For this ritual the student will need a table of convenient
height for an Altar, preferably draped with a black cloth. The
cup of water and incense from the Neophyte ritual will also be
utilized. In addition, the student should have an instrument
for representing the element of Air. This could be the Air Dagger
if the student has already made one. Or, alternatively, the student
could use a small fan, or anything with which the student feels
inclined to use that brings to mind the concept of Air. "I, (state your magical motto), hereby intend to proceed with this rite of initiation into the Grade of Theoricus. It is my intention to pursue the knowledge of this grade of the Golden Dawn Current of Magic. May the Gods, Archangelic forces and elemental powers that are called upon assist me in this my solemn task. I take this oath that as I begin this work, so shall I see it to its conclusion, until I at last attain to the heights of Spiritual attainment." The ritual for the Grade of Theoricus is as follows. ![]() Stand at Altar, facing East and announce: HEKAS, HEKAS, ESTE BEBELOI! Perform the Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. Perform the Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram. Perform the Purification with Water and Consecration with Fire as in the Neophyte Opening Ritual. Pickup your symbol for Air and walk to the East. Shake the instrument for Air towards the east three times in the form of the Air triangle. Hold the instrument on high as you circumambulate the temple once while reciting the following:
On reaching the East, strike Air weapon in front of the Tablet or Sigil three times, saying:
Student salutes with Air Sign. Raise hands to level of ears, palms up as in classical picture of Atlas holding world up with his hands. Then with Air instrument make Circle with invoking Pentagrams of Spirit Active and of Air before the Tablet or Sigil.
Make the Kerubic Sign of Air, Aquarius, in front of Tablet with Air symbol.
Hold symbol on high, shaking it thrice before Tablet.
Assume Air sign, and say:
Replace Air symbol. Go around the left of the altar to the east, and then slowly circumambulate clockwise three times. Make the Sign of the Enterer each time you pass the east. Visualize a circular spiral of light beginning to take form with each passing of the East and, when finished, return to the west side of the altar and face East. The visualizations and ritual gestures are the same as in the Neophyte ritual for Self Initiation. Look up and to the East. Perform the adoration to the Lord of the Universe as follows. Make the Projecting Sign at the end of the first three lines. Make the Sign of Silence at the end of the fourth line - right arm hanging by your side, raising your index finger of left hand to your lips.
This completes the opening phase of the Theoricus ritual. At this point you may state your reasons for performing this ritual, or simply proceed with your performance of any further rituals, meditations and pathworkings that might be appropriate for the Grade of Theoricus. The closing phase is performed as follows: Perform the Purification with Water and the Consecration by Fire as in the Neophyte Opening Ritual. Reverse Circumambulate the temple three times, giving the Sign of Silence each time upon passing the east. You should feel the spiral of Light dissipating as you reverse the circumambulations, the visualization of the Sun dissipating. If the Student is inclined to do so, he or she may, at this point, proceed to the East and perform the Supreme Banishing for elemental Air using the approprite pentagrams and Divine Names. Perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram. Perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. Conclude with the Following:
|