Last Rites

This sacrament is attributed to Saturn, the Path of Tav, and the Sphere of Binah. Its purpose is to assist in the alleviation of fear, concern over the disposition of mundane affairs, and any other factors which stand in the way of a free and peaceful death, so that those who approach death may set their sights squarely on the ultimate accomplishment of their True Wills, “whether they will absorption in the Infinite, or to be united with their chosen and preferred, or to be in contemplation, or to be at peace, or to achieve the labour and heroism of incarnation on this planet or another, or in any Star, or aught else.” Ideally, these rites should be administered by a priestess, and preferrably by a priestess who is also a Dame Companion of the Holy Graal.

(A Cake of Light and a portion of wine have been reserved from the Gnostic Mass. These are kept in suitable containers inside a suitable case along with a chalice, a paten, a small container of consecrated water, a stick of incense, and a vial of Holy Oil. This is taken by the PRIESTESS to the hospital or home of the sick. The Communicant’s role in the ceremony may be abbreviated if the Communicant is weak.)

The PRIESTESS (on approaching the building): “I come in the Power of the Light. I come in the Light of Wisdom. I come in the Mercy of the Light. The Light hath Healing in its Wings.”

The PRIESTESS: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

Communicant: “Love is the law, love under will.”

(The Priestess should now ask the Communicant if it is his or her will to proceed with this service, and proceeds only upon receiving an affirmative response. The Priestess and Communicant may recite the Creed together, if it seems appropriate. The Priestess then encourages the Communicant to speak freely about anything that is on his or her mind; in particular, the resolution of the dying person’s mundane affairs and matters of conscience. The dying person must be relieved as much as possible of all responsibilities, burdens and concerns. If necessary, the cleric should be prepared to inform the dying person of arrangements that have been made regarding the estate if this has not already been done by someone else, and to assist him or her to make any additional arrangements that might be necessary.)

(After the Communicant has expressed a desire to proceed with the ceremony, the Priestess unpacks the case and sets up the contents on a table or other surface near the Communicant as an altar. The case itself may be used as an altar, if appropriate. The Priestess pours the wine into the chalice and covers it. The Priestess places the Cake of Light on the paten. The Priestess places the chalice and the paten on the altar.)

(The Priestess makes ☩ on the Communicant with the consecrated water, saying:)

The PRIESTESS: Be thou pure of body and soul!

(The Priestess lights the stick of incense and makes ☩ on the Communicant, saying:)

The PRIESTESS: Be thou fervent of body and soul!

The PRIESTESS (with the Hailing Sign): Be the LORD present among us!

Communicant (with the Hailing Sign): So mote it be!

The PRIESTESS: May the Essence of the Saints be here present, potent, puissant, and paternal to perfect this feast!

Communicant: So mote it be!

(The Priestess recites the Anthem, with the Communicant responding.)

The PRIESTESS: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

Communicant: “Love is the law, love under will.”

Communicant (at the direction of the Priestess): In my mouth be the essence of the life of the Sun!

(The Communicant takes the Host with the right hand, makes ☩ with it on the Paten, and consumes it. the Priestess uncovers and offers the chalice. If the Communicant is unable to consume the Cake and Wine, the Priestess should do it in his/her stead, then lay hands upon the Communicant.)

Communicant: In my mouth be the essence of the joy of the Earth!

(The Communicant takes the Cup, makes ☩ on the Priestess, drains it and returns it.)

(Alternately, the particula and wine may be prepared and offered commingled. the Communicant then says: In my mouth be the essence of the life of the Sun and the joy of the Earth!)

Communicant: There is no part of me that is not of the Gods.

(The Priestess reads Book 106. At the words, “The Benediction of the All-Begetter, All-Devourer be upon thee,” the Priestess traces a ☩ on the Communicant’s brow with Holy Oil.)

The PRIESTESS: (raising hands in blessing): Gloria Patri et Matri et Filio et Filiae et Spiritui Sancto Externo et Spiritui Sancto Interno, ut erat est erit in saecula Saeculorum sex in uno per nomen Septem in uno ARARITA.

The PRIESTESS: Now I begin to pray: Thou Child,
Holy Thy name and undefiled!
Thy reign is come; Thy will is done.
Here is the Bread; here is the Blood.
Bring me through midnight to the Sun!
Save me from Evil and from Good!
That Thy one crown of all the Ten
Even now and here be mine. AMEN.

(The Priestess and the Communicant may converse freely, or perhaps the Priestess may offer to read to the Communicant, until it is time for the Priestess to depart.)

The Priestess (departing): “Love is the law, love under will.”

Original Publication Date: 1997
Draft Version: 10/19/96 e.v.