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To Index Gardnerian Book Of Shadows
(1957)
The First-Degree Initiation
Draw Circle with Magic Sword
or Athame.
Sprinkle with Exorcised Water.
Go round Circle with Magic
Sword or Athame, Saying, "I conjure thee, O Circle of Power,
that thou beest as a Boundary and a Protection to contain
the magic power which I will raise within thy bounds. So do
I bless thee, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos."
Go round, saying at East,
South, West, and North, "I summon, stir, and call thee up,
ye Mighty Ones of the East (South, West, North), to witness
the rites and to guard the circle."
Magus draws down Moon on High
Priestess.
Read Charge, then say, "O
thou who standest on the threshold between the pleasant world
of men and the dread domains of the lords of the outer spaces,
hast thou the courage to make the assay?" (Place point of
the Magic Sword or Athame to Postulant's heart.) "For I say
verily it were better to rush on my blade and perish than
to make the attempt with fear in thy heart."
Postulant: "I have two perfect
words: perfect love, and perfect trust."
Say, "All who have are doubly
welcome."
Entering position: "I give
you a third to pass you through this dread door." Gives it
[kiss].
Lead Postulant sunwise to
south of altar, and say, "O thou who hast declared intent
to become one of us, hear then that which thou must know to
do. Single is the race of men and of Gods; from a single source
we both draw breath, but a difference of power in everything
keeps us apart, for we are as nothing, but the Gods stay forever.
Yet we can, in greatness of minds, be like the Gods, though
we know not to what goal by day or in the night Fate has written
that we shall run. Beyond all seas and Earth's la st boundaries,
beyond the Spring of night and the Heavens' vast expanse,
there lies a majesty which is the domain of the Gods. Thou
who would pass through the Gates of Night and Day to that
sweet place, which is between the worlds of men and the domains
of the Lords of the outer spaces, know that unless there is
truth in thy heart, thy every effort is doomed to failure.
HEAR THEN THE LAW: that thou lovest all things in nature;
that thou shalt suffer no person to be harmed by thy hands
or in thy mind; that thou walkest humbly in the ways of men
and the ways of the Gods. Also it is the law that contentment
thou shalt learn, through suffering, and from long years and
from nobility of mind and of purpose, FOR THE WISE NEVER GROW
OLD. Their minds are nourished by living in the daylight of
the Gods, and if among the vulgar some discoveries should
arise concerning some maxims of thy belief in the Gods, so
do thou, for the most part, keep silent. For there is a great
risk that thou mayest straightway vomit up th at which thou
hast not digested, and when someone shall say to thee, "Thou
knowest naught," and it bites thee not, then knowest thou
that thou hast begun the work. And as sheep do not bring their
food to the shepherd to show how much they have eaten, but
digesting inwardly their provender, bear outwardly wool and
milk, even so, do not thou display the maxims to the vulgar,
but rather the works that flow when they are digested. Now
there is the ordeal."
Tie cord around Postulant's
right ankle, leaving ends free; say, "Feet neither bound nor
free."
Leading postulant, proclaim
at four quarters, "Take heed, ye Lords of the Watchtowers
of the East (South, West, North), that (name) is properly
prepared to be made a priestess and a witch."
Three times round the Circle
with Dance step and chant.
Place Postulant in East; say,
"Kneel."
Postulant kneels.
Strike eleven knells on bell;
say, "Rise. In other religions the postulant kneels while
the priest towers above him, but in the Art Magical we are
taught to be humble, and so we kneel to welcome them, and
we say:
"Blessed be the feet that
have brought you in these ways [kiss];
"Blessed be the knees that
shall kneel at the sacred altar [kiss];
"Blessed be thy womb (or organ
of generation), without which we would not be [kiss];
"Blessed be thy breasts, erected
in beauty and in strength [kiss];
"Blessed be thy lips, which
shall utter the sacred names [kiss].
"Before ye are sworn, art
willing to pass the ordeal and be purified?"
Postulant "I am."
Take measure: height (tie
knot); around head (tie knot); around heart
(tie knot); around hips (tie
knot). Prick postulant's thumb; catch blood on measure. Place
measure on altar. Have postulant kneel, tie postulant's feet
together, and secure cable tow to altar. Three strokes on
bell. Say, "Art ready to swear that thou wilt always be true
to the Art?"
Postulant "I am."
Strike seven times on bell
and say, "Thou must first be purified." Scourge 3, 7, 9, 21.
Say, "Ye have bravely passed
the test. Art always ready to help, protect, and defend thy
brothers and sisters of the Art?"
Postulant "I am."
"Then say after me: I, (name),
in the presence of the mighty ones of the outer spaces, do
of my own free will most solemnly swear that I will ever keep
secret and never reveal the secrets of the Art, except it
be to a proper person, properly prepared, within such a circle
as I am in now, and that I will never deny the Secrets to
such a person if they be vouched for by a brother or Sister
of the Art. All this I swear by my hopes of a future life,
and may my weapons turn against me if I break this my solemn
oath."
Loosen cords from ankles and
from altar, and remove blindfold; assist to rise.
"I hereby sign thee with the
triple sign [the point-down triangle formed by touching the
genitals, the right breast, the left breast, and the genitals
again.] I consecrate thee with oil. I consecrate thee with
wine. I consecrate thee with my lips, Priest (Priestess) and
Witch."
Remove Cords [kiss].
"I now present to you the
working tools. First the magic sword. With this, as with the
athame, thou canst form all magic circles, dominate, subdue,
and punish all rebellious spirits and demons, and even persuade
angels and good spirits. With this in your hand, you are ruler
of the circle." [kiss]
"Next I present to you the
athame. This is the true witches' weapon, and has all the
powers of the magic sword." [kiss]
"Next I present the white-handled
knife. Its use is to form all instruments used in the Art.
It can only be used in a magic circle." [kiss]
"Next I present the wand.
Its use is to call up and control certain angels and genie
to whom it would not be meet to use the sword or athame."
[kiss]
"Next I present the pentacle.
This is for the purpose of calling up the appropriate spirits."
[kiss]
"Next I present the censer
of incense. This is used to encourage and welcome good spirits,
and to banish evil spirits." [kiss]
"Next I present the scourge.
This is a sign of power and domination. It is also used to
cause purification and enlightenment, for it is written, 'To
learn you must suffer and be purified.' [kiss]
Art willing to suffer to learn?"
Postulant: "I am."
"Next and lastly I present
the cords. They are of use to bind the sigils of the art,
also the material basis. Also they are necessary in the oath."
[kiss]
"I now salute you in the names
of Aradia and Cernunnos, Newly made Priestess and Witch."
Lead round and proclaim to
four quarters, "Hear, ye Mighty Ones, (name) has been consecrated
a priestess of the Goddess."
Now present new Witch to coven
members. All should kiss and hug new Witch as welcome into
membership.
To close circle proclaim to
four quarters, "Ye Mighty Ones of the East (South, West, North),
I thank you for attending and, ere ye depart for your lovely
realms, I say hail and farewell."
Next:
The Second-Degree Initiation
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