0117-fiducius-annie besant-el rito egipcio de los antiguos misterios

~.." .~'1 t

OF THE

ANCIENT MYSTERleS

TEMPLE OF THE QUEST

i. i,

1932

*IssUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY

OF THE

SOVEREIGN SANCTUARYOFTHE

EGYPTIAN RITE OF THEANCIENT MYSTERIES

The Right o/ reproduciion and iranslaiionis 3lricily reseroed by ihe Sooereign Sancfuary

Grand MG3terChrimas Da!!

193/

IMPORTANT NOTICE

THIS book is the property of theSovereign Sanctuary of the EgyptianRite of the Ancient Mysteries, andmust be retumed either to the NationalRepresentative of the country in whichthe member in possession of the bookis residing, or to the Grand Secretaryof the Rite. Adyar, Madras, SouthIndia, on demand from either. Properprovision must be made for its retumin the event of the death of themember to whom it is lento Whennot in actual use it must be keptunder Iock and key.

(}rand Secretary.

CONTENTSPACE

STACE OF FIRE:

Ceremony of Opening 3" "

Admission 43" ,.

Closing 69STAGE OF FORM:


Admission. 91" "

Closing 117STAGE OF LIFE :


Admission. 137" "

Closing '177

THE STAGE OF FIRE

I1. I,I

!1

..'I~.

. '.i'I'

TEMPLE OF THE QUEST

CEREMONY OF OPENING THETEMPLE IN THE STAGE

OF FIRE

Preliminary Note

The Temple o the Quest, with its threeStages. of Fire, of Form, of Life, isintencled for the helping, through cere-monial, of those who are expected in duecourse to be ready for presentationto a Lord of Light as possibly worthyof being placed on Probation byHim. No applications for admissioncan, therefore, under any circumstances

4 TEMPLE OF THE QUEST

be entertained. Indeed, an applicationwould ipso jacto disqualify the individualmaking it. Admission is by invitationonly, through definite'charmels.The setting of the Temple of the Quest

is symbolic of the human spirit with itsvarious PrincipIes and bodies, and itsteaching is fundamentally Theosophical,Al the Feet of the Master embodying itscode of Life. The various officers re-present such PrincipIes andbodies, theirnames being chosen to indicate asclearly as possible their various functions.Voluntas represents the Will PrincipJe.Power, the First Ray. Sapientia repre-sents Wisdom, the Second Ray. Artifexrepresents Activity-Love, the remainingFive Rays-the divisin following thatgrven in .At the li.ed...qi:tbJ:...,Masfer. These

1'0 ~I' "~ ...p' ",G:~~':" \~ ~;.;.~. ~

. '!~'~J''';~':'''~:\;;:''''~i!~ t::q:;(~.. '_.=-~.~:....:".~)'-:'~\~, J~.\':"~~:';'i1i':"'"'; .;'.\~

l'fOii'fJ.~:n(~:;.:"-'~~")lJ.-k~~i~i..:~;..if,, 8.6 ~..1~!~'If.":;"'~ . ~c.. ,\ '- .'.;~::,,:~: ..~.J ~~., ~B '. rl.::~~ r",I://1; ~l( ; ._ "-1t.:JI.J,I-!./.J6" R'!j!

THE STAGE OF FIRE 5

names are Latin. Mente (Italian) repre-sents the mind-body, Astra the body ofthe ernotions, Etha the etheric body, andArdua the physical body, ngelus re-presents the link between the humanand the Angel or Deva kingdoms.Agni, a Samskrit word meaning Fire,is the Thurifer. Scriba is the Re-corder and Treasurer, and Rector isthe Director of Ceremonies. The sameofficers function in each of the threeStages, for they represent the essentialconstitution of the human being. In Iact,the whole Ritual may be regarded as adramatization of the true functions of thevarious Principies and bodies, so external-ized that, as in a mystic mirror, the in..dividual sees himseIf as he is destined tobecome.


The first Sta "'e, the Stage o Fire. is the51age of Purific bono in which the Seekerfor the Light brings material, alreadypartially purified through goodwill, goodthoughts, good deeds and silence, formoreintensive purification by means of clearerperception of the principies of lile and oftile way to develop thern. . t this Stagepecial stress is Iad on the puriication ofthe physical body and of the emotions. Inth~ 8 -cond Stage the material thus puriiedis be h carried toa Iurther stage of purii-cation and in general is being definitelyshaped to receive and embody the life.During the Stage of Fonn the body of themind undergoes purification and develop-ment, and the individual is encouragedto becorne in sorne special and congenialdirection a master-craftsman, so that he

THE STAGE OF FIRE 7may begin to know, and if possible to do.something really well.The third Stage is devoted to the

understanding of the real nature of life andto the impregnating of each body with thelight of such life, especially through theIntuition and the Will. At this Stage,the Stage of the Lie, the individual isexpected already to have established purityin his various vehicles, and thus tohave begun to fashion a cup fit Iorthe inpouring of the pure wine oLife.lt is most important that a11officers in

Temples of the Quest should have athorough knowledge o Al the Feet 01theMaster, the teachings of which the Ritualsof these degrees are largely designed toemphasize.

8 TEMPLE OF THE QUESTThe time to be spent by any individual

in any of these"three Stages is a matter forthe discretion of those responsible for hisguidance, No fixed period has been laiddown as necessary to elapse betweenadmission to one Stage and passingonwards into another. But when thethird Stage is reached the individualshould, in the opinion of his elde~friends and helpers, be not so veryfar distant from the possibility of present-ation to a Lord of Light for exami-nation as to fitness 'for the honour oProbationary Discipleship. When suchan honour has been conferred, but nevertill !hen, the individual thus fortunate isentitled to proceed onwards into theTemple of the Rose and the Cross,which contains the fourth Stage or

THE STAGE OF FIRE 9Degree of the E.gyptian Rite of theAncient Mysteries, there still to seek theLight, but at last to be enrolled on the listof those who are deinitely recognized asapprentices in the School in which aretrained aspirants who would enter for everthe Service of the Light. Here, then, thefortunate individual becomes a Servant ofthe Light in the fourth Stage, onProbation, thence, it is to be hoped., to passonwards into the fifth Stage as an .Accepted Servant of the Light. In thefifth Stage or Degree, the aspirant servesin what is calIed the Outer Temple,or the Temple of the Dawn, for he is, orshould be, on the threshold of entryinto the Inner Temple itself, the Templeof the Star, the service of which isrestricted to members of the Great


Brotherhood of Light-from the youngestInitiate to the Masters, Lords, Princes,Rulers of Light; nay, to the very KingHimself. These are Brothers of theLight.. How long the individual remains in thisfifth Stage or Degree, or in any of theothers, depends entirely upon himself,uponhis enthusiasm, upon his determination totake himself in hand and waste as littletime as possible in mastering his bodies, sothat he may live in perfect harmony withthe Eternal Laws of Lile.Beyond the fifth Stage or Degree. there-

Iore, lies the sixth, in which work thosewho have been privilegedto become youngmembers of the Great Brotherhood, theInner Government of the world. Theseserve in the Inner Temple. the Temple of

THE STAGE OF FIRE 1 1

the Star, within which lies the Sove-reign Sanctuary--the seventh Stage orDegree.This seventh Stage or Degree is for

members of the Sovereign Sanctuary, theGoverning Body of the Egyptian Rite.These are called Masters of Light. Beyondthem lies the Great Hierarchy+-those whoare Lords, Princes, Rulers of Light. So dowe reach the Throne of Light itself, uponwhich is seated The King.

Each officer, in each Degree or Stage,should concentrate on identifying himselfwith the pure qualities of the PrincipIe orbody he represents, expressing it force-fully and :clearly. For the time beinghe is that quality in alI its beauty andstrength, and when it falIs to his 10ttoreceive the Candidate he should strive by


all the means in his power to vitalize inthe Candidate the quality he represents, sothat it may become strengthened andennobled. Thus, each officer should,throughout the Ritual, keep constantlyshining in the Temple the quality he re-presents, both for the benefit of the Candi-date and of the brethren, and also in orderthat the Temple itself may gradually be-come a perfect structure, pure, strong andbeautiful in all its parts.

It is also vitally important that everyofficer should speak his part with vigourand with strong intention. Noone whocannot do this should become an officer.Lethargic, lifeless utterance wiIl kill anyRitual. The brethren in the columns shouldactive/y, not allowing their attention tostray, associate themselveswith every detail

THE STAGE OF FIRE 13

of the Ceremony as it develops, aidingeach officer in the discharge of his duty,adding to the volume of the power ofwhich he is the custodian, especially whenthe Candidate is its particular recipient.The duties of the brethren in the columnsare by no means less onerous than thoseof the officers, for in and through themeach quality must shine as it shinesthrough its specific representative. Thusdo they add to the splendour and eiective-ness of the Temple, and themselvesdevelop the qualities for which the Tem-ple stands, in direct proportion to theiractive and whole-hearted fulfilment of thepart they have to play. A lethargicbrother is a positive hindrance to thework, rendering the magic definitely lesseffective by his laziness.


It should be very clearly understoodthat the Egyptian Rite is most speciallydedicated to the service of young people,for in these lies the greatest hope for thetimes to come, and progress can usuaIlybe made more rapidly by the young thanby the old. Wherever possible youngpeople should be appointed to office inpreference to oIder people. The Rite isprimarily for the young, though olderpeoplewho have remained young in heart.and who possess the necessary qualifica-tions for admission,are of coursewelcome.They must not mind, rather should theybe happy -and thankful, if they are passedover, and offices are given to those whoare young in body-remembering thatthose who are young in body are oftenolder in soul than people who have


the experience and sel-assurance ofmany physical years. Happy the T em-ple in which the young rule, and inwhich the old wisely and self-effacinglyco-operate,

Lghtng

The Temple should be well lightedthroughout the Ceremonies, except whereotherwise indicated. If possible arrange-ments should be made to iIlumine theSymbols behind the Pedestals of thefour principal Officers. A light shouldbe directed, if possible, from aboveupon the Altar at the moment whenStar is caused to : shine, and should


be extinguished when the Star ISextinguished.

Seating

Voluntas is seated in the East, Sapientiain the West, Artifex in the South and Vigilin the North. Thus the four principalofficers form a Cross.

ngelus and Rector are seated in theSouth-east, and Scriba in the North-east.Mente is seated in North-east in &ont andto the west of Scriba. Astra is seated.in the South-west to the right of Sapientia,Etha and Agni in the North-west near theTemple door. Ardua is seated outsidethe Temple.

Membersof the Sovereign Sanctuaryand National Representatives, and those


who have passed through the Chairof Voluntas, also have seats in theEast.

Furniture

The Altar is in the centre 01 the.Temple and is round. It is coveredwith a white cloth, preferably silk, onwhich, in the first Stage, stands a pieceof pure white marble shaped in theform of a cube 4~ inehes or 12 centi-metres in height. Before the openingand at the closing of the Temple the Cubeis veiled by a cloth of golde Above theChair of Voluntas is the Blazing Star,beneath which is a picture o a Lion.Above the Chair of Sapientia is apicture of an Elephant. Above the Chair

2

-18 TEMPLE OF THE QUEST

ef Artifex is a picture of a Rose. Abovethe Chair of Vigil is a picture of anEye.The bells or tubes should, if possible

be the notes of the Westminster Chimes.In the key of C the notes at the respectivePedestals of Voluntas, Sapientia, Artifexand Vigil, are E, C, D, G. The Organistshould have a beIl or tube sounding, inthe key of C. the lower F.The Sceptre of Voluntas is _a hollow

wand of white metal, silver if convenient,21 inches or 53 centimetres long and~ of an inch or 1~ centimetres, indiameter, bearing on the top the figureof a Lion and about 3 inches or 8 centi-metres in length and 2 inches or5centimetres in_height. The Sceptres _ofSapientia, Artifex and Vigil are similar,


with the following figures respecti.vely-fue Elephant, the Rase, the Eye,each about the same size as theLion,The Emblem of Mente is 'the Scales

of justice, of Astra a white Lily, of Ethatwo interlaced links of a Chain, of Scriba aBook, of ngelus a Crown with Wings,of Rector Crossed Wands, of Agni aFire, of Ardua a Horse. Each of theseis about the same size as that of theprincipal afficers.

Music

In aclditionto the musicalready provided.in the Ritual itself, music of a suitablenature should be played SOFTLY wheneverpossible, particularly during the censing


and during the reading or recital of theDedication, as the Neophyte is consecrated,and as afterwards he circumambulates theTemple.

The hymns should under no circum-stances be allowed to drag, but shouldbe sung vivaciously and well together.The Organist should play over theuihole tune before the frst verse issung; then all the brethren should beginthe first verse exactly together, notstraggling in one after the other. A shortbut appreciable pause should always bemade between verses.

Clothng and Regala

The clothing and regalia are as pres-cribed.

THE STAGE OF .FIRE 21

Other Ceremonies

When there is no admission of aCandidate, it is preferable that specialceremonial should occupy the time ratherthan addresses. Suitable forms of cere-monial will be found in another book.Temples of the Quest are mainly intendedto provide ceremonial through which theCandidates and the brethren generalIymayleam the fundamental truths of Lie,and also to provide ceremonial channelsfor the generation and dissemination ofspecial forces for the benefit of the world.

Portrait

The Portrait of the Hierophant of theRite may be above the Chair of Voluntas


and immediately beneath the BlazingStar.

Procession

The Seekers of the Light entersinging the following.In procession,

hymn :

Holy Spirit,Truth Divine,In Thy glorr on us shine ;Word of God and inward Light,Wake the spirit, dear the sight.

Holy Spirit, Love Divine,Glow within this heart of mine ;Kindle every high desire,Perish self in Thy pure Fire.

INNOCENTS~ f I I I ,

I ' '" r~ ~

~tw ~ y " -- . - -- -- ,7-C. -- -'\. " . -. ..4 r . r r 1 t r--l F r r I r r u< ,J. ,..J J-.J~~J .J JdJJJ ~ I .,.-

I z.. ",. I 'ti. r.J .. - - .. '7 . r IP ~. r~r k '-' ""'"-I I


Holy Spirit, Might Divine,Fill and nerve this wilI of mine ;By Thee may 1strongly live,That 1 power and comfort give.

Holy-Spirit, Right Divine,Reign within this heart of mine ;Be my Lord and I shall beFirmly bound, yet ever free.

Holy Spirit, Peace Divine,Still this restless heart of mine ;Speak to calm this tossing sea,Stayed in Thy tranquillity.

Holy Spirit, Joy Divine,GIadden Thou this heart of mine ;In the desert ways 1sing ;Spring, O Well, forever spring.


Holy Spirit, Uight Divine,Praise and majesty be Thine ;WisdoID,Will and Love in One,Light resplendent frOIDthe Sun.

ALL:

:gSo ehall tt be.

[Agni leads and swings the censer.The brethren follow either in single file ortwo by two according to convenience, andmarch once round the Temple followed bythe officers in the following. order :Ardua, Etha, Astra, Mente, Scriba, Rector,

THE STAGE OF FlRE 25

Angelus, Artifex, Sapientia, VigiloVolun-taso The Organist is, of course, at hisplace playing, The brethren then formtwo lines on the North side of theTemple, through which Vigil andVoluntas proceed to the East. If, owingto numbers, this arrangement is notconvenient, Rector will direct otherwise.In any case, the officersshould form twoIines, through which Voluntas and Vigilpass. Agni stands facing the Altarand the East, swinginghis censer. WhenVoluntas is standing at his Pedestal, Vigilmoves by the South and West to hisPedestal in the North. and is followedbySapientia and Artifex,who proceed to theirPedestals in the West and South. Rectorthen takes bis place in the South..east,followed by Scriba, who takes his place


in the North-east. Mente proceedsto theNorth-east, .to the right and in frontof Scriba. Astra proceeds to the South-west, Etha to the North~west near theentrance to the Temple, and Ardua to hisplace outside the entrance. Each officermoves clockwise, and always round theTemple, never across the floor. Thebrethren then take their places as arrangedby Rector.When all are in their places, Agni,

after bowing to Voluntas, encircles theAltar, censing it with sharp inward swingsof the censer. He then faces Voluntasand, after bowing to him, censes himthree times three. He then bows againand proceeds round the Temple to thePedestal of Vigil, to whom he bows andwhom he similarly censes. He then

THE STAGE .OF FIRE 27

moves round to the Pedestalof Sapientia,whom .he censes three times two, andthen moves onwards round the Templeto the Pedestal of Artifex, whom hesimilarly censes. Returning to the Eastand bowing to Voluntas, he faces Westand censes the brethren generally, withshort sharp swings of the censer allround the Temple. He then turns to theEast and bows, afterwards proceedingdown the Temple by the South and goingoutside, where he censes Ardua once.Ardua censes him once in return, andAgni then re-enters the Temple, tak-ing his place in the North-west, nearEtha.)

VOLUNTAS:

Be seated, Seekers for the Light. (Allare seated.)


(There is a short pause, and Voluntasthen sounds a single note upon his bell,followed successively by Sapientia, Artifexand Vigil, equal intervals between eachstriking being carefully observed. Whenthe sound of the bell struck by Vigil hasdied away, the four principal officers risesimultaneously, taking their cue [romVoluntas. the other brethren still remain-ing seated.)

VOLUNTAS(with Sceptre in his righthand, and with right arm outstretched andslightly raised) :

Rise, Seekers for the Light. (All riseand stand to order. A moment's pause.)

1 call the Sons of the Will. (Apause.)

Hail, . Sons of the Will, visibleandinvisible.


SAPIENTIA (with similar: movements] :1 call the Sons of the Wisdom. (A pause.)

Hail, Sons of the Wisdom, visible andinvisible.

ARTIFEX (with similar movements] :1call the Sons of Activity. (A pause.)Hail, Sons of Activity, visible and

invisible.

VIGIL (with similar movements) :Hail, Lords of Light and Life and Love.ALL (turning to the East and bowing, rais-

ing their right hands':witharms outstretched,the principal officers using their Sceptres] :

Hall, Hierophant of our Rite, Hall,Lords o Light.

Hail, friends, visible and invisible.(All resume their usual positions,

lowering their arms and standing to orderin the usual way.)


VOLUNTAS:(saluting with right arm out-stretched, without Sceptre]

Vigil, Who is The King?VIGIL : (similarly saluting)The Blazing Star.VOLUNTAS:.Sapientia, where is His Kingdom ?SAPIENTIA: (saluting)His Kingdom is the world.VOLUNTAS:Artifex, who are His children ?RTIFEx : (saluting)All creatures are His children.VOLUNTAS: (salutirig as before)Vigil, what is the Will of The King?VIGIL : (saluting as before)His WI is Happiness.VOLUNTAS:Sapientia, what is His Wisdom ?


SAPIENTIA : (saluting)His Wisdom is Truth.VOLUNTAS :

Artifex, what is His Way ?ARTIFEX : (saluting)His Way is Love.VOLUNTAS :

Ardua!ARDUA (from without, saluting) :PresenteVOLUNTAS:

Your duty ?ARDUA: [remaining at the salute)Right Action.VOLUNT AS (raising bis Sceptre and

pointing it towards the officer whom headdresses) :

Let your Fire burn. (Ardua now standsto order]


VOLUNTAS :

Etha!ETHA : (saluting]PresenteVOLUNTAS:

Your duty?ETHA: (remaining at the salute)Right Harmony.VOLUNTAS (with similar movementj rLet your Fire burn. (Etha now stands

to arder)VOLUNTAS :

Astra 1AsTRA: (saluting)PresenteVOLUNTAS :

Your duty?AsTRA : (remaining at the salute] '.Right Feeling.


VOLUNTAS: (with similar movement)Let your Fire burn. (Astra now stands

to order]VOl..UNTAS:

Mente 1MENTE: (saluting)PresentoVOLUNTAS:

Your duty?MENTE: (remaining at the salute)Right Thought.VOLUNTAS: (with similar movement]Let your Fire hum. . (Mente now stands

to order]VOLUNTAS :

Artifex 1ARTIFEX: [saluting]PreSento

VOLUNTAS :3

34 TEMPLE OF .THE QUEST

Your duty:~ARTIFEX: [remaining at the salute]Right Love.VOLUNTAS: (with similar movement)Let your Fire hum. (Artifex now stands

lo order)VOLUN-rAS:

Sapientia!SAPIENTIA: (saluting)PresenteVOLUNTAS:

Your duty.?SAPIENTIA : (reinaining at the salute)Right Wisdom.VOLUNTAS: (with similar movement)Let your Fire burn. (Sapientia now

stands to order)(Voluntas now tums to Vigil sently,

raising his right hand with the usual salute)

.THE STAGE OF FIRE 35

VIGIL : (bowing to Voluntas, and re-tuming his salute.)

The d.uty of Voluntas is Right Will.(Pointing his Sceptre towards Voluntas)Let your Fire hum. (Voluntas now standsto order]

(Vigil resumes his usual position) ';.The d.utyof aUis Right Silence.. (Ris-

i.ng his Sceptre straight upwards) Let thatFire burn,ALL: [raising Sceptres or right. hanas

straight upwards]Let the Fires hum.(AIl now stand to order.)VOLUNTAS:

Knowing the Right, let us s~ekthe Light, And may the .Fires '~wehave invoked hurn brightlyin ourlives.


ALL:

60 .-a11 1t be.

(All now tum to the East. with right handami arm outstretched. the principal officersholding their Sceptres towards the Star.)

VOLUNTAS:

Shine, Svmbol of !he King. Shinewith the splendour of Thy Light. Shinewith the might of Thy Fire : that in ThyLight and Fire we may learn to live ThyLaw.

(Angelus causes the Star to shineforth. and all with hands or Sceptresoutstretched bow .ow iri homage andehant :)

THE STAGE:OF FIRE. 37

ALL:So shall it be !

(The same tune as on previous page.)

(All then resume theirusual positions,standing to order.)

VOLUNTAS: (Holding his Sceptrealoh, the other principal officers doinglikewse) For- the Service of The IGngand in theName of the Hierophantof our Rite, a Lord of Light andFire, (pointing towards the Altar with rosSceptre, the other principal officers doinglikewse) 1 declare this Temple of theQuest to be.duly open.in the Stage of Fire.(Angelus causes the Fire over the Altar

to burst into Flame, and unveils the Altar.Voluntas sounds his bell three times, and


the other principal officers do ikewise,first Sapientia, then Artifex, then Vigil.)

VOLUNTAS :

Be seated.. Seekers for the Light.- (The following hymn is now sung] :

, " , Dwell in me, -Fire of God,.' Fill me with Life anew,

That 1mayolove as Thou dost Iove, "And to Thy Will be true.

.1' Dwell in me, Fire of God,.: . So thatmy heart grows pure,

So that my life is one with Thine . So that my way is sure.

'~' .I Dwell in me, Fire of God

.:.( " .:Till 1am whoIly Thine,

NOVA VITA

.S-..I

I 1.eJ. _d.

II-G-

I-J. .. .


Until all earthly parts of meGlow with Thy Fire Divine.

Dwell in me, Fire of God,So shall 1 never die,

But live in Thee the perfect lifeOf Thine Eternity.

Dwell in me, Fire of God,That 1may Thee adore,

Dwell in me, dwell, O Fire of God~Now and forever more.

ALL:

s. IIball ., M.


VOLUNTAS:

Seekers for the Light, let us now formthe Cirele of Goodwill.

(All descend .to the floor of the T em-ple, forming a cirele round the Altar.Voluntas, Artifex, Sapientia and Vigilstand in fue circle at the East, South.West and North respectively. All joinhands.)

VOLUNTAS:

Omnia Vincit Amor.ALL:Omnia Vincit Amor.VOLUNTAS:

Through Leve that is Pure,ALL:Through Leve that is Pure.VOLUNTAS :

Through Wisdom that is Troe.

.THE STAGE OF FIRE 41

ALL:

Through Wisdom that is Tme.VOLUNTAS:

Through Will that is Noble.ALL:

.Through WI that is Noble.,VOLUNTAS:

Through Silence that is Golden.ALL:

Through Silence that is Golden.VOLUNTAS:

May 1 find Thy Light, O Hierophantof our Rte.ALL:

May 1 find Thy Light, O Hierophantof our .Rite.(All loosen hands and turn outwards,

right-about face, with arms outstretched,palms inwards.)


VOLUNTAS:

Come with me, O world, to HimALL:

Come with me, O world, to Him.(All turn inwards once more, with

both hands upon the heart, left overright.)VOLUNTAS:

Omnia Vincit Amor.ALL:

Omnia Vincit Amor.(All return to their places, quietly and

in orderly manner.)VOLUNTAS:

Be seated, Seekers for the Light.(Any necessary business is now trans-

acted.) .

CEREMONY OF ADMISSION TO A

TEMPLE OF THE QUEST

In the Stage of Fre

(The Candidate. having been dulyapproved beforehand by Voluntas, Artifex.Sapientia and Vigil, and subsequently bythe brethren of the Temple, stands atthe entrance of the Temple, with twocopies of the signed Dedication in bishand. and sounds a single note on thebell.)ARDUA:

Who are you ? What do you seek ?CANDIDATE :


1 am a wanderer in darkness. 1 seekthe Light.

ARDUA:

What do you know of Light, being ind.arkness ?

CANDIDATE:

Even in the darkness there is the promiseof Light.

ARDUA:

you say well. Wait while 1report,(Ardua now k.nocks once upon the

entrance, and. Etha goes without. Arduareports lo him and hands the signed Dedi-cations. &ha then re-enters the Temple.)

ETHA :

Voluntas, a wanderer in darkness standswithout, seeking admission to our Temple.He offers tokens of ,his worthiness toenter.


VOLUNTAS:

Let these tokens be given,(Etha hands the signed Dedications to

Rector, who has come to receive them, andwho hands one copy of the signed Dedi-cation to Voluntas, and places the otheron the Altar. Etha then knocks 'onceupon the entrance, on which signal Arduainstructs the candidate first to say:"Good Will," and then to sound thebello Next to say : " Good Thoughts," andthen again to sound the belL .Next,,. Good Deeds," and. then the belloFinally, Silence, and then the bello Aftereach 'note there should be a slightpause. After the first note has beensounded on the bell, Voluntas says :)

VOLUNTAS : .

. Good will.


(After the second note has been sound.-ed, Sapientia.says :)

SAPIENTIA ::

Good .Thoughts.(After the third note has been sounded,

Artifex says :)ARTIFEX :

Good Deeds.(After the fourth note has been sounded,

Vigil says :)VIGIL:

.Silence.(A slight pause.)VOLUNTAS:

We recognize the tokens, He has theeyes to see. Let him enter our Light, andlet ngelus attend him.

[ngelus, with the usual salute, proceedsto the entrance of the .Temple, recerves


the Candidate as he is admitted by Ardua,and stands to the right of the Candidate,in the North-west.)

VOLUNTAS:

Friend, be welcome. By right of thefour bells, you enter our Temple. Doyou desire to seek further ?. CANDIDATE : (prompted).1 do so desire, for 1 seek ardently,VOLUNTAS: .

. Then shall Angelus .guide you to thatsacred place in our Temple whence thosewho seek ardently begin their quest.

[ngelus conducts the -Candidate to theAltar; and stands beside him. Voluntasdescends to the Altar, attended by Rector.who carnes a sword upon a cushion.Agni stands behind Voluntas swingingbis censer.)

48 TEMPLE OF THE QUEST .

VOLUNTAS:

Do you promise to keep due silencewith regard to all that passes in Templesof the Egyptian Rite ?.CANDIDATE :

1do.VOLUNTAS:

Then kneeI on both knees, placeyour "hands on this book which is acopy of ..f/.l the Feet 01 the e5tCaster, heldsacred by all true Seekers for the Light~and read your solemn Declication. Rise~Seekers for the Light,(a pause to enablefue -brethren to rise befare he speaksagain) and aid our .brother as he placeshis offering at the Feet of the Lord ofLight.(All now stretch out their right hands.

palms downwards. the principal officers


usmg their Sceptres, towards the Candi-date. After each Affirmationthe Organistsounds a single note upon a bell.)

CANDIDATE:

In the midst of Hatred 1 seek Love.-(Pause. The Organist sounds a singlenote upon a bell.)

In the midst of Ignorance 1 seek Wjsdom.(Pause, etc.)

In the midst of Darlmess I seek Light.(Pause, .etc.)

O Lord of Light, aid your younger brotherin the Darlmess to find the Light and to livein it unto Life Eternal.(As the Candidate speaks these words,

each brother raises his hand upwards.And after thia Call to the Lord of Lightthe .Organist sounds three notes up-on the bell. Voluntas then raises his

4


Sceptre above the head of the Candidate,saying :)

VOLUNTAS:

May the Blessing of the Light you seekbe with you now and for evermore.ALL ":

,

So ahall 1t be.

VOLUNT AS : (with the appropriate move-ments of his swords, the principal officersfollowing him with their Sceptres, and thebrethren standing to order] :

In the Power of the Lord of Light, Whoseaid .yon have invoked, under the auspices of


the Sovereign Sanctuary o the EgyptianRite of the Anclent Mysteries. and by virtneo the authority in me vested. 1 receive youinto the Brotherhood o the Quest for theLight. and into ths :Temple in the Stage oFire ..(At the word "receive," Voluntas

places his sword on the head of theCandidate. The Organist sounds threenotes upon a bell when Voluntas hasfinished speaking. The officerspointwiththeir Sceptres to the head of the Candidate,and the brethren stretch out their handstowards him as before. The sword isthen returned to Rector, and the officersplace their Sceptres upon their respectivePedestafs, and all stand to order inthe usual manner, Agni resuming hisseat.)


VOLUNTAS:

~ Rise, duly dedicated and consecratedSeeker for the Light, and enter the Stageof Fire..Seekers of the Light, be seated.(Angelus now places the Neophyte in

the North-east, while Voluntas takeshis stand in the South-east, facing theNeophyte.)

1 am now pennitted to communicate toyou the signs and passwords of this stage of

I your quest, which we caIl the Stage of theFire. You wilI need these signs duringthe courseof the ceremony which follows~so 1 ask you to pay careful attention tothem. The first is the Sigo of Order,andis made by placing the right hand uponthe heart. In this position the brethrenstand to order in our Temple. This is


the first Sign of Salute. The second isthe regular Sign of Salute, and is made byextending the right arm fullyoutwardsandslight1y upwards, the hand being .out-'stretched, the fingers being close together.This sign is made when salutes are given,In the case of both signs you shouldstand perfectly erect, with your heelstogether. The Grip is . . . The pass-owords are .Q A . . .. TheMystic Word in this stage is Vir,whichto us signifies Vita 1gne Renooatur, Life isrenewed by Fire.

(Voluntas now retums to his Pedestal,the Neophyte remaining where he is.)VOLUNTAS: (seated)Artifex, (Artifex rises and gives the two

aalutes]1place our newly admitted brotherin your care, and ask you to invest him


with the Apron marking this stage ofhis quest for the Light.(Artifex now bows and descends from

'his Pedestal ando facing the Neophyte inthe South-east, says :)

ARnFEX :

Fellow.-seeker for the Light, happilywill 1 help you at this stage of yourquest, ando as commanded.. 1 investyou with the Apron which distinguishesall Seekers for the Light. Its simplewhiteness symbolizes that selfless purityand harmlessness without which alI seek-. .mg 18 m vam..(Artifex returns to his Pedestal, and

then saIutes Voluntas in the usual way.Angelus now advances the Neophyte infront o the Pedestal of Voluntas. wherehe stands to order.)


VOLUNTAS :

K.now, my brother, that you yourselfare the Light you seek, and thereforesay to yourself: , 1 am the Light.Let the Light shine." Let your Lightshine even as a mighty Fire, to burnaway the weeds of darkness and revealthe Flowers of Light, Angelus, you willnow show our brother the Way of Fire,that he may learn how to fan the sparksof Righteousness into mighty Fires ofPower.

(Angelus now instructs the Neophyteto take a single step forward towardsthe Pedestal of Voluntas, and then to givethe two saIutes, afterwards standing loorder, Suitable music should be playedvery softly during this part of theCeremony.)

56 TEMPLE OF 'THE QUEST

VOLUNTAS: (rising and returning bothsalntes, then taking and raisinghis Sceptre)1 am th~ Fire of the Will. (He thenmakes a circle from left to right vertically~,beginning at the top, in front of theNeophyte,and then points his Sceptretowards the Neophyte through the centreof the circle thus made, saying with strongintention:) 1 burn away aIl weeds ofIndecisin.

(Voluntas is then seated, and Angelusnow conducts the Neophyte to thePedestal of Sapientia, both bowing asthey pass the Pedestal of Artifex andinstructs him to advance as before.)SAPIENTIA: (rising and retuming both

salutes. then taking and raisinghis Sceptre)1 am the Fue of Wisdom. (He then

makes a horizontal line sharply from Ieft


toright before the Neophyte, about thelevel of the latter' s eyes, and then pointshis Sceptre towards the Neophyte, sayingwith strong intention :)I bum away all weeds of Ignorance.(Sapientia is then seated, and ngelus

now conducts the Neophyte to thePedestal of Artifex, both bowing asthey pass the Pedestals of Vigil andVoluntas, and instructs the Neophyte toadvance as before.)

ARTIFEX: (rising and returning bothsalutes, then taking and raising his Sceptre)I am the Fire of Love. (He then

makes a vertical line sharply before theNeophyte, down the centre of the Iatter' sbody, and then points his Sceptre to-wards the Neophyte, saying with strongintention :)

I


1 bum away all weeds of Selfishness.(Artifex is then seated, and ngelus

now conducts the Neophyte to Mente,both saluting the PedestaIs as before, aridinstructs him as before.)

MENTE : [rising and returning bothsalutes, and then raising his right hand)1 arn. the Fire of the Mind. (Touching

the head of the Neophyte with strongintention)1burn away all weeds of Pride.(Mente is then seated, and Angelus

now conducts the Neophyte to Astra, andinstructs him as before.)ASTRA: (rising and retuming both

salutes, and then raising his right hand)1am the Fire of the Emotions. (Touching

the heart of the Neophyte with strongintention)

)THE STAGE OF FIRE 59

1burn away all weed.sof Impurity.(Astra is then seated, and ngelus

now conducts the Neophyte to Etha. andinstructs him as before.)ETHA: (rising and retuming both

salutes, and then raising his right hand)1 am the Fire of Harmony. (Touching

the solar plexus of the Neophyte withstrong intention)

1 bum away all weeds of Discord.(Etha is then seated. and ngelusnow

conducts the Neophyte outside theentrance o the Temple to Ardua, andinstructs hirn as before.)

ARDUA: (retuming both salutes, andthen raising his right hand)

1 am the Fire of the Body. (Touchingsuccessively the left and right shouldersof the Neophyte with strong intention]


1 burn away all weeds of Ugliness,[ngelus now conducts the Neophyte

within the Temple to Vigil, and instructshiin as before.)VIGIL : (rising and returning both salutes,

then taking and raising his Sceptre)1 am the Fire of the Silence. (Extending

his Sceptre towards the Neophyte)1 hurn away all weeds of Evil Speech.(Vigil is then seated, and ngelus now

conducts the Neophyte to the East Iacingthe Pedestal of Voluntas.jnstructing himas before.)

VOLUNTAS:

My brother, having brought into ourmidst the bright sparks of Good Will.Good Thoughts, , God Deeds and Good -;Silence,' you have now learned howthey tnust be fanned into the Flames of


the Seven Mighty Fires, burning withinthe all-puriying Power of Silence. Maythese Fires bum brightly in you, so thatall weeds may disappear, and the Gardenof your life grow full of Flwers.

Ever remember thatof all these Firesthe Fire of Love is greatest, for, as a GreatTeacher has said, "all the rest withoutit would never be sufficient.n All Flowersare Flowersof Love,(Voluntas now descends from his

Pedestal and stands in the South-east.Angelus .instructs the Neophyte to[ace .him in the North-east. Voluntasthen communicates to him the DailyRitual. He then says :)

VOLUNTLS ~

l place round your neck for Re-membrance this .symbol of the dawning


of Light upon the darknessof your world.It is aRising Sun, Light and Fire of Life,whose greater rays depict the three Princi-pies of Life, the Greater Fires; theLesser Fires being symbolised by the foursmaller rays, the four lower bodies ofyour nature. Let it remind you thatwherever you are, there should be the Lightand Fire. Wear it openly in our Temple,but at other times so as not to be seen.

1 hand you with much happinessthis.Diploma of your membership of our.Brotherhood. lt should be a reminder to.you of your duty of loyal comradeshipwith those who, like yourseH, are ardentSeekers for the Light. .

Finally, 1 present to you, in the riame ofyour comrades here assembled, this price-.Iess little book on which lay your hands


during your solemn Dedication. Mybrother Artifex will help you to understandthe .splendid Fire of its Truth, for everyword in it comes flaming !rorothe very Fireitself of a mighty Lord of Light.(Raising his right hand) Go forth, brother

of the Fire, and be' afire with the SevenFires and with the One.(A suitable inscription in memory of the

happy event should have been written inthe book beforehand. and signed on be-half of the Brethren by the four Principal. Officers and Angelus. Voluntas nowretums to his Pedestal. and ngelusconducts the Neophyte to a seat in theSouth-east, and resumes his own place.The following Charge may now be givenor, preferably, should be postponed toanother meeting.)


VIGIL:

My brother, (The Neophyte stands,gives the two salutes, and is then seated.)1 congratulate you on your birth intoour midst, and on being baptised inthe power of the Seven Fires andof theOne. In the Light they shed youwill, 1am sure, perceive that it is not enough,ifyouwouldfind the Light, merelyto havegoodwill. merely to think good thoughts,merely to do good deeds, merelyto havelearned to practise the great virtue ofSilence. All these are excellent,but theyare not enoughto enable you to achievethe End. The Light you seek is indeed aglowing warmth, but it is muchmore. ltisa consuming Fire which relentlesslyburns away all weeds in the Gard~n ofyour Lie, and melts into nothingness the


stoongest prison walls which darkness may,..have fashioned. to keep the Light inslavery, impotenteThe Light you seek is the Light Free,

the Light Happy, the Light Splendid. Alllesser Light, however bright, is at most butdarkness visible. But that Light, the Lightof the BlazingStar, is the LightTriumphant,before whichall that is of darkness ceasesand .is no more.:Temper the power of the Light

descending Irom Heaven to the weaknessof the Light ascending frOIDEarth, asheneath the cool shade of trees creaturestake refuge from -the burning brightnessof the noonday Sun.

But take care never to compromise withdarkness, lest you betray the very l.ightyou are learning to find and to know. If

5


you would become a Lord of Light and aMaster of the Seven Fires and of the One..cease at all times and in all ways to bea slave to darkness.Take care not to be deceivedby those

who declare that their dark.nessis Light.No darkness is ever Light, nor is it ever a:way to Light, In the blindness of publicopinion, of convention, of tradition, ofcustom, of orthodoxy, dark.ness oftenmasquerades as Light, Hatred is dark-ness. Falsehood is dMk.ness. Violenceis darkness. Pride is dark.ness. Gossipis darkness. Superstition is dark.ness.Crueltyis darkness. Tyranny is dark.ness.Ill-wilI is darkness. Ignorance is dark-ness. Ugliness is darkness. With theseJ.S ever sorrow and defeat. Be notdeceived. Mock not the Light.. Butleam

CHARITY

-~ L. J I , I ~ rall. Voicu in UniBon..IJ'" rJ '--'~ v I ~ rJ -' , "7 rJ ~ r r J --J rJD ':J Ir~"-

IJ --.. --.. rJ r _ ..:- .-.: rJ r" -t.I 'F~r I i -- I ORG.' I ~P 0",----9-~-1___-1 -1 .el.J- .J.~ .J I I I ...f-,;.p..J" . ~ ~ --- :-- ..- ~- Ir--c.;. , ... r-- rJ --. 1"1 - ,. J rJ :-- --:~ v r.J I r-- ~r- r: - :-- "v 11 1In!~ I . I


instantly to know the Light from darkness.Great is the Light, and those who knowit shall with the Light prevail, for withLight alone is joy and victory, Live pure.Speak true, Right wrong. Follow the Light.(The' following hymn is now sung.)

Love is kind, and suffers long ;Love is meek and thinks no WTOng;Love, than death itself more strong ;

Therefore give us Love.

Prophecy will fade away,Melting in the light of day ;Love will ever with us stay ;

Therefore give us Love.

Faith wl vanish into sight,Hope be emptied in delight,


Love in heaven will shine more bright ;Therefore give us Love.

Faith and hope and love we seeJoining hand in hand agree ;But the greatest of the three..

-And the best, is Love.

Frorn Thy Peace o'ershadowing,From Thy GIory heartening,Shed on us, who to Thee sing,

Holy, heavenly Love.ALL: So shall it be.

o ~ IJ' "" I I I 11

~ 1 r I I 11 1 [1 1'"2 I L.I 11~ ~ -O- - r I ~--.- -.. .-1_",

. u MI - -

CEREMONY OF CLOSING THETEMPLE IN THE STAGE OF FIRE

VOLUNTAS:

Seekers for the Light, let us dwellfor a few moments in the Silence,rejoicing in the Light we have found. (Apause. Then Voluntas rises and says : )

VOLUNTAS :

Vigil, 1 request you to read to us fromAt the Feei 01 the Master a short passageappropriate to the Stage of Fire.

Rise, Seekers for the Light.(All rise, and' remain standing to order

while Vigil reads a suitable, short extractoAt the conclusin, Voluntas says :)


VOLUNTAS:

Seekers for the Light, be seated.(A pause for a few moments. Then

Ardua sounds a bell from his placeoutside the Temple. ' Artifex rises withthe usual salutes.)ARTIFEX :

Voluntas, a call IS heard from theouter world of.darkness., (Artifex standstoorder)

VOLUNTAS:

We listen.ARDUA: (from without) Seekers for the

Light, the darkness needs you.VOLUNTAS:

We hear.. Artifex, what is our answer ?ARTIFEX: (saluting as usual)We seek. We find. We share. (Artifex

is seated)

..


VOLUNTAS:Sapientia, how shall we share ?SAPIENTIA: (rising and saluting as usual)As each needs, so let him receive.

(Sapientia is seated.)VOLUNTAS: (rising and saluting Vigil)Vigil, what does each need ?V IGIL! (rising and saluting as usual)The Light his .eyes can see. (Vigil is

seated.)VOLUNTAS:Seekers for the Light, seeking ardently

we find. Let us go forth to share witheach, according to his needs and strengthto see, flames from the Seven .Firesand from the One. (rising, and givingthe two salutes, and therr; :after speak-ing, being seated) Vigil, what will youshare?

72 TEMPLE 'OF THE QUEST

VIGIL: [rising, etc.)Control of Tongue.VOLUNTAS: (seated)you, Sapientia ?SAPIENTIA: (rising, etc.)Humility of Wisdom -,VOLUNTAS:

you, Artifex ?ARTIFEX: (rising. etc.)Unselfishness of Love.VOLUNTAS:

You, Mente?MENTE: (rising. etc.)Serenity of MinclVOLUNTAS.:

yOU, .Astra ?ASTRA: (rising, etc.)Purity of Emotions.VOLUNTAS :

THE STAGE OF FlRE 73

You, Etha ?ETHA: (rising, etc.)Peace in Harmony.VOLUNTAS:

Yoc, Ardua?ARDUA : (from without, rising, etc.)Grace in Action.VOLUNTAS:

ngelus, you too have a precious giftto share.

ANGELUS : (rising. etc.)1 share the comradeship of the Angels.VOLUNTAS : (rising, etc.)And 1 shall share with each the

Will to be a King. a Fire omnipotent,Seekers for the Light, let these be theLight .we carry into the darkness, thatwe, the sons of God. may say with theFather : Let there be Light.


ALL : (seated)And there was Light.

...

(The following hymn is now sung.)

o Trinity of burning Light,Shine Thou within our hearts this night ;The fiery Sun sinks in the west,Grant us in Thee in peace to resto

.To Thee our morning song of praise,To Thee our evening hymn we raise ;Thy Love enfolding we adore,For everand for evermore..


Praise Light from Whom a1lbless.ngsflow,

Praise Light all creatureshere below,Praise Light, all heavenly hosts ahove.All hail to Thee, O Heart of Love !

ALL:

So 1lba11 lt be.

VOLUNTAS:

Seekers for the Light. you haveheard the Call from the darkness.you knowof our treasures to share. Speakyourword.


ALL:

Seek. Find. Share.VOLUNTAS :

So be it. Rise, Seekers for the Light.(All rise and stand to order. Voluntasthen raises his hands in blessing.) Letthe Light we have sought, let the Lghtwe have found, be the Light we share.And mav the Light of the Hierophantof our Rite be in our hearts and in thehearts of all true Seekers for the Lightthroughoutthe world.

ALL:

So shallit be.

(The same tune as on the previous pagel


VOLUNTAS: (Raising his Sceptre)For the Service of The King, and

in the Narne of the Hierophant ofour Rite, 1 close this Temple of theQuest in the Stage of Fire.

(Rector extinguishesthe Star, and Ange-lus the Fire above the Altar, and then veilsthe Altar. Voluntas then sounds his bellthree times, and is followedby Sapientia,Artifex and Vigil successively. Rectornowforms a procession as in the Opening, Agnileading, and the brethren leave the Temple.the officers following them as in theopening, singing the following hymnwhich, being short, should not be begununtil all are in their proper places in theprocession. The Organist then playsthe whole tune, after which all sing softly


and together. If convenient, the brethren,after going in procession once round theTemple, form two lines near the entrance,through which Voluntas and the officerspass in order of seniority. The brethrenfollow, turning inwards two by two, andbeginning with the two farthest from the .entrance, and nearest to the officers. Ifthis is not convenient, the officers aloneform the two lines.)

Closed is the solemri hour,The Sacred Rites are done :And lo! the music of Thy PowerThrills through us, every one.0Master, let'1:hatharmonySing through the lives we lead forThee!

ROSY CROSSQ

:~ > I ,- I z I f .~ .. :"'.. I -u1'\ I A ... I .-.A.. """7~. ..., I ..., r-l 1'" ..., 11 -n I ., r .-1 1

1 '"17

I:.. TI '. L.--';: 1 - \J I . J_ J -r I 'r-r r 0'0~

06- I U ~.... -6;-' ~< ~ I~


And now with reverent pace,Our strength renewed in Thine,Devoted guardians of Thy Grace,Quit we this Holy Shrine,And pass into the silent night,To be the bearers of Thy Light.

THE STAGE OF FORM

6

TEMPLE OF THE QUESTCE'REMONY OF OPENING ,

THE TEMPLE IN THE STAGEOF FORM

(The Temple having been opened inthe Stage of Fire, and the necessarybusiness in that Stage having beentransacted, brethren who have notproceeded .beyond the Stage of Fire arenow asked by Voluntas to withclraw.They do so, saluting in the usual mannerthe officers whose PeelestaIs th.ey pass,finally saluting Voluntas at the entrance tothe Temple. Ardua now. enters fue


Temple and takes a seat near the entrance,Voluntas then sounds a single note on hisbell and says :)

VOLUNT AS: [rising and saluting Vigil)Vigil, whence have we come ~VIGIL: (rising. saluting and then re-

maining standing)From Darkness.VOLUNT AS : [remaining standing) ,Artifex, in what do we live ?ARTIFEX : (rising, etc.)In Fire.VOLUNTAS :

Sapientia, what is Darkness ?SAPIENTlA: (rising, etc.)Light Asleep.VOLU~AS: (saluting)Vigil what is Fire ?VJGlL: [saluting, etc.)

THE STAGE OF FORM 85

Light the Awakener.VOLUNTAS :

Artifex, whither is our Way ?AATIFEX : (saluting)To Light Awake.VOLUNTAS:

Sapientia, how does Light awaken ?SAPIENTIA: (saluting)Through the burning of the Seven Fires

within the One.VOLUNTAS :

Let the Seven Fires be named. (Hepoints his Sceptre at each of the officersin turn ; they answer as follows:)

ARDUA: [rising, saluting and then re-maining standing)

Right Action.ETHA: (rising, etc.)Right Hannony.

86 TEMPLE OF THE' QUEST

ASTRA: (rising. etc.)Right Feeling.MENTE: (rising, etc.)Right Thought.ARTIFEX: (saluting)Right Love.SAPIENTIA: (saluting)Right Wisdom.VOLUNTAS: (saluting)Right Will.VIGIL: [saluting]And the One Fire is Right Silence.VOLUNTAS:Artifex, what do these Fires awaken ~ARTIFEX: (saluting)Right Form.VOLUNTAS:Seekers for the Light, in us the Light

asleep has been awakened by Fire. Let


Right Form arise from Fire, ,that Life-maydwell therein.

Rise, Seekers for the Light. (All me,and stand to order, giving the two salutes,Ypluntas then raises his Sceptre, the otherofficers doing likewise, and says :)

On this work of the Stage of Form, 1invoke the Blessing of the Hierophantof our Rite, a Lord of Form. May ourForms take shape in the perect Image ofHis and their Etemity.

ALL:

80 11 tt ~.


VOLUNTAS:In the Power of the Blazing Star, and in

the 'Name and for the Service of theHierophant of our Rite (pointing with hisSceptre to the Altar, alI copying hUri),'1open in the Stage of ' Forro this Temple ofthe Quest, '

(After replacng his Sceptre upon thePedestal. the other principal offcers doingikewise, Voluntas gives two quick strokesthree times on his helI, and is followed bySapentia, Artifex and Vigil successively.ngelus places the Tetrahedron upon theCube on the Altar.)

VOLUNTAS: Be seated, Seekers far theLight.

(The following hymn isnow sung:)


Never fearing, never doubting,With a finn and joyous heart,Ever onward, constant tending,Act thou e'e~a brave man's part ;With a high and holy purpose,Doing all thou hast to do,Seeking ever man's upraising,With the noblest end in viw.

Slow:lymoves the march of ages,Slowly grows the forest king,Slowly cometh to perfectionEvery great and glorious thing :Acoros which the winds have scat-tered

Carry forests on their wings ;Helpless in the blessed cradleAre the world's resplendent kings.


Eamestt hopeful and unswerving,Steadfastly pursue thy Way.Never genius, saint or heroLeft the fight to run away.Serve The King withWill unchanging,Serve Him with the Fire of Love,Serve Him in all Truth and Wisdom,Serve Him and the Saints above.

ALL:

(Any necessary business in the Stage ofForm is now transacted, and, if there bean admission, Ardua now resumes hisusual place outside the Temple.)

CEREMONY OF ADMISSIONTO THE TEMPLE

In the Stage of Form

(The Candidate, having been dulyapproved beforehand by Voluntas, Arti-fex, Sapientia and Vigil, and subsequent-Iy by the brethren of the Temple, standsat the entrance, robed as a Seeker for theLight in the Stage of Fire, and wearingthe prescribed Apron, with two copies ofthe signed Dedicabon in his hand, andsounds a single note on the bell.)

ARDUA: (taking the signed Dedi-cations) Who are you? What do youseek ?


CANDIDATE:

1 am a Seeker for the Light. 1 seekmore Light.ARDUA:

What do you know of the Light ?CANDIDATE ~

1 know the Seven Fires which are IDthe One.ARDUA:

Wait while 1reporto(Ardua now knocks once upon the

entrance, and Etha comes without, to.whom he reports and hands the signedDedications. Etha then re-enters theTemple and says :)

ETHA :

Voluntas, a Seeker for the Light waitswithout, seeking admission to our Templein the Stage of Form. He declares that

THE STAGE OF..FORM 93

he knows the Seven Fires which are inthe One,

VOLUNTAS :

Let him be admitted through the SevenFires.(Etha. after handing to Rector the

signed Dedicatons, one of which is placedupon the Altar and the other handed toVoluntas, proceeds outside the Temple.leaving the entrance door open, andinstructs the Candidate to take sevensteps forward, halting after each step istaken, and saying :)

After the first: lbrough the Fire ofAction.

After the second: Through the Fire ofHarmony.After the third: Through the Fire of

tb.eEmotiona.

..94 TEMPLE OF THEQUEST

.: After the fourth: Through the. Fre oftheMincl.

After the fifth : Through the Fire of Love . After the sixth: Through the Fire of

Wisdom.(The seventh step should take him

within the entrance of the Temple, withinwhich he wiIl say r) Through the Fire ofWill.

(He then says:) 1 seek more Light.(He then stands to order .in the

Stage of the Fire and gives the twosalutes.): -VOLUNTAS: (retuming the salutes as inthe Stage of Fire) We receive you gladJ:y~and send our brother .Angelus to attendyou.":'(An.gel1!s~ater :saluting as in the Stageof Fire, proceeds down the Tmple "ahd'. .


stands to the right of the Candidate, Ethaelosing the door and going to his seat.]

VOLUNTAS:

It is now my duty to ask if these SevenFires within you are buming brightly ~

CANDIDATE: [prompted by Angelus) 1tend them carefully.

VOLUNTAS:

you answer well. Artifett, our brotherhas been in your careo Do you desire tobear witness on his behaH ?

ARTlFEX: (saluting as in the Stage ofFire and rising) Idesire to bear witness tothe worthiness and steadfastness of ourbrother, and to the fact that he has tendedspecially the Fires of the Body, of Harmonyand of the Emotions. He has also studieddiligently with meAI the Fat of the Master,and has regularly attended our Ceremonies.

96 . TEMPLE OF THE QUEST

. (Artifex salutes as before and isseated.)

VOLUNTAS:

Brethren, you have heard the testimonyof Artifex. Do you welcome our brother.ofthe Fire into our midst ?(The brethren, remaining seated, give

the two salutes as in the Stage of Fire.)VOLUNTAS:

Then let him once more kneel at theAltar and dedcate himseH to the Wayof the Stage of Form, ' ....(Angelus, after saluting ,with the Candi-

date in the Stage of Fire, conduets himto the Altar where he kneels. Voluntas,attended by Rector, who carries a swordupon a cushion, descends to the .Altar,Agni stands behind Voluntas swinginghis censer.)


VOLUNTAS :

Place your hands again on Al th Fedo/ the Master and read your solemn Dedi-cation. Rise, Seekers for the Light, andaid our brother as he places a furtheroffering at the Feet of the Lord ofLight.

(All rise, and stand to order.)

CANDlDATE:

In the midst of the Fire 1seek the Pare :(Pause. The Organist sounds adouble note on his bell.)

1 seek Purity of Body (Pause, etc.)I seek Purity of Feelings (Pause, etc.)1 seek Purity of Thougbt. (Pauae. etc.)Thus do 1 seek Light amidst the Darbesa.and Form amidst Fire. (PaUle.etc.)

7


(As the Candidate speaks the abovewords, each brother stretches out his righthand towards him, palm downwards, theprincipal officers pointing towards himtheir Sceptres.)

o Lord of Light, aid your younger brotherseeking the; Light lo find it ud to Jjve in itunto Life Eternal.

(As the Candidate speaks these words,each brother raises his hand upwards, andVoluntas for a moment raises hishand above the head of the Candidate,the other principal officers likewis_eraisingtheir hands. After the word "Eternal"~e Organist sounds three double strokeson his bello Then Voluntas.says, raisinghis Sceptre :)


VOLUNTAS:

May the Blessing of the Light you seekbe with you now and forever more.

ALL:

So.-11 lt be.

VOLUNTAS : (with the appropriate move-ments, the officers following himwith theirSceptres, while the brethren stand toarder.)

ID the power of the Bieropbant of our Rite,whose aid 'you Lave invoked, under theauspiclSof' the Sovereign Sanctuary of !he' EgyptinRite of tbe Anclent Mysteries, and by virtue of


the authority in me vested. 1 receive youinto the Stage of Form oEthe Temple o theQuest.

(At the worll " receive," Voluntas placesbis sword on the head of the Candidate.The Organist then sounds three doublenotes upon a bell. The officerspoint withtheir Sceptres to the head of the Candi-date. The sword is then returned toRector. The Officers place their Sceptresupon their respective Pedestals, and thenstand to order in the usual manner. Agniresumes his seat.)

VOLUNTAS:

Rise. duly dedicated and consecratedSeeker for the Light, and enter the Stageo Forro.


(Angelus now places the Neophyte inthe North-east, while Voluntas takes hisstand in the South-east, facing fue Neo-phyte.)VOLUNTAS:

Seekers for the Light, be seated.1 am now able to communicate to you

the signs and passwords of this Stage ofyour Quest, which we caIl the Stage ofForm. The Sign of Order, the first Salute,is as in the Stage o Fire. The secondSign of Salute is made by dosing thefingers of the right hand as if holdingthe hilt of a sword and then placingthe hand upon the left hip as if aboutto draw the sword from its scabbard.In the case of both signs you shouldstand as previously directed in theStage of Fire. There are two Mystic


Words .in this Stage-the first is Fas, a.Latn word signifying Right, according toaw, just; and which to us signifies FormaA nimae Seroa, Forrn is the servant of theSoul : and the second is Via, also a Latinword, which means Way; and which tous signifies Vehimur In A ltum, we arecarried out into the Deep.The Grip in this Stage is. . and

the Password as in the first Stage. Thelatter you must be ready to give as youenter a meetingof the Temple of the Questin the Stage of Form.

(Voluntas now returns to his Pedestal~the Neophyte remainingwhere he is.)

VOLUNTAS :

.Sapientia, I place our newly advancedbrother in your care, and ask you to in-vest him with the einblems marking this


further stage of progress in his -quest forthe Light.

(The Neophyte is now conducted.to theNorth-westt where he stands facing South.Sapientia, after saluting in the usual way,descends from his Pedestal ando facingthe Neophyte in the South-west. says :)

SAPIENTIA:

Fellow-seeker far the Light, happilywillI help you in this Stage of your Quest,ando as commanded, I invest you with theemblems which distinguish your furtherprogress.

In the First Stage you were enduedwith ~ pure white apron, to remind you ofthe perfect purity and harmlessness to-wards which you must ever strive. Butthe negative quality is not enough : weare soldiers of The King, and that wemay

104 TEMPLE OF THE. QUEST

serve Him well and faithfullythe Fire of.Love, the Fire oI Wisdom and the Fire ofWill must illumineand viviy the purity ofthe soul. The wisest of men has saidthat we should not only cease to do evil,but also learn to do good. As a token ofthis you will see that upon the whitetriangle of your purity and harmlessnessthere now appear three lesser triangles,forthshowing the downpouring of theseGod-likeforces.

(Sapientia retums to his Pedestal, aftersaluting Voluntas in the usual way.Angelus now advances. the Neophyte tothe Pedestal of Voluntas.)VOLUNTAS:

. My brother, in the Stage of Fire youhave been buming away the weeds ofdarkness and ignorance, so that the


flowers of Light and Truth may grow intothe fulness of their beauty, and spreadtheir fragrance far and wide.In this Stage of Form the F~es must

bum even more brightly. And just as inthe Stage before, the Fires of the Body andof the Em~tions were specially to betended, so in this Stage we pay specialattention to the Fire of the Mind.Thus, out of the Fire shall arise forms

worthy to be further moulded into theimage of their own Divinity. ngelus,letour brother learn of the Fire of the Mind.

(Angelus, after instrcting the Neophyteto salute Voluntas in the usual way,conducts him to the Pedestal of Sapientia,to whom he directs the Neophyte toadvance with a single step and then togive the usual salutes.)

106 . TEMPLE OF THE QUEST

SAPIENTIA: (retuming the salutes)The Fire of the Mind is the Fire of

Discrimination.It burns away all selfishness in thought,

and leaves thought filled with the gold ofselflessness.It burns away all power to choose the

wrong, and leaves the Right as undisputedMaster of the Mind.It burns away all stifling weeds of

Pride. and filIs the Garden of the Mindwith Flowers of true Humility.It burns away all falsehood. and leaves

Tmth triumphant.(Sapientia resumes his seat, after w-hich

ngelus instructs the Neophyte to salutein the usual way and then conducts himto the Pedestal of Voluntas, giving thetwo salutes.)


VOLUNTAS: [retuming the salutes}With your Mind thus puriied, and with I

the aid of pure Emotions and of apureBody, you will be able to begin to mouldthe perfect form.

Now learn of the three Right Waygof moulding formo Ways which arethree yet One, Ways which he alonemay take in whom the Fire of theBody, the Fire of the Emotions andthe Fire of the Mind, have bumedaway the base, leaving in purity theTrue.

ngelus, let our brother leam of thethree Right Ways of moulding, wherebythe Lile of God shall nd fit vessels forits indwelling.

(Angelus, atter instructing the Neophyteto salute V01untas in the usual way.


conducts him to the Pedestal of Artifex,to whom he directs the Neophyte loadvance with a single step and then tog-ivethe usual salutes.)

ARTIFEX: (rising and returning thesalutes]I am the Way of the Saint, Who

moulds His mage.in the likeness of theLove of God.Mould your form, if you will, in the

likeness of His Love.(ngelus. instructing as before, con-

ducts the Neophyte lo the Pedestal ofSapientia.)SAPIENTIA: (rising and returning the

salutes)I am the Way of the Genius, Who

moulds His Image In the likeness of theWisdom of God.


Mould your form, if you will. in thelikeness of His Wisdom.

(Angelus, instructing as before, conductsthe Neophyte to the Pedestal of Voluntas.)VOLUNTAS: (rising and returning the

salutes]1am the Way o the Hero, Who moulds

His Image in the likeness of the Will ofGod.Mould your form, if you will, in the

likeness of His Will.Yet hear the words of Vigilo(Angelus, instructing as before, conducta

the Neophyte to the Pedestal of Vigil.)VIGIL: (retuming the salutes]Know, .my brother, that though each

Way be Righ4 yet there is but One Way,the King's High Way, on which are alltrue ways. He who moulds his form in


the likeness of one aspect of God mustneecls mouId it in the likeness of the other

. two. He who would be filled with theLove of God must be wise and strong.He who would be filled with the Wisdomof God must know His Love and Power.He who would be filledwith the Powerof God must be wise and loving. Letyour mind seek and find the Love, theWisdom and the Will of God. Only asthese are found shall your feet be able totread tbe Way you choose, for in thetruly Creat all three Ways are seen asOne.Remember alsothat hewho safely treads

these Ways moves silently (Vigil hereplaces the first finger of his right handupon his lips, the other fingers beingcIosed upon the palm).


(Angelus now instructs the Neophyteto salute Vigil in the usual way.)

VOLUNTAS:

ngelus, you will now conduct ourbrother to the Altar. Rise, Seekers forthe Light. (While the brethren are takingtheir places the Organist plays appropriatemusic very softly.)(Angelus conducts the Neophyte to the

Altar, instructing him to remain standing.Voluntas, Artifex, Sapientia and Vigil nowdescend from their Pedestals with theirSceptres and take their stand to theEast, South, West and North respect-ively of the Altar, Sapientia standingbehind . the Neophyte, Ardua entersjtheTemple. and stands near Etha. Agnistands behind Voluntas andswings hiscenser.)


VOLUNTAS:

Advance, servants of a King-to-be, andstrengthen him.

(Mente. Astra and Etha advance and,with 'Ardua, form a line from North toSouth behind Sapientia, facing East.)

VOLUNTAS:

My brother, as the Seven Fires withinthe One burn with ever-increasingbright-ness so does the Way become clear andthe Form grow into the image of itsperfection.To strengthen you to find your Way

and to place your feet upon it heartily weare gathered round you. 1 ask you toknee1upon both knees (the Neophyte doesso) and to open your heart in reverenceto the Lord of Light Whose Name youinvoked a short while ago.

LEBBIEUS.

..y-r

J


Seekers for the Light, aid our brotherkneeling here with your power andgoodwilL

(The following Invocation is now sungby all, very softly, the Organist first playingover the tune.)

Lord and Master, gracious King,Hear us as to Thee we sing :" Bless Thy servant kneeling here,Let him feel Thy Presence.

"Grant him strength of heart and mindZealously to seek and findEach dark cloud with silver in'd,Through life everlasting . ."May he one day, of Thy Grace..Freed from aught impure and base,

8


Come to know Thee face to face,Great and wondrous Master."

ALL:

So 8_11 1t be.

(A few moments silence, ater whichVoluntas says :)VOLUNTAS:

Speak, servants of a King-to-be.ARDUA: (stretching out both hands,

palms downwards. towards the Neophyte,then again standing to order.)May your feet be swift and steadfast !ETHA: (with similar movements)May your body be strong and graceful 1


ASTRA: (with similar movements)May your heart be kind and faithful !MENTE: (with similar movements)May your mind be just and true !ARTIFEX : [pointing for a moment with

his Sceptre towards the Neophyte)May Lovef"ever inspire you ISAPIENTIA: (with similar movement)May Wisdorn ever guide you !VOLUNTAS : (with similar movement]May the Will of The King ever

strengthen you !VIGIL : (with similar movement)May you ever hear in the Silence

the Music of the Brotherhood ofLife I(A pause of a few moments, during

which the Organist plays softly someappropriate music. Then, on a signa]


from Voluntas , first the brethren generallyvery quietly take their places, then Agni,then Mente, Astra, Etha and Ardua retireto their respective places. Then Artifexresumes his place. Then Sapientia. ThenVigil. All remain standing.)

VOLUNTAS : [taking both the hands ofthe Neophyte].

Rise, my brother, go forth and seekyour Way. May it ever be a Way ofHappiness and Service.(The Organist plays joyous music.

Voluntas returns to his Pedestal. .Angelusconducts the Neophyte to a seat in theSouth..east.)

VOLUNTAS: Be seated, ..Seekers for theLight,(All are seated.)

CEREMONY OF CLOSlNG THETEMPLE IN THE STAGE OF FORM

VOLUNT AS : (rising and bowing to Vigil)Vigil, (Vigil rises and bows) 1 request

you to read from Al the Feet 01 the Mastera short passage appropriate to this stageof our work.

Rise, Seekers for the Light. (All riseand stand to order.)

(Vigil reads a short portion dealing withthe development of the mind.)

VOLUNTAS: .

Seekers for the Light, assist me to closeour Temple in the Stage of Form.


(Voluntas sounds a single note on abell.)

Artifex, what do we leam in the Stageof Fire ?

ARTIFEX: (giving the usual salutes)Control of body and emotions.VOLUNTAS:

Seekers for the Light, in control ofbody and of emotions les the Light weseek.Sapientia, what do we leam in the

Stage of Form ?SAPIENTIA : (giving the usual salutes)Controlof mind.VOLUNTAS:

Seekers for the .Light, in control of mindles the Light we seek. (bowing toVigil)Vigil, how do we find the Light ?


VIGIL: (giving the usual salutes)Through the Seven Fires in One, and

through the three Right Ways in One.VOLUNTAS: (taking his Sceptre and

raising it slightly upwards, the other prin-cipal officers doing likewise)Let the Seven Fires be ever tended,

and the Way be ever trodden.Let our Fire be Aspiration. Let our

Way be Tmth. Let our Strength be in theSilence.

(Voluntas now turns to the East, allbrethren tuming likewise. He then raiseshis Sceptre towards the Portrait, the otherprincipal officers doing likewise, thebrethren raising their right hands, armsoutstretched.)Arid may Thy Blessing, O Hierophant

of our Rite, rest upon us and upon all true


Seekers for the Light throiIghout theworld.ALL:

So .hall 1t be.

(All bow reverently, afterwards loweringtheir hands and standing' to . order; stilIfacing East. The principal officers holdtheir Sceptres across their chests, placingthe left hand over the Sceptre. TheOrganist then plays the whole tune of thefollowing hymn which is now sung, thebrethren waiting to begin until he beginsto play again.)

1'\ U. I I 1"11. "11. . --.1.;

~~~ ~ ~ r 1 ~ I~-1j ~ .~ .d-i ~t,-J -t -l". -u11 "11

"11-

I

.. t I I I. 1111

.J~ 1"TI...-

~t-', ~./Ili f1 ~ r.-e '~p ~Ir!. A " 'J I. . T 11.....

-n- n- .. - I \',


Take our bodies. let them beTemples pure and fit for Thee ;Take our feelings. make them ThineChannels for Thy Love Divine.

Take our minds and make themstrong

To distinguish right from wrong ;From false pride, Lord, make themfree,

Now and through Eternity.

Guide us as we seek our WayLet our light be Thine, we pray ;Let our wisdom, will and loveBe as Sunlight froro above.

Take our Fires. and let them beConsecrated. Lord. to Thee ;8a


Take usoLord. for we would beEver, only, all, for Thee.

All :

So .hall 1t be.

(All now resume their usual positions.),VOLUNTAS:

For the Service of The King, and in theName of the Hierophant of our Rite, 1close this Temple' of the Quest in theStage of Form.

(Voluntas sounds two quick notes threetimes on his bello followed by Sapientia,Artifex and Vig successively. TheTemple IS then resumed in the Stageof Fire.)


A SHORTER FORM OF OPENING

AND CLOSING

When it is desirable in opening or closing tbeStages of Fonn and Lile to shorten tbe Ceremony.the following Opening and Closing may 'besubstituted :

Opening

VOLUNTAS :

Rise, Seekers for the Light. (All rise.) Byvirtue of the authority in me vested 1declare theStage of Form (or Lile) to be open in the Templeof the Quest.

(Strokes on the beUsare given as in the longerfonn of opening, and according to the Stage whichis being opened. Angelus attends to the Altar.)Be seated. Seekers for the Light.

Cosng

VOLUNTAS:

Rise, Seekers for the Light. (All rise.) Byvirtue of the authority in me vested 1close this


Stage of Form (or Life) in the Temple of theQuest,

(Strokes on the bells are given as in the longerform of closing, and according to the Stage whichis being closed. Angelus attends to the Altar.)

THE STAGE OF LIFE

9

TEMPLE OF THE QUESTCEREMONY OF OPENINGTHE TEMPLE IN THE

STAGE OF LIFE

(The Temple. having previouslybeenopened in the Stage of Form, and allbrethren rwho have not proceeded beyondthe Stage of Form having been asked byVoluntas to withdraw, and doing so inthe usual manner, is now arranged incomparative darkness, but the Star isshining, and lights are burning on thePedestals of the principalofficers. Above


the Altar the Fire is burning, and on theAltar is the Star ready to be placed byngelus on the Tetrahedron whenVoluntas declares the Temple to be openin the Stage of Life. After a few momentssilence i) .VOLUNTAS : (remaining seated)Seekers for the Light, darkness passes

away, and by the Light af the SevenFires and of the One we have beenjourneying towards the Dawn. Formstake shape, and behold, (Angelus nowcauses the Temple to be a little more'lighted) the Light is drawing near. Letus wait awhile in silence, perchance tohear therein, even in our twilight, theWisdom of the Rising Sun.(A pause, during which the Organist

plays very sotlv some appropriate music,

THE STAGE OF LIFE 129

embodying, i possible, a spirit of homageto the Daw;u. Then Voluntas says :)

VOLUNTAS:

Rector, let the Seekers for the Lightprepare to hear.

(Rector rises and gives the first salute,i.e., stands to order, and then tums to thebrethren saying :)

RECTOR:

Rise, Seekers for the Light and drawswords.(All rise, but nof the officers, except Scriba

and Rector. The latter who then draws hissword from the scabbard, touches the hiltwith his lips, and then holds it at the carry.The brethren, bui not the officers, copy hismovements. When all are standing toorder, Etha gives a knock on the entranceto the Temple, on whichsignal Angelus


causes more light to shine in the Temple,and from outsde Ardua, rising speaksslowly and very impressively anddistinctly :)ARDUA: (with his right hand holding

the ht of his sword)1 am the body, (drawing his sword,

touching the hilt with his lips, and thenraising it aloft with arm outstretched.)

1 serve !he King. (He then holds thesword at the carry.)(The folIowing officers then rise

successively with similar movements,remaining standing with swords at thecarry after they have spoken. Additionallight is caused to shine, if possible, as eachofficer speaks.)ETHA:

1 am theLink.


1 serve The King..ASTRA :

1 am the Emotions.1 serve The King.MENTE:

1 am the Mind.1 serve The King.ANGELUS:

1 am ngelus.The Angels serve The King.ARTIFEX:

1 am the Love, the Lord of Death andChange ..

1 serve The King.SAPIENTIA:

1 am the Wisdom, the Lord of T ruth andUnderstanding.

1 serve The King.VIGIL:


1am the Law, the Way of Life.1 serve !he Kiug.VOLUNTAS:

1am the Will, the Lord of Victory.1serve TheKing.(The Temple must now be fully

lighted.)

RECTOR:

Seekers for the Light, face the MysticNorth.(All tum to face the Throne of Vigil, and

follow with their swords the movementsof Voluntas. Voluntas now holds hissword aloft with. arm outstretched, thebrethren copying him.)

VOLUNrAS :

We serve The King.ALL :

We serve TheKing. (A pause.)


(All now hold their swords at the carry.)RECTOR:

Seekers for the Light, face East.(All turn to the East, and copy

Voluntas as he once more raises hissword aloft.). VOLUNTAS:

. We serve Him Who represents TheKing. (A pause.)ALL:

We serve Him Who represents TheKing.(All now hold their swords at the carry,

and resume their usual positions.)VOLUNTAS: (raising his sword aloft, all

copying him]For the Service of The King and in the

Name of the Hierophant of our Rite, aLord of Life, (pointing with his sword


to the Altar, all copying him) 1open thisTemple of the Quest in the Stage of -Lie,(All now return their swords to the

scabbards, after which Voluntas soundshis bell with three quick notes threetimes, Sapientia, Artifex, and Vigil sound-ing theirs similarly and successively,Angelus places the Star upon the Tetra-hedron.)

VOLUNTAS:

Be seated, Seekers for the Light.(The following hymn is now sung.)

There is a King of Glory ;He shineth from afar,He writes the world's great storyWith Sunlight from His Star.His is the Will upholdingAll Life that dwells on earth ;

EVANGEL.

~ t~ I

1" I r r ~r .."; 'l'

~~~~~~i~i:J ~ le! B.J. .J. .d.

, ;.:1.; . . - ':;"" - '1"" t

:: .

THE STAGE OF LIFE J 35

His is the Plan unfolding-Through Life and Death and

Birth.

He is Tbe King of Gloxy,He is The King of Gloxy,He is Tbe King of Gloxy,And He Tbe King of All.

His is the Wisdom shiningFrom T ruth' s resplendent Sun ;Each life on earth refining,Until it is the One.His is the Love e'er burningThe dross from Life's pure gold ;The Love in which we're leamingAll creatures to enfold.

He is Tbe King of Gloxy. etc,


Mighty the Lords attendingThe Presence in the Hall ;Lowly before Him bendingAre Those Who know the CalloHark ! Hear the Angel voicesThe King of Glory praise.Hark ! The whole world rejoices.Let us our voices raise :

He is The King of Glory, etc.ALL: So may it be !

(Any necessary business is nowtransacted.)

CEREMONY OF ADMISSION TOTHE TEMPLE OF THE QUEST

In the Stage of Life

(Th Carididate, having been dulyapproved beforehand by Voluntas, Artifex,Sapientia and Vigil, and then by thebrethren generally, stands at the entranceto the Temple robed as a Seeker for theLight, and wearing the Apron prescribedfor the Stage ot Form. In his left handare two signed copies of his Dedication.With his right hand he gives a singleknock upon the bell.)

ARDUA:

Who are you ? What do you want? .


CANDIDATE:

1 am a Seeker for the Light journeyingtowards the Dawn. If worthy, 1 ask formore light upon my Way.

ARDUA:

Wait while 1 reporto(Ardua gives a single knock upon the

entrance to the Temple, on which Etha. goes without and Ardua reports . thepresence of the Candidate, at the sametime hancling to him the signed copies ofthe Dedication. Etha thereupon retumswithin the Temple, and hands the De-clarations to Rector who has cometo receive them, placing one copyon the Altar and handing the other toVoluntas. Etha then salutes Voluntas .saying :)

ETHA:


Voluntas, a Seeker for the Light jour-neying towards the Dawn asks furtherlight upon his Way, if worthy.

VOLUNTAS:

Is his worthiness attested ?ETHA:

It is.VOLUNTAS:

Then let him entero Angelus, 1 requestyou to attend him.

(Angelus salutes and goes to the en-trance of the Temple. Etha now admitsthe Canclidate, and Angelus stands at hisright hand. The Candidate gives the twosalutes in the Stage of Form.)

VOLUNT AS: (returning the salutes as inthe Stage of Form)

My brother, we are ever eager to helpthose who seek the Light, for, as you


know, we too seek it ardently. Creat Truthsmay be yours in this Stage of yourQuest, but first we must be assured thatyou remember the nature of the Light youreceived in the earlier Stages.What did you learn in the Stage of Fire ?

. CANDIDATE: (prompted, if necessary,by ngelus]My physical body leamed Right Action,My etheric body learned Right Har-

mony.My emotional body leamed Right

Desire.VOLUNTAS :

What did you learn in the Stage ofForm:

CANDIDATE:

./.My mental body learned Right Choice,\ and. the threeRight Ways of growth.

THE STAGE OFLIFE 14 tVOLUNTAS:

you answer well. Sapientia, our brotherhas been in your careo Do you desire tobear witness on his behalf ?

SAPIENTIA : (sa~uting as in the Stageof Form and rising) 1 desire to bwwitness to the worthiness and stead-fastness of our brother, and to thefact that he has tended specialIy theFire of the Mind. He has also studieddiligently with me Al the Feet o/ theMaster, and has regularly attended ourCeremonies.(Sapientia salutes as before and is

seated.)VOLUNTAS:

Brethren, you have heard the testimonyof Sapientia. Do you welcome our brother,of the Form into our midst ?

. .10


(The brethren, remaining seated, givethe two saIutes as in the Stage of Fonn.)

VOLUNTAS:

So be it. Thus prepared, with bodieswell controlled, you are ready to learn ofthe nature of your SeIf; the King within"you~whose wiIl your bodies must learn toobey, .and who himself is servant of thatmighty King in whom we live and moveand shall some day achieve our Kingship,Angelus, conduct our brother to the

Altar where, as we all have done, he shalIdedicate himself to the search for theSelf within 'him and, finding it, lay it atthe Feet of the King Etemal,(Angelus; after giving with the Candi-

date the two salutes as in the Stage ofForm, conducts him to "the Altar. to 'which have descended Voluntas, Artifex,


Sapientia and Vigil withtheir swords,leaving their Sceptres on the PedestaIs,and standing to the East, South, West andNorth of the Altar respectively, not toonear. Rector carries a sword on acushion. Agni stands behind Voluntasswinging hiscenser. Voluntas now says :)VOLUNTAS :

My brother, in the Stage of Fire yourefined your bodies, especiallythe physicalbody, the etheric body and the body ofthe emotions. In the Stage of Form,youstilI furtherrefined them, and in particularpaid attention to the mental body, thusbeginning to shape them alI into thelikeness of their heavenly counterpart.So do you begin to mould a Holy Cupintowhich the life of your Higher Self andothevery Life of God shall flow.


To aid you in this :splendid work, inthis Stage of Life you leam to summonconsciously the aid of two great powers-the power of the Intuition and the powerof the Will. Are you prepared to dedi-cate yourself to this glorious task andto invoke upon your Dedication theutmost power of your Intuition and ofyour Will-the powerof your HigherSelf ?

CANDIDATE:

1 amoVOLUNTAS:

Then kneel upon both knees, placeyour hands upon this Star, which restsupon At the Feet 01the Master, and reciteafter me with our brethren the solemnDedication to whch we have all sub-scribed.

THE STAGE' OF LIFE 145

Rise,' Seekers for the Light, andaid our brother at this supreme momento his life in' our Temple of theQuest,

(All rise when Voluntas has finishedspeaking, ando upon the words ofcommand from Rector" draw swords andhold them at the carry. Vol untas thenrecites, sentence by sentence, the Dedi~cation, and very softly each brother recitesafterwards with the Candidate. As theythus recite, the brethren hold the hilts oftheir swords .to their foreheads, returningtheir swords to the carry wheneverVoluntas recites.)

VOLUNTAS:

Into a body growing pure and strong(Pause. After the Candidte andthe brethren have recited, the


Organist sounds three quick noteson his bell.)

Into emotioDS growing calm ud selflass(Pause, etc.)

hato a mind learning to choose the nobl.and the true(Pause, etc.)

(All swords are now raised aloft as theCanclidate and the brethren speak, butare held at the carry while Voluntasspeaks beforehand.)

Descend, O King of my life,My higher self,And use them to thy high purpose :The service o TBE KING. (Pause.etc.)

(A moment' s pause, during which allswords are once more held at thecarry. Then fue movements are ason p. 145.)

"."11&7 the YOW be kepU.~ &a, tho. 909 '- keptl , the YOW be hpt.:,--.

THE STAGE OF LIFE' 147

o Hierophant 01 our Rite,Lord 01 Will and Light and Life,Upon this my solemn dedication1 pray Thy Gracious Blessing.

ALL: May the Vow be kept !(" May the Vow be kept" is sung

three times. At the first time swordsare pointed to th~ head of the Candidate.At the second time they are pointed a littleabove the Candidate. At the third timethey are pointed aloft. but in the directionof the Candidate. A moment's pause,Then Voluntas says :)VOLUNTAS: (with the usual movements

of his sword, all making similar move..ments.) .In 'the .power DE the Lord DE tbe Light, '

Whose aid you have invoked,mider'the


auspices 01 the Sovereign Sanctuary of theEgyptian Rite 01 the Ancient Mysteries, andby virtue .of the authority in me vested, 1receive you into the Stage 01 Lile of the Templeof the Quest.

(At the word " receive" Voluntasplaces his sword upon the head of theCandidate. When Voluntas has finishedspeaking, the Organist sounds three quicknotes upon his bell three times. Thesword is now returned to Rector whoreplaces it upon the Pedestal. Agniresumes his seat. AlI now hold their.swords at the carry.)

VOLUNTAS :

Rise, duly dedicated and consecratedSeeker for the Light, and enter the Stageof Life in the Temple of the Quest,


(As the Neophyte rises joyous music isplayed, and when he is once more stand-ing, all brethren retum swords and resumetheir places, remaining standing. Whenall are in their places, Voluntas says :)

VOLUNTAS:

Be seated, Seekers for the Light.(Angelus now places the Neophyte in

the North-east, and Voluntas takes hisstand in the South-east, facing theNeophyte.)

VOLUNTAS:

My brother, 1desire to congratulate youon reaching this Stage of your quest forthe Light. for it should be the threshold ofenby into a Temple admission to whichonly a Lord of Light can grant.

0117-fiducius-annie besant-el rito egipcio de los antiguos misterios

Documents

stage of life

stage of form

stage of firei1

etheric body

physical body

circumstances4 temple

body ofthe ernotions

itsvarious principies