5.21. Panthysia

The offering to all spirits may be made at any time. However, as a matter of best practice, it is ideal to perform the Panthysia at least once a year, with the following times being particularly recommended:

• Immediately after an eclipse

• On or around the new year

• Tropical seasonal midpoints, i.e. when the Sun has crossed 15° Taurus, 15° Leo, 15° Scorpio, or 15° Aquarius

• Before undertaking a journey or new undertaking

• In times of need

The Panthysia should not be combined with other offerings or done as part of the Leitūrgia.

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.

5.21.1. Supplies and Tools Required

• A lighter or match

• Bell

• A light

  • A candle or oil lamp are equally acceptable.

  • Narrow candles (e.g. tapers) or wide candles (e.g. tealights, votives) are equally acceptable, but a narrow candle is preferred.

• 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.

• A vessel of clean, cool water

  • A soup or cereal bowl is ideal, although larger to the size of a serving bowl is also acceptable.

5.21.2. 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 does not strictly require a bōmos; one’s permanent bōmos is acceptable, although it is better to perform this at a separate bōmos at or underneath an open window. However, if possible and safe to do so, it is preferable to perform the Panthysia outside, ideally on a clear level patch of ground.

5.21.3. Offering

Note

Where indicated by “NN.”, announce your name. If done in a group, all present are to announce their names, starting with the leader and proceeding in order of seniority.

5.21.3.1. Prologue

5.21.3.1.1. Lighting the Lykhnon

If the Panthysia is being done with a lykhnon which is to be lit for the Panthysia 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!

5.21.3.1.2. Calling or Closing

Tip

Optional if done casually.

Depending whether the Panthysia 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.

5.21.3.1.2.1. 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.

5.21.3.1.2.2. 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.

5.21.3.1.3. First Salutation

5.21.3.1.3.1. On One’s Own

Recite:

May I live in wholeness and health!

5.21.3.1.3.2. 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.

5.21.3.1.4. 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 desire

that arose from the pits of this body.

Move towards the bōmos and prepare to take your place at it.

5.21.3.1.5. Undertaking the Panthysia

Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):

I now undertake this Panthysia.

5.21.3.1.6. 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.

5.21.3.1.7. 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!

5.21.3.1.8. 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.

5.21.3.1.9. 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 Panthysia.

5.21.3.1.10. 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 you

as One, in One!

5.21.3.1.11. Shining Prayer

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 glory

and 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 witness

to the unsurpassed mystery of your name now and forever. ※

5.21.3.2. Preparation of the 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.

A drop of water from the loibeion may be put into the drink offering, but otherwise the loibeion is not used for this offering. Whether or not one puts a drop of water from the loibeion into the drink offering, the lid is to be put back on the loibeion at this point.

5.21.3.3. 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 yourself

in invisible light over the holy firmament!

5.21.3.4. Invitation to All Daimones

Ring the bell seven times, then recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):

Hear me, I who am NN., all you daimones of the world, hear me,

by whatever name you take, by whatever form you take!

Ghost or god, spirit or soul, of any realm, of any domain!

Those before me, behind me, beside me, below me, or above me;

those of the north, the south, the east, or the west;

those within or above the Heavens, those upon or under the Earth!

I dedicate now this fire, this incense, and this water to you!

Come in peace, for I give you these offerings freely and joyfully

and ask that you accept and partake of them in the same,

as symbols of my thanks, love, goodwill, honor, trust, respect, and joy for you

for your peace and benefit and blessing,

that I too might have peace and benefit and blessing.

Let all daimones partake of these my offerings of fire, incense, and water!

5.21.3.5. Offering of Fire

Light the light. Lifting it up, recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):

O all you daimones who take your fill of these offerings!

Accept now this fire, whole, sharp, strong, and bright,

that it may empower you, guide you, and elevate you.

Let this fire shine for you how you need it best,

whether as the summer Sun in the day or as the winter Moon in the night.

Let this fire light the way between us and encourage us,

that we may understand each other and commune with each other,

that we may protect each other and support each other.

Let this fire burn tall and strong and join everything as one,

illuminating the entire cosmos with its beautiful light.

Let all daimones partake of this my offering of fire!

Present the light to all four directions. Set the light down again. Ring the bell.

5.21.3.6. Offering of Incense

Light the incense. Place the hands, palms facing downward, in the smoke, then lift them upwards in one swift motion to draw the smoke up, then fan the smoke away from you with the hands seven times.

Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):

O all you daimones who take your fill of these offerings!

Accept now this incense, sacred, whole, and pure,

that it may satisfy you, strengthen you, and fortify you.

Receive this incense as you how you need it best,

whether as abundant forests of fruits or as burning mountains of flesh.

Let this incense rise up and fill your hearts and your minds,

that we may understand each other and recognize each other,

that we may hear each other and see each other.

Let this incense be compounded upon itself a myriad myriad times,

rising up and filling the entire cosmos with its sweet smoke.

Let all daimones partake of this my offering of incense!

Place the hands, palms facing downward, in the smoke, then lift them upwards in one swift motion to draw the smoke up, then fan the smoke away from you with the hands seven times. Ring the bell.

5.21.3.7. Offering of Water

Set out the offering of water. With the fingertips of both hands, dip them in the water and flick water onto the offering area, then to your front, back, sides, above, and below.

Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):

O all you daimones who take your fill of these offerings!

Accept now this water, fresh, clean, and sweet,

that it may refresh you, cleanse you, and cheer you.

Let this water nourish you how you need it best,

whether as golden clouds of nectar or as boiling seas of blood.

Let this water swell and surround us and the ground we share,

that we may understand each other and console each other,

that we may comfort each other and soothe each other.

Let this water overflow this vessel and wash over all that exists,

reaching the uttermost shores of the cosmos in all directions.

Let all daimones partake of this my offering of water!

With the fingertips of both hands, dip them in the water and flick water onto the offering area, then to your front, back, sides, above, and below. Ring the bell.

5.21.3.8. Dedication of Offerings

Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):

Hear me, all you daimones of the world, hear me,

by whatever name you take, by whatever form you take!

Ghost or god, spirit or soul, of any realm, of any domain!

Those before me, behind me, beside me, below me, or above me;

those of the north, the south, the east, or the west;

those within or above the Heavens, those upon or under the Earth!

O all you daimones who take your fill of these offerings!

Remember me who gives these offerings to you!

Let these offerings aid you in your work,

let these offerings sate you and please you,

let these offerings nourish you and heal you,

let these offerings appease you and please you.

Accept these offerings for your peace and benefit and blessing

that I too might have peace and benefit and blessing.

Come and take your fill of these my offerings!

O all you daimones who take your fill of these offerings!

If I hold favor with you, let this offering strengthen us as a mark of my friendship.

If I hold disfavor with you, let this offering reconcile us as an expression of my apology.

If you owe me debt, let this offering be a symbol of my faith and trust in you.

If I owe you debt, let this offering be repayment towards its ultimate fulfillment.

Come and take your fill of these my offerings!

O all you daimones who take your fill of these offerings!

If you came here to me in peace,

take your fill of these offerings, and return to your home in peace.

If you reside peacefully with me,

take your fill of these offerings, and abide with me in peace.

Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever you are, take your fill of these offerings

and continue in your work that I may continue in my own

in the Life, Light, and Goodness of the Creator of us all.

Ring the bell seven times.

5.21.3.9. All-Farewell to the Gods

Recite (changing personal pronouns if needed):

I give thanks to you, o you great gods, o elder-born, mighty powers!

Take your fill of these offerings then return, o lords, return to your thrones,

into your places, into your courses.

I entreat you by the Fire which first shone in the Abyss,

I entreat you by the Power which is greatest over All,

I entreat you by the One who destroys even in Hadēs

that you take your fill of these offerings then take once more to your stations, returning to your abodes,

and harm me not, but be forever kind!

Keep me healthy, unharmed, untroubled by ghosts,

free from calamity, and without terror.

Hear me for all the days of my life!

5.21.3.10. Epilogue

5.21.3.10.1. 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 shown

tender 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.

5.21.3.10.2. 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.

5.21.3.10.3. 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.

5.21.3.10.4. Concluding the Panthysia

Recite (leader only):

Thus concludes this Panthysia.

5.21.3.10.5. Final Salutation

5.21.3.10.5.1. On One’s Own

Recite:

May I walk in reverence and knowledge!

5.21.3.10.5.2. If Others are Present

The leader recites to all:

May we walk in reverence and knowledge!

All others present repeat the above as one.

5.21.3.11. 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.

5.21.3.11.1. Extinguishing the Lykhnon

If the Panthysia is being done with a lykhnon that was lit for the Panthysia 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.

5.21.3.11.2. Disposal of Offerings

Once the light and incense have burnt out completely and all heat from them have been dissipated and when the water has reached ambient temperature, the offerings are to be disposed formally.

Because the prayers of the Prologue and Epilogue were already recited for making the Panthysia offering itself, they do not need to be repeated for the disposal of the offering. If the Panthysia was made in a group, it is best for all who were present for the offering to also be present for the disposal; at minimum, however, the leader must be present and may speak on behalf of everyone, whether they themselves are present or absent at the disposal.

If the Panthysia was done outside, dump the incense ash on the ground and pour the water over it; if inside, dump the incense ash into the water in the vessel.

Ring the bell seven times, then recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):

O all you daimones who have taken your fill of these offerings: hear me!

The fire I lit for you is extinguished,

the incense I burned for you is spent,

the water I poured for you is drained.

This offering I have made for you is given,

this offering I have made for you is complete.

May this offering be pleasing and fit for all you daimones where you are,

that you may be at peace, and be at peace with me.

May no ill-will remain, may no malice remain,

but only peace and peace and peace and peace,

and may you remember me who has given you this offering.

All you daimones who have come to partake in this offering,

as you have come in peace, so now go in peace,

returning to your homes, and be forever kind!

Go now with my peace and benefit and blessing,

that I may have peace and benefit and blessing.

Turn now to your work as I turn now to my own

in the Life, Light, and Goodness of the Creator of us all.

Ring the bell seven times.

If the Panthysia was made inside, the water with the ash is to be disposed outside on the ground immediately.