* The following five Rituals are considerably abridged; chiefly to economise space and so allow the rituals of the Neophyte and Adeptus Minor to be dealt with more fully. They are of little magical interest, value or importance.
The opening in this ritual is very similar to that in the last; the chief exception being that this grade is more particularly attributed to the element of "earth".
The Temple having been declared open, the "Hierophant" says:
"Except Adonai build the House their labour is but lost that build it. Except Adonai Keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain! Frater Neophyte, by what aid do you seek admission to the 1ø =10ø Grade of Zelator of the G.'. D.'.?"
The "Hegemon," answering for him, says: "By the guidance of Adonai; by the possession of the requisite knowledge; by the dispensation you hold; by the secret signs and token of the 0ø = 0ø Grade, and by this symbol of the Hermetic Cross."
The Neophyte is then conducted to the West, and being placed between the mystic pillars, pledges himself to secrecy.
The "Hierophant," congratulating him, finally says: "Let the Neophyte enter the path of Evil." Then the following takes place.
"Hiereus:" Whence comest thou?
"Kerux" (for Neophyte): I am come from between the pillars and seek the hidden knowledge in the Name of Adonai.
"Hiereus:" And the Angel Samael (Angel of Evil) answered an said: I am the Prince of Darkness and of Night. The wicked and rebellious man gazeth upon the face of Nature and he findeth therein naught but terror and obscurity; unto him it is but the Darkness of the Darkness; and he is but as a drunken man groping in the dark. Return, for thou canst not pass by.
"Hierophant:" Let the Neophyte enter the path of Good.
"Hegemon:" Whence comest thou?
"Kerux" (for Neophute): I am come from between the pillars and seek for the hidden Light of Occult Knowledge. {262}
"Hegemon:" And the great Angel Metatron (Angel of Good) answered and said: I am the Angel of the Presence Divine. The Wise man gazeth upon the Material Universe and he beholdeth therein the luminous Image of the Creator. Not as yet canst thou bear the dazzling radiance of that Light! Return, for thou canst not pass by!
"Hierophant:" Let the Neophyte now advance by the Straight and Narrow way which inclineth neither to the right hand nor to the left.
"Hiereus and Hegemon:" Whence comest thou?
"Kerux" (for Neophyte): I am come from between the pillars and seek for the hidden Light of Occult Science.
"Hierophant:" But the great Angel Sandalphon answered and said: "I am the Reconciler for the Earth and the Soul of the Celestial therein. Equally is form invisible in total Darkness and in Blinding Light. ..."
The Hiereus and Hegemon return to their seats, whilst the Hierophant and Neophyte remain, both facing the Altar. Here the "Hierophant" confers on the Neophyte the Secrets and Mysteries of the grade; and explains to him the Symbolism of the Temple as follows:
"The three portals facing from the East are the gates of the paths which alone conduct to the Inner. ..."
"The letters shin, tau, and qoph, make by metathesis HB:Taw HB:Shin HB:Qof (Qesheth), which signifies a bow, the rainbow of promise stretched over our earth. This picture of the Flaming Sword of the Kerubim is a representation of the guardians of the gate of Eden; just as the Hiereus and the Hegemon symbolise the two paths of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil."
"You will observe that in this grade the red cross is placed within the white Triangle upon the altar, and this placed, it is identical with the Banner of the West."
"The triangle refers to the three above-mentioned paths connecting Malkuth with the above Sephiroth, while the cross is the hidden wisdom of the Divine nature which can be obtained by their aid. The two construed mean: LIFE IN LIGHT."
"This grade is especially referred to the Element Earth, and therefore, one of its principal emblems is the Great Watch-tower on the Terrestrial Tablet of the North. ..."
"... You will observe that the Hermetic Cross, which is also called Fylfat, .. is formed of seventeen squares taken from a square of twenty- five lesser squares. {263} These seventeen squares represent the Sun, the Four Elements, and the Twelve Signs. In this grade the lamps on the Pillars are unshaded, showing that you have quitted the darkness of the outer. ..."
The Neophyte then retires for a short time before commencing the second ritual of this grade, which consists chiefly of symbolic explanations: The "Hierophant" says:
"While the 0ø = 0ø grade represents the portal of the Temple, the 1ø = 10ø grade of Zelator will admit you into the Holy Place. Without, the altar of Burnt Offering symbolises the Qliphoth --- or evil demons. Between the Altar and the entrance to the Holy Place stood the Laver of Brass, as a symbol of the Waters of Creation."
The "Hegemon" then explains the symbolic drawing of the Zodiac, which is most complicated, but consists mainly of twelve circles and a lamp in the centre to represent the sun. "The whole figure represents the Rose of Creation, and is a synthesis of the Visible Universe. Furthermore the twelve circles represent the twelve foundations of the Holy City of the Apocalypse, while in the Christian symbolism the Sun and the twelve signs typify our Saviour and the twelve Apostles." *
* "See 777," Col. cxl., p. 27, "Twelve Banners of the Name," and Revelations, xxi., 19, 20.
After which the Hiereus says: "At the Southern side of the Holy Place stood the seven-branched candlestick. The symbolic drawing before you represents its occult meaning. The seven circles which surround the heptagram represents its occult meaning. The seven circles which surround the heptagram represent the seven planets and the seven Qabalistic Palaces of Assiah, the material world which answer to the seven apocalyptic churches of Asia Minor, and these again represent, on a higher plane, the seven lamps before the throne." *
* "See 777," Col. xxxvi., p. 11.
{264}
The Heptagram itself refers to the seven days of the week, and may also be made to show how their order is derived from the planets when placed at the angles of the Heptagram.
"... The lamp within the centre represents the Astral Light of the Universe concentrated into a focus by the Planets. ..."
The "Hierophant" then resumes: "Within the mystic veil which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies stood the Ark of the Covenant. Before the veil stood the altar of Incense, of which this altar is a symbol. It was in the form of a double Cube, thus representing material form as the reflection and the duplication of that which is spiritual. The sides of the altar, {265} together with the top and underside, consist of ten squares, thus symbolising the Ten Sephiroth." ... "The altar of Incense was overlaid with gold, to represent essential purity, but the altar before you is black to typify the terrestrial earth. Learn then to separate the pure from the impure, the refined and spiritual gold of the Alchymist from the Black Dragon of Putrefaction in Evil." ... "I now congratulate you on having attained to the 1ø = 10ø grade of Zelator, and in recognition thereof I confer on you the mystic title of PERECLINOS DE FAUSTIS, which signifies that you are still far from the goal which has been reached by the complete Initiates."
Shortly after this the Closing takes place, and the prayer of the spirits of the Earth is rehearsed, and the licence to depart pronounced, and in the name of ADONAI HA ARETZ, the "Hierophant" declares the Temple closed.
By the end of January 1899, P. was sufficiently advanced to be admitted to the grade of Theoricus.
It was about this time also that he met Mr. D., a certain brother of the G.'. D.'. known as Fra. I.A. This meeting, as we shall eventually see, ranks only second in importance to his meeting with Fra. V.N.
Hosted by Hermetic.com
