5.11. Anapodismeia⁑
As one of the Stilbōneia, the offering of the Anapodismeia marks when the planet Mercury stations retrograde. While it may be performed exactly during the station, it is more ideally and conveniently performed on the sunset or in the last planetary hour of Mercury prior to Mercury stationing retrograde. This occurs approximately three or four times a year, with the station occurring approximately eight weeks after Mercury conjoins the Sun and three weeks prior to Mercury stationing direct again.
In the case where Mercury stations retrograde in the degree of its exaltation, which is the timing needed for the Hypsōsis ritual or Hypsōmeia offering, the Anapodismeia should be done and the Hypsōsis or Hypsōmeia postponed until after Mercury stations direct and returns to the degree of its exaltation.
The Anapodismeia should not be combined with other offerings, but they may be done as part of the Leitūrgia. However, it is best done on its own.
If done in a group, this offering should only be attended by group members unless the group decides otherwise. If done independently, it is best done alone.
Attention
If one observes the Anapodismeia, the Propodismeia must be observed as a follow-up offering.
5.11.1. Supplies and Tools Required⁑
A match or lighter
Offering dishes as necessary
One to four lights
Candles or oil lamps are equally acceptable.
Narrow candles (e.g. tapers) or wide candles (e.g. tealights, votives) are equally acceptable.
Incense in a holder
The incense should be of a smell or blend of smells appropriate for general offerings.
Loose incense burning on charcoal in a brazier with a plate or handle is ideal, but self-igniting stick or cone incense burning in a holder that can easily and safely be held is acceptable.
Drink
If a loibeion is present, an offering of water may be made from that directly, but may not be the only drink offering.
Clean, cool water
Food and flowers as desired
Bell (optional)
Image of Hermēs and a large piece of black cloth (optional)
5.11.2. Preparation⁑
Before the offering, follow the Kanones of hygiene (full bathing required), clothing, and abstinence (both lax and strict required). A hormos should be worn for this offering.
This offering requires a bōmos; one’s permanent bōmos is acceptable, but a votary bōmos to Hermēs is ideal. If an image of Hermēs is available and one does not have a votary bōmos to Hermēs, the image of Hermēs should be placed respectfully on a temporary bōmos or one’s permanent bōmos as necessary.
If one light is offered, it should be placed in the center of the bōmos, in front of an image of Hermēs if one present. If more than one light is offered, they should be placed in a ring, around an image of Hermēs if present.
5.11.3. Offering⁑
Tip
If the offering is being made as part of the Leitūrgia, the offering process begins with the Shining Prayer.
5.11.3.1. Prologue⁑
5.11.3.1.1. Lighting the Lykhnon⁑
If the Anapodismeia is being done with a lykhnon which is to be lit for the Anapodismeia and is to be extinguished afterwards, light it and recite (leader only):
I call upon you, o living God, radiant with illuminating fire,o unseen parent of the Sun, o invisible begetter of light!Give your strength to this fire,pour forth your light-giving power into this fire,and set to work your divine spark within this fire.Let it enter into this flame and fill it with your spirit,moving it by your holy breath and presence!O sacred fire, o light that shines with the light of God!Manifest your power for my knowledge, and let there be the light of knowing!Manifest your power for my rebirth, and let there be the light of life!Let the holy temple of almighty God within you open for me,let there be breadth, depth, length, height, fullness, and brightness,let the crown of your Sun-like radiance appear!May God shine forth through your flame and within your light,and may your light remain by me here in this place and now at this time!
5.11.3.1.2. Calling or Closing⁑
Tip
Optional if done casually.
Depending whether the Anapodismeia is to be done publicly or privately, either the Call to the Way or the Closing Off of the Temple is to be recited, or (if desired) the former followed by the latter.
5.11.3.1.2.1. Call to the Way⁑
Standing by the doorway to the euktērion facing outwards, recite (leader only):
O all you children of mankind, o all you born of the Earth,o all who you have given yourselves over to drink and sleep in your ignorance of God!Make yourselves sober, cease your drunken sickness,end your bewitchment by unreasoning sleep!Why have you given yourselves over to death,when you have the power to claim immortality?You who have wandered with Error, you who have partnered with Ignorance:think again, think anew!Free yourselves from the darkness, take hold of the Light,take part in divine immortality, leave behind your corrupt destruction!Do not surrender to the way of death by your mockery or distance,but come, rise, and be guided on the way of life!
Close the door.
5.11.3.1.2.2. Closing Off the Temple⁑
Standing by the doorway to the euktērion facing inwards, recite (leader only):
I speak now to only those allowed,I sing now with only those in the know,that only those allowed remain with me,that only those in the know join with me.Depart, depart, all those who are profane!No such person may have a foot in this place,no such person may hear the sacred mysteries.Depart, depart, all those who are profane;I shut and bar the doors from them.
Close the door.
5.11.3.1.3. First Salutation⁑
5.11.3.1.3.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I live in wholeness and health!
5.11.3.1.3.2. If Others are Present⁑
The leader announces:
Hail to those whom the greeting is given with blessing,to my siblings, to holy children of God!
The leader recites:
May we live in wholeness and health!
All others present repeat the above as one.
5.11.3.1.4. Assertion and Confession⁑
Tip
Optional if done casually.
Standing in front of but some distance away from the bōmos, recite:
I am one who stands in the House of Life.I am one who sees in the Chamber of Darkness.I am one who hears in the temples of divinity.I am one who speaks in the halls of humanity.I am one who loves mind, word, and knowledge.I am one who seeks order, truth, and wisdom.The wish of my heart is that which brought me here;may I be counted among the disciples of the gods!
Bow, then recite:
O gods who watch over and give life to humanity,receive me and deliver me to dwell with the eternal gods!For I have ever revered the gods whom my parents revealed to me,and as long as I live my life in the lot of the living,I always honor those who begot my body and of other human beings.I do and will not kill anyone,I do and will not steal anything entrusted to me,I do and will not do any other pernicious thing.But if I have transgressed in anything during this life,or have consumed of what was not licit,it was not of my own account,but because of this drive and desirethat arose from the pits of this body.
Move towards the bōmos and prepare to take your place at it.
5.11.3.1.5. Undertaking the Anapodismeia⁑
Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
I now undertake this Anapodismeia.
5.11.3.1.6. Foundation — Opening⁑
Clap, extend the arms out, and recite (leader only):
The glory of the All is God, both Divinity and Nature,for natural Divinity is renewed by Nature,and divine Nature is founded in Divinity.
Prostrate silently, setting intentions silently if desired, then sit or kneel at the bōmos.
5.11.3.1.7. Opening the Doors of Divinity⁑
Tip
Optional, but encouraged if done at a temporary bōmos.
Make an opening gesture with the hands above the bōmos, and recite (leader only):
Open, Heavens and Earth! Open, Day and Night!Open, East and West! Open, South and North!Open, winds and waters! Open, fire and stone!The two doors of the Earth are opened!The two doors of the Heavens are opened!The four doors of the horizon are opened!The four doors of the world are opened!The gods send forth their light through the doors;exalted be all the gods upon their great thrones!My face looks upon the gods on their thrones,and the gods on their thrones look upon me.I am about to sing the hymns of divinity;may my hymns be heard and my praise be accepted!
5.11.3.1.8. Prologue of Aid and Seven Requests⁑
Recite:
Almighty God, Lord, King, Master, Helper, hear me!
Recite, bowing at each “O God”:
O God, hear me my prayers.O God, save me from error.O God, cleanse me from vice.O God, protect me from danger.O God, rescue me from torment.O God, keep me from irreverence.O God, free me from ignorance.
If desired, prostrate and recite the Supplication of the Holy:
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, be merciful to me.Holy God, Holy Maker, Holy Forebear, be gracious to us.Holy God, Holy One, Holy Source, be propitious to us all.
5.11.3.1.9. Ritual Invocation of Hermēs⁑
Recite:
Hail to you, Hermēs, prophet and scribe and teacher!O thrice-great, great among the great, greatest beyond greatness!You who know the sacred mysteries,you who establish their utterances,you who distinguish truth from falsehood,you who witness the Light and Life of God,you who have entered into the goodness of God!Bless my thinking, bless my speaking, bless my working, o Hermēs,that all that I think, all that I say, and all that I do may be for Life, Light, and Goodness,that I may have your guidance and assistance in this Anapodismeia.
5.11.3.1.10. Invocation of the Agathos Daimōn⁑
Tip
Optional, but encouraged if alone.
Recite:
O my companion, o my genius, o my angel!Honor our bond, honor my destiny, honor God’s will!Manifest yourself to me as my Agathos Daimōn!Be faithful and steadfast for me!Be loving and passionate for me!Be my complete contentment!Be my total nourishment!Grant me every success and all attainment!Make my mind lucid and bright in all things!O never-born crown of the powers of divinity!O holy one, mighty one, immortal one,do not abandon me!O my friend, my savior, my protector,reveal yourself kindly to me as Truth!Join yourself to me that I may join myself to youas One, in One!
5.11.3.1.11. Shining Prayer⁑
Tip
If the offering is being made as part of the Leitūrgia, the offering begins at this point.
Recite:
O God! I greet you and call upon you, eternal and unbegotten,you who are One,you who alone hold together and surround the whole creation of all things,you whom none understand,you whom all daimones fear,you whom the gods worship,you whose name not even the gods can utter!O God, you who are greater than all,you who are the creator of all,you who see all and are not seen,you who hear all and are not heard!O God, you who gave to the Sun all power and gloryand to the Moon the privilege to have fixed courses,yet who made the Sun to rise and set and the Moon to wax and wane,that none can compare them with your true glory!O God, you who took nothing from your own creation,but created all things that exist!O God, you who took nothing from the firstborn darkness,but apportioned all things that they might be equal!For it is with you that both order and light arose,and it is by you that all things were arranged.O God, all of your creation is subject to you,you whose true form whom none can truly see,you who yet change into all forms!Hear me and help me, o Lord,joyful and willing, faultless and unflawed, who pollute no place,King of kings, Daimōn of daimones, Aiōn of aiōnes, God of gods,by your Glory and Holiness and Beauty and Goodness,for I call upon you and bear witnessto the unsurpassed mystery of your name now and forever. ※
5.11.3.2. Preparation of Offerings⁑
For whatever is to be offered, so long as it is not ceremonially set aside for later, set it out as appropriate to the offering, e.g. prepare vessels, light charcoal, pour drinks, etc., but do not light any light or incense as yet.
If one is making an offering at a bōmos with a loibeion, remove the lid from the loibeion and set it down to the side of the bōmos. Dip the forefinger of the dominant hand into the water and flick it upwards above the head, reciting (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
An offering of water to the Heavens from whence I come.
Then dip the forefinger of the dominant hand into the water and flick it downward (even onto the psiathos if present), reciting (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
An offering of water to the earth from whence I am born.
5.11.3.3. All-Greeting to the Gods⁑
Recite:
Hail, o Agathē Tykhē!Hail, o Agathos Daimōn!Hail, o daimōn of this place!Hail, o daimōn of this hour!Hail, o daimōn of this day!Hail, o daimones of every place, of every hour, of every day!Hail, o whole Cosmos composed of Earth and Heaven!Hail, o Aiōn, who have established yourselfin invisible light over the holy firmament!
5.11.3.4. Epitomē on Mercury⁑
Light the light(s) and incense.
Recite, whether aloud (leader only) or silently (if as non-leader in a group):
God set Mercury to shine and turn in the second heaven,the glittering and gleaming star, forever companion to the Sun,the order of the world and the refuge of the sages,the perfection of all the mental powers of humanity,the well-winged one bringing about reason and language,the speedy one giving mortals talents innate to their being,the cunning one who made the nature of humanity itself,entrusting us with moderation and persuasion and truth,enjoining us to Invention, child of Nature and spouse to humanity,giving joy to the living above the Earth and to the dead below it.
5.11.3.5. Hymn of Manilius⁑
Recite:
By the gift of the heavenly gods was it first grantedto the Earth to know the knowledge of Heaven more deeply,for who, if the gods had concealed it, could take by theftthis knowledge by which all things are ruled?Who of but human ken would dare so great a deed,to wish to seem a god when the gods wish it not,to make seen the paths on high and beneath the depths of the world,and the stars obedient to their own courses through the void?You, o Hermēs, are the prince and author of so sacred a science;all the bosom of Heaven—the constellations, the names and courses of the signs, their dignities, their powers—through you do they all become known,so that the face of the firmament might be made more grand,that not only the outer form but also the inner power of things be revered,and that mankind might realize wherein divinity is greatest.
5.11.3.6. Dedication of Offerings⁑
5.11.3.6.1. Dedicatory Invocation⁑
Recite, announcing the overall types of things to be offered (e.g. “light” for candles and lamps according to the labels given below, changing personal pronouns if needed):
Hail to you, o kindly Lord Hermēs! By your blessing and by this offering I make to you of …, be merciful to me, be gracious to me, and be propitious to me!
5.11.3.6.2. Dedication of Light⁑
O kindly Lord Hermēs, I light for you this…, that it may burn for your honor, enlightenment, empowerment, and exaltation. Grant that as this flame burns and casts its light upon me, so too cast your light upon me that I may always be guided, led, and enlightened by your presence. Grant that as this flame burns and casts its light upon this place, so too shine your light upon the world through me as your medium, conduit, focus, and lens, that the entire world may come to see you, honor you, glorify you, and praise you and your good works. Hail to you, kindly Lord Hermēs!
5.11.3.6.3. Dedication of Incense⁑
O kindly Lord Hermēs, I burn for you this…, sweet-smelling, sacred, and pleasing to you, that it may fortify you, dignify you, and satisfy you. Grant that as this incense rises up and fills up this place with its sweet, heavenly smoke, so too fill up my life, sphere, and surroundings with the knowledge and blessing of your essence and presence. Grant that as this incense rises up in the air around me, so too fill up my body, soul, spirit, and mind with your wisdom and virtue that I may be ever more deeply initiated into your mysteries. Hail to you, kindly Lord Hermēs!
5.11.3.6.4. Dedication of Drink⁑
O kindly Lord Hermēs, I pour out to you this…, fresh, sweet, and pure, that it may please you, sate you, and cheer you. Grant that as this drink is poured out for you, so too pour into my life your blessing that I may more freely accept your power in my life. Grant that as this libation is accepted by your presence, so too open my heart to be free to partake in your joys, your light, and your aid in this and all places, in this and all times, on this and all days. Hail to you, kindly Lord Hermēs!
5.11.3.6.5. Dedication of Food⁑
O kindly Lord Hermēs, I set out for you this…, fresh, hearty, and pure, that it may please you, sate you, and cheer you. Grant that as this food is set here for you, so too set into my life your blessing that I may more freely accept your power in my life. Grant that as this meal is accepted by your presence, so too open my heart to be free to partake in your joys, your light, and your aid in this and all places, in this and all times, on this and all days. Hail to you, kindly Lord Hermēs!
5.11.3.6.6. Dedication of Flowers or Other Offerings⁑
O kindly Lord Hermēs, I place out for you this…, whole, splendid, and pure, that it may please you, sate you, and cheer you. Grant that as this offering is placed here for you, so too place into my life your blessing that I may more freely accept your power in my life. Grant that as this sacrifice is accepted by your presence, so too open my heart to be free to partake in your joys, your light, and your aid in this and all places, in this and all times, on this and all days. Hail to you, kindly Lord Hermēs!
5.11.3.6.7. Dedication of Speech⁑
O kindly Lord Hermēs, I sing to you an ancient song, dedicated to you once long ago, sung to you now again, for your reverence, tribute, and respect. Grant that as these words ring out in the air around me, so too may they ring out throughout the entire world, that all people may come to praise you, revere you, and respect you and your works. Grant that as my words are filled by my love and memory for your favor and aid, so too empower my speech and will and strength that all I desire and intend may be brought to perfect completion. Hail to you, kindly Lord Hermēs!
Proceed to the Orphic Hymn to Hermēs Ūranios.
5.11.3.7. Orphic Hymn to Hermēs Ūranios⁑
Recite:
Hermēs, draw near, and to my prayer incline,angel of Zeus and Maia’s son divine;great judge of contests, ruler of mankind,with heart almighty and a prudent mind.Celestial messenger of various skill,whose pow’rful arts could watchful Argos kill!With winged feet, ‘tis thine through air to course,o friend of man and prophet of discourse!Great life-supporter, to rejoice is thinein arts gymnastic and in fraud divine!With pow’r endued all language to explain,of care the loos’ner and the source of gain.Whose hand contains of blameless peace the rod;Corucian lord, bless’d, profitable god;of various speech, whose aid in works we find,and in necessities to mortals kind!Dire weapon of the tongue which men revere,be present, Hermēs, and thy supplicant hear:assist my works, conclude my life with peace,give graceful speech, and me memory’s increase.
5.11.3.8. Communion⁑
At this point, if desired, engage in communion, dwelling in thanks and contemplation.
If others are present, the leader judges how long to spend in communion. At their discretion, once done, they should gently ring the bell once to let others know to continue.
5.11.3.10. Enshrouding of the God and Outcasting of the Offerings⁑
Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
Kindly Lord Hermēs, as the heavenly body of Stilbōn ceases its passage forward through the cosmos and begins its passage backwards, so too do you descend from the bright broad paths of Heaven into the dark narrow paths of the Underworld, trading your traveler’s cap and rod for a cloak and dagger, leading us all with you into the dark narrow paths of the heart and mind in this life and after!
If an image of Hermēs is available, cover it with the black cloth, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
As you leave the world of the seen for the world of the unseen, I shroud your body from my sight; may you avert all ill accident and misfortune from my life!
Recite: (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed)
O you who lead us all by head and heart and hand, as you leave the heavens above for the underworld below, so too do I cast out these offerings made to you that you leave behind, and beseech you for your blessing in this time!
Put out the lights, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
As you leave the realm of light for the realm of shadow, I put out this light that was lit for you; may you grant me clarity of mind!
If a food offering was made, toss it out, overturning the dish used for it, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
As you leave the land of mortals for the land of the dead, I toss out this food that was set out for you; may you grant me wholeness of life!
Toss out the drink offering, briefly rinse out the vessel for it, and refill it with cool, clean water, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
As you leave the paths of clarity for the paths of obscurity, I toss out this drink that was poured out for you, and give you clean clear water for your travels and for ours; may you grant me coolness of heart!
Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
As you leave the heavenly heights above for the dark depths below, I sing to you an ancient song, dedicated to you once long ago, sung to you now again, for your reverence, tribute, and respect!
Proceed to the Orphic Hymn to Hermēs Khthonios.
5.11.3.11. Orphic Hymn to Hermēs Khthonios⁑
Recite:
Hermēs, draw near, and to my prayer incline,angel of Zeus and Maia’s son divine;great judge of contests, ruler of mankind,with heart almighty and a prudent mind.Celestial messenger of various skill,whose pow’rful arts could watchful Argos kill!With winged feet, ‘tis thine through air to course,o friend of man and prophet of discourse!Great life-supporter, to rejoice is thinein arts gymnastic and in fraud divine!With pow’r endued all language to explain,of care the loos’ner and the source of gain.Whose hand contains of blameless peace the rod;Corucian lord, bless’d, profitable god;of various speech, whose aid in works we find,and in necessities to mortals kind!Dire weapon of the tongue which men revere,be present, Hermēs, and thy supplicant hear:assist my works, conclude my life with peace,give graceful speech, and me memory’s increase.
5.11.3.12. Refreshing of Water and Seeking of Blessing⁑
Dip the fingers into the water and sprinkle them onto the bōmos, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
Kindly Lord Hermēs, as I make this offering of water to you, fresh, cool, and clean, that it may cheer you, sate you, and refresh you…
Dip the fingertips in the water, and wipe the hands front and back, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
So too with this water clean my hands for clear work…
Dip the fingertips in the water, and sprinkle water onto the feet, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
Clean my feet for clear travels…
Dip the fingertips in the water, and sprinkle water onto the forehead and temples, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
Clean my head for clear thinking…
Dip the fingertips in the water, and sprinkle water onto the eyes, ears, nostrils, and closed mouth, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
Clean my senses for clear perception…
Dip the fingertips in the water, and sprinkle water into the open mouth, letting out a sharp exhale afterwards, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
Clean my mouth for clear speech…
Dip the fingertips in the water, and wipe the chest, and recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
And clean my heart for clear living.
If others are present, they are to each approach the bōmos and clean themselves with the water accordingly in the same manner silently.
Recite, ringing a bell where indicated (changing personal pronouns if needed):
Be for me my guide in the dark that I might not stumble,be for me my guardian in the shadows that I might not fear!Inspire my heart with your courage, sharpen my mind with your wit!Help me that I may go where I must go, know what I must know,do what I must do, and become what I must be,whether above or below, awake or asleep, moving or still, upright or prone,in day or in night, in light or in darkness,in this world or in any other, in this life and in death and beyond! ǂ
If desired, prostrate and recite the Supplication of the Holy:
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, be merciful to me.Holy God, Holy Maker, Holy Forebear, be gracious to us.Holy God, Holy One, Holy Source, be propitious to us all.
5.11.3.13. Twelve Priestly Requests⁑
Recite, ringing a bell where indicated:
O Lord Hermēs, may the winds and rivers be harmonious. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may the harvest and livestock be abundant. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may the land and the wilds be safe. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may the skies and the seas be calm. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may the realm be peaceful. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may the people be prosperous. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may there be good health, long life, happiness, and peace. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may all calamities, disasters, and misfortunes be dispelled. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may there be virtue and wisdom for all. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may those who walk the Way achieve perfection on the Way. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may all spirits and gods be supportive and protective. ǂO Lord Hermēs, may all the deceased ascend and help us ourselves ascend. ǂ
5.11.3.14. Rededication⁑
Recite, recounting the offerings made and specifying any unique or special aspects of the offering and stating the “in my home” part if the offering was indeed made in one’s home (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
O kindly Lord Hermēs, I have made these offerings to you of (light, incense, etc.). I have made these offerings for you for (occasion/reason…), here at this place and now at this time and today on this day (…). I have made these offerings to you freely and joyfully, and I ask that you accept them in a spirit of the same. I have made these offerings to you as an expression of my thanks, my love, my honor, my respect, my trust, and my joy for you. Stay if you will, go if you will, but know that, with these offerings, I honor you (in my home and) in my heart and in my head and with my hands. Hail to you, o kindly Lord Hermēs, and may you always grant me your blessing! Hail to you, o kindly Lord Hermēs!
Tip
If the offering is being made as part of the Leitūrgia, the Leitūrgia resumes at this point.
5.11.3.15. Epilogue⁑
5.11.3.15.1. Prayer of Thanksgiving⁑
Recite:
We give thanks to you!Every soul and heart reaches up to you,o ineffable Name honored as “God” and praised as “Forebear”,for to everyone and everything you have showntender kindness, affection, love, and sweetest activity,granting to us mind, word, and knowledge:mind, that we may understand you;word, that we may call upon you;knowledge, that we may know you.We rejoice, for we have been enlightened by your knowledge.We rejoice, for you have revealed yourself to us.We rejoice, for you have made us incarnate divine by your knowledge.The thanksgiving of humanity to you is this alone:that we may know you.O Light of Mind, we know you.O Life of Life, we know you.O Womb of every creature, we know you.O Mother pregnant with the nature of the Father, we know you.O eternal permanence of the begetting Source, we know you.Thus do we worship your goodness.Thus do we ask for one favor:that we be preserved in your knowledge.Thus do we ask for one protection:that we not fall away from this sort of life. ※
If desired, prostrate and recite the Supplication of the Holy:
Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, be merciful to me.Holy God, Holy Maker, Holy Forebear, be gracious to us.Holy God, Holy One, Holy Source, be propitious to us all.
5.11.3.15.2. Conclusion of Work⁑
Recite (changing personal pronouns if needed):
I have been attached to your holy form.I have been given power by your holy name.I have been filled with your holy emanation.I praise you with a gladdened heart!I thank you with an outstretched soul!Be merciful, be gracious, be propitious to me,o Lord, o God of gods, o Master! ※
Prostrate silently, then stand.
5.11.3.15.3. Foundation — Closing⁑
Extend the arms out, and recite (leader only):
The glory of the All is God, both Divinity and Nature,for natural Divinity is renewed by Nature,and divine Nature is founded in Divinity.
Clap once.
5.11.3.15.4. Concluding the Anapodismeia⁑
Recite (leader only):
Thus concludes this Anapodismeia.
5.11.3.15.5. Final Salutation⁑
5.11.3.15.5.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I walk in reverence and knowledge!
5.11.3.15.5.2. If Others are Present⁑
The leader recites to all:
May we walk in reverence and knowledge!
All others present repeat the above as one.
5.11.3.16. Post-Offering Breakdown⁑
If desired, eat a vegetarian meal, especially if there are others present.
With the exception of the offerings made, break down and clean up the euktērion.
With the exception of the offerings that were already cast out, the remaining offerings and their vessels (e.g. half-burnt candles, incense ash, overturned bowl for grain) are to be left undisturbed until the subsequent Propodismeia. If an image of Hermēs is present, it should likewise be left shrouded until the subsequent Propodismeia. Whatever was cast out should not be kept or consumed, but only discarded either outside, in a drain, or in the trash.
With the exception of the Arkhēgesia to Hermēs Trismegistos, calendrically-determined Hermaia, and other emergency workings as might arise, no formal offerings to the god Hermēs should be made between the Anapodismeia and its subsequent Propodismeia, or at least no offerings of light, incense, or food. It is likewise encouraged, if possible, to avoid any communion or ritual work with the planet Mercury during this time as well. This does not, however, impact any ritual invocation of Hermēs in the course of a Synodos or other ceremony, nor any other work of the Hermetic Synaxis.
Although formal offerings may not be made to Hermēs, the vessel of water left from the Anapodismeia may be refreshed no more than once a day, casting out any old water in the same manner as the earlier drink offering for the Anapodismeia. Regardless of refreshing the water, the Refreshing of Water and Seeking of Blessing may be recited as often as once a day each day between the Anapodismeia and its subsequent Propodismeia.
5.11.3.16.1. Extinguishing the Lykhnon⁑
If the Anapodismeia is being done with a lykhnon that was lit for the Anapodismeia and is to be extinguished afterwards, recite (leader only):
It is you who gives us fire, and through the fire light;it is you who gives us light for our eyes and our hearts.I put out this lamp that shines with your holy fire,not to quench your light nor to stem your blessing,but for the safety and preservation of my life.As I put out this flame, grant me your Light forever,for yours is the light that can never truly be extinguished.Go forth from this lamp, o holy light of the highest God;depart, holy brightness, and let your flame be scattered,but let your light always dwell within me as a lamp in my soul,that I too may always shine with the holy light of the highest God.
Extinguish the lykhnon.