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Myceneaen Mysteries: Ritual of Founding Damos by Joseph Teller |
Copyright © 1989 By Joseph W. Teller
Free to distribute & copy in its entirety for non-commercial use
This is a ritual that most people will be involved in but once,
unless they leave an existing Damos to found one of their Own. It
should be performed with all members of the official Damos present
and after all basic decisions (Wanax, Site of Worship, Name of the
Damos) have been made. It is a ritual of all, and no guests should
be present for this. After this has been done, and the group has
settled down toward their position then they begin the true work of
a Damos. The Wanax, if the only initiated member before this begins,
shall act as teacher to the entire group for a while, for a period
of not more than one year nor less than 6 months shall the Wanax be
so standing as sole authority - after this the members shall deal
with the business of the Damos under normal procedures for such.
Timing for its performance should be from the New Moon until the
Full (But never during a Waning moon cycle!).
Mandatory Working Tools
- Personal Chalices
- Working Knife
- Platter For Serving
- Bread or Plain Cake (uncut)
- Libation
- Music Source (Quiet, soothing - Kitaro suggested if recorded)
- Lighting Source or Bonfire
- Incense or Smudge
Personnel
This ritual is designed for 2 or more people. The position of
OFF #1 (Officiary #1) should be the Wanax. Officiary #2 may be any
of the other members who wish to hold it (or the remaining one if
only two are present). The OFF #2 may be split among several people,
but OFF #1 must carry out all the listed functions for this version
of the ritual. Remember that this ritual, like any ritual, is made
to be used as an example, not an absolute blueprint to follow. Feel
free to experiment with your own design, making it more elaborate or
if possible simple as needed.
[OFF #1 enters working area, ensures its useability and lights the
fire, candles or light sources to signal the rest to enter, one
by one, preferably alternating male and female into the working
circle area, walk clockwise around the area until reaching a place
to stand and sit that appears comfortable and then stopping and
standing in wait. Music should be playing during all this and most
tools are to be in the circle already at the altar, except for the
personal ones. Once all have enter and the OFF #1 is sure the fire
or light source is fine then OFF #1 should take the smudge or the
incense in hand and walk around the rest, making a complete circle
in full around them three full times before returning to start.
OFF #1 speaks while circling.]
OFF #1 : Welcome one and all to the circle. Close your eyes and
breathe deep the air. Hold the breathe (counts now
mentally to 4) and release, don't breathe in yet...(count
to 4)...and breathe deep (counts mentally to 4) and hold it
(counts again to 4) and let it go....I forge now the circle
of power that shall separate us from the restrictions of
today and open the ways to tomorrow and yesterday. The
Circle is forged by our own energies.
[Off#1, should be back in place by now. and empties hands of smudge
or incense.]
OFF #1 : Keep your eyes closed and think of this place, think of a
shining veil of blue light around the boundaries of the
circle - this is our circles outer appearance. Breathe
deeply, and slowly, feel the air the gods and goddesses
have given you to breathe. Now, reach out to your left and
right and take the hands of those who stand beside you in
the circle....until our hands formed a linking circle
between us.
[This action, the taking of hands should be taking place]
OFF #1 : Now open your eyes, feeling the energy of the person to
your left as it flows into you, thru you, and into the
person whose hand is on your right. Keep breathing slowly
and deeply, savor the feeling.
[OFF #1 acts as Channel controller for this flow, and should analyze
any weak points in the circuit chain.]
OFF #2 : Gods and Goddesses of this realm and all others, we come
together now to worship together, work together and help
each other as a Damos this Night. We ask your blessings
on this, the [Damos Name] Damos that we might together
Learn, Love and Grow. We come here in Perfect Love and
Perfect Trust.
[This last line 'In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust' should now be
spoken by each person present, starting with the person to the
left of the OFF #2. A Nice touch, while maintaining the joined
hands, would be for a kiss to be passed from each person to the
next immediately after stating the line as a means of enforcing
it sincerity. Nothing is said until the passing of words and kiss
have come all the way back to the OFF #2. If the kiss is used,be
sure it is passed clockwise, the direction of creations.]
OFF #2 : So we have bound ourselves by choice and in your sight,
Athena, goddess of oaths and protector of Community. We
are Damos, as was in old Myceneae - bound in Love and
Trust.
[Hands should be raised upward with this statement, showing the
unity of the group. OFF #1 should nudge one last round of the
energy thru the link and then relax grip as all hands are lowered
so all relax and let go of the physical link but the mental and
emotional will remain]
OFF #1 : Now Let us Share a toast to the gods and goddesses and
break bread together.
[OFF #2 should move to the altar, making sure to move clockwise
around circle if far from it in position. There #2 shall
Take up the libation and follow the circle, pouring a
taste of it to each member of the Damos, traveling again
clockwise and filling own chalice last. OFF #1 SHall
take knife and cut the bread so that there is one piece
more than needed (and there should also be at least one
swallow of the libation left); and walk around the group
so that each member may take a slice of the bread, and
will take the next to last piece on the platter after all
others have been served.]
OFF #1 : As we share this simple repast and libation so shall we
share of ourselves together in this Damos. As one we have
come here, many parts of a whole, and so as one we shall
remain, even when not physically together. We are of the
Laos, we are of the [Damos Name] Damos. Share and enjoy.
Bound are we in this sharing, by our choice and free will.
Bound in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
[The sharing of the foods now occurs. Once all are finished, and the
speaking between people is acceptable until finished, then the OFF#2
shall rise (if sitting has taken place), take up the remaining
libation and cake/bread offer it up above head, then place them upon
the altar with some flair. Kneels before altar, silently thanking
the presence of the gods and goddesses who have chosen to attend.
Then rises slowly and returns to place in the circle]
OFF #2 : We are now one, Bound as Damos of the Laos. Let us share our
are unity in both body and spirit.
[Off #2 now begins what should become a group Hugging session, which
besides enforcing the concept of unity will ensure a grounding and
relaxation. After a few moments, when it becomes appropriate, the
OFF #2 will speak]
OFF #2 : Come, this circles walls are now to be opened - lets us go
and celebrate together. Gather the tools, and follow me.
[Off #2 will take up some tools and approach the entrance to the
working area, stopping to ensure safe passage by use of the hand
motions of a banishing pentacle and visualizing the lowering of
the energy walls back into the ground from which they rose.]
This completes the binding of the Damos, allowing it to move on to
other works on other nights. Binding not by force, or authority, but
by love and trust is the concept - positive reinforcement, not
negative. The ceremony may appear simple and fast paced, but this
is to ensure that it does not become cluttered and clumsy.
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