6.5. Manteia⁑

Many systems of spiritual work or religious practice have their own approach to divination to obtain guidance, clarification, and confirmation in a variety of needs both ritual and otherwise. While many systems of divination may be used within the context of the Hermetic Synaxis, there is a specific method of divination that pertains to it: the Heptasterion, or the “Lots of the Seven Stars”. While manteia refers to divination generally, within the context of the Hermetic Synaxis and unless otherwise specified, it may be used to refer specifically to the Heptasterion as an oracle that makes use of the symbolism of the seven planets to obtain divinatory answers. Except where noted, this document will focus on the oracle of the Heptasterion.

6.5.1. Tools of Divination⁑

Two sets of tools may be used to obtain answers in the Heptasterion: tokens or coins. The use of tokens is preferred and is the only form encouraged to be used at a permanent bōmos; however, coins may be used away from the bōmos or for impromptu needs at the bōmos if need be. However, both forms may be used equally well for divination, and when one is not at a bōmos, the choice of using tokens or coins is left up to one’s preference.

6.5.1.1. Psēphoi⁑

Seven psēphoi (“pebble”, sing. psēphos), or small tokens are to be acquired, identical in size and texture so that one cannot determine any difference between them by touch alone, such as marbles, stone cubes, wooden discs, or arrows in a quiver; they should be of a size, shape, and weight that is easy and convenient to handle. They are to be differentiated by color, material, or non-tactile marking, such that each token is associated with one of the seven traditional planets (the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn). Each token will have the same probability of being drawn (∼14.29%).

In addition, a bag, pouch, or box is to be used to store the tokens in and to draw blindly from. If a bag or pouch, only plant-based materials should be used for it.

Consecration of the tools of divination is only necessary for psēphoi, with one psēphos consecrated for each of the seven planets. Each psēphos is to be consecrated as a telesma as well as an object of divination in a work of communion with its corresponding planet, seeking the blessing of the planet to infuse and enliven the psēphos to serve as a means of communication, announcing its planet, its divinatory title, and the significations that the psēphos is to suggest. Once communion has been made with all seven planets and a psēphos consecrated for each of them, divination may be performed with them. In future communions with the planet, the psēphoi may also be used as telesmata for the planet to be refreshed with offerings of light and incense.

6.5.1.2. Kermata⁑

Instead of tokens, kermata (“coins”, sing. kerma) may be used instead for divination. Either one coin or six coins are to be obtained. Each side of a coin should be marked so that it can be distinguished between landing as heads or tails.

By flipping six coins (or one coin six times), there are seven combinations of heads and tails that may be produced, each combination being associated with one of the seven planets.

Planet

Coin 1

Coin 2

Coin 3

Coin 4

Coin 5

Coin 6

Probability

Saturn

Tails

Tails

Tails

Tails

Tails

Tails

∼1.56%

Venus

Tails

Tails

Tails

Tails

Tails

Heads

∼9.38%

Moon

Tails

Tails

Tails

Tails

Heads

Heads

∼23.44%

Mercury

Tails

Tails

Tails

Heads

Heads

Heads

∼31.25%

Sun

Tails

Tails

Heads

Heads

Heads

Heads

∼23.24%

Jupiter

Tails

Heads

Heads

Heads

Heads

Heads

∼9.38%

Mars

Heads

Heads

Heads

Heads

Heads

Heads

∼1.56%

If six separate coins are to be used, they may be all identical, but they may also each represent a single antiscia-pair of zodiac signs with one zodiac sign on each face, with diurnal (fire/air) signs being the heads of a coin and nocturnal (water/earth) signs being the tails of a coin.

In the northern hemisphere:

Pair

Heads

Tails

Small Day

Aries

Virgo

Middling Day

Leo

Taurus

Great Day

Gemini

Cancer

Small Night

Libra

Pisces

Middling Night

Aquarius

Scorpio

Great Night

Sagittarius

Capricorn

In the southern hemisphere:

Pair

Heads

Tails

Small Day

Libra

Pisces

Middling Day

Aquarius

Scorpio

Great Day

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Small Night

Aries

Virgo

Middling Night

Leo

Taurus

Great Night

Gemini

Cancer

Despite the foregoing, divination may be done with any coins at hand. If a set of coins are dedicated to this purpose, a bag, pouch, or box is to be used to store the coins in. If a bag or pouch, only plant-based materials should be used for it.

There is no formal consecration ritual of coins, as the coins themselves do not serve as telesmata of the planets. Because of this, coins may be used freely when away from one’s bōmos or if one is not able to reach their own set of psēphoi. At most, one may simply sprinkle clean water over them to clean them if desired before using them for divination. However, if one already has a set of psēphoi consecrated and one wishes to use a dedicated set of six coins for such divination, the coins may be “primed” by arranging the six coins in a circle around a single psēphos, flipping the coins such that they produce the result associated with that stone, and announcing the number of coins as heads and tails to indicate the planet, then repeating the process for all seven psēphoi and seven throws of the coins.

6.5.2. Significations of Results⁑

6.5.2.1. Saturn — Apōthēsis (Rejection)⁑

  • A very heavy and cold “no” due to profound confusion or fundamental misunderstanding of the situation.

  • The question itself is wrong, or is based on faulty assumptions.

  • Reconsider what it is you’re asking or doing.

  • Nothing can proceed because there is no proceeding to begin with.

  • Futility.

  • Do not be averse to reality or lie to yourself about it.

  • There are matters hidden or concealed to you.

  • Banishment, loss, sorrow, and death.

  • Accountability, responsibility, obligation.

  • Punishment, comeuppance.

  • The planet Saturn.

  • The zodiacal signs of Capricorn and Aquarius.

  • The element of earth.

6.5.2.2. Venus — Psyksis (Cooling)⁑

  • A mild “yes” but only in the sense of “not yet” or “not unless”.

  • You are unable to proceed alone.

  • Seek assistance or help from another, whether a human or a spirit or a god.

  • Incompletion or imperfection.

  • This may not be the right time or place for taking action.

  • Desires and yearnings will eventually be fulfilled when they are chosen.

  • Friendship and attraction.

  • Pleasure and leisure.

  • Possibility of betrayal or issues over two-facedness.

  • The planet Venus.

  • The zodiacal signs of Taurus and Libra.

  • The element of water.

6.5.2.3. Moon — Nyks (Night)⁑

  • The answer is a simple “no”.

  • Instability and inconstancy.

  • Short-term developments or effects.

  • The other world, dreams, spiritual realities.

  • The body.

  • Initiation and intuition.

  • Agathē Tykhē.

  • Darkness.

  • Rest.

  • Memory.

  • Fear.

  • Descent.

  • The Moon.

  • The zodiacal sign of Cancer.

6.5.2.4. Mercury — Tetraodos (Crossroads)⁑

  • For “yes” or “no” questions, ask again and accept the next result; if the same result is obtained, ask later or proceed only with caution, planning, and further consideration.

  • The question may not be able to be answered due to shifting circumstances at the moment of its asking.

  • Hesitation, caution, deliberation.

  • Flux.

  • Liminality.

  • Constraints upon progress: imprisonment, subordination, fights, enmities, hatreds, condemnations.

  • The mind.

  • Necessity.

  • Invention.

  • Reason.

  • Think things through.

  • Consider rephrasing your query.

  • Consider using another form of divination like astrology for a more in-depth investigation.

  • The planet Mercury.

  • The zodiacal signs of Gemini and Virgo.

6.5.2.5. Sun — Hēmera (Day)⁑

  • The answer is a simple “yes”.

  • Stability and constancy.

  • Long-term developments or effects.

  • This world, consciousness, physical realities.

  • The soul.

  • Healing and mastery.

  • Agathos Daimōn.

  • Light.

  • Ascent.

  • The Sun.

  • The zodiacal sign of Leo.

6.5.2.6. Jupiter — Apodeksis (Acceptance)⁑

  • The answer is a mild, quiet “yes” implying resignation or yielding to greater forces.

  • Follow fate.

  • You already know the answer.

  • The question doesn’t matter.

  • Stop asking.

  • Let go and let God.

  • Victory.

  • Peace.

  • Joy.

  • Divine assurance.

  • Have faith and trust in the gods.

  • Find fellowship and partnership with others in a community or congregation.

  • The planet Jupiter.

  • The zodiacal signs of Sagittarius and Pisces.

  • The element of air.

6.5.2.7. Mars — Kausis (Burning)⁑

  • A very harsh and hot “no” due to alarming circumstances.

  • Pre-existing issues dominate the situation that need to be resolved first before continuing.

  • You’re focusing entirely on the wrong thing to your own detriment.

  • You’re picking or fighting the wrong battles.

  • Anger.

  • Struggle, strife.

  • Attack, assault, harassment.

  • Rashness, insolence, treachery, and wickedness.

  • Courage, determination, resolution.

  • The planet Mars.

  • The zodiacal signs of Aries and Scorpio.

  • The element of fire.

6.5.3. Methods of Asking⁑

6.5.3.1. Full Reading⁑

For a full reading with the greatest range of answers or to represent all seven planets in a straightforward way, all seven psēphoi (or all six coins) are used to draw a single result from.

6.5.3.2. Partial Reading⁑

In the following methods, obtaining a Mercury answer does not necessitate a second draw, but is given a special signification that is accepted on its appearance. When flipping coins, the order of results and planets given indicate the number of heads and tails, starting with all heads (H) and progressively increasing the number of tails (T).

6.5.3.2.1. Two Results⁑

For a simple binary query of “yes”/”no”, refer to the luminaries of the Sun and the Moon or flip a single coin (H, T).

6.5.3.2.2. Three Results⁑

For a query of “yes”/”maybe”/”no”, refer to the three ideal planets (Sun, Mercury, and the Moon) or flip two coins (HH, HT, TT).

6.5.3.2.3. Four Results⁑

For a query of “yes”/”maybe”/”no”/”not yet”, refer to the “major triad” (Sun, Mercury, the Moon, and Venus) or flip three coins (HHH, HHT, HTT, TTT).

For a query of “bad query”/”get help”/”let go”/”get ready to fight”, refer to the “minor tetrad” (Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, Mars) or flip three coins (HHH, HHT, HTT, TTT).

6.5.3.2.4. Five Results⁑

For a query of “yes”/”maybe”/”no”/”not yet”/”stop asking”, refer to the “life-giving planets” (the Sun, Mercury, the Moon, Venus, Jupiter) or flip four coins (HHHH, HHHT, HHTT, TTTT).

For a query of “bad query”/”get help”/”proceed with caution”/”let go”/”get ready to fight”, refer to the “non-luminary planets” (Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars) or flip four coins (HHHH, HHHT, HHTT, TTTT).

6.5.3.2.5. Six Results⁑

For a query of “bad query”/”not yet”/”no”/”yes”/”stop asking”/”problems”, refer to all the planets but Mercury (Saturn, Venus, Moon, Sun, Jupiter, Mars), or flip five coins (HHHHH, HHHHT, HHHTT, HTTTT, TTTTT).

6.5.3.2.6. Zodiacal Results⁑

For a query to determine a particular sign of the Zodiac, refer to all the planets.

With psēphoi or with coins that are not distinguished by sign on their faces, if the draw is of the Sun, then the answer is Leo; if of the Moon, then Cancer; if another planet, draw again from the two luminaries alone, and this determines the zodiac sign associated with the planet first drawn based on the sign’s diurnality (e.g. Venus then Sun → Libra, Venus then Moon → Taurus).

Planet

Diurnal Sign

Nocturnal Sign

Sun

Leo

—

Moon

—

Cancer

Mercury

Gemini

Virgo

Venus

Libra

Taurus

Mars

Aries

Scorpio

Jupiter

Sagittarius

Pisces

Saturn

Aquarius

Capricorn

6.5.3.3. Elemental Results⁑

For a query to determine a particular element, refer to the “minor tetrad” (Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn), or flip three coins (HHH, HHT, HTT, TTT).

If a particular direction or change in an element is needed, refer to either the luminaries (Moon and Sun) or the “major triad” (Sun, Mercury, Moon) or flip two coins (HH, HT, TT) following the element itself to determine the direction or change:

  • Sun: ascent or increase

  • Mercury: monitor the situation as is

  • Moon: descent or decrease

6.5.4. Divination⁑

If divination is done as part of communion with an entity in the course of a Thysia to them or Koinōnia with them, no ceremonial process or prayers need to be recited unless desired; the act of communing with the entity already establishes a connection for them to speak directly in divination. In general, unless another form of divination is already known to be acceptable to the entity, the Heptasterion should be consulted as primary with them when engaged in a ritual context of the Hermetic Synaxis.

Outside of a Thysia or Koinōnia, divination may be performed either formally at a bōmos or casually away from the bōmos. If one has a bōmos available, divination should be performed by consulting the Heptasterion with psēphoi at the bōmos; divination may be performed at a bōmos as part of one’s Leitūriga. Otherwise, when not at a bōmos, the Heptasterion may be consulted with either psēphoi or with kermata. However, so long as the practitioner is skilled with it, other forms of divination may be permissible to use instead the Heptasterion.

Whether performing divination at a bōmos outside the Leitūrgia or away from a bōmos, one should follow at least the Kanones of hygiene (full bathing preferred but not required); one need not abstain or dress as one would for a ritual, although it is encouraged. A hormos does not need to be worn.

6.5.4.1. Divination at a Bōmos⁑

Tip

If formal divination is performed as part of the Leitūrgia, the divination begins with the Prayer of the Stranger.

6.5.4.1.1. Lighting the Lykhnon⁑

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

6.5.4.1.2. 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.

6.5.4.1.3. First Salutation⁑

6.5.4.1.3.1. On One’s Own⁑

Recite:

May I live in wholeness and health!
6.5.4.1.3.2. 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.

6.5.4.1.4. Undertaking the Manteia⁑

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

I now undertake this Manteia.

6.5.4.1.5. 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.

6.5.4.1.6. 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.

6.5.4.1.7. Prayer of the Stranger⁑

Tip

If formal divination is performed as part of the Leitūrgia, the divination begins at this point.

Recite:

O God, you who are beyond all the great eternal realms,
you who have neither beginning nor end!
Bestow upon me a spirit of knowledge
for the revelation of your mysteries,
that I may come to the knowledge of myself:
where I have come from, where I am going,
and what I should do in order to live.

O God, you who are beyond all the great eternal realms,
hear my voice, be merciful to me, and save me from all evil!
Look upon me and hear me in this place.
Let your ineffable Light shine upon me,
your Light which enables my heart to look upon you in perfection,
your Light which enables my mind to hear and see what I wish:
to learn about the things that are,
to understand their nature, and to know you.
It is only by your Light that I can learn and know all this!
Come, o Lord, come to my aid, for I wish to know you,
and, by knowing, may I come to praise you forever. ※

6.5.4.1.8. Remembrance of the Seer⁑

Recite (leader only):

Life is not birth but awareness, change is not death but forgetting.
Every living thing is immortal through Mind,
for every living thing is composed of the immortal:
Matter and Life and Spirit and Soul and Mind.
But foremost of them all is Man,
capable of receiving God, fit to keep company with God.
With Man alone does God converse,
to Man alone does God send messages
through dreams by night and through omens by day,
through flights of birds and through inspections of entrails,
through whispers of trees and through inspirations of divinity,
so that Man may know what is, what was, and what will come to be.

For unlike all other living things that inhabit only one part of the world,
Man makes use of all Earth, all Water, all Air, and all Fire,
even unto gazing upon and seeing into Heaven.
As Heaven, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth are the limbs of the cosmos,
Life, Immortality, Soul, Mind, Fate, Necessity, Providence, and Nature
are the limbs of God, and the permanence of them all is the Good.
God surrounds and permeates all the things that are,
who by his power sets into motion all the workings of the cosmos,
and desires us to gaze upon and understand him.
In what comes to be and what has come to be,
there is nowhere where God is not, there is nothing beyond God;
there is nothing in the All that God is not, for God is all.

6.5.4.1.9. Invocation of the Seven⁑

Recite while loosely manipulating the tools of divination (leader only, changing personal pronouns as needed):

Let the earth and seas be still, let the skies and winds be still!
Let there be no hindrance to this my work, no sound, no cry, no hiss!
For I am a prophet, and I am about to call a great and fearful name.
Open the holy temple, open the whole world built upon the earth,
and welcome the seven gods of the seven stars!

I call on you, o seven governors of Fate, o guardians of secrets,
o watchers of Heaven and Earth, o masters of all things seen and unseen,
o you who have given to all humanity a share of your own order!
O mighty gods who shine on the whole inhabited and uninhabited world!
Grant me answers for the question I ask of you,
grant me advice for the matter I put to you!
Give me truth for truth, not lies for truth nor truth for lies nor lies for lies!

Intone the seven vowels A-E-Ē-I-O-U-Ō with one long full exhale.

6.5.4.1.10. Divination⁑

Ask your question aloud clearly, concretely, and concisely while continuing to loosely manipulate the tools. When it feels appropriate to do so, employ the tools to produce an answer; if the Heptasterion is consulted, announce the name of the result and its corresponding planet (e.g. “Tetraodos, the answer of Mercury”). Contemplate the answer as needed for guidance. Continue for any further or follow-up questions as necessary.

6.5.4.1.11. Dismissal of the Seven⁑

Recite while loosely manipulating the tools of divination (leader only, changing personal pronouns as needed):

I give my thanks to you, o mighty powers of Heaven,
for the answers to my questions and the advice to my matters!
Return, o masters of the world, return to your own thrones,
return to your own heavens, return to your own courses.
Keep me healthy and whole, unharmed by beasts and spirits,
free from calamity and terror, blessed in heart and mind,
that all things may be done for peace of myself and the world!

6.5.4.1.12. Work of the Soul⁑

Recite (changing personal pronouns as needed):

Through my labor in seeking, through my learning of God,
through my distress in my body chasing after the prophets,
may I find my rising, and rest in the one who is at rest,
may I join myself to beauty in love as One,
may I eat of the banquet for which I hunger and partake of the immortal food,
may I find what I seek and receive rest from my labor.
May the Light that does not set shine upon me always,
for to the Light belongs all glory and power and revelation forever. ※

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.

Tip

If formal divination is performed as part of the Leitūrgia, the Leitūrgia resumes at this point.

6.5.4.1.13. 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.

6.5.4.1.14. 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.

6.5.4.1.15. Concluding the Manteia⁑

Recite (leader only):

Thus concludes this Manteia.

6.5.4.1.16. Final Salutation⁑

6.5.4.1.16.1. On One’s Own⁑

Recite:

May I walk in reverence and knowledge!
6.5.4.1.16.2. If Others are Present⁑

The leader recites to all:

May we walk in reverence and knowledge!

All others present repeat the above as one.

6.5.4.1.17. Extinguishing the Lykhnon⁑

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

6.5.4.2. Divination Away from a Bōmos⁑

6.5.4.2.1. Lighting the Lamp⁑

If it is at all possible to have a flame lit where the divination is to be done, 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!

6.5.4.2.2. First Salutation⁑

6.5.4.2.2.1. On One’s Own⁑

Recite:

May I live in wholeness and health!
6.5.4.2.2.2. 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.

6.5.4.2.3. Undertaking the Manteia⁑

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

I now undertake this Manteia.

6.5.4.2.4. 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.

6.5.4.2.5. Prologue of Aid⁑

Recite:

Almighty God, Lord, King, Master, Helper, hear me!

6.5.4.2.6. Prayer of the Stranger⁑

Recite:

O God, you who are beyond all the great eternal realms,
you who have neither beginning nor end!
Bestow upon me a spirit of knowledge
for the revelation of your mysteries,
that I may come to the knowledge of myself:
where I have come from, where I am going,
and what I should do in order to live.

O God, you who are beyond all the great eternal realms,
hear my voice, be merciful to me, and save me from all evil!
Look upon me and hear me in this place.
Let your ineffable Light shine upon me,
your Light which enables my heart to look upon you in perfection,
your Light which enables my mind to hear and see what I wish:
to learn about the things that are,
to understand their nature, and to know you.
It is only by your Light that I can learn and know all this!
Come, o Lord, come to my aid, for I wish to know you,
and, by knowing, may I come to praise you forever. ※

6.5.4.2.7. Remembrance of the Seer⁑

If time permits and if desired, recite quietly or silently (leader only):

Life is not birth but awareness, change is not death but forgetting.
Every living thing is immortal through Mind,
for every living thing is composed of the immortal:
Matter and Life and Spirit and Soul and Mind.
But foremost of them all is Man,
capable of receiving God, fit to keep company with God.
With Man alone does God converse,
to Man alone does God send messages
through dreams by night and through omens by day,
through flights of birds and through inspections of entrails,
through whispers of trees and through inspirations of divinity,
so that Man may know what is, what was, and what will come to be.

For unlike all other living things that inhabit only one part of the world,
Man makes use of all Earth, all Water, all Air, and all Fire,
even unto gazing upon and seeing into Heaven.
As Heaven, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth are the limbs of the cosmos,
Life, Immortality, Soul, Mind, Fate, Necessity, Providence, and Nature
are the limbs of God, and the permanence of them all is the Good.
God surrounds and permeates all the things that are,
who by his power sets into motion all the workings of the cosmos,
and desires us to gaze upon and understand him.
In what comes to be and what has come to be,
there is nowhere where God is not, there is nothing beyond God;
there is nothing in the All that God is not, for God is all.

6.5.4.2.8. Invocation of the Seven⁑

Recite while loosely manipulating the tools of divination (leader only, changing personal pronouns as needed):

Let the earth and seas be still, let the skies and winds be still!
Let there be no hindrance to this my work, no sound, no cry, no hiss!
For I am a prophet, and I am about to call a great and fearful name.
Open the holy temple, open the whole world built upon the earth,
and welcome the seven gods of the seven stars!

I call on you, o seven governors of Fate, o guardians of secrets,
o watchers of Heaven and Earth, o masters of all things seen and unseen,
o you who have given to all humanity a share of your own order!
O mighty gods who shine on the whole inhabited and uninhabited world!
Grant me answers for the question I ask of you,
grant me advice for the matter I put to you!
Give me truth for truth, not lies for truth nor truth for lies nor lies for lies!

Intone the seven vowels A-E-Ē-I-O-U-Ō with one long full exhale.

6.5.4.2.9. Divination⁑

Ask your question aloud clearly, concretely, and concisely while continuing to loosely manipulate the tools. When it feels appropriate to do so, employ the tools to produce an answer; if the Heptasterion is consulted, announce the name of the result and its corresponding planet (e.g. “Tetraodos, the answer of Mercury”). Contemplate the answer as needed for guidance. Continue for any further or follow-up questions as necessary.

6.5.4.2.10. Dismissal of the Seven⁑

Recite while loosely manipulating the tools of divination (leader only, changing personal pronouns as needed):

I give my thanks to you, o mighty powers of Heaven,
for the answers to my questions and the advice to my matters!
Return, o masters of the world, return to your own thrones,
return to your own heavens, return to your own courses.
Keep me healthy and whole, unharmed by beasts and spirits,
free from calamity and terror, blessed in heart and mind,
that all things may be done for peace of myself and the world!

6.5.4.2.11. Work of the Soul⁑

Recite (changing personal pronouns as needed):

Through my labor in seeking, through my learning of God,
through my distress in my body chasing after the prophets,
may I find my rising, and rest in the one who is at rest,
may I join myself to beauty in love as One,
may I eat of the banquet for which I hunger and partake of the immortal food,
may I find what I seek and receive rest from my labor.
May the Light that does not set shine upon me always,
for to the Light belongs all glory and power and revelation forever. ※

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.

6.5.4.2.12. 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.

6.5.4.2.13. 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.

6.5.4.2.14. Concluding the Manteia⁑

Recite (leader only):

Thus concludes this Manteia.

6.5.4.2.15. Final Salutation⁑

6.5.4.2.15.1. On One’s Own⁑

Recite:

May I walk in reverence and knowledge!
6.5.4.2.15.2. If Others are Present⁑

The leader recites to all:

May we walk in reverence and knowledge!

All others present repeat the above as one.

6.5.4.2.16. Extinguishing the Lamp⁑

If the divination was performed was with a flame lit and it 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 lamp.