Equinox Ritual

Magical Golden Dawn

Magical Golden Dawn
Solitary Equinox Ceremony

Introductory Notes

This ceremony should be performed within 48 hours of the actual time of the sun's entry into Aries (for the spring equinox) or Libra (for the fall equinox). These are the two high points of the magical year; during that window of time, according to occult tradition, a powerful exchange of energy takes place between the sun and the earth. The Equinox Ceremony seeks to participate in that exchange to bring abundance to the land and illumination to the participants. While the full temple ritual is not to be missed if the opportunity presents itself, the solitary initiate can share in the dance of energies as well.

Set up the temple with an altar at the center, the four candles of the elements on the east of the altar, and a rose (for air), a lamp (for fire), a cup of wine (for water), and a plate with a small square of bread and a little salt (for earth) in place of the usual emblems of the elements. The pillars, triangle, and cross should be in a convenient place to be set on the altar during the opening.

More than one person may take part in the ceremony if desired, or you may perform the entire ritual yourself but share the communion of the elements with others.

You will need six Names of Deity for this ceremony: one each for the elements of Air, Water, Fire, and Earth; one for Spirit Above, which if at all possible should be a solar god or an aspect of deity associated with the sun; and one for Spirit Below, which if at all possible should be an earth goddess or an aspect of deity associated with the earth.

Before performing the ceremony you should choose a watchword, which represents a concept or energy you wish to invoke into your life during the six months following the ceremony. If a previous watchword has been used during the past six months, it is set aside early in this ceremony, as shown below; if this is the first time you've done the ceremony, that passage may be left out.

Opening Ceremony

(Advance to the west of the altar, facing east, and raise right hand in salute.)

I prepare to open this Temple on the 0 = 0 Grade of Seeker. I invoke the presence and protection of my Guardian Angel.

(Light the four tapers and place the triangle, cross, and black and white pillars on the altar.)

Let a strong Sphere of Protection be established around this Temple. (Raise the Cup of Compassion) I lift the spiritual energy from Mother Earth below to place this temple and all within it inside a Sphere of Protection. (Holding the Cup high) I call upon the spiritual energy of the Divine Above to strengthen this Sphere of Protection within the Temple. (Replacing the Cup in its place at the west side of the altar) I call upon the spiritual energy of the Divine Within me to reinforce this Sphere of Protection within this Temple and around me.

I now clear and cleanse this temple according to the ancient ways. (Purify around the Temple in a clockwise manner using the rose) I purify myself and this temple with Air to remove all negative attitudes, restricting beliefs, impure thoughts and worthless ideas. I invoke the powers of Air to help me attain positive attitudes, freeing beliefs, pure thoughts and ideas of great value.

(Purify around the Temple in a clockwise manner using the lamp) I purify myself and this temple with Fire to remove all wrongful intentions, misdirected passions, and all career problems. I invoke the powers of Fire to help me attain beneficial intentions, loving passions and success with my careers.

(Purify around the Temple in a clockwise manner using the cup of wine) I purify myself and this temple with Water to remove all hurtful emotions and all poisonous relationships. I invoke the powers of Water to help me attain helpful emotions and nurturing relationships.

(Purify around the Temple in a clockwise manner using the bread and salt) I purify myself and this temple with Earth to remove all illness and any lack of abundance. I invoke the powers of Earth to help me attain robust health and abundance in my life.

(Take your seat in the west.) I now call on my spirit guides to be ever vigilant and keep me fully informed while this Temple is open. (Pause to welcome the spirit guides.) I ask the Divine to be with me and give me such instruction as I require while this Temple is open. (Pause to invoke the Divine and listen for a response.)

(Rise and go to west of altar) I now declare this temple of the Magical Golden Dawn open on the 0 = 0 Grade of Seeker. Quit the darkness and seek the light.

(Rap once to signify that the opening ritual is finished.)

Equinox Ceremony

The (Spring/Autumn) Equinox has arrived, and the Sun and Earth renew the bonds that unite them. In this time of balanced powers I invoke the blessings of (Deity Name of Spirit Above) and (Deity Name of Spirit Below) (and I release with thanks the watchword of the six months now completed. - Only use this last passage if a previous watchword has been established.)

(Focus the attention on Air and Water in their respective quarters.)

East and West, Air and Water, the realm of the Mind and the realm of the Heart: may I be the reconciler between them.

(Focus the attention on Fire and Earth in their respective quarters.)

South and North, Fire and Earth, the realm of the Will and the realm of the Body: may I be the reconciler between them.

(Focus the attention on all four of the elements in their respective quarters.)

The realm of the Winds, the realm of the Flames, the realm of the Waves, the realm of the Stones: may I be the reconciler between them.

(Take the rose, leave the altar and go to the east; face eastwards, and hold up the rose, as though in offering.)

In the holy name of (Deity Name of Air), I invoke the air and the spirits of the air! May their blessings be with me and with all the world during the six months to come.

(Imagine a vast sphere of pure white light, almost infinitely far above the temple; this is Kether, the highest sphere of the Tree of Life, where the blessings of the equinox first take shape. When this image is well established, return to the altar and replace the rose. Take the lamp, leave the altar and go to the south; face southwards, and hold up the lamp, as though in offering.)

In the holy name of (Deity Name of Fire), I invoke the fire and the spirits of the fire! May their blessings be with me and with all the world during the six months to come.

(Imagine a ray of light descending from the shining white sphere to a second sphere of golden light, still very far above the temple, but only half as far as the first sphere; this is Tiphareth, where the blessings of the equinox take power. When this image is well established, return to the altar and replace the lamp. Take the cup, leave the altar and go to the west; face westwards, and hold up the cup, as though in offering.)

In the holy name of (Deity Name of Water), I invoke the water and the spirits of the water! May their blessings be with me and with all the world during the six months to come.

(Imagine a ray of light descending from the golden sphere a third sphere of violet light in the air high above the temple, only half as far above as the second sphere; this is Yesod, where the blessings of the equinox take form. When this image is well established, return to the altar and replace the cup. Take the bread and salt, leave the altar and go to the north; face northwards, and hold up the bread and salt, as though in offering.)

In the holy name of (Deity Name of Earth), I invoke the earth and the spirits of the earth! May their blessings be with me and with all the world during the six months to come.

(Imagine a ray of light descending from the violet sphere all the way to the Sphere of Protection you established around the temple. Fill the entire Sphere with rainbow-colored light. When this image is well established, return to the altar and replace the bread and salt. Go to the west of the altar and face east; be aware of all four spheres above you, the four elements around you, and the planet beneath your feet.)

In the holy name of (Deity Name of Spirit Above) may the sun send forth its rays of blessing; in the holy name of (Deity Name of Spirit Below) may the earth receive that blessing and bring forth her abundance! In this sacred time of balanced powers, in this sacred space at the center of the cross of the elements, I invoke the union of sun and earth, that the land may be fruitful and that all who desire the light shall find it.

In the holy names of (Deity Name of Spirit Above) and (Deity Name of Spirit Below) I proclaim my watchword for the next six months. It is (watchword).

(Meditate on the chosen watchword and the energies of the equinox for a time.)

In commemoration of the descent of the light in this time of balanced powers, I invite all beings present to breathe with me the scent of this rose, the symbol of Air. (Take up rose and inhale its scent.)

To feel with me the warmth of this flame, the symbol of Fire. (Pass hand above lamp, close enough to feel the heat of the flame.)

To eat with me this bread and salt, the symbols of Earth. (Take bread, dip in salt, and eat.) And to drink with me this wine, the symbol of Water. (Take cup and drink the wine.) (Pause again for a time, as needed, and then proceed to the closing.)

Closing Ceremony

(Returns to the west of the altar, facing east, and raise right hand in salute.)

I prepare to close this Temple and return to my duties in the World of Darkness.

I now purify the Temple and all within it according to the ancient ways. (Purify around the Temple in a clockwise manner using the rose) I purify myself and this temple with Air to remove all negative attitudes, restricting beliefs, impure thoughts and worthless ideas. I invoke the powers of Air to help me attain positive attitudes, freeing beliefs, pure thoughts and ideas of great value.

(Take your seat in the west.) I thank the Divine for the instructions I received while this Temple was open. (Pause to make contact with the Divine.) I thank my spirit guides for their service and release them until I call on them again. (Pause to thank them and bid them farewell.)

(Rise and go to the altar.) I now release the strong Sphere of Protection I earlier placed about this Temple, and send it to benefit those who need strong protection at this time.

(Pause to do this, then extinguish the four burning tapers and remove the pillars, cross, and triangle from the altar)

I now declare this Temple of the Magical Order of the Golden Dawn closed on the 0 = 0 Grade of Seeker. Quit the darkness and seek the light.

(Rap once to signify that the closing ritual is finished.)

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