Winter and Summer Solstice

8/3/2019 Winter and Summer Solstice

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THE ADDIrI'1c)NAL RITUALS OF

THE ROSY CROSS.

THE THIRD ORDER OF THE ROSY CROSS.

WORLD OF CREATION.

PART V.

THE PONTIFICAL CEREMONY OF CELEBRATING

THE FESTIVALS OF THE WINTER AND

SUMMER SOLSTICE.

PARS PRIhIA:

Q U E EST PARS NAGNA SECRETA.

MYSTERIUhI DAATH.

Tho arrangenrmrt of the House fcNows the unwritten #re-

ccdents. Thc Door of the Sanctuary i s oper, to i t s

fuCl cxtcrt. The High Priest of the Sanctuary i s

discovered within, at the Eastern a d , i n full vest-

wds utrd regalia. 08; the circulur Altar thcrr is

Placed a Chalice containing Sacram et~tal 1Vit~ca d

covncd by a Paten, 011 which i s Unleavcnd Bread.



2 TIIESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE

A w h i k cloth i s laid over these Vesscls, The Fratrcs

ct Sorores of the 7 - 4 Degrcc are assctnblcd and

clothed. Fr atc r Ciuis Rcgni S u p n n i , Spokcsntan of

r h Adtpt i E r r r l p l i , has hb sca t in j r o t ~ tof th8

Brrthrcn, bearing his Wand. H c gives a Battery of

onr knock- -The High Priest.--In th e Nam e of th e Thre e Sup erna ls :

in the Holy and Undivided Name. T he Lord is the par t

of mine inheritance: the Lord is th e Bre ad of Life.

H e g ive th Bread to them th a t fear Him. The Lord i s

the part of m y Chalice : He giveth the Chal ice of Sal-

vation. The Wine is ecstasy, containing in itself all

sweetness.

Fratcr Civis Rcgni Supcrni giver a Battery of one knock- 7 4 s d aN rise.

The High Priest.-Assist me t o open, 0 Lord, this

Consecrated Temple in the Grade which is above a l l

Grades, i n the Mystery which has not been declared.

I open it as a Door in C HESED for the descent of Super-

nal Influences from the Light of the Crown, from the

Face of Eternal B eau ty, on which all th e choirs of sanc-t i ty have des i red to look from the beginning. I open

i t as a Door for the Desc ent of D ivine Influence from

Thee , 0 ather of Wisdom, by Whom the worlds were

made, and from Thee, 0 Mother of Understanding,

Holy, Holy Bride. Glory be unto the Three Superna ls

in the place where no evil en ters , th e place of th e Tree

of Life . There a re T h e e th a t bear wi tness in Heaven,these Thre e ar e One. l lereof is the B ond of U ~ ~ i o n

d t w e e n a l l who desire below and all who are blessed

above , from heliceforth an d for ever. Glory be un to the

Thee Supernals, glory in th e place of peace, praise from

the Mercy suspiring in CHESED and receiving as a



T I ~ EOLEMN FESTIVAL O F THE SOLSTICE 8

free gift the Compassion abiding in KETHER, world

without end. Glory be unto the Three Supernals in

the Sepulchre of hly stic rl Dea th ; and from those who

are asleep in GEBURAH, looking for resurrection inGOD, be there praise till the Day of Renewal. Glory

be unto the Three Supernals, glory t o the Eternal Beauty,

ever ancient and ever new ; glory from th e place of th eliving, the Ilou se of th e Second Bir th and the Temple

of T IP H E R E T H , the Beauty of the Life which is in

Christ. DAATH is an Open Door and DAATH th e

channel of reflection. Am en. I t derives to the

SEPHIROTH below, even unto Thee, 0 MALKUTH.

Lift up thine eyes therefore, Thou Mother in mani-

festation, because of t he redemption th a t is a t h a n d ,and the Light of th e Supernals upon Thee through th e

ages and ages.

He then adds with moving l ips but not in an audible

voice :-T h e High Priest.-By the power in me vested, I raise

this Fellowship of the Rosy Cross, from the World of

Benigni ty in TIPHERETH, to the Threshold of In -effable Mystery, the unseen Portal in DAATH. ( A n d

thctr as he raises his hotids on high.) Lift up mine arms,

lest they fail, 0 J EHOVAIi ELOHIhl-Holy Fatlicr,

Holy Mother. May mine eyes in their desire be

uplifted : may I see the Supreme Crown of KETHER

an d th e Glory of t he First Hy postasis.

Th e High Priest raises the Elentcttls i n the sight of theHolv Assonbly : id the veil is stiN over thetrr. F m t e r

Civis Regni S u Pe r~r igives a Batfery of o m knock-1-Frater Givis Regni Superni.-And Melclrisedek King

of Salem brou ght forth Bread an d Wine.



4 THB OLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE

The High Priest uncovers the Elements.

Frater Civis Regni Supnni.-And he was the Priest

of the Most High GOD.

Them is a Vessd of Comecrated Watn and there i s

an Aspergillus on the Pillar ot the Northerti side of

tha Sanctuary Door. Opr the Pillar at the Southern

side there is a Vessel of Comec~atedFire from whichthe fume of Incense rises. Frater Chis Regni

Supnni passes to the Northern Pillar, jrom which

he takes the Lavacruttr and Aspergillus. Following

the Sufr, he goes before the Adcpti Excnrpti, nlakcs

the Kabalistic Sign of the Cross wiih the Aspergilltrs

and sprinkles Water thrice.

Fratw Civis Regni Superni.-Do Thou purify us, 0

-&ordlfrom stain, that we may look with our own eyes

upon the Symbols of Thy Great Mysteries.

Reptacing the Vessd of Water, he tukcs tha Thuribulum

from the Southern Pillar and olpcrs Inccnse in the

sama manner.

Fratcr Civis Regni Supcrni.-With Incense from Thine

Altar which is above, and with Supernal Fire, do Thou

consecrate our hearts and our reins, that we may be

present when Thy H i d d e n Things are declared in the

Land of the Living.

The Thuribulum btitrg restored to lhe Southern Pillar

and Frater Civis Rcgni Supcrni having returned tohis #&ca :--Ths High Priest (spcaking henceforth aiuiibly).-

Symbols of the Life which is Eternal, be unto us a

channel for the communication o f Eternal Life.



T ~ I EOLEMN FESTIVAL OF TIIE SOLSTICE 6

T h c High Priest bemls his head over the Elevietlts,

a t J there i s the pause of a tnon~cnt . Frater Civis

Regwi Superni gives a Ballcry of otu ktrock-I--

and kneels dowtr, wifh the Ade#ti Exenrf t i in the

body of the Tetr+lc.

The High Priest removes lhc Palm frot~r' hs Chulics

attd having laid it on the Altar he extends his hatadsover the Bread.

The High Priest,--Be thou seed of the Fruit of Life,

and when placed in prepared ground, do thou give in-

crease in d u e season, even twelve m ann ers of fru it,

for the glory in ador nm ent of the garden, for the nou r-

ishm ent of elect nation s, th e grac e of the World to

Come an d th e descent of th e Kingdom.He extettds h i s han ds over the Chalice.

Thc High Priest.-The bond between man a n d GOD

is th e lif t of t h e Chalice of Salvation. Be tho u th e

Sign of th at C ovenant, a n open an d plenary chann el

for the communication of Divine Essence, substance

of th e world within a n d Li fe of th e life of man.

There i s here the patcsc of a t ~ o t ~ t e ~ t .

T h e High Priest.-Tile Food of Angels is in CHESED.

T h at Food is too light for our sustenance : give us there-

fore, 0 Lo rd, th e wells of nourishm ent w luch a re con-

cealed in Tliy linlitleks light.

11s proccccls to the Corrsccr~it:'orr f the Elements i n the

tcrrm of the MA S S O F U-VIOIV, speakirlg inaudiblythroughouf. Thcrcafder h6 adds slowly and clearly.

Tha High Priest.-The Bread is the Bread of Heaven :this Brea d is Heaven in its sweetness. T h e Wine is

the Wine of Heaven : this Wine is ecstasy.



6 THESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE

H e t u k ~ s p ona of the Hosts.

Tho High Priast.-Thou hast drawn me through the

Ga te of De at h ; I have dwel t in the Palace of T h y

Clemency ; have trave rsed the P a t h of TETH.

He breaks t h s Host and places ons of the pariiclcs i n the

Chalice.The Hig h Priest.-The fractio n of the body of this

world : th e Mystery of Divine Subs tanc e comm unicated

to the soul of man. . . . One th ing I have desired in

my he a rt , a n d t h a t is Thou .

He consumes what ranaains of the Host.

Thc High Priest.-I desire t o be dissolved and t o he

l t h Thee. The Life of life is T hy un ion , T h e V)rstery

of Divine Life communicated to the soul of man.

He Partakes o/ the Chalice and then, having bowed his

head in recoltcction, or a few motncnts :-

The High Priest.-The Lo rd sha ll be. un to me a n

everlasting ligh t, and m y GOD shall be m y glory.

He rePLaces the Paten on the Chalice, and following the

Strtt passes outside the Saractuary to the AIhr i f t the

,,riddle p la c e of the Ter~rple,sayittg in the course o/

his $rogrcss :-

TIM High Priest.-This is the place of the c lean

oblation : the place is prepared and meet : the 'Templepure an d holy. This is the place of unspotted offerings,

-the place of the offerings of life. Thr ice holy is th e

Temple of Thy service, 0 Lord, my GOD, in th e life

which henceforth and for ever is ours, 0 Fa the r , inThee, and th is th e life of resurrection.



TH ESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE 7

He has reached the Eastern sidc of the Altar. I n the

trrcan tir)~e,Prater Civis Regrri Su pe r~ ri pproaches

&haAdeptus E X C ~ I ~ ~ U Sho has been chosen to scrve

i n the T trtp lc a s Celebrant-in-Chief du rir g the c n s u i q

twclve tnonihs, and leads him to the Wcszern sidc

of the Altar. Orher Adepti arc smtul?

The High Priest.-And af te r yea rs of famine, 0

Br ethre n of th e Rose an d Cross, milk in th e land and

honey, corn in the land a n d wine. Lift up your hearts

therefore, as cups at a feast ar e lifted. Lif t u p your

branches of myrtle. I a m th e Messenger of th e Super-

nals, a n d I pronounce separation for ever between the

good and evil. T h e Tre e of Knowledge becometh th e

Tree of Life ; th e Grace of th e Knowledge of Goodrlcssfilleth the heart entirely.

Frattr Cjvis Regni Sarpcrni assists the Celelra~rt-in-

Chief Elect to kneel a t the W estern side of the A h r

and then resuws his scat.

The High Priest.-Who is hu ng ry for the Lord ?W ho is athirst 3

The Celebrant-in-Chief Elecl says, with bowed head

a trd clasped hutrds :-

Celebra ni-irr-Chief Elect.-Behold the Servant of t h e

Lord , and the Se rva nt of th e Se rv an ts of GOD, in t h e

Ho use of my COD gnd b r d , . i n H is Holy Temple.

The High Priest.-That l ~ u u g xs Justice : may the

Three Which bear witr~ess n Heaven deal with you in

Etcrnal Just ice and fced you.

In tho Ceremony of the Sumrner Solstice il is lhc Ctlcbmnt-in-Chid who

comes forwud-but without official vatmenu and inrignia-to rrccive the

&meal&



8 THE SOLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE

The High Priest l i f ts irp one of thc Hosts and placrs

it in the mouth of the Celebrant-in-Chief Elect, who

raiscs his head lo receive it and again bows it.

The High Priest.-That th irs t is Righteousness. Mayyou gather grapes in l iving vineyards and tread the

Wine-Press of Salv ation . May th e Keeper of th e

Eternal Vineyard bring you W ine of Life in greatflagons, in cups running over.

The Celebrant-in-Chief Elect raises his head ; he Chalice

i s placed to his lips a n d ire drittks thcrcof. Again

he bows his hcad. The Priest rcplaccs the Paten on

lire Chalice and covcrs ihcnr with the whitc cloth.*

Tha High Priest.-Frater Elec tu sex

Millibus (vclnorncn aliu d), Merciful an d Ex em pt A dep t, like oth er

graduates in t h e H ouse of the Holy Spirit and i t s School

of Sa nc tity , you h av e gone fo rth in scarch of t h a t light

which enters into t he he art of those who hav e p ut aside

the burden of their bir th according to the will of flesh

an d th e will of man, that they might be reborn in COD.

You have followed the life of rebirth, which is also a

life of crucifixion in respect of all that is below. I n

the sleep of mystical d eat h, you hav e realised th e

Divine within by an union at t i le centre , as a marriage

with the Life of life. In the Glorious Mysteries of

Resurrection, you have entered into the life of union,

which is wedded life in GOD. By these and all other

memorials of your everlasting spirit , I bid you arise,

m y Brother (tho High Priest leans across the Altar, lakeshim by tha huo hands and raises him), as one who is

clothed in peace, and the Light of the Supernals be

In rbr Catcrncr~,, . the Sunimer Solstice the Celtbmnt-In-Chidg a r b c k

to hir place ; ho High Priest returns dirtct to th . Sanauuy and procecdr with thework tbaoie



THESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE 9

upon you for eve r an d ever. I commission a n d wa rran t

you t o represent in th e Th ird Ord er of th e Rosy Cross

the Ineffable Mercy of GOD toward those who a re called

to par take in this ' l a ~ n p l eand Sanctaury of the hIys-

teries which lead into salvation. Bring those who have

been prepared and consecrated in the Lower Grades

of the Fellowship by a s t ra ight and nar row path to the

Portal of TIPHERETH. So shall you reach downinto NETZACH and draw al l things af ter you f rom

YESOD. Bring them int o the San ctua ry of Adepts,

tha t they may hear the Divine Voice speaking of the

Divine in th e universe an d the self-knowing spirit

testifying concerning itself and the hfystery of Attain-

men t in Christ. Give u n to them their sleep in

GEBURAH an d af ter the ecstasy of union d o thouraise them in the glory of CHESED. Salutat ion and

peace and joy, all grace and holiness of l ~ e a r t , e with

you now and henceforward during the twelve-months '

work of yo ur Office. S o let yo ur ligh t be extended

in the heaven of this Holy Temple th a t you may be

worthy t o depa r t in peace a t th e end of your s teward-

ship.The Cdcbrant-in-Chief Elect says, with crossed arms :--

Cdebrant-in-Chief Elect.-I go fo rth in th e power of

thy Warrant , car rying t h e tidings of sa lva t ion and theLiving Symbols of the Wor d . . .

The High Priest relrrrm direct to the Sawtuary attd

there facilig West at the E ~ s t t r n ide of the anteriorAltar, hc says with outstretched o r v ~ sand open

hands :-

Ths High P fiest.-The Light o f the Superna l~be

upon you, the grace of the Supernals ente r an d abide



10 THESOLBMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE

in your hear ts, with th e blessing of all blessings, leading

through the knowledge of Goodness to Divine Under-standing, the Sum of Wisdom and the Glorious Crown

of Life.

T k a s hers the +use of a moment,

The High Priest.--By the power in me vested, I close

this Holy Temple in the Grade which is above all Grades,

in the M ystery which ha s not been declared.

And then with moving lips only :--

The High P r i e d - I n the Name of the Three Super-

nals, in th e Holy and Undivided Name, I who am the

Priest of DAATI-I, at th e Sacred Portal thereof, do

restore this Thi rd Order of the Rosy Cross-CHESED,

GEBURAH and TIPHERETH-from the Thresholdof Ineffable M ystery to its proper place in th e First

Reflected Triad.

Ths Cclcbrant Ekct refurtts to his scat. The High

Priest Passes with the Sun through the Door of the

Sanctuary, which he doses behind him. He takes

his #roper place i n the body of the Temple.

H n s ends fhs Mystery o f D A A T H .



T m SOLEMN FESTIVAL OF rim SOLSTICE 11

PARS SECUNDA.

MYSTERIUhI CHESED.

The Tctnpk i s opened in full according to tlic Ritual ofth8 Grad8 of AdtPttds Exen1Pt1is by the Celebmttt-

itr-Chief and th r hZosC Holy Priestess. Th6 Fratrcs

t t Sororts are seated. The Ushcr of the Grade goo

to the 6ustern side o f the ACrar and them upli/Cs his

Wand .

Frater Civis Regtri Superrli.-Summer an d win ter shall

not cease. Fratres et Sorores, Merciful and ExemptAdepts, I proclaim the High Festival of the Winter

Solstice.

Hc rcturtrs io his #ace.

Adtptars Exe))tptus.-The House of th e Holy Sp irit is

open in the Grade of CHESED for the commemmora-

tion of the event and th e celebration of th e SacredMysteries attached thereto.* Give me grace, 0 Lord,

to end my task in peace, that-having been manifested

in the mystical body of this life which I draw from

la the Ceremony of tha Summer Solstice the apecch of the Celebrant-in-

Chief ends a t this point, with the addition of the following words :-Tltu LIU or

Rrrsu~vrcTIoN16 7 r l L SOLSTICSY ETEYNALUMYLR . He put* awde his

Wand and procerds to tt~aWestern end of the Altar. facing East. 'I'l~a l ~ g h

Prlert, rising in his place and nnndmg thereat. inquires : W I ~ E N C Iuuo you,

P ~ A T E ~ILECTISSIYK?he Ceremony proceeds br in the k r t above, with tho

-wet to this yucstiun. and after m i l i n g the Thrice-Great Pledem of Fidelity, lire

Celebrant returns to his seal, rcsutncs his M'aad, und the Cloring isLaken.tortl~witb

in the Grade of Adeptus Ercmptus.



12 THESOLEMN FESTIVAL O F Tl iE SOLSTICE

Thee-I may pass into the hidden refuge of T h y more

fect union. I have served Thee, m y King and GOD,

in those Grades of salva tion by which the Fellowship

of the Ro sy Cross is bound upon the Tree of Life. Ihave drawn those whom Thou hast given me from th e

deeps below MALKUTH. I have brought them from

the sphere of YES OD , by a st raight way, to the Portal

of th e Third Order, and thence into t h e life of th e Cross.

I have put them to rest in GEBURAH, n d a t t h e e nd

I have raised them gloriously when Eas ter dawn ed in

their sods. Set upon my forehead th e seal of Thin e

unchanging simplicity. Bid me go inward. T ak e me

to th e still rest of th e Active centre, int o the World of

Ascension in DAATH.

The Priestess.-Frater Civis Regni Su pe rni, where is

-.e Faithful Witness who shall testify in t h e Coming

t ime 3

T h e Usher of the Grade proceeds with the Sutr to the

place of the Celebrant Elect, whom hc brings to tha

Western side of the Altar, looking toward the East,

and

returns to his own place.Adeptus Exemptus.-Art thou he t h a t is to come, or

d o we look for another 7The Cdebrant Elect.-O Adep ti Exe m pt i, in virtue of

the warrants which I cany, receive the perfect Signs.

Hc gives the Sign of a Neophyte.

Celebratit Elect.-The Sign of him who, st andin g

the threshold of the P a t h , bears witness to th e Mys-

tery of th e Tree.

He gives the Sign of a Zdator.



THESOLEBIN FESTIVAL OP THE SOLSTICE 13

The Cdebrattt Elect.-The Sign of him who, passing

between the Pillars, receives the blessing of the Quest.

He gives the Si g n of a Fraler Th t o r e t i cw s .

The Cdebratrt Elect.-The Sign o f him who enters the

Path of Attainment, and the Mystery of the Tree of

Life is rooted in his part of mind.

He giues the Sign of a Practicus.

Ths Celebrant Elect.-The Sign of Him whose heart

is in the Holy Quest and the Tree of Life is rooted in

the heart of him.

Ha gives the Sign of a Philosophus.

Ths Cdebrant Elect.-The Sign o f him in whom the

Tree of Life overshadows the whole personality and

the will of his inmost being is directed to the end in GOD.

Ha gives the Sign of a n Adeptus Minor.

Ths Cclebrant Elect.-The Sign o f Messias extendedon the Tree of Life, and the Sign of the Cllrist Mystical

abiding in the life of the heart.

H e gives the Sign of an Adeptus Major.

T h e Celebrant Elect.-The Sign of the inward state

of him who has died in Christ, of the soul dissolved in

the spirit by an ecstasy of love, of the Word quickenedin the sod by the central realisation thereof.

T h e M o s t Ho l y Priestess rises from in scat between

ths Pillars, pa'sses about the Altar an d f a c t s tho Cele-

t Elect frotn the Ea sf cr n side.



14 TH ESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF T H E SOLSTICE

The Celebrant Elcct ~ i v t r hc Sign of an A d c p ~ u s

Examptus.

The Ccl~brant Elect.- T he Sign of resurrection in

Christ, of the Word manifest in risen Life and expounding

the Mystery of the Tree .

The MostHoly

Priestess and the Celebrant Etectexchange the Grip of the Grade of CHESED across

the Altar.

The Priestess.--The perfect testimony of perfect Signs

is given and received, 0 Brother of the Rosy Cross.

She rdrrrtrs kr hcr place.

A deptus Exemptus.--Whence com e yo u, F ra te ri-lectissime?The Czlcbratst Elect.-I have been in search of m y

spirit through the ages. I have reached the term of

quest. I have come with the glad t idings, to bear my

faithful witness in all the Holy Houses of the Rosy

Cross.

A dcpttts Excn t~ttrs.-Wh at m ann er of glad tidings,

0 Merciful and Exempt Adept 7The Celebrant Elect.-Tidings of th e tr in it y which

enters into unity, of a t ai n n ~ cn t n self-knowing spirit,

of ineffable union in spirit, soul and flesh. I testify

concerning the deep t h ings of experience d eclared i l l the

way of t ru th , seeing th at th e work of redem ptiontevolves on those who have sought and obtained

redemption. On m y own part , and as vicegerent and

spokesman of all Adepti Exempti under th e obedience

of this Rite, I look to carry unto the bounds and ends

of the mystical earth m y glad tidings concerning the



THE OLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE 16

glorious resurrection of A de pts hip t o th e new life which

is hidden and manifested in GOD. So f a r a s I m ay

fail in this high an d holy t a sk , may nly peers and co-

heirs concnr w i t h n~y sclf in a t o n e ~ n e n, t h a t nothing

may be stinted or restricted of that which has been put

into my charge, so only that the prescribed order is

maintained duly and that which belongs to the Sanc-

tuary is reserved thereto. Hcreof is the faithful witness

of every Exempt Adept in the Grade of CHESED.

The High Priest rises arid passes to thc Easlern side of

the Cu b ica l A lh r i n the tniddh #lace of the Tcnrplc.

The High Priest.-Frater E lec tus ex millibus (vcl

norrrcn aliu d) , before th e A:tar in th is H ou se of th e L or dthere must be a pledge between us a n d y o u, a n d GOD

shall watch upon the covenant for ever. May tha t

which we d o . in you r person, collectively a n d indivi-

dually, be ratified in DAATlI, wherein is the life of

Ascension ; and the power of the Superna ls a t tes t i t

for ever and ever. I say unto you, l i f t up your l lands ,

and the testimony which 1 u t t e r on m y own pa r t in th e

fulness of the manifested Word, you shall now recite

not on ly in the secret soul an d t he innlost heart but with

the lips of hinl whose m o ut h is ope ned in t h e G r a d e

of Exempt Adep t .

The Ushn of the ~ t a d c ' g i v e s Bectcry of o m kttock-

--and al'l risa. The High Pri'esl ir~rposcs he Thrice

'rea: PC,cd.;c of F i d t h t y ,utid it

i s rcpeutcd b y theCelebraut Llect. The High Priest rctrrrrts io iris

place, atid the Brcthrctc ure seutcd. lVhile sfill

standittg a! t h e Altar :-

Adcptus Exorlpttts.-May lie that comes af ter me so




work and so achieve that he shall be preferred before

me and thdt tile latchet of his shoes I shall be called

unworthy to loose,

The Cdcbrant Elect.- 0 Lord and Master of all,

vouchsafe to look with pity on these Adepti Exempti,

exalted and merciful, who are placed in my charge for

the sacred and glorious Offices of this Hidden Templedevoted to T h y service, May that which is here and

now to them ascribed in symbolism be effectually and

redly imparted ; and may those whom I bring during

the tenn of my Office into the Mysteries of the Grade

of CHESED be integration in the Life of the Tree, by

the dispensation of Thy Divine Mercy.

The Celebrant Elect returns to his scat.

Tho Closing i s taken in the Grads of Adefitus ~xcm)fur .

Hcra ends the Mystery of C HE S E D .



TH ESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF T I ~ E OLSTICE 17

PARS TERTIA,

bIYSTERIUM GEBURAH,

Ths Ade pti nlajorcs arc adnritted. Th e Tem ple i s opetred

i n full accorditrg lo the Ritual of the Grade of Adept us

Major by the Celebrotrts of thai Grade. Th e Fratres

el Sorores are seated. T h e Usher of the Grade goes

to the Eastern side of Ihc Attur atrd there upl$s his

w a d .

Fratcr Peregri~rus Vallis,-Sumnler and Winter sllall

not cease. Fratrcs et Sorores, Adepti hlajores, 1 pro-

claim the High Festival of the Winter Solstice.

H e rcturns to his place.

Adeplus Exe~rrpius.-The House of the Holy Spirit is

open in the Grade of GEl3URAH for the commemora-tion of the event and the celebration of the Sacred

Mysteries attachcd thereto.* I have watched for more

10 the Grcmony of the Summu Solstice therpeech of the Celcbrant-in-

Chief ends at this point. The Second Celebrant puta u idc his Wand and

proceeds to tho Western end of the Altar, facing L r t . The High Pnert. rising

In his placa and standing therut, inquirer: W I I C N ~ Kovr YOU. FRAT&.

o ~ ~ u c r ~ s s ~ u r ?be Ceremony proceeds u a the text above, omitting the

addnr i of the Adcptur Eacmptw beginning :MrrcltuL E x e u ~ r ocl r , mrrrnr A N D MY SUCCESM~-andhe Grip being txch~nged etween the Second

md First Celebrant, who gotr to the Eastern ride of tho Altar fur this purpose,

.n d hen mturna to his place. Thereafter the Iligh Priest i m p u l ~ e ) b l~ y ~ t~ o n

of the Grada on the Second Cclehnt . At the end they return to their placer, the

Adeptus Major rcsumu hir Wand, rod tbo Closing L rrrkea forthwith in ylcnuy

form.




than one hour in the vigil of h oly sou ls. Tlie d a y

has been given m e for labour ; the night remains for

contemplat ion ; and bo th are offices of love. Give u n to

me henceforth, 0 Lord, more perfect knowledge of

Thy love in the ineffable wonder of Thy silence. I

have brought those wlwm Thou has t g iven me from

the world of regenerated life to a Portal which opens

on the cen t re , to the va l ley of mystical darkness andth e union of so uls the rein . 0 Lord , m y task is done.

Remember Th y Sabba th and tlie prom ise of th a t na rrow

p a t h wlhdl leads to the Crown. I des i r e to pu t off

morta l i ty and to be c lo thed in Thee.

Rdtpfus Major.-Fra ter Peregrinus Vallis, where is

th e Faithful Witness on whom thetask

devolves?

The Usher of the Grade proceeds with the Sun to t h e $&we

of t h e Cefcbratzt E lect, whour he britlgs to the 1Vesfcrn

side of the Alfur , looki~rg oward the East , and relttrr~s

lo his pfucc.

rldepttrs Exe~~rptrrs.--Art th o u h e t h a t is to come , o r

do we look for another?

Th e Cclcbraaf Elect.-0 Adcpti hlajores, in virtue of

t h e w arra nts wliich I carry, receive tlie sacred testimony.

I have cast ou t th e images of m at te r , th e il lusory tcs-

tilnony of the senses, the lust of the flesh, th e lust of t h e

eyes and the pride of life. I have put away th e dcsircs

of the body. I have cas t ou t the symbols of the mind :

I have set aside tlie desires t lw eo f. Tlie cnd Iias dawncdin th e silence. The emotions of the soul are t ransinutcd ;

t h e desire of h um an will is absorbed in t h e purpose of

GOD. The spir it an d the soul are one : th e life of th e

soul is hidden with Chris t in GOD.



THE OLEbIN FESTIVAL OF T H E SOLSTICE 19

Adrphls hfajor.--llereof is tile hlpstery that we ccle-

brate. Be it given uuto lrim who thus puts off mortality

to assume the Hody of Cllrist.

Adeptus Excrrrf>trrs.-lj'llence come you, Fratcr

dilcct is ime ?Thd Cckbrclnt Elect.--From the House of Love a~rclof

the SOU! going to its bridal ; fl-om a Tcmplc of Holy

Espousals ; ro111 a place of pcacc, a d lrurc is the Voice

of th e Silence ; rom a world within, stilled in the lt'atcrs

of Contemplation-and th t w arc. \Vaters of Lovc. I

have howl ; the mystic m i u n of thc Lover and Ueloved.

I come for th with the glad ticiitlgs, and I will bear my

faithful witness in the l lo ly Temples,

Ad+us rl1ajor.-lVliat ilianncr of glad tidings, 0

Traveller in the Valley of Death ?Ths Cdcbrht Elt.it.-Tidings of ineffable expericnce

wllch lit's witllin the hlystery of Dcatll, of tlre ligllt

withi11 wllich exceeds all liglr t ~vitlwut, n d tllc coming

of the Pace~ilakcr. 1 Iiavc lrcard the call of the u h t l ,

the still s~llallvoice speaking in the l w r t of 101igi1lg,and the Ce~lt t -c : 13sdr;~\v~iile Lack. I testify t11;~t l w

Eternal C O D is inu ~la~ lcntn crcatiw, 3s a GTCAIArchi-

tect hidden within n Sanctuary of Ifis own building.

I testify to the Ilivine imnmwnt in the soul of nran

and that the 1) iv inc awakens witlkin it. 0 \'andcrers

in the Valley of S.lcncc, Kcelwrs of tlm Ilalls of

G E U U R A I I , \\'atclrc~.s i n tlrc I tock- l I cw n S q ~ ~ l c l ~ r c ,

I h v c known tlic sanctity of dcatll buyorid t l ~ c etting

Sun. As vic'cgcrc'ut and slidicmrim, I testify on pour

p r t and on t ! ~ ; ~ t f Adc1)ti hliijorcs, wl~rciocvcr s-

wmblcd undvr tlrc obctlic~iccof t l ~i s t ilc, t t~it-( ;OD

wil\ing--we dcsirc to bc dissolvad and lwrcclurtll to



20 T H E SOLEM?: FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE

abide in H i m . I on m y own pa r t be upl i f ted into

t h e Divine Purpose , t l ia t all whom I conurnend in t l ~ i s

Grade into t l le hands of GOD m a y be un i t e d w i th t he

Living Power of t l ~ eN'ord a n d th e Light t l ~ e r cu f .

M'l~ensocver II e shall call , I will ente r th e Grea t h lys tc ry

imploring peace upon t l ~ e orld. IIereof is the fa i th fuf

w i t~ l e s s o f e ve r y A d c p tus Ma jor in t h e G r a d e ol

G E U U R A H .

Adeptus Exetnpttrs.-Plierciful A A d e p t , m y

pecr and m y successor, go for th in t h e power of yo ur

W a r r a n t a n d c o m p l e t e t h i s IIigh Cerelnony of the

Winter Sols t ice , tha t when t h e H o ly O rd er of t h e l h y

Cross is withdrawn for one m o m e n t of t ime f rom t l ie

W orld of Reg encrated Life in the Grad e of T I Y ~ i l i I U i T H ,

it m ay be formula ted once more in beauty.

The Celebrartts rise atld exchar~gc with the Celclrutrt

Elect t h e Grip of the Grade.

T he C d e b r a t~ t s d w n to their pluces. The Ushcr L

the Grudr: leads ilte C ~ l e l r a ~ r tlect to the Ddor of 111s

Sdrict trary a r ~ d tr rises lrirrr to turn If 'es iuurd. / / a

t h w goes l a c k to his p l r ~ c c . The High Pries t covrcs

forward and fuccs llre Celebrant Elect.

The Ilig h Prlt.st.-1;ratcr El ec tus c x nlillibus ( r d

norwtr a l i i td) , before th e Sa nc tu ary i n t l ~ i s iou se of t lre

Lord t l iere must be a pledge between u s a d y o u , i ~ r ~ c f

G01) sliall w atc h upun tlre Co ven ant for evcr. h1,1y

t h a t wlkich we do in y o u r p erso n, co llectiv ely a ~ d11-

dividua l ly , be ratified i n Cl I ESED , w he r e in is tlw l~ te



of Resurrcctioll ; and t l ~ e)U\\IT of t l ~ c upcrna11; attebt

i t for ever a n d cvcr. So 5 t a 1 1 dt l ~ c s ~ f ~ r c ~iy I ~ ~ u t l i c r ,

wi th arnls cxtct~dcd n tlrc Sacred C~.uc.iformSign, ; I I ~

say in your I w r t of lwarts that which you utter w i t h

your lips.



22 THESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF TIIE SOLSTICE

PARS QUARTA.

MYSTERIU M TIPHERETH.

T h e arrange??rent of the Tenrptc ~ O ~ ~ O W She utrwriltenfmmdents. T h e Aux iliary Frater Adeptus assuwes

h is vcst?ncttts and insistria. The Hortoura blc Frater

Custos Litnitlis has chnrge of a Thur iblc, frot~r which

incense rises. Thc Celebrants repair to their placcts.

T h e l ights of the T e~ u p te re extingrrishd, wi fh th6

exception of three carldles burning orr tlre Altar atrd

sy~nbolisitrg he Ofices o/ the Cdebrants. The A d e l t ib f i m r e s arc adnriited and take their scats. As U s t w

of the Grade, the Hottoutablc Frater Ctrstos Lirjlitiis

goes to the Eastern side of tha Circular Altar and

thcrc irpli/ls his I V a t d .

Fratcr Custos Litnitris.-Sun~mer and Winter shall not

cease. Fratres et Sorores, Adepti hlinores, I proclaim

the High Festival of the Winter Solstice.

Adeptus Exonptus.--The House of the Holy Spirit is

open in the Grade of TIPHERETH for the commem-oration of the event and the celebration of the Sacred

Mysteries attached thereto. It is opened in darkness

for the Office of a Sacred Watch, awaiting the Light of

3e Word and the Glory of the Lord manifested in-this Temple devoted to 111. service by the Fellowship

of the Rosy Cross.

The Usher o j the Grade returns to his proper place.



24 Tiie SOLEMN FESTIVAL OF TUE SOLSTICE

L ,w. T h e SHEKINAI1 testified concerning Thee, and

the vestiges of Grace from the Crown fed us a t I Io ly

Tables. Thy House is a House of Prayer , but the spir i t

of this world had made it a de n of thieves. I n th e hop e

of Thy coming we cast out from the Temple of Mind

those traffickers in wares which h av e no pa rt on Th ine

Altars, Our Temple was filled with constant thought

of Thee. The shadow of Thy Presence abode therein ;

an d a sacred fear which is the beginning of wisdom

inspired us in the SEPHIRA YESOD, as in a Holy of

Holies. But i t was surely Thine own voice over th e

troubled sea of em otion , passion a n d desire h? the heart .

1. 'lich ut te red tha t : Peace, be still ; a n d a q u ~ e t ike the

perfect end fd l upon the flux of t h e soul. A glory like

iy glory was declared in the S E P H I R A HOD. Wem~lievecl th a t the t ime was nigh , even a t the doors ;

an d we made ready for Thine advent in NETZACII,

where the will within us turned to Thy Holy Ends .

Thereafter a way was opened to the second birth of

being and th e life of regenera tion in TIPHERETII ,

where all Thy speaking symbols testify by true signs

concerning T h y Presence. hlay th e high light shine in

our souls and the spirit prophesy within. May we know

Thee, 0 Christ , within and be nourished by Thy Divine.

Substance, wherein is life everlasting.

Adeptus Exerraptus.-Way the day of expectation be

also the d ay of union, and in th is House of the Holy

Spirit give unto us reintegration in Thee.

The Auxiliary Frater Adeptus rises and draws nearto the Alfar on the Eastern s ide . He l@ s up the

l ight aftributed to his Ofice it, the Altar syr~ibolisrn

and, vaisirrg it to his fureluad, circunuanabulates the

Tttnplc slctuly, fluusing at the lour quarters.



Trr~SOLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE 25

Auxiliary Frater Adeptus (at the Sortfh).-I know that

m y Redeemer liveth and that He shall statld a t thelatter day upon the earth. (At the 1Vcst.) Ile will re-

deem us with stretched out arm and with great jiidgrnellts.

(A t the Nurth.) We have remembered that COD is

our Rock, and the High GOD is our Redermer. ( U s

refurtrs to the East, which he fitces.) In the soul's famine,

He shall redeem the soul from death ; He s t d l redeem

it from the grave ;He shall draw nigh unto the soul andsave it ; He shall save the souls of His servants. (]la

turns IVestward.) 0 Lord, Thou hast pleaded the cause

of our souls ; Thou hast ransomed our life. All flesh

shall know the Saviour. Blessed bc the Lord Who

bath not left us this day without a Redeemer.

lfc rc tu r~so the Alfar atrd iherc extirrgrtishcs I r r a r b b ; / ' t ,

sayirrg :-

~ u x a l i h yFrater Adcpfus.--I desire to be dissolved

and to be with Christ.

H e rePIaces his ertiqyrishd light on ihe A k r a d gors

direct to his seat, where he hys dowtr his ofliciul vzst-

t s i s i g i a H e slatuis tjow a t his scat,

f u c i q West.

Auxiliary Fratcr Adept14s.-As a vesture shalt Thou

change us and we shall bc changed. I have assumed

vestments for Thy glory ; 1 put them off for Thy praise.

Give m e in Tliine own good time the whole armour

of salvation.

l i e tlrovcs rourrd the Altar with the S u n arrd tctkcs his

placs i n the body of the Trrrple, atuotig umfficiul

A dcpti hlirrores.

Adeptus hfujor.-Thou hast made us i n the likeness

of the universe, as a Garden that is entered at birth,



26 T m SOLEMN 'FESTIVAL'OF r n ~OLSTICE

and we have found in T l ~ y igh consecrations a secret

)r which opens from eartllly into spiritual life, a s a

Pa rad ise of th e Soul within. We have dwelt in.T h ylight in that Garden and the Second Birth in Thee has

sanctified all i ts ways. T h e growth of N atur e becom eth

the growth of Grace. The ea r th is th e roo t of t h a t

kingdom which cometh from heaven abov e ; the air is

a breath of Paradise ; the ra in that waters the Garden

is th e life-giving rain of love, and the ra ys of the SU II

t h a t warms i t a r e rays of Thy Divine Life. B u t in the

Garden, 0 Master of all, we have found another bnd

more secret door, which leads from regenerated life to

a mystical death at the cent re . In the Valley of the

Shadows, in th e Underworld of Being, give u n to those

who desire Th ee t he blessed victo ry of de ath, th e vision

0 the dark night, the IIystery of Union therein and the

.ernal Word of Life.

Adeptus Exo~ptzts.-If a man shall keep th is testimo ny

alive in the Temple of his hear t , he sllall not see dea th

for ever. M ay neitllcr dea th nor life divide us from

T hy love, 0 COD.

Th e Adeptus h h j o r risesa?td

draw s ncor to the Altar oni ts E a s t t m side. H e l ifts 14p the light attributed to his

Ofice i n the Altar syntbolism afrd, raising i t to his

forclrrad, circrona~~tbulatcshe Tet~$le slowly, p a u s i ~ ~ g

ut tire /our quarters.

Adefitits M a j o r (at the Sorrlh).-I have commended

rnv soul intoThy hands, 0 GOD. ( A t the West . ) I t

: 1 be given me to see Thee outside the flesh of m ybody ; I shall see Thee and no other : I shall behold

Thee with mine eyes. ( A l the North.) I am least

among the sons of e lection, b u t I have gone down in to



THE OLEhlN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE 21

the Valley of Sl~adows, to be judged in Thy Love

therein. ( I l e r e h m to the Lust, which Ire Jcces.) Ihave seen Thee in the Valley of Vision. Thy light was

upon all the ways. I war;, safe under the cover t of

Thy wings in the Mystic Tomb. , Thou hast opcncd

Fountains in the midst of the Valleys. ( I l e trrfrrs 1 V ~ s t -

ward , ) 1 have been tllrougl~ he inmost distance n ~ d

th rough th e great deep. I n pace ; n tllat I llavc: slcpt

and I have rested.

He rcturtis to the Altar and there ertitrguishes his lighl,

sayitrg :-

A h f i t u s Major.-Thou shalt deliver our souls and our

life s l d l scc Thy light. Do Thou enlighten us with

the light of the living.

1 1 , ,dp.pkrces his exl iqpishul light o n the Altar a d goes

direct to his seut, where he lays Jowts his o g i c i d

vcstrwds urrd irrsigtria. He stulids now at his scat,

facing IVest.

AJr,bttts hlujor.-Thy priests are clothed with sal-

vation ; Thy saints rejoice in goodness. Blesscd is I N

that watclletl~and keepeth his gamlcnts. \Vhcn the

Lord unclothes liitn, the same shall give true accouut

of his stewardship. Clothe me, 0 Master, in Thy good

time with the perfect body of resurrection.

Adeptus Exmptus.--Fratres et Sorores of the Fullow-



28 THESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF t i i ~ OLSTICE

ship of t h e Rosy Cross, in the covenant of everlasting

priesthood, I leave my spirit with you in those who

,ome after me.

Hs turns Eusfward. The Usher of thc Grade gives a

Battery of one k n o c k - p a t a d all rise.

Adetzcs Exesptus.--Thou ha st given us many de-

liverers and many precursors of sa lvat ion, and Thou

bast permitted even me t o testify in the symbolism of

this Thy Holy Temple concerning Thine Advent. Mytask is done. I came in Thy Name, 0 Lord. Do

Thou come in Th ine own with power, or send him w hom

Thou willest to maintain the faithful witness. I am

called t o go inward. Lord. now lettest Thou Thy

servant depar t in peace. I n th e opening of the Pa th

of YOD, return whence I came. (He now fucrs West.)

-he peace of GOD be with you, 0 Brethren of the Rosy

Cross ; a n d be He realised within you W ho is all days

with us, e v e n t o t h e c o n s u n ~ n ~ a t i o nf th e world.

Thc Celebrant-in-Chic/ rcnloves his o&cial vestsu~rts

and insignia, which arc reccivcd by the U s h n

of fhr Grade, who conics u p for this purpose, and

havitrg h i d them on the scat of ths Celebrant he returnsfo his place.

A d q t u s Exetnpius.-Thou hast compassed me with

holy garments. I lay down those which I have worn

in the Temple of Thy service. I would put off all m ortal

clothing an d receive th a t which is im m ortal, confessing

T h y Name,0

GOD, in the uni ty of Supernal Know-Ige. Cover me w ith Thy light, as with a garment.

The CJcbrant-in-Chief druws ttear to the Altar on its

Eastern side. Hb li/Ls UP the l ight attributed to his



T I I ESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF ~ i l s OLSTICE 29

O f i e in the Altar sy~ ubo lism an d, trrrt~itlg East-.. ,.I, passes to the Door o f the Sartctuary, which he

sets ope91 a d Pauses U ~ O ~ Ihe threshold.

The Sanciuury is i n ulter durk~lcss. T h e Cross 01Obligation i s i r r t l ~ e errtre thereof, atid the Crlelrntrt-

irr-Chief Elect i s orr hi s knees before it, his head bowed

deekly.T h e H i gh Priest starrds at tlrc Easterlr t d , with extat~ded

artus.

The High Priest.-I will raise me u p a faithful priest,

w h o shall do according to that which is in mine heart

and i n my mind : and be sllall walk before mine anointed

fo r ever.

T h e otrtgoirtg Celebrant m le rs fhe S a ~ c t u a r y ttd stands

at fhe Northern side of ihe Cross, baring his light.

The High Priest colrres rortrrd to Ihc Sortthern sids

and bends avtt the Cclebrrrrtt Elect.

The High Priest.--The Son of Man cometh not to re-

ceive ministry but to minis ter , wearing in liumility tile

likeness of the Lord of Glory.

H e raises the Celebrant-Elect, sayirrg :-

The High Priest.-It is written : H e that taketh not

bfs cross, and followeth a f t e r me, is not w o r t h y of me.%! f

H I phcw h im against the' Ctciss u n j co rna forward to

the Door of th o Samturrry.

T h e High PriLst.-He that is greatest among you, e thim be as the younger, and he that is Chief as he that

doc1 serve.



80 T i i ~ OLEMN FESTIVAL OF THX SOLSTICE

The High Priest.-That the world may be crucified

unto thee, do thou cnrcify thyself unto the world.Tho Crlcbrant-Elect extends his arms upon the Cross.

Thr Cclebrarr t -Elcc t .1 am made and vowed asyou are, and the burden of your dedication is upon me,

that I shall not leave you in the heat of the day or in

the hour of trial , but that 1 may give an account of m y

stewardship. I testify concerning myself, that you may

bear witness in turn . 011behalf of you who are my

Brethren, I set myself upon the Cross of Obligation, to

renew my pledges and your own in the presence of the

wh01e Order,

The High Priest binds the Celchant-Ekct to th8 Cross.

The High Priest .-May that which we do in thy per-

on, collectively and individually, on this sacred day of

our renewal, be ratified in GEUURAH, wherein is the

victory of death ; be it recorded in CIIESED,wherein is

the life of resurrection ; and t l ~ e ower of the Supernals

at test it for ever and ever.

He adm i~risters he Obligafio~r / the Grade 01Adcptrcs

Mitror lo lhc C~hb raltf-ElecC, y whom i t i s rcpwteda d i b l y T h e r e a f t e r , the Brethren having res r tned

their scuts and ths Celebnct~bElcclbeing still bourul

upon the Cross :-

Thr Cdebrad-Elect . -May the Brethren of this Holy

Order be confirmed an d strengthened in me. May they

die t6 themselves with me in the lower part of their

nature. May they descend with me from the Glorious,ross of TIPHEICETH aud pass to the ineffable ex-

perience of the Greater Mysteries. As 1.give expression

for testimony in the whole personality of Adepti



THESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE 31

Idinores under the obedience of this Sacred Rite, so may

i t s high end be realised in tllem and so also in me. h h yI U~us-who a m uplifted on tlle Cross-draw all who

are mine unto me. I n t o Thy llands, 0 Lord, lor this

, Thy work in the Order, I co~lr~ne~tdhe will of IAIYspirit

in th e uttermost conformity.

H6 bows his head.

ThcUdc r o/

the Grade co tms /orwardand

closes tlta, Door of the Sattchary. The body of the Te~nple s

now i n cotrrplete dark,tess. The High Priest uttlirrds

the Cdebra?~t-EJ~'ct.

Ths High Priest.-Descend, 0 lerciful Exempt Adept,

from the Glorious Cross of TIPI lE lE TH , for the dclivcr-

ance of the Souls of the Just from earthly into spi r i tua l

Life, from places of purification to the place of the SecondBirth and from the life of Iiegencration in GOD to

the risen life wliich is in I-f inl.Th r outgoitrg Celcbratrt hatads the light lo his successor.

The Outgoiq Cclebrarrt.-May peace be with thee,

Brother, and do thou carry the tidings of peace.

lVhilr this hus taken +lace in the Satrcluary, the Ushrr

of the Grade, sta~lding t his place Br h c body of ihc

Temple, repzals the versi~4dso/ the liftre.

Frater Cuslos Litnitris.-(I) Let Thy messenger ap-

pear in his place. . . (2 ) IIe shall sit as a priest upon

his Throne. . . (3) The ccwse! cf !)is peace shall be

upon us.. .

(1;H e !11a11 bc3s

tle

light of morning,when the s u n nscth, even a l n o r ~ ~ i r ~ githout clouds. . .( 5 ) Come quickly therefore, we pray thee : enter into

our hearts and lives, the promised Deliverer.



32 THESOLEMN FESTIVAL OF T I I E SOLSTICE

While these vers icles rtre reciled slowly atid clearly, the

High Priest arrd the Outgoitrg Cclebrarrt hnve issuedfrotn the Snrrctuary b y a secrel door at th e fitrther crrd.

T h e or m er t a kes up h i s $lace at the Sortth-IVest atlgle

of the Sattctriary orr it s outer side a nd the laft cr

o ccup ie s a n y v a ca t~ t eut in the body o f the Temple .

A l l th is i s dorrc qui etl y, so that they nray trot bc dis-

tingtrislred itr the darktless .

A great light shines teitil in the Sarrcfuary.

Fratcr Custos 1-ivrinis.-I have loved Thee, 0 Lord,

my Priest and King o f m y Salvation. Great things are

spoken of the Kingdom, because of Thy day.

T h e Ba t tery o f the 5 - 6 GrcrJe i s soutrded w it h in th e

S a tcfuary-• 7 1-11- I t is rcpcatcd by the Usher

of the Grade as Spokt.snla?l o/ AdtPli Jf i trorcs. TheCdcbratrt-irr-Chief comes fo rth frorrt the Surtctrtnry

carryitrg the lig ht of h i s O j i ce . All l ights i,r the body

of th e T e m p l e are tlcrtred o n at tIte sarjre nrorrient.

Ail presctrt rise up. T h e Celebrant-iri-Chief dc-

pos it s h i s l igh t o n the A l tar . T h e H i gh Pr iest co t~ lcs

forward a n d places the New Celebrant at a grriddlc

#oi?tt bchvccrr the Sa)tctarary and t he A l l ar , s till f a r i q

Eas t . T h c vestwet tt s a ~ r d rasignia of the Celebrarrt

ars brought up by the Usher of the Grade, who h a n d s

th e m szcccessivcly to the H ig h Pr ies t a n d ass is ts

generally at the clothirlg.

T h e H ig h P ri es t (irtvesting w it h th e violet habit).--\Vash

thee in the heart and anoint thee in the sp i r i t . ( I +

veslirrg with t h e v io l e t c fw k . ) Put the raiment o f thy

redeemed body upon thee. ( I n v e s f i ~ r gwi th the Xose-

o ) t is written : I will clothe m y priests with

salvation. (Invest ing with the biret ta. ) T h e saints shall



54 THE OLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE

sacred du ties of M ighty A dep tus Major du ring th e

coming revo lution of the S u n , you are held-symbol-

ically speaking-to ha ve been warran ted from t h e G r ad e

of GEUL'IIAII ; b u t GEI3UlCAII is asleep in tlle Lord

and its rest is n o t b r o l~ e n . 13y the power to nle com-

mit ted in tllc height of t l ~ e hird Order , and a s a hlerciful

E x e m p t Adep t , I give yo u your ti t les from CIIESIiD

hereby and herein. Receive th e ve stm en ts of you rOffice, ( l l e rises a d clothes the AdcPltts hfujor .) I

have put r ig l i teousness upon you, and i t shal l c lothe

you. Receive a lso your lamina. W hen you carry i t in

the great Rites , remernber t l u t the Death of the Cross

is t ru ly th e Ga te o f Life. I present you with the Wand

of your Ofice . T h e Cross re turn s int o th e Cube, t h e

Word made f lesh is hidden in the rock-hewn sepulchre,and our life is withdrawn in GOD,

The Allcpttrs hlujor passes to the A ltar a ~ dights his

synibolical catrdle /rum /hat o/ the Celcbrurtt-irr-(;/rlc/,

ulho i h t IcaJs him l o his proper seat, atrd reswrrcs

his own.

Adcptus Exewpttts.--I call upon the I lonourab leF r a t e r L u x sempcr in Cwlis (vel ? to w n u l iud), w h o has

bccn clioscln by the l f eaddl ip of the Third Order to

receive at m y han ds th e benefit of installation in th e

Oltice of Auxi l i a ry ITra t cr Adeptus .

T h e Brother thtts cited i s brought rrp by the Usher of

the Grude, who assists U L S O i n his clothing.

Adcpltts Exttnfitus.-Frater Lux semper in C d i s (vcl

no t run a l iud) , your war ran t is delivered in T IPI IE lET1 I ,

b u t i t derives from th e sou rce of a u th o ri ty which rules

and teaches in CIIESED. I le reby and herein I pro-



' I ~ EOLEMN FESTIVAL OF T ~ I E OLSTICE 35

daim your lawful titles. I\teceivc the vcs t~nents uf

y ow O f f a . ( H e rises C I O I I ~ C S t h e r i r t~ i l i l r v y *'r l i tcr

Ad+ur.) N a y your rairnc~rt be as light about yotl

and rn gold shining in t l ~ c ~lr l. May you spread your

vestments in the way ~ I I L ~ I ~I I C .ord of flosts cu111c5.

Rm i v e also your lamina, a~rtlw l ~ c n uu c a r r y i t i l l t l ~ e

Great Rite of TIP11ERIC'l'I I , rcnlct~il>er 11;lt t l ~ e ife

of the Crods is the Way of tile hIy,tcry of GOD. I pre-sen t you with t h e Wand of your Office. I t proclaitns

that the IVord is made flesh and manifested in human

life.

T k High Pri~sl.--Raise up, we beseech Tlree, 0

Nastcr of all our ways, tilt: sp i r i tua l life of this 0 1 d c r :l i f t i t into t l~ eife wliic11 is etcri~al. . hIay tllc l ~ u ~ r

and the grace and the glory of Thy Nust I loly S1)irit

remain in this Iiouse of tlle Spirit, May all p r o f ; i ~ ~ a ~ i o ~ l

of t d and the hands uf the unconsecrated kcvp fLlr

from our Sanctuary and its precincts. May tliosc \vlro

enter herein be those wlro are b ~ r n or tlre light, ;tnd

m ay the high ligllt abidc witlrin tllcln-a wit i~cs s n tlre

mu1 ,and t h e hear t . So slrall we dwell i n Tlly pruscllcc,in the sanctity of regenerated life, i n the 1iber;ition of

our l;leep in Tlrec, and in tlw peace of the \Vorld to C U I I I ~ ,

whidl is the \Vorld of tlrc l lu ly One, the \Vorld uf lie-

s um t i on in Thee and of union with Christ the Sl)ii'it.



36 TH E SOLEAIN FESTIVAL OF T ~ I E OLSTICE

T h c Celebrant- in-Chief passes to the Eas tern side of

the A h r atrd u w o w r s rh c Sacred Vessels. H e lifts

up the P at or and s a y s :-

A d e p t u s Exonptus.-Give unto us Divine Substance--

communicated to the Soul of man.

H c l q t s ttp t he Chal ice a t d says :-

PJ cf i tus Exetnptus . -Give unto us Divine Life for the

maintenance of the Soul in Thee,

Under the Guidance of the Usher of the Grade, act ing

as Director of Cert.8 ~rti es, the Fratres et Sorores

contc forward, begit inirig w i f h the Of ici at AdcP ti ,

the U i gh Priest exceptud. T he Pate n i s Passed roundand they fiartake of tlre Hosts, each rcpeatitrg rhs

Sacred Fornrula. The Pate98 i s rcplaced on th6

Al tar . T h e Chal ice i s a lso passed routrd, a t d the

Brethren drink thereof , repeating the Sacred For-

mul a . T h e Chal ice i s rep laced on the A l tar an d

the E1c)rrcnfs arc rev eikd . T h e Ushe r of the Crnde

i s the lust to $artuRt of each. T h e Celebrants retirrn

to their Thrones. A ll present havitig rcsumed their

s w t s , the High Pricst rises i r t h is p h c e ,

Tlrc Hiqh Priest.-Tile Li f e of life is Thy love. I t

is written : I jehold, I an1 wi t h you all days, even to tlre

consummation of the world. . . . I 11ave descended to

TIP11EIt13TII, br ing ing the glad tidings. . . . ( I l e l i f is

trp his arjrrs.) The peace of GOD and the knowledgeof life everlasting, and the consciousness of the self-

knowing part in the Eternal Spirit, be with you, w o ~ l c i

without end.

Thc Altar is replaced i , r i hc V au l t .



h~a OLEMN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE 87

Ad+tvs Eximptus.-Ilonourable Fratres et Sororcs ,

by th e power to me c ~ n l l n i t t c c l , proclairn that t l lc Sun

ha^ entered Cayxicorn, t ! ~ign of the Winter Sirlstice.

Light from the Eternal and Glury of Everlasting \ \ 'orhip

b with US for ever a t ~ d ver.

H a r ends the h ly s t c r y of TIPHERETI I

H a s ends the So l c t ~ r r r Ccrerrtotry of celebralitlg

T k Fcstivul of the I V i r r t e r Solstice.



38 T ~ I EOLENN FESTIVAL OF THE SOLSTICE

THE CEREMONY OF T H E SUhlllIER SOLSTICE IN

THE GRADE OF TIPHERETH.

The T e t ~ p l e s oPe)ied in ihe light accordhig to th e Rittral

of the 5 - 6 Grade. The Fmtc r Custos L i u l i ~ i i spro-

c t a i i m !he Solstice, a d he Celebrant-in-Chiej pro-

ceeds a s follows :-

Adeptus Exer)tfitirs.--The I Iouse of the Holy Sp i r i t is

opened in t l l e Grade of TI I'EIERETH for th e commem-

oration of the c v c n t and the celebrat ion of ;:,L Sacred

Mysteries a t tached there to . The S u n a t i t s g r c a t c s t

e leva t ion i s an ex te rna l type or fore-shadowing of th e

Christ-Life in t l ie Soul a t t h e 1,idlrest realisation of

spir i tual consciousness. I t is t h e day of ou r a t a inlnent ,

.Thy day, 0 Lord and 3Ioster, wirereil l al l things are

renewed. I t is t l ie noonday splendour of t l ie Sun of

Righteoysness, the kingdom, the power a n d t h e glory.

The counse l i s, S tan d t l~e refo ren th e fulness of th e l ight,

as the Sun s t ands a t t l l e zen i th .

Adep tus nlnjor . -The l k t i v a l of the \\ ' inter Solstice

commemora tes the advent of the Christ of Palest ine ,u t especially the beginning of the th ree years of ~ n i o i a t r y .

1 conarne~norates he conl ing also of t h e C o s n ~ icClrrist

into t h e h e a r t of t h e Rosy Cross. This i s the opening

of t h e Mysteries, a n d t h e l ig h t sh in e t h in darkness.



'Ika S O W N FESTIVAL OF Tire SOLSTICE 89

A wxiliary F r a h AdePfus.-The Festival of t h e

Summer Sols t ice comrr~cn~ora tesh e fuln ess of xnani,

featation in Palestine, when tire Risen Christ sent HisApodtles into the wor ld , tha t they might teach all

nations. It signifies also t he coming of t he Pa rac lc t e

into the heart of the Itosy Cross, This is t h e a p e x of

theNysteries, and there is l ight in the place of light.

The Ceremony proceeds as in the Wititer Solsfice, bc-

ginning with the speech of fhc Adeptus Exerrrpttrs :Below is the darkness of material things, etc., utrd

folfowccl by that of ihc A ux ilia ry Fr at er AtlcPfus,

who describes the circle of tlie $lace uttd re c it ~ s he

proper vcrsiclcs, replacing his light on !Ire Altar

without cxtirtgrrishiq it a d thcrt tukijrg his scattoiihoud wrclolhi~rg. The same procdure is obscrvcJ

by the Second Cdclrattt ; d licrctiJtcr thc Cclcbrutrt-

in-Chief rises, with uplified 1Vamf.

AdcPtrrs Exeirrptus.-Tlre peaco of GOD be wi th yuu ,

0 Brethren of the Rosy Cross ; and be He realiscd within

you, \Vho is at1 days with us, even t o the consunrnration

of the world.

Hs procceJs lo tire E t ~ s l c r ~ tide of llie Alfrir, Iqis rrb the

light o j his Ofice a d sssriles the circle of flu fltrie,

reciting the Proper versiclzs. Thercclftcr Ire rc/daces

h i s light om the Altar ( J ~ I L ~oes to his irivaritrblr: s, .

A tr t i l iary Frutcr A d tp l rrs.-The L ig h t of t hc Lord

leadeth us : t h e Lord is an Everlasting Light : it] l ' l ~ y

Light let us see l ight, shining from tlie l'alacc a t tile

Gntr c , shining from 1111: inmost lieart, O King of the



40 THE OLEMN FESTIVAL OF Trm SOLSTICE

Greater Mysteries. Thy c o m m a n d m e n t is a Lamp ;

Secret L a w is Light : herein is the light of the eyes.

I i l a t l igh t s ll ine th in the darkness , an d the darkness

comprehendeth it not. But as for us we will walk with

Thee in the l ight of the living, the light upon t h e Israel

. of the e lect , the Glory of the Rosy Cross.

Thc Cde6ra rtf-in-Ch i e a d thc Second Celcbranl

huvs ariserra d

set oPcn fhc Door of the Sa~tctuary.i ' h Cross of Obligation in tha Centre i s under the

j4U light of the Rose,

Thc High Priest.-Frater Lux semper in Cmlis (veL

nomen a l i td ) , on the Cross in th is Sanctuary of t h e L ord

. h r e must be a pledge between us and you, and GOD

shal l watch upon the Covenant for ever .

The Au xiliary F r a f n Adeptus proceeds to the Door

of thr Sanctrtury, wherc he lays aside his W a d

JJL i s tukerz in charge by the High Pricst, who leads

him withirl the Sattctuary. They frtrn JVestward a t the

Cross which is now inmtediutdy b ehird the Auxi l ia ry

Fratcr Adcpttrs, who cxterrds his artrrs thereon.

A trri liary Fr at er Ade+tus.-On behalf of you w ho a r em y Hretllren and on m y own par t , I set myself upon t h e

Cross of Obligat ion, to renew my pledges and your own

i n th e presence of th e whole Order.

The Iligh Priest binds hit)r to tlrc Cross.

Tire High Priest.-)fay that which we do in y o u r

person, collectively and individually, be ratified in

"EUURAII , wherein is the victory of death ; be i t

xecorded in CHESED, wherein is th e life of resurrection ;

and the Power of the Supe rna l s a t t e s t it for ever and

ever.



THE OLEXN FESTWAL OF T I I E SOLSTICE 441

Auxi l iary Fratcr Adtbtrrs (wki l6 ~ ~ i l lo t i d tr/lort t h e

Cross).--May the lhtllren of this IIoly 01-derbe con-

firmed and strcngtlrened in me ; and 8s 1 give ex~)rcss iun

for testimony in tile wlrolc: personality of Adcpti hlinurcsunder the obedience of this Sacred ltite, so may its high

end be realiseci in then1 and so also in me.

T b igh Priest.-Descend, Auxiliary Frater Adept us,

from the Cross of Glory in TIPIIEIIETII, and tlrc

majesty of its light be with you from henceforth and

fa ever,

He unbinds ths Third Celelrar~tattd leuds hi111 to the

Door of thb Sat~ctuary. A S they pause o n th e tlrrcs-

hold :-;.

Ths High Priest.-Fratres et Sorores, in this l i o us e

of the Holy Spirit, ren~cruber l ~ a t he life of the Cross

b the Way of the hIystery of GOD.

Winter and Summer Solstice

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Transcript of Winter and Summer Solstice