The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the Outer
Ritual for 1 = 10 (Grade of Zelator)
n.d.
Opening
Fratres are robed and assembled.
Hierophant, *: Fratres of the GD in
the Outer, assist me to open the Temple in the 1=10 Grade of Zelator.
Frater Kerux, see that the Temple is properly guarded. (This
is done.)
Kerux: The Temple is properly guarded, V.H.H.
Hierophant: V.H. Hiereus, see that
none below the Grade of Zelator be now present.
Hiereus: Fratres, give the signs of
the 1st and 10th. (This is done.)
V.H.H., all present have been so honoured.
Hierophant: Consecrate with fire and
with water.
The Kerux, Stolistes, and Dadouchos advance to the level of the pillars. They
sprinkle and cense to the East only.
Dadouchos: I purify with fire.
Stolistes: I consecrate with water.
Kerux: The Temple is purified.
The Kerux, Stolistes, and Dadouchos return to their places.
Hierophant: H. Hegemon, to what
element is this Grade especially attributed?
Hegemon: To the element earth.
Hierophant, *: Let us adore the Lord,
King of the Earth.
All face east.
Hierophant: Adonai Ha Aretz. Adonai
Melekh, Unto thee be the kingdom, the strength, and the splendour; (Tracing
a cross in the air with his sceptre) Malkuth, Geburah, and Gedulah,
the Rose of Sharon and the Uly of the Valley (Making a
circle in the air with his sceptre), for ever and ever. Amen.
All give the sign of the First Grade.
Kerux, goes to the North, sprinkles salt to the north:
Let the earth adore Adonai.
All the officers go to the North and stand as follows:
TABLET
Hegemon Hierophant
Hiereus
Dadouchos Kerux
Stolistes
The other members stay in their places, but face north.
Hierophant, makes the invoking pentagram for earth in the air in front of the
Tablet: And the Elohim
said: Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness, and let them have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the
cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth over
the earth. And the Elohim created Eth-Ha-Adam in their own image, in the image
of the Elohim created they them, male and female created they them. In the name
of ADONAI MELEKH and of the Bride and Queen of the kingdom: Spirits of Earth,
adore Adonai. (He takes the sword from the Hiereus and
marks in the air the sign of Taurus.) In
the name of AURIEL, the great archangel of the earth, and by the sign of the
head of the ox, Spirits of the Earth, adore Adonai. (He
takes the mitre-headed sceptre from the
Hegemon and makes a cross in the air.) In the names and letters of
the great northern quadrangle revealed unto Enoch by the angel AVE, Spirits of
the Earth, adore Adonai. (He takes the cup from the
Stolistes and sprinkles towards the north.) In the three great secret
names of God, borne on the banners of the North, EMOR, DIAL, HEKTEGA, Spirits of
the Earth, adore Adonai. (He takes the censer and
censes towards the North.) Great King of
the North, IC-ZOD-HEH-CA, great King of the North, Spirits of Earth, adore
Adonai.
All return to their places.
Hierophant: In the name of
Adonai-Ha-Aretz, I declare this Temple opened in the 1=10 Grade. ****
*** * * *.
Hiereus: **** *** * * *.
Hegemon: **** *** * * *.
Advancement
First Portion
Hierophant: Fratres, our Frater …
having made such progress as has enabled him to pass the required examination is
now eligible for advancement in this Grade, and I have duly received a
dispensation from the V.H. Chiefs of the Second Order to advance … in due
form. H. Hegemon, superintend the preparation and give the customary alarm.
The Hegemon salutes, leaves, and prepares the Neophyte who wears the sash of
0=0, is hoodwinked, and carries the fylfot cross in his right hand. The Hegemon
knocks **** *** * * * *.
Neophyte: Let me enter the portal of
wisdom.
Kerux: I will.
They enter.
Hierophant: Except Adonai build the
house, their labour is but lost that build it. Except Adonai keep the city, the
watchman watcheth but in vain. Frater, by what aid do you seek admission to the
1=10 Grade of Zelator of the GD?
Neophyte: By the guidance of Adonai.
By the possession of the requisite knowledge. By the dispensation you hold. By
the secret signs and tokens of the 0=0 Grade. By the symbol of the Hermetic
cross.
The Kerux takes the cross from him.
Hierophant: Give the step and signs of a Neophyte.
This is done.
Hierophant: Frater Kerux, receive
from the Neophyte the token, grand word, and password of the 0=0 Grade.
He receives them.
Kerux: V.H. Hierophant, I have
received them.
Hierophant: Conduct the Neophyte to
the west and place him between the mystic pillars, facing east. (This
is done.) Frater, will you pledge
yourself to maintain the same strict secrecy regarding the mysteries of this
Grade, which you have already sworn to maintain respecting those of the 0=0
Grade: never to reveal them to the outside world, and not even to impart them to
a Neophyte without due dispensation from the higher powers?
Neophyte: I do.
Hierophant: Then you will kneel on
both knees, place your right hand upon the ground, and say- "I swear by the
earth whereon I kneel".
This is done.
Hierophant: Let the hoodwink be
removed. Take with your left hand a few grains of salt from the platter now
handed to you by the Kerux and scatter them towards the north and say- "Let
the Powers of earth witness my pledge".
This is done.
Hierophant: Let the Neophyte rise.
Fratres Stolistes and Dadouchos, consecrate and purify the Neophyte with water
and fire in confirmation of his pledge.
The Stolistes comes in front of the Neophyte and makes the sign of the cross
on his forehead with water.
Stolistes: I consecrate with water.
The Dadouchos comes in front of the Neophyte and censes him.
Dadouchos: I purify with fire.
Hierophant: I congratulate you on
your perseverance in the acquirement of occult knowledge, and on your success in
passing the required examination.
Let me now point out to you that the 0=0 Grade of Neophyte is merely
preparatory to the other degrees, being as it were the threshold and entrance to
the rest, and that its symbolism shows the hidden light of occult knowledge
dawning in the darkness of the material world. You are now to begin to analyse
and comprehend the nature of that light. Therefore you stand between the pillars
where the secrets of the 0=0 Grade were communicated to you. Prepare to enter
the immeasurable regions. And Tetragrammaton Elohim planted a garden in Eden
towards the east; and out of the ground he made to grow every tree that is
pleasant unto the sight and good for food. The tree of life is also in the midst
of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This latter is
the tree which hath two paths, and it is in the tenth Sephira MALKUTH; and it
hath about it the seven columns; and the four splendours whirl around it, as in
the four-fold vision of the chariot of Ezekiel. From Gedulah or Chesed it
deriveth an influx of mercy; and from Geburah, an influx of severity; and the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil shall it be until it is united with the
supernal in Daath. But the good which is under it is called the angel Mettatron,
and the evil ids called the angel Samael; and between them lieth the strait and
narrow way, which is kept by the angel Sandalphon. And above it the souls and
the angels have place; and beneath it the Kliphothor demons abide.
Let the Neophyte enter the path of evil.
The Kerux leads the Neophyte to the NE towards the Hiereus, and halts.
Hiereus, rising and threatening the Neophyte with his sword:
Whence comest thou?
Neophyte: I come from between the two
pillars, and I saw the hidden knowledge in the name of Adonai.
Hiereus: And the angel SAMAEL
answered and said, "I am the Prince of Darkness and of Evil. The wicked and
rebellious man gazeth upon the face of nature. He findeth therein naught but
terror and obscurity. Unto him it is but the darkness of darkness, and he is as
a dronken man groping in the dark." Return, forthou canst not pass by.
The Kerux leads the Neophyte to the pillars.
Hierophant: Let the Neophyte enter
the path of good.
The Kerux leads the Neophyte to the south, to the seat of the Hegemon, and
halts.
Hegemon, rises and threatens the Neophyte with his sceptre:
Whence comest thou?
Neophyte: I come from between the
pillars and I seek the hidden light of occult knowledge.
Hegemon: The great angel METIRATON answered and said, "I am the angel of
the presence divine. The wise man gazeth upon the material universe and he
beholdeth therein the luminous image of its creator. Not as yet canst thou bear
the dazzling radiance of that light." Return, forthou canst not pass by.
The Kerux leads the Neophyte back to the pillars.
Hierophant: Let the Neophyte now
advance by the strait and narrow path which inclineth neither to the right hand
nor to the left.
The Kerux leads the Neophyte directly to the altar in the centre. The
Hierophant comes to the altar, facing west. The Hiereus and Hegemon bath come
forward and threaten the Neophyte as before, one on his left front and the other
on his right front.
Hiereus & Hegemon: Whence comest
thou?
Neophyte: I come from between the
pillars, and I seek for the hidden knowledge of occult science.
The three officers join the points of their sceptre/ sword/sceptre in front
of the Neophyte's forehead.
Hierophant: But the great angel
SANDALPHON said, "I am the reconciler for earth, and the soul of the
celestial therein. Equally is form invisible in total darkness and in blinding
light. I am the left hand Kerub of the Ark and the female power. As Mettatron is
the right hand Kerub and is masculine; and I am he who prepareth the pathway
unto the light divine.
The Hiereus and Hegemon step back to the N and S of the altar and face west.
The Hierophant and Neophyte remain and face the altar. The Hierophant takes the
Neophyte by the right hand with his left and points to the altar and the diagram
of the flaming sword of the Kerubim thereon.
Hierophant: And Tetragrammaton placed Kerubim at the east of the
Garden of Eden and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the path of
the tree of life.
And now may I confer upon you the secrets and mysteries of this Grade.
The step is given thus: the left foot 6 inches, and the right 6 inches beyond
it, showing you have passed the threshold.
The sign is given by stretching out the right arm to an angle of 45°. It is
the position in which I interposed for you between Hiereus and Hegemon.
The token is given by grasping the fingers and placing the thumbs together
over them, thus forming 1 triangle. It refers to the 10 Sephiroth.
The grand word is ADONAI HA ARETZ and means 'The Lord of the Earth', to which
element this Grade is specially allotted.
The mystic number is 55, and from it is formed the password NUN. It means
'ornament'. Where given, it is lettered by the greeting Zelatores.
The badge of this Grade is the sash of the Neophyte with a narrow white
border, a red cross within the triangle, and the numbers 1 within a circle and
10 within a square, one on each side of the triangle.
The three portals facing you in the East are the gates of the paths which
alone conduct to the inner. They lead to the three other Grades which with the
Zelator and the Neophyte form the first and lowest Order of our Society.
Furthermore, they represent the paths which connect the tenth Sephira,
Malkuth, with the other nine higher Sephiroth. The letters Tau, Shin, and Qoph
make the word Quesheth, a bow, the rainbow of promise stretched over our earth.
The drawing of the flaming sword of the Kerubim is a representation of the
Guardians of the Gate of Eden, just as the Hiereus and Hegemon symbolise the two
paths of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
You will observe that in this Grade the red cross is placed within the white
triangle upon the altar, and thus placed it is identical with the Banner of the
West. The triangle represents the three above-mentioned paths connecting Malkuth
with the other Sephiroth, while the cross is the hidden wisdom of the divine
nature which can be obtained through this aid; and these two combined mean the
life in light.
The Grade is especially referred to the element of Earth and therefore one of
its principal emblems is the great Watch Tower or Terrestrial Tablet of the
North. It is known as the third or great Northern Quadrangle or Earth Tablet,
and it is one of the four great tablets said to have been delivered to Enoch by
the great angel AVE. It is divided within itself into four lesser angles. The
mystic letters upon it represent various divine and angelic names in the angelic
secret language. From it are drawn the three holy secret names of God - EMOR:
DIAL: HECTEGA - which are borne upon the Banner of the North; and there are also
numberless names of archangels, angels, and spirits connected with the earth.
The Kerux hands the fylfot cross to the Hierophant.
Hierophant: You will observe that the Hermetic cross which is also
called Fylfot, Hammer of Thor, Swastika, and the Talisman of the Jains, is
formed of seventeen squares taken from a square of twenty-five lesser squares.
These represent the sun, four elements, and the twelve signs of the Zodiac. In
this Grade, the lights on the pillars are unshaded, showing that you have
quitted the darkness of the Outer.
You will now quit the Temple fora short time and meditate upon the knowledge
already imparted to you, and upon your return the Second Portion will be
proceeded with.
Second Portion
The Temple has been re-arranged.
Hierophant: Frater Kerux, when the
Neophyte gives the proper alarm, you will admit him. Fratres Stolistes and
Dadouchos, assist the Kerux in the reception.
The Kerux goes out and instructs the Neophyte to knock: **** *** * * *. On
his doing so, the Kerux admits him. The Stolistes and Dadouchos join them at the
door.
Hierophant: Frater …, as in the
Grade of Neophyte you came from the outer world into the gateway of occult
science, so now the progress you have made admits you toa further knowledge.
While the 0=0 represents the portal of the Temple, this 1=10 Grade of Zelator
will admit you into The Holy Place. Without its entrance stood the altar of
burnt offering whereon were offered animals in sacrifice. These symbolised the
Klipoth or evil demons which inhabit the plane contiguous to that of this
material universe.
The Dadouchos steps up and censes the Neophyte in silence.
Hierophant: Between the altar and the
entrance into the Holy Place stood the layer of brass wherein the priests washed
before entering the Tabernacle. It was a symbol of the waters of creation.
The Stolistes marks a cross with water on the Neophyte 's forehead, in
silence.
Hierophant: Having passed by the
altar of burnt sacrifice and the laver of brass, the priest then entered the
Holy Place.
The Kerux places the Neophyte behind the pillars to the West. The Hiereus
removes his chair and stands facing the Neophyte with drawn sword.
Hiereus: Thou canst not pass from
between the pillars without giving the sign and words of a Neophyte.
The Neophyte gives them and advances between the pillars.
Hegemon: Thou canst not enter the
Holy Place without the sign and grip of a Zelator.
The Neophyte gives them. The Kerux resumes his seat. The Hegemon leads the
Neophyte to the North.
Hegemon: On the northern side of the
Holy Place stood the Table of Shew Bread. The symbolic drawing now before you
represents its occult significance. The twelve circles represent the twelve
signs of the zodiac, while the lamp in the centre is a symbol of the sun, the
source of light and life. The four triangles whose angles touch the zodiacal
circles are those of fire, earth, air, and water, and allude to the four
triplicities of the zodiacal signs already learned by you. The triangle
inscribed in each of the circles alludes to the three decanates, or phases of
ten degrees, of each sign. On one side of each triangle is the permutation of
the divine name of Tetragrammaton which is referred to that particular sign;
while on the opposite side is the name of one of the twelve tribes which is also
allotted to it.
The Hebrew alphabet with which you are now so well acquainted is divided into
three parts, a 3, a 12, and a 7. The Triad = three mothers: A M S.
The Heptad = seven double letters: B G D K P R T. The Duodecad = twelve
single letters: H V Z Gh Th I N L S O Tz Q. These letters are referred to the
twelve signs of the zodiac. These single letters are placed at the base of these
small triangles.
The four smaller circles of the inner circle contain the names of the four
angels: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, and the Kerubic emblems, the lion,
man, bull, and eagle.
The pentagram in the centre represents the letter He which is the symbol of
the bride of the Kabbalistic Microprosopos, and the alchemic Queen.
The whole figure represents the rose of creation and is a synthesis of the
visible universe. Furthermore, the twelve circles represent the twelve
foundations of the Holy City of the Apocalypse, while in Christian symbolism the
sun and the twelve signs typify our Saviour and the twelve Apostles.
The Hegemon resumes his seat. The Hiereus leads the Neophyte to the South.
Hiereus: On the southern side of the
Holy Place stood the seven-branched candlestick. The symbolic drawing before you
represents its occult meaning. The seven circles which surround the heptagram
represent the seven planets, and the seven Kabbalistic palaces of Assiah, the
material world, which answer to the seven Apocalyptic Churches of Assiah (or
Asia); and these again represent the seven lamps before the Throne, on a higher
plane. Within each circle is a triangle representing the three-fold creative
idea operating in all things. On the right side of each is the Hebrew name of
the archangel governing the planet. On the left side is the Hebrew name of the
sphere of the planet itself; while the Hebrew letter beneath the base is one of
the seven double letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which typify the planets.
The hexagram itself refers to the seven days of the week and shows how their
order is derived from the seven planets when placed at the angles of a
heptagram. The lamp within the centre represents the astral light of the
universe concentrated into a focus by the planets. And as the seven golden
candlesticks of the Kabbalistic Apocalypse answer to the seven planetary
spheres, so do the seven stars of the same vision represent the seven archangels
who rule them. "For the seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches,
and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven Churches".
The Hiereus resumes his seat. The Hierophant comes forward and conducts the
Neophyte to the altar. He takes the censer from the Dadouchos and censes the
altar.
Hierophant: Within the mystic veil
which separated the Holy Place from the Holiest of Holies stood the Ark of the
Covenant. Before the veil stood the altar of incense, of which this altar is a
symbol. E was in the form of a double cube, thus representing material form as
the reflection and duplication of that which is spiritual. The sides of the
altar together with the top and underside consist of ten squares, thus
symbolising the ten Sephiroth, of which the basal one is Malkuth, the
realisation of the others on the material plane and behind which the others are
concealed. For were this doubled cube raised in the air immediately above your
head, you could see but the single square forming the lowest side. The others
from their positions would be unknown by you. Just so, behind the material
universe lies the concealed form of the Majesty of God.
The Altar of Incense was overlaid with gold to represent essential purity.
But the altar before you is black to typify this terrestrial earth. Learn thou
to separate the pure from the impure, the refined and spiritual gold of the
alchemist from the black dragon of putrefaction and evil.
Upon the cubical altar were three things, fire, water, and incense. These are
symbolised by the three circles at the angles of the triangle hearing the Hebrew
names and alchemic symbols of the three elements fire, water, and air to which
the three Mother Letters Aleph, Mem, and Shin are referred. Aleph to air: Mem to
water: Shin to fire. The meaning of the cross was
explained to you in the first portion of this Grade.
I now congratulate you on having attained to the 1=10 Grade of Zelator and in
recognition thereof I confer upon you the mystic title of Pereclinus de Faustis
which signifies that you are still far from the goal which has been reached by
the complete initiates. And I give you the symbol of ARETZ which is the Hebrew
name for earth. The word Zelator is derived from the ancient Egyptian Zal Athor,
signifying 'searcher of nature': but others assign to it the meaning of 'the
zealous student' whose first duty was symbolically to blow the fire which heated
the crucible of the alchemist.
The Hierophant resumes his seat on the dais. The Kerux leads the new Zelator
to a seat.
Hierophant: Frater Kerux! You have my
command to declare that our Frater has been duly admitted to the 1=10 Grade of
Zelator.
Kerux: In the name of ADONAI and by
command of the V.H. Hierophant, hear ye all that I proclaim that Frater XYZ has
been duly admitted to the 1=10 Grade of Zelator, and that he has obtained the
mystic title of Pereclinus de Faustis, and the symbol of Aretz.
Hierophant: In the Zelator Grade, the
mystic symbolism of the tenth Sephira Malkuth is specially shown, as wellas the
tenth pathof Yetzirah of the Sepher Yetzirah. Among other mystic titles, Malkuth
is called SHAAR, the gate, which by metathesis becomes OSHR, meaning the number
ten. Also, in Chaldee it is called THROA, the gate, which has the same number as
the great name ADONAI written in full: Aleph, Daleth, Nun, Yod: which both equal
671 in total enumeration.
It is also called, the Gates of Death, the Gate of the Shadow of Death, the
Gate of Tears, the Gate of Justice, the Gate of Prayer, and the Gate of the
Daughter of the Mighty Ones. It is also the Gate of the Garden of Eden, and the
Inferior Mother; and in Christian symbolism it is connected with the three holy
women at the foot of the cross.
The tenth path of the Sepher Yetzirah, which answereth unto Malkuth, is
called The Resplendent Intelligence because it is exalted above every head and
sitteth upon the throne of Binah. It illuminateth the splendour of all the
lights (The Zohar of the Mareth) and causeth the current of the divine influx to
descend from the Prince of Countenances, the great archangel Metraton.
Frater, before you can be eligible for advancement to the next higher Grade,
2=9, you will be required to pass an examination in the following subjects:
1 Names and symbols of the three principles [of nature],
2 Metals attributed to the seven planets,
3 The meaning of the special alchemic terms, sun, moon, king, etc.
4 The names and meanings of the twelve astrological houses,
5 The names and meanings of the planetary aspects,
6 The names and meanings of Querent and Quesited,
7 The four great classes of astrology,
8 The arrangement of the Tree of Life,
9 The three pillars of the Tree of Life,
10 The names of the four orders of elementals,
11 The names and forms of the Kerubim,
12 The meanings of the laver, altars, and Klippoth,
13 The names of the ten heavens of Assiah,
14 The names of the four worlds of the Kabbalists,
15 The names of the twenty-two Tarot trumps and the four suits.
When you are satisfied that you are well-informed on these, you should apply
by letter to the Cancellarius of the Temple.
Closing
Hierophant, *: Assist me to close
this Temple in the 1=10 Grade of Zelator.
Frater Kerux, see that the Temple is properly guarded.
This is done.
Kerux: V.H. Hierophant, the Temple is
properly guarded.
Hierophant: Let us adore the Lord and
King of the Earth.
All face East.
Hierophant: Adonai Ha-Aretz. Adonai
Melekh. Blessed be thy name unto the countless ages. Amen.
All officers go to the North and form as in the opening.
Hierophant: Let us rehearse the
prayer of the spirits of the Earth. O invisible King of all Kings, Thou who hast
placed the earth for thy footstool and who hast excavated abysses therein to
fill them with thy almighty powers; Thou whose name maketh the vaults of the
universe to tremble; Thou who causest the seven metals to flow in the veins of
stone; Monarch of the seven lights; Enumerator of the subterranean workers; lead
us we pray thee into the desirable air and unto the kingdom of light. We watch
and we labour without rest. We seek and we hope for thee. By the twelve stones
of the holy city, by the talismans concealed therein, by the axis of the
lodestone which traverses the centre of the earth, o Lord, o Lord, o Lord, have
mercy upon those who suffer. Widen our chests, disengage and elevate our heads,
enlarge our forms. O Thou who art the equilibrium of stability and movement; o
Day enveloped in night; o Darkness veiled in brilliance; o Thou our master who
never keepest unto thyself the wages of thy workmen; o silver whiteness; o
golden glory; o crown of living and harmonious diamonds; o Thou who wearest the
heavens like a ring of sapphire upon thy finger; Thou who hidest beneath the
earth in the kingdom of stone the marvelleus seed of the stars; Live, reign, and
be the eternal dispenser of the riches of which thou hast made us the guardians.
The Hierophant makes the banishing pentagram.
Depart ye in peace unto your habitations. May the blessing of Adonai rest
upon you. Be there peace between us and you, and be ye ready to come when ye are
called.
In the name of Adonai Ha-Aretz, I declare this Temple closed in the 1=10
Grade.
Hierophant: **** *** * * *.
Hiereus: **** *** * * *.
Hegemon: **** *** * * *.