I think Bree will be doing the ceremony and I think I know which rite they will be performing, read on for more info
THE CEREMONY OF MINERVAL AND FIRST DEGREE
by Aleister Crowley
----Confidential---
[Note: Crowley wrote this essay before he made the
final revisions to the I° ritual. The I° portion of
this essay included a discussion of Masonic symbols
which do not occur in the current version of the I°
ritual. The I° portion of this essay has,
therefore, been edited to conform to the symbolism
used in the current version of the I° ritual. The
edited material is given in square brackets. The
original essay is preserved in the O.T.O.
archives.]
Minerval
The Ceremony of Minerval, in appearance trivial and
formal, contains a doctrine of substantial occult
significance. The Candidate before admission is
bound by an obligation in which he recognizes
Baphomet as the Supreme Authority. This represents
the free choice of a free will to submit itself to
the magical formula represented by Baphomet. The
Candidate is seized, blindfolded and bound head and
foot. This represents the first operation of this
formula. The soul is drawn within the planetary
current and its sight and freedom of action are
immediately taken from it.
He is described as a native of Corinth, and as
having attained the freedom of two cities, Athens
and Mitylene: the initials of these cities K A M
giving the Sanscrit word for "work" from which
Karma or Kamma is derived. They add also to the
number 61, a prime number whose 6 and 1 suggest the
hexagram, the symbol of the Sun, which is often
represented by a six rayed star with a yod in the
middle. 61 also represents the word for
"nonexistent," for "towards" and for "I myself."
Read in conjunction these words explain the
formulation of the negative in the ego. 61 also
represents the Hebrew word for "womb" and that for
a "little habitation." There is another and even
more important explanation of these words which is
however unsuited for members of any grade below the
Sixth.
The Candidate sees that he is travelling to the
City of the Sun, which again repeats the solar
symbol and gives the name of another city. The
adding of this H raises the number to 66, which is
the number of the Great Work, and is the sum of the
first 11 numbers.
In order to obtain the freedom of the planet into
whose current he has been drawn, he is obliged to
take an oath, and it indicates the first sacrament,
that of Earth. He thus obtains freedom to seek for
a suitable medium for incarnation, indicated by the
words "Be seated on my right hand." He is presented
with a sacred scroll which confirms his freedom. It
should have been remarked that the penalty of the
oath applies to reproduction or generation.
The Soul is attempting to perform its work through
the vehicles of humanity and if it fails to hold
those mysteries sacred and secret, it will lose its
power to employ this vehicle for its work.
The meaning of the sign and of the word ON have
already been explained in the Lecture of the Fourth
Degree, but there is further meaning in this word,
which is heartily recommended for your profound
study. A strong hint may be given by the study of
the number 120. Its character should be written in
Arabic.
It should be noted that Saladin is supposed to be
seated in a tent and this tent should be in the
shape of a cone, a geometrical figure which
combines the straight line with the circle.
The new Minerval is informed that he is in need of
repose, which refers to a period of contemplation
necessary to the beginning of incarnation. The
suitable lodging refers to the suitable human
beings with whom the soul proposes to take up its
residence. Its further adventure is detailed in the
I°.
First Degree
We left the Minerval within the attraction of the
Planet prepared for incarnation, but I have not
taken any detailed steps. The I° describes this
operation. I shall not here deal with the opening
and closing of the [Oasis] as that is only a
ceremonial estimation of the place and that
pertains to another matter. The [Oasis] represents
the World. [The noose] refers to the umbilical
cord. The Candidate is received on the Dagger which
signifies that he has asked for admission into a
hostile world, and also refers to the cutting of
the [noose]. He is asked whether he is free and of
full age. His incarnation must be a deliberate act
of free will.
Isis is then invoked upon him, and this Divine
permission having been obtained, the permission of
Nature, he enters the world of conscious life in
search of Father and Mother whom he finds. I the
Father is a symbol of Ithyphallus; O the Mother is
a symbol of Demeter, being the beginning of the
prayer made in the ancient ceremonies.
In the next part of the ceremony the powers of the
[Oasis] consent to the birth, the ego (being)
incarnated with the words "In myself."
All this being happily arranged, the Candidate
makes nine circles of the [Oasis], as it is said,
on his travels with the Moon. He then makes a final
effort, and comes to the Chair of the Master. The
Clauses of the Obligation are those contracts by
which he can obtain freedom. It will be noticed
that this refers to water, for man is of Amniote,
and naturally the penalty of the (first)
obligation, water, is referred to. But, in his
birth, his life passes from water to air, and the
penalty is, therefore, that of having his throat
cut, which would prevent his breathing.
[The dagger] is by shape an I representing the
Father and the initial of Ithyphallus, while the
[disk] is by shape an O, which similarly represents
the Mother, and is the wheel of the word Oon,
Oophore. The [V.S.L.] represents the [dagger] and
the [disk] combined and by its square shape the
Greek gamma, the initial of Genetor. It should also
have been remarked that there is another
attribution of the [dagger] and the [disk]
precisely opposite to that given above. This is
very necessary, as every symbol is only perfect in
so far as it has its opposite. The Candidate is
then brought to light and greeted by the powers of
the [Oasis]. The [cutting of the noose has] an
obvious meaning. The Candidate is now reminded of
the penalty of his obligation. Although he is born
he is still condemned to death. His hopelessness is
then illustrated, and that being understood, he is
permitted to use all his personal comforts, which
he obtained from the room, that is to say from his
Mother, the [Oasis]. In Egypt, where these
mysteries were founded, sons derived from their
mothers not their fathers.
The Candidate is then taught first to stand
upright, the use of the foot; yod, the use of the
hand. It would be improper on the present occasion
to go more deeply into the signification of the
Secrets. They being effected, the Candidate goes on
his travels, this time with the Sun, i.e., on his
life upon Earth, which he counts by days and years
rather than by months. He is then tested in the use
of his limbs and being found perfect, he is given a
[black robe] made of [wool], referring to Aries,
the ram, the sign of the Sun occurs at the Spring.
After this he is permitted to take his seat in the
[Oasis]. He has an appointed place among men, and
the powers of the world offer him a banquet in
order to sustain him on his further journey.
(Note the part about free will) What do you guys think?
