Bloodless Mass of the Phoenix?
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@Skia said
"I was looking for something that recognizes the higher deity (especially one linked to the Sun) while still making a point that man himself is a divine being and shouldn't be let himself be pulled, or succumb, to either extreme of "good" or "evil". I also was looking for something that was a reaffirmation of the law itself."
That's a great answer - and a great formulation of what you're seeking. Overall, very clear.
It was also an interesting post to me because my first reaction to it (as I scanned my mind over A.'.A.'. Class D documents and Crowley writings in general) was that I couldn't think of a bloody thing (er, in this case I guess I mean an unbloody thing
) that fit your description. This got me wondering (a) why I couldn't think of such a thing and (b) why I hadn't missed it. For a few moments I was utterly baffled.Then I figured it out. The answer (to my questions, not to yours) is that every detail of the Temple of Thelema ritual work (from the first initiation on) fills those exact requirements. So, for the last 20+ years, I've been living in a ritual world exactly like this - but none of it is public! (This also explains why I liked your above question so much.)
So... that answered my question, but not yours.
One thing to suggest is that you write your own. Draw on some of the poetry that you like from Liber 44, or from other sources, and create something new - just don't think of it as Liber 44.
The only other immediate thing that comes to mind is to suggest that you consider membership in Temple of Thelema. This isn't a solicitation - we specifically never do that. Rather, it's me having observed that you are looking for a certain kind of ritual context, and I happen to know one that meets your description.
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Thanks, Jim.
I believe I remember from a previous topic in some sub-forum here that there was a chapter within about 45 minutes from where I currently am. If I recall, the location closest to me only had "support" for up to 3=8 (not to derail my own thread, but is it common that not all chapters go too far into the grades?). Maybe I'm misremembering. Regardless, joining is something I've considered and will keep considering
Until then I'll make something and/or deal with a little bit of blood; it's not me that's the bleeder.
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You're not far from New York, right? That's a fully "up" Temple.
BTW all Temples do all First Order degrees. Not sure what you might bd remembering.
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"One thing to suggest is that you write your own. Draw on some of the poetry that you like from Liber 44, or from other sources, and create something new - just don't think of it as Liber 44."
This is probably a buried issue, but I managed to find something that feels just as moving for me. It's a part of "The Ladder" from The Winged Beetle.
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I love that poem. Once upon a time it was one of my very favorites.
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"Is there a generally accepted or adapted version of Mass of the Phoenix that substitutes something for the "gashing" the sign in your chest"
Here is one that I found. I'm not sure yet if it's what I want to go with, myself, or not. It seems like it is 3 or 4 times longer than Liber 44.
hermetic.com/dionysos/s_eucharist.pdf
This is the key point about the ritual that interests me. - "The magician becomes filled with God, fed upon God, intoxicated with God. Little by little his body will become purified by the internal lustration of God; day by day his mortal frame, shedding its earthly elements, will become in very truth the Temple of the Holy Ghost. Day by day matter is replaced by Spirit, the human by the divine; ultimately the change will be complete; God manifest in flesh will be his name."
It's clear, I think, that it was Crowley's intention that this ritual be performed every day by every magician. What is not so clear is all the different interpretations that I have read. Some say you should be using blood from making a cut, others say that it has nothing to do with cutting at all and that what you should really be doing is visualizing the symbol at the moment of climax and using the resulting semen instead of blood. There are also wide variances in interpretations of what the symbol should be. Some say an equal armed cross, some say an X within a circle, some say the mark of the beast etc.
Jim, do you do this every day? If so, whats your method?
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I've only done it lone or two or three times in my life. It's never been a part of my work.
OTOH, I have gone through long periods of practicing one or another form of eucharist (almost) every day, and (though my formula has changed significantly) I still consume one or another form of eucharist nearly every day.
BTW that passage you quoted is originally from Crowley's MT&P chapter on the eucharist in general.
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"OTOH, I have gone through long periods of practicing one or another form of eucharist (almost) every day, and (though my formula has changed significantly) I still consume one or another form of eucharist nearly every day.
"Can you detail how you perform your daily Eucharist? If it's personal, or secret, or something then I'm not trying to pry. Like Skia, I'm intending to make a Eucharist part of my daily practice, but I'm looking for clarification on some of the things I mentioned in my last post, and even considering what equivalent options there might be other than Liber 44, so if you have developed something that accomplishes the same goal just as well, that might be just what I'm looking for.
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@kerlem93 said
"Can you detail how you perform your daily Eucharist?"
No. - You correctly discerned why: One method is obligated, and my most common method is personal (but in the sense also that it is enormously difficult to explain). In short, I don't have something I can pass along.
Another approach: Decades ago, Anna-Kria King and I reduced the Gnostic Mass (A.'.A.'. Liber XV) to a short form for a couple to perform nightly - we called it the Gnostic Mini-Mass. For a stretch, we did this ceremonial form nightly, with or without less ceremonial forms.
Study the Eucharist chapter of MT&P for the essence of the formula + particulars of formula.
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Are you able to clarify any of the points that I mentioned in regards to performing Liber 44, or is that part of what you can't comment on? I mean, cut, no cut; semen vs blood; visualization on the symbol at the moment of climax instead of cutting? Someone even said that it was acceptable to prick the finger and draw the symbol on the chest with the blood as opposed to cutting, or scratching the chest every day. And also, what is the correct symbol that is supposed to be drawn?
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@kerlem93 said
"Are you able to clarify any of the points that I mentioned in regards to performing Liber 44, or is that part of what you can't comment on?"
Liber 44, as written by Crowley, contemplated literal cutting and literal drawing of physical human blood.
Some individuals have come up with their own compromises, such as doing this astrally. I have no clear opinion on these, since the efficacy would vary with individuals and conditions; EXCEPT that I have an opinion that it isn't The Mass of the Phoenix as written by Crowley unless it's done as written by Crowley.
Regarding alternate physical fluids, you have me in a corner on answering candidly
"And also, what is the correct symbol that is supposed to be drawn?"
I'm unaware of this being concretely recorded. For magical efficacy, I doubt that it matters. From the period it was written, and other details in the systems AC was writing and practicing at the time, I have every reason to believe it is some form of the Rosy Cross, i.e., of the intersection of a cross and circle - probably what most people know as the N.O.X. sign.
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"Some individuals have come up with their own compromises, such as doing this astrally."
I would think that some version of compromise must be completely legitimate. This is the one and only ritual that is actually written by Crowley that is referenced all over the place as being intended for daily practice. It wouldn't make much sense to do anything nearly as dramatic as cutting, gashing, and wounding every single day, year after year.
Well, anyway, I will have to see what I can work out. I appreciate the input that you were able to give though.
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There are other ways to do a eucharist than cutting
If nothing else: Bless a host and a cup of wine!
Again: Read the first page of the Eucharist chapter in MT&P.
(It's not that he intended that THIS ritual be done daily, but that some variety of eucharist be done daily.)
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@kerlem93 said
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"Is there a generally accepted or adapted version of Mass of the Phoenix that substitutes something for the "gashing" the sign in your chest"Here is one that I found. I'm not sure yet if it's what I want to go with, myself, or not. It seems like it is 3 or 4 times longer than Liber 44.
hermetic.com/dionysos/s_eucharist.pdf"
Thanks for sharing the link!
It's neat, but it doesn't have that certain something in it that gives me goosebumps or a feeling or change just by reading it; but, that's a "to each their own" thing. It's neat to see what others are doing or trying.
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"Again: Read the first page of the Eucharist chapter in MT&P."
I just read it again this morning. He does specifically say that the Mass of the Phoenix should be performed daily, at sunset, by every magician. See the following quote:
"The wafer may, however, be more complex, the "Cake of Light" described in Liber Legis.
This is used in the exoteric Mass of the Phoenix (Liber 333, Cap: 44) mixed with the blood of the Magus. This mass should be performed daily at sunset by every magician."He also starts out saying that the Eucharist is the most simple thing...
" Take a substance (This may be of composite character.) symbolic of the whole course of nature, make it God, and consume it."
...and then he goes on to make it sound complicated. He talks about a whole range of Eucharists that involve between one to seven elements that one may choose to consecrate and who knows which one to pick, or why, but apparently the Mass of the Phoenix is based on consecrating five elements. That's one of the reasons I didn't really want to go into trying to make up my own ritual for this. When it comes to the Eucharist that sounds like the best one, the one the you would really want to do, the Eucharist of One, he, of course, doesn't tell you what it is.
Here he describes what the elements are for the Eucharist of five that he says the Mass of the Phoenix is based on:
"The Eucharist of five has for basis wine for taste, a rose for smell, a flame for sight, a bell for sound, and a dagger for touch. This sacrament is implied in the Mass of the Phoenix in a slightly different form."
He says that the method of consecration is essentially the same as what would be used on a talisman; that the Oath should be taken and the invocations made.
He also says that, "Corn and wine are equivalent to flesh and blood; but it is easier to convert live substances into the body and blood of God, than to perform this miracle upon dead matter." So, the choice of using blood or other (possibly even better) bodily fluids, seems to be a matter of convenience in this case.
Put it all together and I'm thinking that something like this might work. If you see something that you think could be corrected, or improved, please add comments:
Hail Ra, that goest in thy bark
Into the caverns of the Dark!He gives the sign of Silence, and takes the Bell, and Fire, in his hands.
East of the Altar see me stand
With light and musick in my hand!He strikes Eleven times upon the Bell 333 - 55555 - 333 and places the Fire in the Thurible.
I strike the Bell: I light the Flame;
I utter the mysterious Name.
ABRAHADABRAHe strikes eleven times upon the Bell.
Now I begin to pray: Thou Child,
Holy Thy name and undefiled!
Thy reign is come; Thy will is done.
Here is the Bread; here is the Blood.
Bring me through midnight to the Sun!
Save me from Evil and from Good!
That Thy one crown of all the Ten
Even now and here be mine. AMEN.He places rose incense on the Fire of the Thurible.
As I burn the incense I proclaim
These adorations of Thy name.He makes them as in Liber Legis as follows:
Unity uttermost showed!
I adore the might of Thy breath,
Supreme and terrible God,
Who makest the gods and death
To tremble before Thee:â
I, I adore thee!Appear on the throne of Ra!
Open the ways of the Khu!
Lighten the ways of the Ka!
The ways of the Khabs run through
To stir me or still me!
Aum! Let it fill me!He strikes again Eleven times upon the Bell.
With the dagger he then makes upon his breast the proper sign (NOX). (This represents the element of touch, so, no need to cut, just feel the sign being drawn out on the chest with the tip of the dagger.
(Optional) Prick the fingertip and add a drop of blood to the wine. Or add your other secret ingredient, etc.
(Refering to the Cake of Light and Cup of wine she says) On my breast I traced the sign! Behold, before me, this body and blood of thine!
He dips the Cake of light into the wine and says...
This is thy body, this is thy blood. In thy blood thy body is soaked, and the high priest invokes!
She eats the Cake.
This Bread I eat. This Oath I swear
As I enflame myself with prayer:
"There is no grace: there is no guilt:
This is the Law: DO WHAT THOU WILT!"He strikes Eleven times upon the Bell, and cries
ABRAHADABRA.
I entered in with woe; with mirth
I now go forth, and with thanksgiving,
To do my pleasure on the earth
Among the legions of the living.He goeth forth.
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@kerlem93 said
"I just read it again this morning. He does specifically say that the Mass of the Phoenix should be performed daily, at sunset, by every magician. See the following quote"
I stand corrected.
(FWIW I'm sure he did no such thing himself. This counsel does appear to be more of a test of discrimination.)
"He also starts out saying that the Eucharist is the most simple thing...
" Take a substance [...] symbolic of the whole course of nature, make it God, and consume it."
...and then he goes on to make it sound complicated. He talks about a whole range of Eucharists that involve between one to seven elements that one may choose to consecrate and who knows which one to pick, or why"
The idea of the eucharist itself it simple - elegant - just as quoted above. The reason for various formulas is that different magicians may be drawn to different approaches. There are at least dozens of different approaches - but he has given the kernel of it.
Among formal rituals, the Thelemic Mass (like the similar Gnostic Mass) uses a eucharist of two elements. Temple of Thelema initiates have a monthly First Order ritual in which they partake of a eucharist of four elements (or five, if one knows where to look for the fifth); and the Second Order celebrates a very special annual mass of two elements. These are all efficacious in different ways. Each involves taking one or more substances symbolic of the whole life-cycle in nature, making it God, and then consumming it. Eventually, this God-matter, taken into the body, physically replaces every cell of the body.
"but apparently the Mass of the Phoenix is based on consecrating five elements. That's one of the reasons I didn't really want to go into trying to make up my own ritual for this. When it comes to the Eucharist that sounds like the best one, the one the you would really want to do, the Eucharist of One, he, of course, doesn't tell you what it is. "
Exactly. But I'll give you a big hint: All of the others, rightly done, become a Mass of One Element.
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Do you think that the modified version that I posted would be technically equivalent to the Mass of the Phoenix? meaning, would it accomplish the same result if performed by the same person. Does it meet the criteria of being a functional Eucharist of five elements as the Mass of the Phoenix is intended to be?
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@kerlem93 said
"Do you think that the modified version that I posted would be technically equivalent to the Mass of the Phoenix? meaning, would it accomplish the same result if performed by the same person. Does it meet the criteria of being a functional Eucharist of five elements as the Mass of the Phoenix is intended to be?"
I intentionally deleted it without reading it. I'm not going to analyze rewrites for another person like that. It feels too much like an "angels through the eye of a needle" arguement. I'll address principles, but you have to figure out particulars yourself.
I suppose I could add that you should question/challenge your motives for any particular change you want to make.
PS - I just remembered counsel I got from Soror Meral decades ago when I wrote her something or other about The Mass of the Phoenix. She said (I paraphrase from memory), "No, I don't think it's necessarily a good idea for you to go around cutting yourself. On the other hand, if you have a resistance to cutting yourself, then you need to get over that one of these days."
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"I'll address principles, but you have to figure out particulars yourself."
I wasn't asking you to do it for me, just to help grade the results.
"I suppose I could add that you should question/challenge your motives for any particular change you want to make."
Lol Well, that would be because I don't think gashing and wounding myself every night at sunset is going to work out too good. So, I can choose to interpret it differently, and just make a light redness on the skin and use something efficient like a lancet to actually draw the blood, or I could even choose to create my own version of the Eucharist and make it the way I want it, as you suggested. Of those options, the choice I am attempting to explore, is to take your advice and make my own version; one that is practical for being carried out on a daily basis, while keeping as many of the elements of the Mass of the Phoenix intact as possible, because that is the way I would like it to be. I like all the elements that are there, I just needed to do something about the gashing and wounding part, since it is not practical to carry that out every evening and I'm not sure what it would add to Eucharist anyway. The point of this is to take a substance, make it God, and consume it; not spend all night carving your chest up. To me, I think that if I wanted add my own blood, instead of just using corn and wine by themselves, (which, while being more difficult, it is still, apparently, possible to do) I would prefer, if I'm going to be doing it every night, to add a drop of blood from my fingertip into the wine. After all, If I'm making my own version, then why not? There are many equivalent ways to perform a Eucharist, I just need some help, from someone with more technical knowledge than I have, to verify that I have applied the principles in the right way to create what I want, which is a Eucharist of five elements, that accomplishes essentially the same thing that the Mass of the Phoenix was intended to do, while still being practical for being carried out on a nightly basis.