sword.
Take a moment to reaffirm the formula of your Sphere (per the Ritual of the Stars), and equilibrate. Engage in some Holy Breathing to assist. Proceed when you are ready, and say:
I declare that the Elements and Spirit are duly invoked and present,
To consecrate the return of the Equinox.
7. Practice of Divination. If you are engaging in any practice of divination during the Ritual, now is the time to do so. If not, skip to Section 8 below. If you are engaging in divination, say:
Guidance is now sought as to the work for the coming six months.
May Thou open this Childe’s Eye how best to perform and accomplish this
Great Work,
To the Glory of the Most High.
If you are divining a Word for the Equinox, say:
I will now receive the Word of the Equinox.
Do so as described above.
If you are divining a Tarot card for the Equinox, say:
I will now receive the Tarot Card for the
Equinox.
Do so as described above.
If you are divining an I-Ching Hexagram for the Equinox, say:
I will now receive the I-Ching Hexagram for
the Equinox,
And call upon the Oracles of the I-Ching to
aid and guard this work.
Do so using normal procedure. Contemplate briefly what was received, taking any notes you deem necessary, and then proceed.
8. Take a Eucharist of the Four Elements, the Feast for the Equinox. Say:
We now prepare to take a Eucharist
of the Magickal Power raised
here today,
as a Magickal Link for the accomplishment of this Great Work,
and to celebrate the Equinox of the Gods.
If you are so inclined, charge your Eucharist with a projection to plant “seeds” related to your work for the balance of the Zodiacal Year. You are encouraged to nourish and care for these seeds in your future work to foster their growth.
When you are done with your projection, say:
I smell this rose [in incense] as a symbol of the Element of Air and
Liberty.
Do so. When you are ready, proceed to say:
I look into this flame as a symbol of the Element of Fire and Light.
Do so. When you are ready, proceed to say:
I taste this liquid as a symbol of the Element of Water and Love.
Do so. When you are ready, proceed to say:
I eat this bread [or consecrate
with the Holy Oil]
as a symbol of the Element of Earth and Life.
Do so. When you are ready, proceed by saying:
I kiss this Holy Book, three times,
as a symbol of Spirit and the Great Work in progress.
Kiss your Holy Book three times, and then return it to the Altar. Then, say:
It is done!
May this Ritual assist Thy Children in developing
Magickally, spiritually and materially to their
Utmost, maximum beneficial and correct potential,
And in the most beneficial, powerful, correct and efficient way,
Bringing redemption to the Children,
Healing to the Womb of the Goddess,
To the Glory of the Most High.
Reverence and devotion does this Childe bring to Thee,
To the Great Order of the Universe
And to the Great Work of Thelema.
Blessed by Thy Names, unto the Age of Ages,
9. Close per the formula of the Ritual of the Stars, giving thanks. When done, say:
ABRAHADABRA,
The Great Work accomplished!
10. Go forth and do Thy Will among the legions of the living. 93 93/93
[1] Knowledge of the Aeons may be found in the 30 Aires (or Aethyrs), which Initiates of the System of Initiation offered through the Sanctuary of Thoth would begin working with as a Childe of Geburah. It is recommended that you not work with the Aires (or Aethyrs) until such time.
[2] This is different than your “fight or flight” breath, which is short and comes into the upper chest area.
[3] It is recommended that this be done either one of two ways. One way is to trace the vertical bar from the top down, and then the horizontal bar from the left to the right. The other way is to begin in the center of the Cross, and trace up the vertical bar and then down to the bottom of the vertical bar, returning to center, and then trace to the left of the horizontal bar and then to the right of the horizontal bar, returning to center. Use Thy Will to trace the Crosses. The physical gestures simply aid the Childe.