THE RITE OF FELLOWSHIP/ GATHERING FORCES
									(LUGHNASADH)


A rite made for this planet  would have  a number of certain  potentials that could profitably 
be explored.  For example, Mars, while usually associated with War, is also associated with 
comradeship and is the also the patron of vox populi, "the voice of the people".  While most
folks are not in the habit of cultivating enemies, some disturbed people do, from time to time, 
appoint themselves into such positions, whether we are aware of it or not--such is  life, yes?
This time can be an opportunity to draw the members of a group together and remind them 
that they are all gathered in support of one another and the greater ideals expressed by their 
order, their study group, or whatever arrangement brings them together.  It is certainly 
possible that a serious and real conflict can be brewing around the participants, and if this is 
so, this would be a grand time to set into motion those magickal defenses that may be of 
assistance.  As a matter or principle, we cannot advise using the Glyph (or even magick) in 
an offensive capacity, for any true adept knows that such a thing amounts to exactly the sort 
of self-destructive folly we've theoretically decided we're mature enough to avoid.
Under more "normal" circumstances this can be a time of strengthening each other and the 
efforts of all, calling upon the fierce energy of Mars to drive the engines of the Glyph--
properly restrained, modified and guided by all the other balancing forces, of course. 

	In the following text, the two rites are woven around a common framework.

	
								
								THE RITE FOR MARS 


Calendar time: Early August.

Velocia or planetary time: High Noon, and the first velocia of Fire occurring thereafter.

Color charges, tools:  Colors ought to be festive, predominating in red shot 
	through with green.  A simple spear is to be constructed and set into the ground 
	in the center of the place of the rite, pointing skyward.  If this rite is used to muster 
	defense, any sort of ceremonial battle	gear from kilts to sheath-knives might be 
	used.  Incense is made from traditional martial	compounds and is burned in a 
	large standing vessel, preferably of iron.

Place from which to start: The point associated with Mars.

Method of circumambulation: Varies.  In the Rite of Fellowship, no circumambulation is 
	necessary, but in the Rite of Defense, an unbalanced circumambulation is performed 
	beginning at Mars and ending in the center.

Other notes:  The following outline is a combination of the two different kinds of rites 
	mentioned above, where the Rite of Fellowship information is given first, while the Rite of 
	Defense information is next given in italics.  If italics aren't given as part of a 
	particular direction (such as in the invocations), it can be assumed that what follows is 
	appropriate for either usage.

			
						i.

Voice #1: "We are gathered this day to mark our fellowship.  We. Brothers- and sisters-in-arms 
have bound ourselves to our endless duty of making the crooked roads to be straight, of 
uplifting the oppressed and of vanquishing those forces which would enslave us to evil ends."
				
						Or

"We are gathered this day in defense of our livelihood, our dreams, our hope, perhaps our very 
	lives.  Brothers- and sisters-in-arms, we appear in the temple of Mars to request that Might 
	One's swift and sure aid in our cause."  


						ii.

Battery of 5 is given, urgently	

Voice #2: "Pure Flame of valor!  With ringing voice and upraised countenance be thy 
	invocation made!  Glory of fortitude, glory of achievement are in thy hand, and that 
	inward joy of attainment which lifts the heart more than the acclaim of trumpets.  
	Infuser of strong resolve into the blood of those who aspire: in courage and 
	confidence we call upon thy might.   O thou who art ruler of the orb of Madim, thou 
	intrepid champion who dwellest in the exalted palace of Zakoth; thou whose domain 
	among the heavens is flame-bright Ma-on, habitation of the valorous and stronghold 
	of protection to the just: now in thy sustaining care, that we may advance in justice 
	and truth, open unto us the massive gates of thy sphere, that thy power may arise 
	in our midst!"

	
							iii.
	
(Offerings are made)

Voice #3: "Companions in Light are we, and this day we honor that spirit of blessed assembly, 
	swearing each onto the other our undying support in whatever fortune may send our way, 
	weal or woe.  As every living thing owes its life to every other, so too do we mark this pact."
			
			Or:

"Companions in Light are we, but brothers- and sisters-in-arms as well.  Today we take up arms 
against those who would oppose us and the work of our hands and hearts, swearing unto each 
other our unfailing support that we might conquer!  And who is our foe?" 

(here, a short and impromptu narration may be inserted which details the precise nature of the 
perceived threat) 

"Hail our adversary!  May ye come to know the error of your ways and to cease in your adversity!  
May you come to know the place of True Comfort within that might salve your wounds and 
lighten the dim corners of your life!  May ye live in True Righteousness, speaking no ill of another 
whose ways ye might not fully comprehend.  May ye cower before the specter of your foolishness 
and come to know what is truly meant by 'Honor'." 


					iv.

Voice #1: "We are pledged one to the other in blood, in deed and in strength.  In the names: 
	Mavors, Aries and Madim." 

(The owner of Voice #1 places his or her right hand upon the spear about shoulder-high and 
holds it there until all have moved forward and done the same, placing their grip high or low 
as may be desired, each proclaiming: "One to the other, in blood, deed and strength--in the 
names: Mavors, Aries and Madim."  When all have a hand upon the spear, it is raised from 
the ground as a great howling cry is brought up by the participants, each in whatever fashion 
they may find appropriate, the spear being shaken menacingly skyward.  The spear is next 
reinserted into the ground and released, the celebrants backing away from it a few yards.

					Or:

(The above takes place in the same way as written, but the spear is packed away and taken 
out on an unbalanced circumambulation of the Glyph, with a pause at each station to 
request the strength and guidance of the particular force there represented. Upon arrival 
at each place, the spear is lifted into the air by a designated bearer while a speaker recites 
one of the following orisons:)

At Jupiter: "Hail unto thee, Father of the Sky!  Make ready your thunderbolts, for there are 
	those who would assail us and thy temple!  Give us your blessing, Wise One, that we may 
	not fail in our defense!"

At Luna: "Hail unto thee, Favored of Zeus, Hecate!  Raise your burning torch that we may 
	see in the black night that lies before us.  Illuminate those who would assail us and thy temple!"

At Mars: "Half our companions are gathered, while the others remain to come forward.  
	The Strength of Mars guided by the Wisdom of Jove and the Sure Illumination of the Moon 
	is ours.  Let us make haste to gather the balance of our allies!"

At Venus: "Hail unto thee, Amazon Queen, defender of Life and Love!  Bless our efforts with 
	the forces at your command against those that would assail us and our work.  Bring unto 
	us the ultimate reconciliation of our differences, and let this be our victory!" 

At Saturn: "Hail unto thee, Ancient and Venerable One!  Give us your strength that we may 
	address those that assail us and the work of our hands and hearts! Guardian of the 
	Gates of Time, let there be an end to this matter and let it be our victory!"

At Mercury: "Hail unto thee, Lord of Magick and Guide of Heroes!  Join us in our struggle 
	against those who would assail us and the work of our hands.  Bring word swiftly to all 
	that we may know where we stand and where we must fight!  Reveal unto us the path that 
	lies to victory!"

At Venus, again: "The Companions are gathered and we are fortified.  Let us go then, 
	once more, into the breech!  Let us begin and end this matter upon this very day!"

(Procession at all speed is made to the point of the sun, where the spear is placed into the 
ground, butt-first as before.  The participants back away for a few paces, then concentrate 
upon the astral form of the now fully-charged spear, burning with a prismatic flame.  Next, 
the astral temple of the Sun is envisioned to be in the air above the center of the Glyph.  
The astral form of the spear is seen to rise slowly, majestically and with a heightening 
sense of purpose, to lodge itself in the solar temple, where it releases its stored energy 
in a great pulse that is sent, rippling throughout the glyph and the surrounding area.  
Know that in the wake of this wave, the plans of the enemies fail, their support withers 
and they are reduced to wondering if its really such a good thing to oppose your 
obviously noble cause.

					v.

Voice #1: "We are confirmed in our journey.  May our roads be smooth and our allies be 
	numerous.  May we always have the strength to know what is right and to defend 
	ourselves against those that would oppose us."

                                Or:

In the ensuing quiet, Voice#1: gives the Sun salutation.

(battery: 3-5-3)




(From the Book of the Glyph.)

This page is part of The Companions of the Glyph Website.