5.5. Tykheia⁑
The offering to the Agathē Tykhē is to be done once a month according to the Moon, either reckoned in a synodic or sidereal approach:
If a synodic manner, whether on one’s own or as a group, the Tykheia is to be celebrated on the second day of the synodic month, ideally when reckoned from the First Sighting of the Moon.
If a sidereal manner, whether on one’s own or as a group, the Tykheia is to be celebrated on the first day of the sidereal month, reckoned from the Moon entering the zodiacal sign of Aries.
If a sidereal manner but only on one’s own, in addition to either of the above options, the Tykheia may be celebrated when the Moon is in the degree of the ruling planet of one’s nativity e.g. if one’s ruling planet is Jupiter and Jupiter was at 12° Libra when one was born, then one would celebrate this when the Moon crosses 12° Libra. If this specific window is not available, then the day on which it occurs is acceptable.
The Tykheia 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.
5.5.1. Supplies and Tools Required⁑
A match or lighter
A cup of clean, cool water
If a loibeion is present, it should be used, but only after draining it and filling it with fresh water for the offering.
Otherwise, a wine glass, goblet, or other drinking vessel is acceptable.
If performed in a group, everyone present should have their own cup of water.
Offering dishes as necessary
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 frankincense, of sandalwood and aloeswood, or otherwise of a smell or blend of smells appropriate for general offerings.
If the Tykheia is celebrated privately according to the position of one’s ruling planet, the incense may instead be of a smell or blend of smells appropriate to that planet.
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 water
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.
Other drink, food, and flowers as desired
Although no such offerings are mandatory, they are strongly encouraged.
Besides water, fresh milk and juice is encouraged to be offered.
Fresh fruit and nuts are encouraged to be offered, especially if they are from trees, but among prepared foods, butterscotch candies and small bread rolls are best.
If flowers are offered, they are encouraged to be offered in a variety of hues and colors.
Bell (optional)
5.5.2. 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 preferred.
Although the offering may be made straightforwardly on a bōmos as one might with other offerings, it is ideal to have the offering arranged such that the light is in the center of the bōmos with food (if present) around it, whether directly on the bōmos or on a large platter. Additionally, four drink offerings (if present but regardless if all the same or all different, if not using the loibeion) should be poured into four vessels positioned to the four directions around the light (and food, if present), incense should burn in two burners to either side of the bōmos, and flowers should be arranged to either side of the bōmos behind the incense.
5.5.3. Offering⁑
Tip
If the offering is being made as part of the Leitūrgia, the offering process begins with the Shining Prayer.
Note
Where indicated by “AA.”, either use “Agathē Tykhē” if one is alone and does not know a specific name for their Agathē Tykhe, the name of their Agathē Tykhē if known and if they are alone, or “Agathai Tykhai” if in a group.
5.5.3.1. Prologue⁑
5.5.3.1.1. Lighting the Lykhnon⁑
If the Tykheia is being done with a lykhnon which is to be lit for the Tykheia 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!
5.5.3.1.2. Calling or Closing⁑
Tip
Optional if done casually.
Depending whether the Tykheia 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.
5.5.3.1.2.1. 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.
5.5.3.1.2.2. 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.
5.5.3.1.3. First Salutation⁑
5.5.3.1.3.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I live in wholeness and health!
5.5.3.1.3.2. 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.
5.5.3.1.4. 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.
5.5.3.1.5. Undertaking the Tykheia⁑
Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
I now undertake this Tykheia.
5.5.3.1.6. 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.
5.5.3.1.7. 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!
5.5.3.1.8. 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.
5.5.3.1.9. 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 Tykheia.
5.5.3.1.10. 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!
5.5.3.1.11. 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. ※
5.5.3.2. Purification of Water⁑
If the water being offered is not from a loibeion, lift up the vessel of water above the bōmos and recite:
O sweet water, fresh water, cool water that appeases the gods,you are a gift to the world and to me from the gods!The heavenly gods give the rain; the earthly gods give the seas;the mighty kings give the rivers; the beloved dead give the springs.As water from dew, you adorn the Earth and permit things to grow;as water from clouds, you adorn the Heavens and permit things to flourish.O water from the primordial water, o water from which the first light sprang,for the sake of purity and becoming pure, be purified!
5.5.3.3. 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. Regardless whether a loibeion is used, 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.
5.5.3.4. 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!
5.5.3.5. Praise of the Agathē Tykhē⁑
Light the light and the incense.
Recite:
O Agathē Tykhē, ever the beginning and end for everyone and everything!You sit on Wisdom as your throne and lay honor onto mortal deeds.The good from you is greater than the evil,and grace shines radiant from your golden wings.What is granted from your scales turns out most blessed!You see a path away from helplessness through troubles,and you bring a shining light in the darkness,o most eminent of divinities, sharing the hearth with humanity,o you of many colors, of many shapes, of all strength, of all power!
5.5.3.6. Dedication of Offerings⁑
5.5.3.6.1. 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 AA.! 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!
5.5.3.6.2. Dedication of Light⁑
O great and heavenly AA., 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 AA.!
5.5.3.6.3. Dedication of Incense⁑
O great and heavenly AA., 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 AA.!
5.5.3.6.4. Dedication of Drink⁑
O great and heavenly AA., 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 AA.!
5.5.3.6.5. Dedication of Food⁑
O great and heavenly AA., 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 AA.!
5.5.3.6.6. Dedication of Flowers or Other Offerings⁑
O great and heavenly AA., 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 AA.!
5.5.3.6.7. Dedication of Speech⁑
O great and heavenly AA., 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 AA.!
5.5.3.7. Invocation of the Agathē Tykhē and Communion⁑
Recite (leader only, changing personal pronouns if needed):
O great and heavenly AA.! You who grant power to my senses, to my substance, and to my deeds, and by all these to my own thought! As a mirror gathers the light of the Sun to brighten a darkened place without diminishing the Sun, so too illumine my life, sphere, and world, and be for me the living source of my own light! Unlock for me that which is impenetrable, teach me in all the ways of my life, protect me from every external spirit and every internal worry, and be for me the perfection of my nature!
Recite, ringing a bell where indicated (leader only):
I call you, o high and powerful spirit of spirits,o wisest of the wise, o intelligent of all intelligence,o knowledgeable of the knowledge of the whole world!It is from you that the knowledge and understanding of the wise proceed,and it is by your virtue that the desires of the wise are accomplished.Hear me, answer me, come to me, be present here with me;unite me with your powers and draw me close to your knowledge;strengthen me with your strength,and grant me to understand what I do not understand,know the things I do not know, and see the things I do not see!Protect me and remove from me all blindness, corruption, forgetfulness, and disease.Lift me up to the level of the ancient sages,those whose hearts were filledwith intelligence, wisdom, understanding, and insight! ǂ
At this point, if desired, engage in communion with one’s Agathē Tykhē, 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.
Let all this abide in my heart forever;imprint and affix these things in my heart,that they may never depart from me!Hear me, gentle Agathē Tykhē, and be gracious to me,all the time of my life!
5.5.3.8. Blessing of the Agathē Tykhē⁑
Recite, ringing a bell where indicated (eader only):
O my Agathē Tykhē, you who are in complete knowledge of my fate,teach me the ways and means of my fate and my life and my destiny,enlighten my paths, illumine my destinations, and help meso that I may come to go where I must go, know what I must know,do what I must do, and become what I must be! ǂO my Agathē Tykhē, you who are in complete command of my fate,wash off from me every evil fate, transmute every evil thing into good,and let the good flourish in abundance in my life for goodso that I may come to know, enjoy, and have the causes ofgood health, long life, prosperity, happiness, freedom, fortune,ease, safety, stability, and peace! ǂO my Agathē Tykhē, you who are the source of my intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge,make me intelligent, make me wise, and make me knowledgeableso that I may come to be competent, capable, and dignifiedin all studies, sciences, skills, crafts, works, and arts of my life and of the world,here and all places, now and all times, today and all days! ǂO my Agathē Tykhē, you who are my perfect nature,perfect my nature, and help me to fill my lifewith everything that is good, all that is good, and only that which is good,so that you yourself may be fulfilled in your work for me and with me! ǂ
5.5.3.10. 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 AA., I have made these offerings to you of (light, incense, etc.). I have made these offerings for you to celebrate you in my life and for giving me my life to live, 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. Be with me and be gracious to me always, and 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 AA., and may you always grant me your blessing! Hail to you, o great and heavenly AA.!
Tip
If the offering is being made as part of the Leitūrgia, the Leitūrgia resumes at this point.
5.5.3.11. Epilogue⁑
5.5.3.11.1. 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.
5.5.3.11.2. 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.
5.5.3.11.3. 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.
5.5.3.11.4. Concluding the Tykheia⁑
Recite (leader only):
Thus concludes this Tykheia.
5.5.3.11.5. Final Salutation⁑
5.5.3.11.5.1. On One’s Own⁑
Recite:
May I walk in reverence and knowledge!
5.5.3.11.5.2. If Others are Present⁑
The leader recites to all:
May we walk in reverence and knowledge!
All others present repeat the above as one.
5.5.3.12. Post-Offering Breakdown⁑
If a loibeion was used, since it was drained at the bōmos, it is to be refreshed by the leader immediately, and the lid placed back on.
If desired, eat a vegetarian meal, especially if there are others present. A portion of the meal may be placed respectfully with the rest of the offering on the bōmos as an extra gesture and means of communion with the Agathē Tykhē.
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; any food offered (except from the meal already consumed) is best consumed by those who made the offering.
5.5.3.12.1. Extinguishing the Lykhnon⁑
If the Tykheia is being done with a lykhnon that was lit for the Tykheia 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.