9.6. Waxing Philōn Synodos⁑

Note

Where indicated by “LL.”, the leader is to announce their own name. Where indicated by “RR.”, the leader is to announce the name of the reader.

Note

The script below assumes that the Synodos is being done in person. If being done online, make accommodations for placement, gestures, and the like as necessary and reasonable. If done remotely, only the person talking at any given moment should have their microphone unmuted; all others should have their microphones muted, even when reciting prayers as a group.

9.6.1. Prologue⁑

9.6.1.1. Invocation of the Flame of the Lamp⁑

If there is not already a lykhnon lit in the meeting space, the leader moves to it, lights it, and recites:

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!

9.6.1.2. Call to the Synodos⁑

Standing by the open doorway to the meeting area, facing half-in and half-out, the leader recites loudly:

Come, o children of mankind, o earth-born siblings of mine,
you who had 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!
Flee death and error and ignorance;
claim immortality, 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 together, rise together, and be guided together on the Way of Hermēs!

Everyone but the leader should be seated, leaving the seat reserved for the leader open. The leader should keep an eye on anyone who is not permitted to participate, especially at the discretion of the group as a whole as decided prior to the Synodos, and have such people leave immediately.

9.6.1.3. First Salutation⁑

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.

9.6.1.4. Meeting Introduction and Keeping the Door⁑

The leader moves to the meeting area, standing by their seat, and announces:

Greetings, everyone, and welcome to this Synodos of the Hermetic Synaxis. This is a time of communion and community for us as friends, siblings, and colleagues who walk together: to offer our prayers and thanks as one, to bare ourselves to each other and bear each other up, and to learn and rejoice in the Way of Hermēs.

The Synodos is a time for honesty and openness, when we commit ourselves to the trust, faith, and secrecy of each other. To that end, whatever and whomever you hear or see here, let it stay here. If you cannot or will not commit to this, or if you are not a synoditēs of the Hermetic Synaxis, then now is the time for you to leave.

The leader gestures to the open door, allowing a few moments for anyone to choose to leave at this point. Once everyone has been given a reasonable chance to leave, the leader asks those who remain:

All you who remain: do you commit yourselves to the trust, faith, and secrecy of each other here present as synoditai of the Hermetic Synaxis? If so, please place your hand over your heart and say “I do”.

All present who agree do as asked; depending on custom, this may be done by attendees one-by-one or with all attendees at once. The leader has anyone who does not agree accordingly to leave immediately. Once this is done and all remaining have agreed, the leader places their hand over their heart and declares:

And so do I.

The leader moves to the door and close it, then returns to the meeting area, remaining standing by their seat, and announce themselves by name:

I am LL., and I will lead this Synodos.

9.6.1.5. Announcement of the Reciter⁑

If there is a separate reciter, the leader announces:

RR. will recite the Askēmata.

Otherwise, if there is no separate reciter, the leader announces:

I will recite the Askēmata.

9.6.1.6. Undertaking the Synodos, Foundation, and Prologue of Aid⁑

If the event is held remotely, the leader gives a polite reminder for attendees to keep their microphones muted unless talking:

Because this Synodos is held remotely, please remember to keep your microphones muted when others are speaking to or discussing with the group, though you are still encouraged to recite our prayers aloud with me on your own where we otherwise would in person together.

The leader announces:

We now undertake this Synodos.

The leader claps once.

All extend their arms out and recite:

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.

All bow, then recite:

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

The leader sits at their seat.

9.6.2. Hymn to the Thrice-Great One⁑

The leader announces:

Let us invoke Hermēs the Thrice-Great, Teacher of the Way.

The leader recites:

Hail to Hermēs, student of the Sovereign Reason!
Hail to Hermēs this day, for this day we embark upon our path with him!
Hail to Hermēs every day, for our every day is guided by him!
As the Moon reflects the light of the Sun
and illumines the Heavens and the Earth,
so too does Hermēs transmit the light of the Mind
and illumines the eyes and hearts of mankind!
Hermēs, who came unto the highest of the heights!
Hermēs, who came unto the deepest of the depths!
Hermēs, who came unto the most hidden of the hidden!
Filled with Holy Wisdom, bearing the Divine Word, leader into Sacred Knowledge,
o silver-bright Tongue of the Mind!

All 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!

Glory be unto you, possessor of the secrets of Heaven and Earth!
Glory be unto you, founder of the holiest temples of the world!
Glory be unto you, healer of the bodies and souls of humanity!
Praise be unto you, witness of the Mind of God!
Praise be unto you, speaker of the Word of God!
Praise be unto you, father and teacher of Tat, Asklēpios, and Ammōn!
Thanks be unto you, initiator into the Mysteries of Divinity!
Thanks be unto you, guide upon the roads to the House of Knowledge!
Thanks be unto you, king and priest and philosopher unto all ages!

9.6.3. Prelude Supplication and Triple Trisagion⁑

The leader announces:

Let us pray with the words of Hermēs the Thrice-Great.

All bow, then recite:

Let me be receptive to Holy Mind and Sovereign Reason,
that I may be inspired by the divine breath of Truth,
that I may praise God with all my soul and all my strength.

All recite:

Holy is God, the Begetter of All.
Holy is God, whose will is done by your own powers.
Holy is God, who wishes to be known and is known by your own.

Holy are you, by whose Word all things are joined.
Holy are you, in whose image all Nature arose.
Holy are you, of whom Nature has not formed a like figure.

Holy are you, stronger than all power.
Holy are you, grander than all excellence.
Holy are you, mightier than all praise.

O you who are unsayable,
o you who are unspeakable,
o you who are called in silence,
accept pure speech offerings from a soul and heart stretched out to you.

Grant my request not to fall from the knowledge that befits my essence.
Accept me and strengthen me, and with this grace,
I shall enlighten those who are in ignorance of their race:
my siblings, your children.
Thus do I believe and bear witness;
I go forth to Life and Light.

Blessed are you, my Forebear!
I who am yours wish to be holy as you are holy,
for you have given to me all authority. ※

9.6.4. Epitome on the Way⁑

The leader announces:

Let us remind ourselves of the Way of Hermēs.

All recite:

The road to God is one: to show devotion and not be evil,
to yoke reverence with knowledge together,
to revile irreverence and ignorance both,
to immerse the soul in the mixing-bowl of Mind,
to rip off the tunic of corruption that drowns,
to put on the tunic of purity that shines,
to see what we must see, to hear what we must hear,
to go where we must go, to do what we must do,
to know what we must know, to become what we must be,
to live well, die blessed, and give thanks to God.

9.6.5. Stoikheia⁑

The leader announces:

Let us remind ourselves of the Stoikheia, the Principles and Rules of the Hermetic Synaxis.

All recite:

These are our seven Arkhai:

1. To show devotion to divinity and cherish heaven.
2. To join reverence and knowledge together.
3. To learn the works of the Divine and workings of Nature.
4. To discover and apply the skillful arts of everything that is good.
5. To do works of charity and justice for one’s society and the world.
6. To end ignorance, abandon error, and cease evil.
7. To go forth to the Life, Light, and Goodness of God.

These are our seven Entolai for hetaireiōtai:

1. To maintain our honesty and integrity in the hetaireia.
2. To be respectful towards others in the hetaireia and the hetaireia as a whole.
3. To support others in the hetaireia and the hetaireia as a whole.
4. To keep the trust, faith, and secrecy of others in the hetaireia.
5. To communicate clearly with the hetaireia, especially for coordination and collaboration.
6. To focus on the work of the hetaireia while with the hetaireia.
7. To attend all events of the hetaireia as much as possible, but especially the Synodos for fellowship and community as much as spirituality and communion.

These are our seven Entolai for hetaireiai:

1. To be welcoming towards all people so long as they come in good faith.
2. To uphold and encourage the spiritual development of hetaireiōtai equally and fairly.
3. To do everything as a hetaireia oriented towards and for the sake of the Way of Hermēs.
4. To keep to and keep doing the practices prescribed by the Hermetic Synaxis.
5. To reach out to and maintain good relationships with other hetaireiai of the Hermetic Synaxis.
6. To not endorse or rely on other organizations outside of the Hermetic Synaxis.
7. To support the broader community with charity and justice as reasonable.

9.6.6. Skepsis⁑

The leader announces:

Let us consider our progress on the Way of Hermēs; let us briefly inform each other of our Work and to reflect on our practice, our problems, and our purpose as we proceed on the Way. What have we done in recent days, what will we do in the coming days, and what might impede us in our Work? After our Synodos, if you would like for others to discuss with you about what you will have informed us for advice or for help, please say so.

The leader starts the Skepsis by sharing their own activities, thoughts, concerns, questions, and the like for the gathering, whether they have been keeping to the practices of the Hermetic Synaxis and what they have done recently along those or related lines, whether they have had any problems to confuse or confound themselves, and the like. The focus should be on works having been done since the last Synodos or to be done before the next. The leader should always share something first as an example for the rest of the gathering; afterwards, the leader prompts the gathering in order clockwise or by seniority, according to group custom, so long as everyone shares at least something about their practice, however brief. Everyone should share something with the group; nobody should skip their contribution to this.

The Skepsis is intended to be a brief check-in, no more than three minutes per person, unless the custom is to allow for longer; those who talk overlong are to be subtly signaled to end as their allotted time approaches so as to allow everyone in the meeting to check in. Those who want or are open to being approached by other attendees after the Synodos for further discussion about their work should explicitly say so during their check-in.

9.6.7. Epignōsis⁑

9.6.7.1. Askēmata⁑

If there is a separate reciter for the Askēmata, the leader announces:

RR. will now recite the Askēmata, the Training Rules on our Way; let us listen.

Otherwise, if there is no separate reciter, the leader announces:

I will now recite the Askēmata, the Training Rules on our Way; I bid you listen.

The reader or leader (whoever is available) then recites the Askēmata:

These are the six training rules of avoiding Ignorance, the Torment of the Moon:

1. To not cause pain through misbehavior or lack of attention.
2. To not neglect the well-being and proper ownership of property.
3. To not make ungainly distinctions for oneself.
4. To not destroy food.
5. To not take more food for oneself than what one needs.
6. To not deprive the needy.

These are the six training rules of avoiding Sorrow, the Torment of Mercury:

1. To not pry into matters.
2. To not grieve uselessly or needlessly.
3. To not upset the order of human society.
4. To not commit violence by words or thoughts.
5. To not act crooked.
6. To not dispute.

These are the six training rules of avoiding Intemperance, the Torment of Venus:

1. To not babble.
2. To not slight others through words.
3. To not debase others.
4. To not disturb the peace.
5. To not debauch others.
6. To not commit adultery.

These are the six training rules of avoiding Arrogance, the Torment of the Sun:

1. To not damage the image or property of the gods.
2. To not usurp divine order.
3. To not defile the sanctity of the world.
4. To not conjure against a righteous leader.
5. To not kill or trap the sacred animals of the gods.
6. To not revile the gods.

These are the six training rules of avoiding Injustice, the Torment of Mars:

1. To not act or judge with undue haste.
2. To not terrorize.
3. To not act out of passion instead of or without reason.
4. To not speak arrogantly, in anger, or recklessly.
5. To not act out of anger recklessly or without just cause.
6. To not murder.

These are the six training rules of avoiding Greed, the Torment of Jupiter:

1. To not pillage.
2. To not commit wrongdoing.
3. To not steal the property of others.
4. To not steal the property or offerings of the gods, the dead, or the spirits.
5. To not rob.
6. To not seek dishonest wealth.

These are the six training rules of avoiding Deceit, the Torment of Saturn:

1. To not ignore the truth.
2. To not mislead.
3. To not lie.
4. To not blaspheme.
5. To not hoodwink.
6. To not perjure.

9.6.7.2. Silent Reflection⁑

The leader announces:

Having heard the Askēmata, let us silently consider our actions.

All present take a moment to themselves to recollect their actions, to consider their issues of irreverence, error, and ignorance of the past half-month or more, and to reflect on themselves and their spiritual state and progress on the Way of Hermēs. The leader judges how long to spend in this time of consideration; a minute or two is generally sufficient, but it may be longer at their discretion. Once done, they should gently ring the bell once to let those present know to continue.

9.6.7.3. Abbreviated Repentances⁑

The leader announces:

To repent is to think again and to think anew, and is for all humanity to do.

To confess is to admit our actions or inactions worthy of repentance:
all can, some should, none must.

For those who will, let us confess and repent of our actions worthy of it.

The leader and all who are comfortable doing so recite:

Without giving thought to what I have said or done,
I have acted as one without mind.
Without mind have I acted with irreverence,
and in irreverence have I journeyed in error,
and in error have I partnered with ignorance.

In my irreverence, error, and ignorance
I have transgressed the laws of Heaven and Earth
by means of my thoughts, speech, and deeds,
by doing that which I should not have done,
by not doing that which I should have done.

For all that I have done openly or secretly,
for all that I have committed against divinity and nature,
for all that I have done wrong or wrongly done,
that I might be held to account to level the balance,
I confess myself to all who hear and see me.

With raised hands and lowered head
do I throw myself before all and the All,
and seek forgiveness for my irreverence, error, and ignorance
that I might escape suffering, corruption, and vice
and walk with mercy, wisdom, and assistance.

I confess my irreverence, error, and ignorance;
may I be forgiven, all who hear and see me!
With love and thanks and praise do I worship the One;
so too do I pray that I might always have understanding
and strive for reverence, attainment, and knowledge.

9.6.7.4. Apophortisis⁑

The leader announces:

Let us open ourselves to each other, in this space amongst ourselves; let us bare ourselves to each other, and let us bear each other up. This is a time for each of us to share our thoughts and our words and our deeds about that which we have done or left undone, about our hopes and our fears, about our accomplishments and our shortcomings, and about our trials and tribulations and triumphs. Share what you will, and let it be an unburdening for you and for others to better walk on the Way of Hermēs.

Please remember: when someone is sharing, do not interrupt them or offer a direct response to them. After our Synodos, if you would like for others to discuss with you about what you will have shared for advice or for help, please say so.

For those who are willing to share, let us share for a few minutes each.
For those who are not, let us bear witness to those who do in silence and support.

And for us all:
let us see each other truly and clearly;
let us hear each other without attachment or aversion;
let us support each other with grace and patience;
let us temper our judgment with humility and mercy;
let us ground our understanding in compassion and wisdom.

Who would like to begin?

If someone volunteers to begin sharing, they should raise their hand and be recognized by the leader. If nobody volunteers, the leader should go first; even if others volunteer first, the leader should always strive to share something as an example for the rest of the gathering. If necessary, the leader prompts the gathering in order clockwise or by seniority, with each person declining if they so choose.

For those who share, if there are six or fewer attendees at the Synodos, aim to speak for no more than five minutes, but if seven or more, no more than three, unless the custom is to allow for longer. Those who share are to be subtly signaled to end as their allotted time approaches so as to allow everyone in the meeting to share. Those who want or are open to being approached by other attendees after the Synodos for further discussion about their sharing should explicitly say so during their sharing.

After each person’s share, the leader should briefly thank them for sharing.

Once all have been given the chance to share, the leader recites:

If you are inspired by what you have heard, then let us encourage one another.
If you are moved by what you have heard, then let us strengthen one another.
If you are saddened by what you have heard, then let us comfort one another.
If you are cheered by what you have heard, then let us celebrate one another.
If you are troubled by what you have heard, then let us relieve one another.
Let us lift up this communion of kindred souls with one another together,
as One, in One.

9.6.7.5. Refranations and Affirmation of the Way⁑

The leader announces:

Let us endeavor to walk the Way of Hermēs with prayer.

All recite, wiping the body down with the hands starting from the head and away fully extending the arms with each refranation:

That I might flee death, darkness, and evil,
I will refrain from corruption.

That I might continue on the way of wisdom,
I will refrain from machination.

That I might avoid the errors of drive and desire,
I will refrain from lust.

That I might strive for life, light, and goodness,
I will refrain from arrogance.

That I might subdue my temperament and senses,
I will refrain from audacity.

That I might be saved from punishment and disgrace,
I will refrain from greed.

That I might not be heedless and not be evil,
I will refrain from falsehood.

All recite:

The road to the Beautiful is one: reverence combined with knowledge.
I am thinking; I remember; I am thankful.
There is but one religion of God: to not be evil.

9.6.8. Epilogue⁑

9.6.8.1. Prayer of Thanksgiving, Singing of the Child, and Foundation⁑

The leader announces:

Let us give thanks with the words of Hermēs the Thrice-Great.

All 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. ※

The leader stands, remaining by their seat, and announces:

Let us end our prayers.

All recite:

To you, o God, the first author of all generation, do I send these offerings of speech.
O God, you are the Source, you are the Lord, you are the Mind!
Receive these words of mine as you will,
for by your will are all things accomplished through your Word. ※

All bow, extend their arms out, and recite:

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.

The leader claps once.

9.6.8.2. Closing Remarks⁑

The leader announces:

Having offered our prayers and thanks, having bared ourselves to each other and borne each other up, having learned and rejoiced in the Way of Hermēs—thus concludes this Synodos of the Hermetic Synaxis. Thank you, everyone, for being here with us today.

Please remember: whatever and whomever you have heard or seen here, let it stay here when you leave.

The leader announces the prescribed lunar phase date and time for the next Iasis:

The next Opposition of the Moon with the Sun will be on [date] at [time]. The Iasis is to be held for it.

The leader announces the date and time of the next quarter Moon:

The next Waning Quarter Moon will be on [date] at [time].

If another Synodos is planned for it, the leader announces it along with who will lead it (NL.):

NL. will hold a Synodos for it at [location] on [date] at [time].

For such a Synodos, if a reader is already known for the next Synodos, the leader announces it (NR.):

NR. will read for it.

Otherwise, if there is a leader but no reader, the leader calls for volunteers to read for it:

If you would like to read for it, please let NL. know.

If there is no Synodos planned for the next quarter Moon but still desired, the leader calls for volunteers for the next Synodos:

A Synodos is not yet planned for it. If you would like to lead or read for it, please let me know.

If future Synodoi are desired in general, the leader calls for volunteers for future Synodos meetings:

If you would like to lead a future Synodos, please let me know.

If there are any other upcoming ceremony times (e.g. planet ingress domicile, Sun ingress zodiac sign or decan) occurring before the next Synodos, they should likewise be announced along with whether anyone is planning to lead a ceremony for them or prompting the attendees for a leader to organize such a ceremony. Any other announcements, news, or updates may be made now as well.

9.6.8.3. Concluding the Synodos⁑

The leader announces the end of the Synodos:

Thus concludes this Synodos.

9.6.8.4. Final Salutation⁑

The leader recites to all:

May we walk in reverence and knowledge!

All others present repeat the above as one.

9.6.8.5. Embrace and the Pure Meal⁑

The leader announces:

With such hopes do we embrace each other and turn to a sacred meal.

For those who are comfortable with it, they should embrace each other; otherwise, they should greet each other warmly as they can. All should wish each other life, health, power, and other blessings as they will.

9.6.9. Post-Meeting Breakdown⁑

The time after a Synodos should be spent in camaraderie and fellowship with each other, discussing anything including Hermetic ritual practice, topics of debate, administration, or just quotidian life goings-on. If a point arose earlier on during the sharing or discussion portions of the Synodos where it would be inappropriate to directly reply to or address another, an attendee may ask to discuss the matter privately with another attendee, especially if an attendee explicitly asked to be approached after the Synodos for it.

Break down and clean up the meeting space.

9.6.9.1. Extinction of the Flame of the Lamp⁑

If the lykhnon is not to be kept burning after the Synodos, the leader stands, moves to it, and recites:

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.

The leader extinguishes the lamp.