THE RITUAL OF THE SPHINX

                        By David Cherubim
                     Copyright (c) 1989 e.v.
                      Thelemic Golden Dawn.

     In the Centre of his Temple, facing East, let the Magician give the Sign of
Horus, and say:

     In the Sign of the Supreme and Terrible Lord,
     Crowned and Conquering and Most Adored,
     I proclaim His Mighty Word for All:
     Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law!

     Let the Magician return in the Sign of Silence, then advance to his Altar,
ignite the fire, and seeing its radiant glory, let him say:

     I stand before this Altar of Flame
     With courageous soul, body and brain!
     To do my Will and to extol
     The One Great Work of Living Sol!

     Let the Magician now drink the Wine, and tasting its vital essence, let him
say:

     I drink this Holy Wine of Love
     In aspiration to the Lord Above!
     To fill my soul with  ecstasy sublime
     And to partake of the secret Joy of the Divine!

     Let the Magician now ignite the incense, smelling its
inspiring scent, and let him say:

     I breathe in my body a sweet scent of bliss
     More subtle and informing than Hell's own Kiss!
     To inspire my mind with the Knowledge of The One
     And to nourish my Spirit with the Liberty of the Sun!

     Let the Magician now touch himself with Abramelin Oil, and feeling its
fiery sensation thrill through his body, let him say:

     I touch my body with the Holy Oil
     To awaken the Serpent to Uncoil!
     To embrace my aspiring and reverent Heart
     With the subtle Force of this Ritual of Art!

     Let the Magician now strike the Bell 3-5-3, and hearing its sound thrill in
the depths of his spirit, let him say:

     I hear the sound of the Sacred Bell
     Casting upon me its Mystick Spell!
     To arouse and awaken  me To Go,
     As I will, above and below!

     Let the Magician now take hold of his Wand (or use index finger), and trace
in the East, above the Altar, the Sigil of the Sphinx, and let him say:

     In search of True Liberty, Love and Light,
     And the sacred splendour of the One True Life,
     I swear and I promise to Will and to Know,
     To Dare and to Keep Silent the Life Ineffable!

     Let the Magician now give the Sign of the Sphinx, and let him say:

     As a Magician these things I shall never forsake
     To the glory and worship of the Great and Holy Snake!
     Who embraces me in the mighty grip of His power
     So that I may accomplish my Will in this hour!

     Let the Magician now give the Sign of Horus, and let him say:

     In the Sign of the Supreme and Terrible Lord,
     Crowned and Conquering and Most Adored,
     I swear to perform the Four Powers of Skill:
     Knowledge, Courage, Silence, and Will!
     That I may accomplish the Great Work of Sol
     And partake of the Four Glories of the Law!
     To attain the Knowledge and Conversation
     Of the Holy Angel of this Great Invocation!
     To Go upon my Way with holy zeal,
     For Love is the law, love under will!

     Let the Magician return in the Sign of Silence, advance to the Altar,
strike the battery 3-5-3, and say:

                             Abrahadabra!