|
The Gnostic Mass As stated above the Central Ritual of the E.G.C. is the Gnostic Mass. It is impossible to give any account of the Power and Beauty of this rite, such can only be gained by experience. However a brief explanation of the principles behind it may be of benefit. Firstly the Gnostic Mass is based on Gnosis, that is direct personal experience of the Immanence of the Divine, in the mass one passes symbolically from the state of belief to one of Gnosis, hence the Mass begins with a recitation of the Creed, ' I believe in …' it ends with the realisation, 'There is no part of me that is not of the Gods' , belief has been transformed into direct experience. The Officers of the Mass, The Priestess, Priest etc. personify and manifest various natural forces and their interplay, it has been said that the Gnostic Mass also contains the entire symbolism of the O.T.O. The Mass contains many, many layers of significance and literally years could be devoted to it's study, yet with all that it's power and beauty can speak simply to the soul of it's newest Guest. In one sense the Mass Celebrates the union of Male and Female, God and Goddess, and the renewal and continuity of the forces of life, in another it shows the usage and focus of such polarity for magical ends. The Text of the Mass may be studied in 'Liber XV', and it's performance appreciated in Local Groves of E.G.C. The Mass also allows space for adaptation to the 'Feasts of the Times.' Local bodies often incorporate native traditions and rites into the Mass, chosen according to the Nature of the Festival concerned, in this way the deep roots of our native traditions may grow into the future, and bear new fruit. The Text of the Gnostic Mass is available in Crowleys 'Magick in Theory and Practise', 'Gems from the Equinox' and numerous sources on-line. |
