The Last Ritual

COLLECTS OF THE GNOSTIC MASS Lord visible and sensible of whom this earth is but a frozen spark turning about thee with annual and diurnal motion, source of light, source of life, let thy perpetual radiance hearten us to continual labour and enjoyment ; so that as we are constant partakers of thy bounty we may in our particular orbit give out light and life, sustenance and joy to them that revolve about us without diminution of substance or effulgence for ever. Lord secret and most holy, source of light, source of life, source of love, source of liberty, be thou ever constant and mighty within us, force of energy, fire of motion ; with diligence let us ever labour with thee, that we may remain in thine abundant joy. Lady of night, that turning ever about us art now visible and now invisible in thy season, be thou favourable to hunters, and lovers, and to all men that toil upon the earth, and to all mariners upon the sea. Lord of Life and Joy, that art the might of man, that art the essence of every true god that is upon the surface of the Earth, continuing knowledge from generation to generation, thou adored of us upon heaths and in woods, on mountains and in caves, openly in the market places and secretly in the chambers of our houses, in temples of gold and ivory and marble as in the temples of our bodies, we worthily commemorate them worthy that did of old adore thee and manifest thy glory unto men. Oh Sons of the Lion and the Snake ! with all thy saints we worthily commemorate them worthy that were and are and are to come. May their essence be here present, potent, puissant, and paternal to perfect this feast !