Stand with your feet together (but not touching), head erect, and arms hanging at your sides. Relax your shoulders and chest. [ Note - do not lock your knees. ] The Wand Posture is used for relaxation (via breathing) and to re-centre/re-focus yourself at various points in a ritual.
The GESTURE of the TAU
Stand with your feet together, head erect with the chin slightly elevated. The arms are at right angles to your body with palms facing upward. The Gesture of the Tau is used to symbolise the equilibrium of the universe. It is the time/space point where all opposites merge and become one.
The GESTURE of RENDING the VEIL
The following is performed in one quick sweeping motion:
From the Wand Posture,
raise the arms to the height of the chest,
the hands are together with the palms out and the thumbs down.
The arms are then flung out as if you are opening drapes,
ending up in a Tau-like posture.
The GESTURE of CLOSING the VEIL
Start from a Tau-like posture (the chin is not elevated),
bring the hands together until the palms (softly) touch,
fingers pointing up, thumbs in, at the height of the chest.
As if you are closing drapes.
When the Gesture of Rending the Veil and Closing the Veil are accomplished together, they symbolise re-birth into a higher consciousness.