5.13. Arkhēgesia of the Revealer⁑
The Arkhēgesia of the Revealer celebrates Poimandrēs as one of the mythical founders of the Way of Hermēs, and is done in a series with the other Arkhēgesia offerings to Hermēs Trismegistos as the Teacher and Tat, Asklēpios, and Ammōn as the Students. The Arkhēgesia of the Revealer is to be done on the day of or on the closest available opportunity to the appropriate day reckoned to either a Coptic or sidereal reckoning:
Coptic reckoning: 1 Thoout on the Coptic calendar (approximately September 11 on the Gregorian calendar)
Sidereal reckoning: On the first day reckoned from the heliacal rising of Sirius. Note, however, that Sirius may be circumpolar for some locations on earth, and may not have a heliacal rising for some locations; in such cases, the Coptic reckoning is suggested instead.
The Arkhēgesia should not be combined with other offerings, but it 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.
5.13.1. Supplies and Tools Required⁑
A match or lighter
Offering dishes as necessary
Either one or three 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, food, and flowers as desired
If a loibeion is present, an offering of water may be made from that directly, whether as the only drink offering or in addition to another drink offering.
Bell (optional)
5.13.2. 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.
5.13.3. Offering⁑
Tip
If the offering is being made as part of the Leitūrgia, the offering process begins with the Shining Prayer.
5.13.3.1. Prologue⁑
5.13.3.1.1. Lighting the Lykhnon⁑
If the Arkhēgesia is being done with a lykhnon which is to be lit for the Arkhēgesia 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!
5.13.3.1.2. Calling or Closing⁑
Tip
Optional if done casually.
Depending whether the Arkhēgesia 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.
5.13.3.1.2.1. 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.
5.13.3.1.2.2. 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.
5.13.3.1.3. First Salutation⁑
5.13.3.1.3.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I live in wholeness and health!
5.13.3.1.3.2. 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.
5.13.3.1.4. 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.
5.13.3.1.5. Undertaking the Arkhēgesia⁑
Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
I now undertake this Arkhēgesia of the Revealer.
5.13.3.1.6. 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.
5.13.3.1.7. 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!
5.13.3.1.8. 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.
5.13.3.1.9. 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 Arkhēgesia of the Revealer.
5.13.3.1.10. 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!
5.13.3.1.11. 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. ※
5.13.3.2. 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.
5.13.3.3. 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!
5.13.3.4. Epitomē on the Revealer⁑
Light the light(s) and incense.
Recite, whether aloud (if alone or if the leader of a group) or silently (if as a non-leader participant in a group):
Hermēs sought and found the nature and knowledge of God,and was revealed all he sought by Poimandrēs who came to him,the Mind of Sovereignty, the Shepherd of Mankind, the Witness of God,the knowledge and understanding of supreme authority itself,the pure consciousness of mind illumined by pure divine Light,the very mind and heart of the Sun reflected and revealed by the Moon,who knows what we want, who is with us everywhere, who reads souls like books,who, having come to Hermēs, revealed to Hermēs all he sought,who, having taught Hermēs, commissioned Hermēs to save mankind,who, having joined with the powers of God, unto God returned.
5.13.3.5. Calling of the Revealer⁑
Recite:
O great one and heavenly one, witness and shepherd, knower of glory!O Mind of Sovereignty, o Shepherd of Mankind, o Witness of God!O sower of wisdom, o budding of insight, o surge of enlightenment!O Poimandrēs, come from on high and returned to the powers!O Poimandrēs, daimōn of revelation and gnōsis to Hermēs!O Poimandrēs, Revealer of the Way!
5.13.3.6. Dedication of Offerings⁑
5.13.3.6.1. 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 great and heavenly Poimandrēs! 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!
5.13.3.6.2. Dedication of Light⁑
O great and heavenly Poimandrēs, 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, great and heavenly Poimandrēs!
5.13.3.6.3. Dedication of Incense⁑
O great and heavenly Poimandrēs, 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, great and heavenly Poimandrēs!
5.13.3.6.4. Dedication of Drink⁑
O great and heavenly Poimandrēs, 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, great and heavenly Poimandrēs!
5.13.3.6.5. Dedication of Food⁑
O great and heavenly Poimandrēs, 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, great and heavenly Poimandrēs!
5.13.3.6.6. Dedication of Flowers or Other Offerings⁑
O great and heavenly Poimandrēs, 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, great and heavenly Poimandrēs!
5.13.3.6.7. Dedication of Speech⁑
O great and heavenly Poimandrēs, 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, great and heavenly Poimandrēs!
Proceed to the Hymn to Poimandrēs.
5.13.3.7. Hymn to Poimandrēs⁑
Recite (changing personal pronouns if needed):
Some would say you were born a divine king of Egypt,a mortal child of man, though we know that he only nurtured you,naming you as the one who belongs to the truth of Rē,recognizing you as the son of the golden Sun,glorifying you as one who belongs to the justice of Rē,knowing by you the virtue of the brilliant Sun,declaring by you that Amun is foremost before all,before he, Sesostris, departed for the West in glory.Others would say you were not born a mortal man of mortal men,but a divine and immortal child of the Agathos Daimōn,the son of the eternal Soukhos, great and great and greatest;that you are a child of the holy serpentine lady and queen,Isis whose gaze slaughters enemies, who protects the destiny,nurse and guardian of the fertility of life itself;that you are descended from Amun, father of gods and men,the deathless dispenser and distributor of life,the breath of life in the heart of all things,who is life, the treasurer of life, the hidden power of life.“Deathless from a deathless one”, “great from a great one” they call you.Yet I know you as all this and more, o holy Poimandrēs:lord of all the world, rich and righteous and omnipotent,whose glory and virtue are equal to that of Heaven,to whom all of earth and sea and sky are obedient,to whose voice all things hearken, by whose will all things move,whose hand brings fertility and nourishment and prosperity!O Witness and Shepherd, o Knowledge of the Sun, o Mind of Sovereignty!You are the ruler of all, and unto the limits of all are you its lord!O Sun that dwells in the aithēr of the heavens, king of kingship itself!Manifest of the Unmanifest One, existent one of the Preexistent One!Understanding stands at your right hand, and Word at your left!As the Moon reflects the Sun, so too do you translate the divine Light,transmitting knowledge of the divine to those who seek it,o Mind consisting of Light and Life itself!You came from the powers above and to them you returned,you came to Hermēs to teach him,knowing what he wanted, being with him everywhere,for you read our hearts like books and stand by us wherever we are.O master and father of my master and father,be gracious unto me, shine forth upon me, flow down into me,and may I receive the effluence of your ever-flowing wisdom!
5.13.3.8. Communion⁑
At this point, if desired, engage in communion with Poimandrēs, 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.
5.13.3.9. Blessing of the Revealer⁑
Recite, ringing a bell where indicated (changing personal pronouns if needed):
O great one and heavenly one, witness and shepherd, knower of glory!O Mind of Sovereignty, o Shepherd of Mankind, o Witness of God!O sower of wisdom, o budding of insight, o surge of enlightenment!O Poimandrēs, come from on high and returned to the powers!O Poimandrēs, daimōn of revelation and gnōsis to Hermēs!O Poimandrēs, Revealer of the Way!Here in this place, now at this time, and today on this daydo I give you my honor and my reverence, o great and heavenly Poimandrēs,you who have shown truth in your teaching to the Teacher,you who have forever shone upon humanity for their salvation!I thank you, o great and heavenly Poimandrēs, for the revelation of mystery,and I pray for your blessing with your revelation for me and for all!May the mystery you revealed to Hermēs be revealed to me as well. ǂMay the teaching you taught to Hermēs be taught to me as well. ǂMay the salvation you opened to Hermēs be opened to me as well. ǂMay you open my hands to the work of the Good. ǂMay you open my mind to the insight of the True. ǂMay you open my heart to the beauty of the One. ǂBe for me my initiator, o Poimandrēs, and bring me into the Way! ǂBe for me my angel, o Poimandrēs, and protect me on the Way! ǂBe for me my revealer, o Poimandrēs, and enlighten me to the Way! 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.
5.13.3.11. Twelve Priestly Requests⁑
Recite, ringing a bell where indicated:
O Poimandrēs, may the winds and rivers be harmonious. ǂO Poimandrēs, may the harvest and livestock be abundant. ǂO Poimandrēs, may the land and the wilds be safe. ǂO Poimandrēs, may the skies and the seas be calm. ǂO Poimandrēs, may the realm be peaceful. ǂO Poimandrēs, may the people be prosperous. ǂO Poimandrēs, may there be good health, long life, happiness, and peace. ǂO Poimandrēs, may all calamities, disasters, and misfortunes be dispelled. ǂO Poimandrēs, may there be virtue and wisdom for all. ǂO Poimandrēs, may those who walk the Way achieve perfection on the Way. ǂO Poimandrēs, may all spirits and gods be supportive and protective. ǂO Poimandrēs, may all the deceased ascend and help us ourselves ascend. ǂ
5.13.3.12. 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 great and heavenly Poimandrēs, 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 great and heavenly Poimandrēs, and may you always grant me your blessing! Hail to you, o great and heavenly Poimandrēs!
Tip
If the offering is being made as part of the Leitūrgia, the Leitūrgia resumes at this point.
5.13.3.13. Epilogue⁑
5.13.3.13.1. 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.
5.13.3.13.2. 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.
5.13.3.13.3. 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.
5.13.3.13.4. Concluding the Arkhēgesia⁑
Recite (leader only):
Thus concludes this Arkhēgesia of the Revealer.
5.13.3.13.5. Final Salutation⁑
5.13.3.13.5.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I walk in reverence and knowledge!
5.13.3.13.5.2. If Others are Present⁑
The leader recites to all:
May we walk in reverence and knowledge!
All others present repeat the above as one.
5.13.3.14. 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. Dispose of the offerings as appropriate when possible to do so.
5.13.3.14.1. Extinguishing the Lykhnon⁑
If the Arkhēgesia is being done with a lykhnon that was lit for the Arkhēgesia 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.