Rituals and Feasts
"There are rituals of the elements and feasts of the times.
A feast for the
first night of the Prophet and his Bride!
A feast for the three days of the writing of the Book of the Law.
A feast
for Tahuti and the child of the Prophet--secret, O Prophet!
A feast for the Supreme Ritual, and a feast for the Equinox
of the Gods.
A feast for fire and a feast for water; a feast for life and a greater feast for death!
A feast every
day in your hearts in the joy of my rapture!
A feast every night unto Nu, and the pleasure of uttermost delight!
Aye!
feast! rejoice! there is no dread hereafter. There is the dissolution, and eternal ecstasy in the kisses of Nu." Liber al
vel Legis 2:36-44
The ritual is a formal ceremony. Hadit speaks briefly of rituals of the elements. We recognize the
elements of earth, fire, air and water as important components in all ceremonies of invocation and magick.
Not surprising that Hadit lightly refers to the rituals, that have been the magickian's tool for
thousands of years, and devotes much emphasis on the "feasts of the times." In Verse 5 He proclaimed:
"Behold! the rituals of the old time are black. Let the evil ones be cast away; let the good ones be purged
by the prophet!" Nuit's declaration was: "Abrogate are all rituals, all ordeals, all words and
signs."
While the rituals are allowed, the emphasis is clearly on the celebration. Rituals are formal affairs,
where actions and words are prescribed through tradition. While meaningful, they can, after constant repetition, become just
what the name suggests, ritualistic. We say the words and perform the act without thinking or understanding the significance.
But celebration is spontaneous. It is an act of joy that produces great pleasure for all involved.
The definitions for feast: an elaborate meal accompanied by ceremony. It also is an observance commemorating an event or honoring
a deity, person or thing.
Hadit then calls for ten specific feasts commemorating important events linked to the writing of
this book, life in general, and the rising of Horus to power.
The first: "A feast for the first night of the Prophet and his Bride!"
Crowley interpreted this as a celebration of the night of his wedding to his bride, Rose. While she was not the only woman
in Crowley's life, she was with him in Cairo and instrumental in directing him to Aiwass to receive the words of the Book
of the Law. The date of the marriage was August 12 for those who choose to follow the instructions to the letter.
Then there is to be "a feast for the three days of the writing of the Book of
the Law." Crowley said this occurred on April 8, 9 and 10, beginning at noon each day.
The third feast is a mystery. "A feast for Tahuti and the child of the Prophet--secret,
O Prophet!" Crowley wrote around it in his book The Law Is For All, stating that it is of a "character only suited
for initiates." The name Tahuti is a reference to the ancient Egyptian god Ibis. He also was known as Thoth, the lunar god
of wisdom. According to legend, Thoth was the scribe of the gods who invented language and was lord of all Magick. He assumed
the throne of Horus when Horus resigned earthly power. In The Book Of Lies, Crowley revealed that Tahuti was a human being,
a Magus of A:. A:., whose Word was Amoun, which means "hidden." Hadit indicates that Tahuti also is "a child of the Prophet.
Crowley often used the initials A:.A:. as an identification of himself in his writings. If Crowley is the Prophet, all of
this may point to a hidden, or illegitimate son who became a Magus or magickian within the secret ranks of perhaps the O.T.O.
His only known offspring was a daughter, Paupee, conceived through a relationship with Leah Hirsig just after World War I.
The fourth feast: "for the Supreme Ritual, and a feast for the Equinox of the
Gods." This appears to be a celebration of the arrival of Horus to take his throne. It would call for the most supreme
of rituals and would result in balance and harmony. Certainly something to celebrate.
The fifth listing names four separate feasts: "A feast for fire and a feast
for water; a feast for life and a greater feast for death!" This is a call for the celebration of both life and death,
and for two of the key elements that make life possible. The fire is warmth. The water needs no explanation. Life is a broad
celebration. But Hadit calls for even a greater feast for death, since it involves the joyful passing from this Earthly existence
to our home, which is eternal bliss.
Then there is "a feast every day in your hearts in the joy of my rapture!"
And finally "a feast every night unto Nu, and the pleasure of uttermost delight!"
When we sleep, we fall into the arms of Nuit the creator.
"Aye! feast! rejoice! there is no dread hereafter. There is the dissolution,
and eternal ecstasy in the kisses of Nu." Forget the rituals. Every day, every hour and every moment of our existence
is cause for a celebration. Whether for reasons profound or secret, we are to enjoy a never-ending feast, always in celebration
of love unto Nuit the creator.
Copyright - James Donahue
