the 'Free Spirit' ritual
last updated: 21.x.2004
page status: update work in progress
Lighting the Space
Lover
Indeed, paradise is a place of pleasantness, which blooms with the greenness of flowers and herbs.
Lover places the flower into the water. If there are several (for example four) water bowls, place it in the one which has been designated for water. Handmaiden takes the salt...
Lover
It gives its very strength to the dry earth: as salt purifies, the earth of paradise is not darkened with shade, and cannot be overcome by evil.
...and sprinkles some from the bowl into each water bowl...
Handmaiden
According to the secret and hidden order, just as the Earth uncovers itself and brings forth flowers after the dew has fallen upon it, so will the body receive its spirit and quicken.
Lover takes and lights the spill...
Lover
A dim fire gives rise to the bright fire. The bright fire on the outer edge knows the violence which it is given by the dim fire.
...and lights the candles: if elements have been assigned to them, finish with Air.
Handmaiden
From the purest of air on the outer edge blows a turbulent wind, which takes and gives forth a dew of a caressing softness, to which all things are naked. And from the earth and fire and wind and water conjoined come bright flashes.
Consecrating the Work
Lover
Living Light, be a symbol of the Living Light and make this space ready for the Body of the Living Light.
Handmaiden
As Fire is proven through Air, so is Spirit proven through Spirit.
Both drink a sip from the chalice: if a little is spilled, well then, the barrel is clearly brim-full. No matter that the mattress is purest white and the wine a deep lusty red. They pour a little of the wine into each water dish.
Lover
As Earth is proven through Water, So is the Body proven through Flesh.
Handmaiden
Then, like a barrel full to the brim, if I am stirred up, I will be completely overcome by the fullness of my heart and lose myself completely in Love.
Lover
Why not ride, longing, through the storm,
trusting in the power of Love,
aspiring to the cult of Love?
Love's peerlessness will then be seen there,
in the brightness of Love's dawn.
Handmaiden
With high spirit I ride on and sport with my dear so joyously
as if north and south and east and west all lands belonged to me!
Drawing Down Wisdom
Lover
Lady Wisdom, in the shape of the Moon, Living Light, descend and dwell in your Handmaiden. You were poured forth before the beginning, before the heavens were fashioned and raised aloft and before the depths of the earth were carved and hollowed out. Before the oceans met the skies and before the rim divided the sea from the land and before the skies were given their breadth, you were the beloved of the Creator's beloved. You were together when the strands of the world were woven; be consort and delight for each other night and day.
Handmaiden
Come in the form and clothing of a Man, as you were on the day when your Body was given to us for the first time. Come as a human being and a Man, wonderful and beautiful, with glorious face. Come to me as humbly as anyone who wholly belongs to another. Come to me as yourself, take me entirely in your arms and press me to you. So will all my members felt yours in true bliss, in accordance with the desire of my heart and my humanity. So will I be outwardly satisfied and fully transported.
Performing the Work
Lover
Love's burning desire is a precious gift;
the lover knows this and asks no more.
For this is love's truth: she joins two in one being,
making strangers neighbours, and ennobling the lowly.
Handmaiden
Truth declares to my heart
that I am loved by One alone,
such strength she has given me,
from One Lover whom I possess in love
and nothing more is necessary to me.
He is fullness,
and by this am I impregnated.
This is the divine seed and Loyal Love.
Lover
Deity is her mother and grandmother of her branches,
by whom the buds make such great fruitfulness.
because she is there, close
This one is freed from all service,
for she lives by freedom.
Handmaiden
I am the vast abundance of salvation. I am entirely consumed with total fullness of Love and my heart melts completely, All of my senses are overtaken by Love, without limit.
Closing the Space
Lover
How wondrously Love's Handmaiden dwells in the beloved.
One dwells in the other, so that neither one nor the other knows themselves apart.
Handmaiden
But they possess and rejoice in each other mouth in mouth,
heart in heart, body in body, soul in soul,
and one sweet divine nature flows through them both, and both are one through themselves,
yet remain themselves, and will always remain so.
Lover
She has the strength and wisdom within Her and without, to perform acts or to refrain from them according to her own will.
Handmaiden
You have been at my table,
and I have given you my feast,
And you are so very well taught,
and you have savoured my feast so fully,
And my wines from the full barrel,
by which you are so filled,
The bouquet alone makes us inebriated,
and we will never be other.
This next section can be used to snuff the candles, or not, as preferred.
Lover:
Paradise has bloomed.
Handmaiden
It has given strength to the dry Earth, which has brought forth flowers.
Lover
Dim fire has given rise to bright fire.
Handmaiden
From air has blown a turbulent wind.
Lover
From water has come forth dew, and the greenness of herbs.
Both
And wind and fire and earth and water conjoined brought forth the Living Light. Let us be one Soul, giving to Nature all that is necessary for it, without remorse of conscience. Nature is so well ordained by transformation of unity of Love, to which the will of this Soul is conjoined, that nothing forbidden is asked. We have tasted the feast, and savoured the wines, and we will speak not of the secrets which we have been given.
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