Frater Choronzon 1992
It is intended that this experiment shall continue for
a period of not less than a year and a day from the date of its adoption.
The experiment begins with the re-affirmation of Neophyte obligations by
all more elevated members, so that all work is conducted on an egalitarian
basis in the Neophyte Grade. The re-affirmation may be accompanied by the
assumption of a new or additional magical name or motto for use within
the content of the Antiarchy.
The Antiarchic Neophyte ritual is intended to bind a new entrant (or Candidate)
into a relationship of friendship, confidentiality and mutual respect within
the group. Display of the virtues of trust and courage will be demanded,
and rewarded in Epicurean style.
THE ANTIARCHIC NEOPHYTE RITUAL
The temple is simply furnished with a central mat - like a martial arts
Dojo. This central space is called "Everything is Permissible"
and it is regarded with some awe; as might be a wrestling ring.
The ritual format borrows from the OTO Minerval and the standard IOT Neophyte.
A member of the opposite gender to the candidate is selected to play the
leading role in administering the ritual. That officer is enthroned facing
the door on the opposite side of "Everything is Permissible".
Members should not wear everyday clothes, and may be robed with a single
garment or skyclad.
Two menbers of the same gender as the Candidate are designated to act as
Attendants. They bring the candidate blindfolded to the door of the
temple facing the enthroned officer who is designated as Queen of the
Amazons or as the King of Faerie.
As the Candidate is brought forward the Attendants speak.
A1. Do you know that you have fallen prisoner in the Temple Precinct of
the Queen of Amazons/King of Faerie? (one or the other)
A2: It is the Temple of Thanateros - of Death and of the Love of Life.
A1: Now is your time of decision Prisoner.
A2: Choose Death to our Acquaintance or Introduction to the Friendship
of our Temple.
C: I choose Death/Friendship. (one or the other)
[If Death is chosen the ritual proceeds no further and the Candidate is
excluded from any other proceedings]
Al. We would test your loyalty - Do you agree?
A2: We would test your Love of Life - Do you agree?
Q/K: Prepare the Candidate for the ordeals to come.
[Al and A2 disrobe (or remove the street clothes from)
the blindfolded Candidate, and lead forward to the edge of "Everything
is Permissible". Hands should be bound behind or overhead, securely
but not too painfully.]
Q/K: Candidate - Do you know that there can be NO Ultimate Truth?
C: I know it.
Q/K: Candidate - Do you know that there can be no authority in this Temple but "Everything is Permissible"?
C: I know it.
Q/K: Do you dare to discover the Secrets of Magic in our company?
C: I do.
Q/K: Then step forward. Prepare yourself, for "Everything is Permissible" while you are a prisoner among us.
[The Candidate is assisted or handled forward onto the mat]
C/Ku Do you swear silence concerning the activities of this Temple and the identities of its members?
C: I do.
Q/K: We would test your oath.
[All press cold metal weapons against the Candidate's body - "Everything
is Permissible". The Oath is then administered again.]
Q/K: Does anyone here present object to this candidate?
[objections are raised and questions asked]
Q/K: Your answers bore us. Since our proceedings are bound under seal, we would have our friends amuse and entertain. Thus we may draw personal pain from their pleasure and take our pleasure from their pain.
Prepare the instruments of the Ordeal.
Candidate - You may judge directly how your discourse pleases us. Now answer
this:
[The Candidate is now subjected to whatever regime of question, punishment
and reward those present see fit to administer. The Candidate should remain
bound at hand and blindfold at the least.]
[After a suitable interval of discourse, or at a moment of climax]
Q/K: By what name will you be known in this temple?
C: [States a name or motto]
Q/K: And by what three or four digit number?
C: [States such a number]
Q/K: Do you accept this Robe and Ring as the marks of your will to be a magician?
C: Yes.
Q/K: Then be welcome among us Fra/Sor .... Be illuminated and experience the magic of freedom and friendship in our Temple.
[The blindfold is removed, and such restraints as were in place are loosed]
[Some further indulgence of welcome may follow at the inclination of those present. The candidate is still located within "Everything is Permissible"]
ALL: [Banish with Laughter.]
For reasons of safety to all involved it is advisable
to establish upper limit conventions, or Taboos, which apply in practice
to restrict "Everything is Permitted". These Taboos operate like
rules in a Boxing or Wrestling match, and may be modified as the ritual
proceeds.
The following sliding scale of Taboos is proposed:
1. No cannibalism, no homicide, no involvement of Minors, no involvement of live animals;
2. No practices which would leave lingering or permanent marks, or endanger life or health;
3. No use of Psychotropic agents;
4. No rape or torture.
Operating Taboos may relate to the amount of noise generated,
or to the extent to which a candidates inhibitions are compromised. The
candidate will never know who is doing what and other participants are
bound by their own undertakings of secrecy. Light (or heavy) corporal chastisement
and erotic stimulation should only be ruled Taboo in exceptional circumstances.
Anyone likely to be shocked by this shouldn't be wandering near a Temple
of Thanateros to get captured in the first place!
Unless there are no ablution facilities, no Taboo should be extended to
applying oils or digestible unguents. Consumption and administration of
mild intoxicants might usually form part of such a ritual.
It is important that the magical name should be taken at a moment where
some level of Gnosis has been induced in the Candidate. This may be brought
about through physical pain, or through sudden release of erotic frustration
(with or without erotic climax). Remember ultimately that friendship is
the objective. Initiations should be enjoyable in retrospect, for everyone;
rape, torture and induced psychosis should not ordinarily be resorted to
as these practices are unfriendly.