A
GREATER FEAST
A
Rite of Passage
By Nema
“A feast for fire and a
feast for water; a feast for life and a greater feast for death!”
Liber AL vel Legis Ch.II
v.41
As I write these words, my
husband’s mother lies dying. She was a formidable woman, a widow with
three sons, a partner in a market research company and a person both
generous with her gifts and devastating with her commentary.
Although Anita was born and
raised a Jew, she didn’t practice a religion. She did practice
selective traditions, however, and delighted in the company of
children. This ritual is shaping itself as I reach out to her astrally
from my home and in the guise of prayer in her care facility.
There are times when magick
must be done invisibly and effectively in crowded conditions. A good
mask to use is prayer, particularly during deaths, births and
weddings. Ceremony eases transitions while it transmits a power
to the participants, a power called Tao-Teh, prana, shakti, mana,
grace, etc.
When possible, have flowers
in the room, preferably alive and potted. Since candles and oxygen
supplies might not peacefully coexist, use one or more mirrors to
reflect light on the ceiling, preferably natural light from a window.
If placing a mirror is impossible, visualize light filling the room,
soft and shadowless.
When the ‘congregation’
(including the dying Goer) consists of magi, then the ritual can be
done aloud, with gestures, dance, chanting, and other spiritual aids.
When your companions are strangers or are known to you as uninitiate,
then speak silently in your mind and imagine your movements, sounds,
and surroundings. To avoid conversation, close your eyes, fold your
hands, and move your lips silently (optional).
The rite begins.
[You hang suspended in a
pearl gray mist, facing toward the Goer but not straining for an image.
You declare: ]
‘This is a time that is not
a time
In a place that is not a
place
On a day that is not a day
In a space that is not a
space—
Between the worlds, and
beyond.’
[Envision or look at the
Goer’s head, listen to his/her breathing, and call: ]
Guardians of the watchtower
of the East, the powers of Air, clarify the mind of (Goer’s name) in
preparation for a new way of seeing and understanding.
[Envision or look at the
Goer’s arms and chest while invoking: ]
Guardians of the watchtower
of the South, the powers of Fire, lead (Goer’s name) heart and strength
to surrender this phase of existence.
[Envision or look at the
Goer’s abdomen and hips, then say: ]
Guardians of the watchtower
of the West, the powers of Water, flow the peace and relief of
completion into (Goer’s name) soul and emotions.
[Envision or look at the
Goer’s legs and feet, while summoning: ]
Guardians of the watchtower
of the North, the powers of Earth, establish the unity of matter and
time in (Goer’s name) knowledge and senses.
So mote it be.
[Silently, astrally, call
his/her name three times, identify yourself, then say: ]
It’s good to see you and to
be with you. Soon you’ll leave this material world and step into
mystery. Gather yourself to a point behind and above your eyes;
this is your best gateway.
When you feel yourself
losing feeling in your hands and feet, in your arms and legs, in your
trunk and head, go to that point and leave on your last breath. Soar up
and out into freedom when you know that your time has come.
For now we wait together
patiently. There is no hurry, there is no delay. Rest in the love that
surrounds you.
[As the Goer slips into
sleep, invoke the godform(s) of your choice, if any.
Example: ]
(Chanted, silently or
aloud:) ISIS, ASTARTE, DIANA, HECATE, DEMETER, KALI, INANNA
(x 3)
WE ALL COME FROM THE
GODDESS, AND TO HER WE SHALL RETURN, LIKE A DROP OF RAIN FLOWING TO THE
OCEAN.
PAN, WOTAN, BAPHOMET,
CERNUNOS, OSIRIS (x 3)
WE ALL COME FROM THE SUN
GOD, AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN, LIKE A SPARK OF FLAME SOARING TO THE
HEAVENS.
(Spoken, silently or
aloud:) HAIL, LADY NUIT, GREAT NIGHT SKY, BLESS (Goer’s name) IN
HIS/HER DYING, OPENING HIS/HER SOUL TO YOUR SPLENDID GLORY, EMBRACING
HIM/HER IN YOUR OMNIPRESENT LOVE.
SO MOTE IT BE.
HAIL, LORD HADIT, POINT AND
SINGULARITY, BLESS (Goer’s name) IN HIS/HER DYING, DRAWING HIM/HER INTO
YOUR INFINITE WILL.
SO MOTE IT BE.
Optional hymn/verse (poet
unknown)
L’Envoi
Under a wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me
lie.
Glad did I live and glad do
I die,
I lay me down with a will.
And this be the verse ye
grave for me:
Here he lies where he wants
to be.
Home is the sailor, home
from the sea,
And the hunter home from
the hill.
