The Circle should be marked approximately nine feet in diameter. A single flame is placed at each of the Four Cardinal Quarters, establishing the earthly reflection of the Celestial Horizon.

The Altar candles, Quarter candles, and charcoal within the censer are kindled before the rite begins.

Altar Arrangement

Facing East:

Matches • Bell • Candles • Ritual Book • Broom (Besom) • Salt • Water • Incense • Libation Bowl • Ritual Blades • Chalice • Cakes

Having ensured that the Temple has been properly prepared and purified, one of the Company takes up the Besom and, beginning in the East, proceeds deosil around the Circle, saying:

Besom of Purification, sacred instrument of the Lady of the Horizon,
Sweep away all shadow; sweep away all disorder.
Purify this Holy Ground of every unworthy thought and every discordant influence.
Sweep this Temple deosil, that it may become as the First Mound arising from the Waters of Nun.
Let all impurity depart and only Ma’at remain.
May this Circle become the Hidden Shrine wherein the Gods draw near.
Blessed Be.

The Besom is laid upon the ground in the East to serve as the Threshold of the Temple.

The Company approaches the Altar and kneels in reverence.

The Priestess enters first, greeting the Temple Guardian, followed by those of the complementary polarity.

The Priest or Priestess rings the bell.

Priest(ess):

The Ancient Mysteries begin as they have since the First Time:
with the sounding of the sacred bell,
the kindling of the divine flame,
and the opening of the Book of the Mysteries.

The Priestess places the point of the Ritual Blade into the salt.

Priestess:

O Isis, Great of Magic, and Osiris, Lord of Eternity,
bless and hallow this salt.
Drive forth all corruption and restore unto it the purity of the Primeval Earth,
that it may serve worthily in these Sacred Mysteries.

The Priestess places the point of the Blade into the water.

Priestess:

May these Waters be blessed.
May they become the Waters of Nun, pure and undefiled,
consecrated unto the service of Isis and Osiris,
the Eternal Ones.

The Priest places the point of his Blade above the incense.

Priest:

May virtue descend upon this holy fragrance.
Let every fear dissolve, every blessing increase,
and every prayer rise upon its sweetness
unto Isis and Osiris.
So mote it be.

The Priest places three measures of incense upon the glowing charcoal and extends the Blade above the censer.

Priest:

Hallow this sacred fire.
May its light banish all darkness,
its fragrance purify this Temple,
and its flame reveal the Hidden Gods.
By Isis and Osiris,
So mote it be.

According to the season, either Priest or Priestess takes up the Sword.

Beginning in the East, the Circle is inscribed deosil around all assembled.

Spirits of Light and Spirits of Mystery,
Guardians seen and unseen,
come unto this Holy Place.
Let every blessing remain within,
and every harmful influence remain without.
By the Names of Isis and Osiris,
I establish, bless, and consecrate this Sacred Temple,
hidden between Earth and Heaven,
between Time and Eternity.

The Priest(ess) then mingles the blessed Salt with the Water using the Blade.

The Circle is asperged deosil with the consecrated water and then censed with the sacred incense.

The Priestess calls each male participant by name.

Dipping her finger into the consecrated water, she traces the Ankh upon his brow, saying:

May the Breath of Life dwell within thee.

He salutes and replies:

Blessings.

Each returns to his place.

The Priest likewise calls each female participant and consecrates her in the same manner.

Priest(ess):

Beloved Company, let us now invite the Imperishable Gods to witness these Sacred Mysteries.

The Priest proceeds first to the East, raising the Blade in salute.

Priest:

Hear us, O Ancient and Eternal Ones.
Look with favor upon Your children,
strengthen our work,
and illumine our Mysteries.

The Priest traces the Invoking Pentagram and kisses the Blade.

The Company follows.

The Priest repeats this invocation in the South.

The Priestess repeats it in the West and North.

---

Calling the Four Quarters

Beginning in the East, the appropriate Invoking Pentagram is traced and the bell is rung.

East

Hail unto the Mighty Ones of the East,
Holy Powers of Air.
Divine Breath that first stirred creation from the Waters of Nun,
Sacred Wind that bears wisdom and awakening.
Come forth.
Witness these Mysteries, strengthen our work, and guard this Temple.
Blessed Be.

South

Hail unto the Mighty Ones of the South,
Holy Powers of Fire.
Radiance of Ra at the zenith of Heaven,
Flame that gives life, courage, and divine will.
Come forth.
Witness these Mysteries, strengthen our work, and guard this Temple.
Blessed Be.

West

Hail unto the Mighty Ones of the West,
Holy Powers of Water.
Sacred Waters through which the Sun descends into Mystery,
River of renewal and eternal transformation.
Come forth.
Witness these Mysteries, strengthen our work, and guard this Temple.
Blessed Be.

North

Hail unto the Mighty Ones of the North,
Holy Powers of Earth.
Foundation of the Black Land,
Throne of endurance, silence, and eternal stability.
Come forth.
Witness these Mysteries, strengthen our work, and guard this Temple.
Blessed Be.

---

Cakes & Wine

The Priest presents the Chalice to the Priestess.

She receives it with both hands.

The Priest takes the Blade in both hands and slowly lowers it into the Chalice.

Priest:

As Isis and Osiris are united,
so are Heaven and Earth,
Spirit and Matter,
Life and Eternity.

The Priest lays aside the Blade and pours wine into the Chalice.

Holding the Libation Bowl aloft, he receives the offering.

The Priestess pours a portion into the bowl.

Priestess:

As the Gods pour forth Life unto us,
so do we return a portion unto Them.
To the Blessed Gods!

The Priestess drinks.

The Company approaches to receive the blessed wine.

The Priestess presents the Cakes.

The Priest touches each with the Blade.

Priestess:

O Great Isis, Hidden Queen of Heaven,
bless this sacred food.
Nourish us in body and spirit.
Fill us with strength, health, wisdom, and joy,
that we may serve the Gods with pure hearts.
So mote it be.

The Priestess places an offering into the Libation Bowl.

To the Blessed Gods!

The Company partakes of the blessed Cakes.

One of the Company then invites the Priest and Priestess.

Pagan:

My Lady and My Lord, will you honor us by joining your Company?

The Priest and Priestess are seated among the Company.

---

Closing the Temple

All raise their Blades above the Altar in salute.

Together they say:

Our Mysteries now fulfilled,
let the Holy Guardians depart in peace.
May the Temple be sealed within our hearts,
its Light preserved until we gather again.
May Isis and Osiris watch over all the Company.

The Priest proceeds to the East.

Raising the Blade in salute:

Priest:

Mighty Ones,
we thank You for Your presence.
Go now in peace and blessing.
May Your wisdom remain with us
until we stand again within the Hidden Temple.

All:

So mote it be.

The Priestess dismisses the Western and Northern Quarters.

The appropriate Banishing Pentagrams are traced.

The Company kisses their Blades.

The Priest(ess) closes the Book, extinguishes the sacred flames, and rings the bell.

Priest(ess):

Thus do the Sacred Mysteries conclude,
as they have since the First Time:
with the closing of the Book,
the extinguishing of the Holy Flames,
and the sounding of the Bell.

The Priest(ess) lifts the Circle.

May this Temple be open, yet forever unbroken.
May the Blessings of Isis and Osiris abide with us.
Go forth in Ma’at, in peace, and in power,
until we meet again beneath the Imperishable Stars.
Blessed Be.