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Temple Ankh |
Worshiping the ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
through Rituals, Prayers and Spells dedicated and directed to the Old ones
who still hold the power of the universe. |
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Member Pictures, Journals & Blogs
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The
Processional This ritual is rarely used, generally only when a Temple Member dies, or a close relative of a member dies and the Member has requested that this Ritual be performed in their Honor. It is a very formal occasion, which mirrors the Ancient Opening of the Mouth Ceremony. The Temple begins bare and unlit. Care should have been taken during the afternoon to clean the Temple. Members begin to enter, carrying a tool or tray with tools. First are four male members, each carrying a lit torch. They place them in the bamboo holders at each cardinal point, and leave the Temple. Next, Three females enter, the first woman carries a tray into the Temple. On the tray are the Athame, Pyramid Box, Adze, Ankh and Altar Candle. She walks to the altar and removes the tools from the tray, placing them on the altar. The second woman carries a cloth and the Temple Book of Eternity. She places the cloth over the Book stand and places the book, unopened on top of the cloth. The Third woman carries a large basket and a large white cloth. She spreads the cloth over the work table and begins to unpack the basket. All the tools which shall be needed during this ritual are now organized on the work table. The three woman leave when finished. Next, 4 couples enter, 2 for each of the four Cardinal Points. One of them carries the cardinal point candle and the other carries the elemental representation. They leave. Music begins, and all guests or members who are participating in the Casting of Sacred Space are invited to enter the Temple and take a seat off to the side. Chairs will be provided. Once everyone has been seated and is quiet, one member enters carrying a picture of the deceased. This is placed in the center of the Work Table, on the Altar or propped up beside the Altar. It could also be hung from a nail on either the tree in the center, or the one close to the altar. Or even better, set the picture on a small table or tripod at the entrance to the Temple, just inside the Sacred Space boundaries. As each member now enters, they bow to the picture. The member the member who brought the picture in, bows to the picture and leaves. The 4 couples enter again, this time they each carry a statue. The two North CPH enter first, one carrying the statue of Osiris and the other carrying the statue of Isis. They enter from the path between the NCP and the ECP, bow to the picture, turn left and begin to walk the perimeter around to the North CP. Once they get to the SCP, the next couple enter and bow, carrying the statues of Thoth and Neith, the West God and Goddess. As they get to the SCP, the next couple enter and bow, with the South God, Set and Goddess Sekhmet. Last to enter are the ECPH with Bast and Ra, who also bow. If this is timed right, As the ECPH reach their CP, the North will have arrived at theirs as well as the West and South. They place the statues on each side of the candle, with the elemental representation in front of the candle. They then walk to the inside of the CP benches and turn to face the center of the Temple. The Temple Guardian enters and bows, carrying the Temple Sword, and followed by the HP and HPS, carrying the God and Goddess statues for the Altar. The HP and HPS bow and hold it for a 2 second count, then walk directly to the altar. The statues are placed on the altar, while the Temple Guardian lights the altar candle and steps to his place beside the balefire, The HP and HPS turn to stand on each side of the Altar, facing into the Temple. The North CPHs turn to face the North, and begin the ritual to Create Sacred Space. The North Cardinal Point Holder (NCPH) holds up the bowl of salt and recites: I spread this salt of our earth NCPH sprinkles the salt around the perimeter of the Temple, beginning and ending at the North, then stands to the inside of the North Bench. East Cardinal Point Holder (ECPH) takes the incense in a burner and lights the incense with the white altar candle, returns to the East, then recites: I light this incense Walks with the burning incense around the perimeter of the Sacred Space, beginning and ending at the East, and stands to the inside of the East bench. The South Cardinal Point Holder (SCPH) picks up the red Fire Candle, goes to the Altar and lights the candle with the altar candle. They return to the South and recites: This fire honors all Gods and Goddesses SCPH walks the candle around the perimeter of the Sacred Space, beginning and ending at the South, and stands to the inside of the South bench. The West Cardinal Point Holder (WCPH) holds up the seashell
filled with water and recites: WCPH sprinkles the water around the perimeter of the Sacred Space beginning and ending at the West, then stands to the inside of the West bench. The High Priestess picks up the Altar Candle and walks to
the North Bench. She hands the Candle to the NCPH, and returns to the altar.
The NCPH uses the candle to light the East blue Candle, then recites: I call to the great God Osiris NCPH hands the candle to the ECPH, who uses it to light the
yellow candle and then recites: I call to the Great God Ra ECPH hands the candle to the SCPH, who uses it to light the
red CP candle, then recites: I call to the Great God Set SCPH hands the candle to the WCPH, who uses it to light the
blue candle and recites: I call to the Great God Thoth WCPH hands the white altar candle back to the HPS who places
it back on the altar before returning back to the center of the Circle. We bid welcome to the Great Goddess Nut, The HPS raises her hands to the skies and recites: We bid welcome to the Gods and Goddesses HP hands the sword to the Temple Guardian (TG) who raises it straight up to the skies and recites: As our prayers and praise rise up to you TG drives the sword gently into the ground in the center of the circle, being very careful not to stab his foot. HP S says: Everyone responds: HP says: Guardian, light the fires of the Temples Spirit the Temple Guardian says: The hearth is cold and mourns the loss Once Sacred Space has been cast, begin by giving a short
explanation about the Opening of the Mouth ceremony and why it was so
important. The HP should do this using the following words or similar: HP and HPS go to the Altar and picks up the Adze (made of an iron rod in the shape of the big dipper) in their power hands. They walk over to the picture of the departed. They place the tip of the Adze to the eyes of the picture and recites. The HP says: Osiris and Isis touch the eyes of our Brother/Sister___________. The HPS says: Our Brother/Sister_______ They move the tip to the ears of the picture. The HP says: Osiris and Isis touch the ears of our Brother/Sister___________. The HPS says: Our Brother/Sister______ They move the tip to the nose of the picture. The HP says: Osiris and Isis touch the nose of our Brother/Sister___________. The HPS says: Our Brother/Sister______ They move the tip to the mouth of the picture. The HP says: Osiris and Isis touch the mouth of our Brother/Sister___________. The HPS says: Our Brother/Sister______ They move the tip to the base of the picture. The HP says: Osiris and Isis touch the body of our Brother/Sister___________. The HPS says: Our Brother/Sister______ The HP and HPS move back to the Altar and place the adze on it. The HP says: We have gathered this evening to celebrate the life of
_____________, who now travels with the Great God Ra in the Barque of the
Sun. An Eternal House has been prepared to receive his/her body, or the flesh
of this life, which is temporary. And everyone replies: The HPS says: Death is so often looked upon as an ending and evokes
feelings of sadness, grief, loneliness and heartache. During this time, I ask
you to examine your Faith most carefully. You know, as an eternal truth, that
Death is not the end. It is only a transitional phase of the souls journey,
marking the time between lives. This is a time for the soul of our
brother/sister to rest and prepare for the next step in their evolutionary
journey. If that is truth, then to feel grief or sadness for their loss is
impossible. The HP says: At this time, anyone who wishes to say a few words about the deceased is encouraged to stand up. The HP, HPS, or Temple Guardian shall call each person by name in turn to say their thoughts. When they have finished, they should sit down, and the next person begins, until all who wish have spoken. At this time, the picture of the deceased is held by the HP or Temple Guardian and walked around the perimeter of the Temple, counter clockwise, beginning at the North, and ending at the path just past the East CP. As the picture passes each Cardinal Point the CPH snuffs out that candle. As the picture reaches the path, it is turned to face the circle and a gong is rung three times, as all the torches and candles are snuffed out, leaving only the altar candle lit. As the echoes of the gong end, the altar candle is extinguished, leaving the Temple in darkness. There is a three second count of silence, then the HPS says: A new Spirit Guardian has been born. The HP says: The Great Gods and Goddesses have decreed The Balefire is now lit, signifying the return of warmth to the Temple and the end of sorrow. The HP says: And everyone says: The torches are now lit, providing the needed light for people to move about in. The ritual is finished. There is no need to close your circle, as the picture walking the circle counterclockwise has already done that for you, as their last earthly gift. A Feast, or Party
is a good idea now, for it gives everyone a chance to let their emotions out
and cope with the last of their grief as a group. You should leave the Temple
tools in place until everyone has gone home. Just before the closest family
member leaves, give them the Altar candle and tell them that when they have a
rough day, and are feeling sad and lonely, light the candle to call the
spirit of the deceased, and to share in the Temples strength. |
News & Upcoming Events March 16-20 - Spring Equinox celebration. Main ritual will be on the 18th starting at 10:00 a.m. and lasting until we get sleepy. April 29th - Beltaine celebration beginning at 7:00 p.m. June 20 - 25 - Second annual Trial of Set game! June 24 - Midsummer celebration beginning at Noon and lasting until 11:00 p.m. Main ritual begins at 6:00 p.m. September 22 - 24 - Autumn Equinox Celebration. Main Ritual will be on the 23rd beginning at 7:00 p.m. October 26 - 29 - Harvest celebration. Main Ritual will be on the 28th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. For more information on any of these events, please email Nydia. Please put 'Rituals' as the subject line of your email. |
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