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Home > Article Library > Miscellaneous > Myceneaen > Damos Ritual Search

Myceneaen Mysteries:
Ritual of Founding Damos

by Joseph Teller

 

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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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