The Equinox (Volume I, Number II)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING symbols of the Four elements, and to remember our pledge of secrecy.” (The Kerux proceeds to the Altar and ignites the spirit placed at the Southern angle of the Cross. The Hierophant, quitting his throne, goes to the West of the Altar, and facing East, salutes and continues :) “TJ invite you to inhale with me the perfume of this rose as a symbol of Air (smelling rose): To feel with me the warmth of this sacred Fire (spreading hands over it): To eat with me this Bread and Salt as types of earth (eats): and finally to drink with me this Wine, the consecrated emblem of Elemental Water (drinks from cup). The Hierophant then goes to the East of the Altar and faces West. The Hiereus comes to the West of the Altar, and salutes the Hierophant, receiving the elements from him, All then partake in order of rank : Hegemon from Hiereus, Stolistes from Hegemon, Dadouchos from Stolistes, Senior Members from Dadouchos, and the Kerux from the Candidate. But the Kerux says: “It is finished,” inverting the cup, to show that the symbols of Self-sacrifice and Regeneration are accomplished. And this proclamation is confirmed by the Hierophant, and the three chief officers give the three strokes emblematic of the Mystic Triad, and in the three different languages repeat the three mystic words: “KHABS AM PEKHT!” “KONX OM PAX!” “LIGHT IN EXTENSION!” The Hierophant then finally closes the ceremony by saying : ‘May what we have this day partaken of, sustain us in our search for the Quint- essence ; the Stone of the Philosophers ; the True Wisdom and Perfect Happiness, and the Summum Bonum.” All then disrobe and disperse. Undoubtedly the passing through the Ritual of the Neophyte had an important influence on P.’s mind, and on his Spiritual Progress; for, shortly after its celebration, we find him experiencing some very extraordinary visions, which we shall enter upon in due course. Suffice it to say that by December he had passed the easy examination necessary before he could present himself as a candidate for the 1°=10° grade of Zelator. 261