Postulant I am
M.W.S.: Then remove from my breast the heavy burden which oppresses me, and cast it behind you, replacing it by the Volume of the Sacred Law, about which you will arrange the three letters in the form of a triangle; interlock the fingers of your hands and place the palms upon my forehead, look into my eyes and say after me;
I.....in the Name of the Holy Trinity One and Indivisible, and in the presence of this Perfect and Princely
Chapter of the Holy Order of the Rose Croix of Heredom, do hereby and hereon most solemnly promise and swear that I will hele, conceal, and never reveal the Mysteries of a Sovereign Prince Rose Croix.
I swear eternal fealty and allegiance to the Supreme Council by whose authority this Chapter is constituted in the person of its Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander Baphomet.
I further pledge myself to the service of the Order to the last drop of my blood and the last penny of my purse.
All this I swear to observe without evasion, equivocation, or mental reservation of any kind, were it at the cost of the death of my body and the damnation of my soul.
Aumn.
Arise, newly-obligated brother, raising to your lips the Volume of the Sacred Law, and seal the Oath with seven kisses.
Very Excellent and Perfect Grand Marshal, let the Postulant be conducted from the Chapter and invested with a black apron and collar, for by such a badge we do designate those who are in search of the Lost Word.
(G.M. takes out Postulant, and invests him, removing his P.M. apron, saying: 'This attire cannot be worn in the Age of the Lost Word'. Meanwhile the Princes rise from their attitudes of mourning and extinguish the lights, overthrow the pillars, strew the floor with corpses, skulls and bones, light a pungent incense, and the hell-broth. As the Candidate re-enters in charge of the Grand Marshal, a sack is thrown over his head, and he is thrust through the veil, and beaten, pricked and pushed by all as they cry litanies of Jesus, Joseph, and Mary while he gropes his way. The M.W.S. and G.M. should however retire to Red Room.)
Second Point
(All present enter the Red Room, and assume insignia and stalls. The Most Reverend and Perfect Prelate advances from the Red Room. She takes Postulant by the hand. The sack is removed.)
H.P.: I come to conduct you from the depths of darkness and the valley of death.
Truth will direct you when you err
Silence will sustain you in every trial
Love will comfort you upon your path. (Musick: 'Tristan and Isolde'.)
(The door of the Red Room is opened by G.M. who removes the black apron and collar. The Postulant finds himself at the foot of the ladder. G.M. closes door behind him. All present are in the Sign of Heredom.)
H.P.: Holy Father, I present to you this worthy Knight, who has passed through the depths of darkness and the Valley of Death in search of the Lost Word, having been fortified with Truth, Silence, and Love.
M.W.S.: Let the Postulant Ascend the ladder which leads to glory and perfection!
(H.P. tells P. to take one step (I°) and pick up the letter.)
(Prompted by H.P. He then takes the 2nd step.) M.W.S.: What defends you? P.: Silence. (3rd step.)
Do What Thou Wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Who is your father?
M.W.S.: Who is your mother? P.: Natura. (6th step.)
M.W.S.: Who is your teacher? P.: Ratio. (7th step.)
(All cry IAO loudly.)
M.W.S.: Give me the initials of the last 4 words. P.: I.N.R.I.
M.W.S.: Sir Knight (Noble Dame) You have indeed by the air of Truth, Silence, and Love, succeeded in finding the Lost Word. To order, Very Excellent and Perfect Princes! Let us analyse the Word!
(All stand to order, swords above head, lip in finger and thumb of left hand. The 3 officers form the descending triangle above Postulant.)
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