About Ceremonies.htm

ABOUT CEREMONIES

Fairies dancing along lines of power

In the day to day life of devas many ceremonies are used, from the simple dances of the fairy folk around a power spot or along lines of power, to the greater ceremonies over and inside the mountains of the world. These great mountain ceremonies involve angelic and archangelic participants, not only from our globe and solar system but sometimes from other star systems. It therefore should come as no surprise that human ceremonies, which are designed to also channel power and inspiration, are a potent source of interface and co-operation with the devas. Ceremonies are on a line of development which in Theosophy is called the 7th ray - this is an influence which is just starting to become pre-eminent in the Aquarian Age which we are now entering. 7th ray activity is sometimes referred to as "ordered service" or "ritual magic". The latter expression suffers from the disadvantage that it also includes rituals which are not sufficiently selfless to warrant inclusion here. For example, the medieval grimoires are full of instructions using sigils, bits of Hebrew and words or power in which the devas can be evoked - usually to force them to do the will of the magician - which needless to say was not always of the highest integrity. As has previously been described on our Home Page we are looking for co-operation with the devas and it is alien to the very concept of our work to force them to do things which which satisfy selfish human requirements. Working within God's will for spiritual evolution is what this work is about - within that concept lies both fulfillment as well as angelic protection. Dabbling outside of these parameters may cause serious psycho-spiritual problems. But as long as the ideals are noble and the aspiration pure then one is working on the side of God and not for self.

Ceremonies which are known to be altruistic and time-tested do exist on a universal basis in all world religions. Chief amongst rituals of the Western World are to be found in Freemasonry and the Christian Mass (The Holy Eucharist). The illustrations below show the temple thought-forms built up in spiritual matter by the performance of both of these ceremonies. After the ceremonies are concluded the angelic participants distribute the spiritual matter that goes into the building of the temple across the surrounding district - thus creating a spiritual shower-bath or benediction to all manifesting life in the area.

Freemasonic Temple thought-form

Christian Holy Eucharist thought-form

Angels at the Holy Eucharist

The purpose of the above ceremonies as regards individual human development is primarily to develop the astral and mental bodies and to harmonize the personality. When this has been done at all effectively the person starts to become aware of the inner worlds and its intelligences - including the devas.

The following illustration shows the author in his priestly capacity performing an outdoor Eucharist along with members of the Angels' group on a farm north of Perth, Western Australia, where the principles of Dr. Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic agriculture are employed:

The author celebrating the Holy Eucharist

Part of the work of of our Angels' brotherhood is to celebrate such ceremonies outdoors in the the midst of Nature. Clairvoyant research by the Rev. Geoffrey Hodson demonstrates the efficacy of doing this:

" My understanding of this wider significance of Church worship was deepened by observation of the response of Nature and the participation of the angels at an open-air Celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Java. The selected site of the temporary Church, which was a garden on the slopes of Arjoena Mountain, permitted a splendid view across a great plain to Mount Kawi and, in the remote distance, to Mount Semeroe. Before the service began, nature spirits assembled near the Church in large numbers, attracted by the preparations. and the intent of all concerned. As might be expected in this lovely land of luxuriant tropical vegetation, fairies and tree-spirits predominated in this assembly, whilst the great mountain Gods participated from their stations above their respective peaks. In addition, certain high Gods of earth, water, air and fire attended, as would seem to be the case at every such Celebration, when they contribute their special power and direct the participation in the Service of their sub-ordinates and the forces of their element. This is especially noticeable at the Offertorium, in which all Nature seems to unite with man in the offering of the elements and in self-surrender to the Lord of Life.

As angels and nature spirits from near and far thus shared in human worship, the Celebration in Java assumed a magnitude far beyond anything visible at the physical level. At the moment of Consecration when, as always, the Power and the Presence of the Lord descended in a golden radiance, with the Host at its heart, the angels bowed low in reverence. The Life in all Nature in the neighbourhood of the Church seemed to glow more brilliantly. The consciousness of mineral and plant seemed to awake and respond, as the glory of His Presence shone from the altar as the truly magical words of Consecration were uttered. Angels joined mentally with the human congregation in fullest measure in the te adoremus and adeste fideles, their participation appearing to be far more vivid than man's, since human consciousness is dulled by incarnation. At the ite missa est, as is usual, the spiritual forces generated by the whole ceremony were liberated upon the world, angels-accompanying them on their spiritualising mission. The Gods of Nature and the nature spirits, having received into themselves these quickening forces, later released them into those aspects of Nature with which they were associated."

The Kingdom of the Gods, Geoffrey Hodson, T.P.H. Adyar, 6th edn. 1970, pp. 185-186

As a matter of interest Dr. Rudolf Steiner's bio-dynamic agriculture - strange though the method may be - actually is also a form of enlisting the assistance of angels and nature spirits. The illustration below from Mr. Eskild Tjalve's book Devas - the world of Angels and Nature Spirits indicates a cooperative effort between the gnomes of the earth and the angels in order to potentize the biodynamic humus being prepared by the human participant.

Devic cooperation in the creation of biodynamic humus

Some other movements such as Findhorn and Perelandra have found means to work with the devas within a horticultural context which sometimes unexpectedly overflows into education, healing and other areas. Marko Pogačnik uses what he calls earth acupuncture, atonal singing and earth stomping to break down harmful energies and induce the flow of healthy energies into Mother Earth. The Archangel Bethelda gave additional advice to Mr. Hodson on how groups can co-operate through the medium of invocation, dance and colour and this information was published in some of his other Angel books (see Booklist). All these modalities are co-operative works with the devas and involve some degree of ceremonial activity.

A NOTE ON "RITUAL FOR INVOKING THE HEALING ANGELS"

This little ritual had been adapted from The Powers of Healing, a booklet published by The Theosophical Order of Service, in the U.S.A. except it has been revised by submitting it to Mr. Hodson who observing it clairvoyantly suggested some improvements which have been embodied here. I am indebted to Mr. Murray Stentiford M.Sc of Auckland, New Zealand who provided me with notes that he took at the time of Mr. Hodson's clairvoyant reflections on the matter.

The ritual itself is “occultly valid” because its central part involves the invocation to the Healing Angels (Devas) which is quoted in Mr. Hodson’s book The Brotherhood of Angels and of Men. It thus forms part of the covenant between the Archangel Bethelda and Mr. Hodson on behalf of humanity. Whilst it would be impossible for us to fully know the dimensions of help given in this activity we can legitimately speculate that several closely linked people dedicated to Angelic Co-operation and generating devotional and love energies provides a set of circumstances of cooperative assistance that does not occur very often. It is likely therefore that the Angels would want to utilize this to the fullest capacity. Certainly, the effect on our group has been a most inspiring one and leads us to feel that much good work is being done by this ritual. Mr. Hodson points out that not only individual healing can be given but guidance to world leaders and inspiration to humanitarian organisations. Please be aware that the Angels are the Lord Christ are the directors of this Healing process - our job is to ask for their their help and provide some of the energy (devotion, love and power) with which they can work. It is important that we do not try and force the issue by will - since we do not have the necessary omniscience to know whether in the scheme of things something is necessary or not; e.g. do not make make blanket demands that the Angels stop wars or remove unsavoury characters from the world arena - these are often part of karmic necessity until the time comes when the karma becomes "ripe". What is required is that any good that can be done is done - and the angels, the Lord Christ and other adepts of perfected humanity are the ones who know what benefits can be achieved in any situation - so we leave that part to them - we concentrate on providing the raw energies with which they can work by putting our aspiration to heal into the situation, which apparently can produce more devic intervention than is otherwise possible.

The limited amount of equipment needed is explained within the context of the ritual. Make sure that pieces of paper have the given and surnames printed in block capitals in order to aid readability and are small enough to fit into the chalice, especially if there are a lot of them.

This ritual should be the last item on the agenda at group meetings so that the members can go away in silence and with a feeling of upliftment or alternatively it can be done by itself without the necessity of membership of The Brotherhood of Angels and of Humanity at all:

RITUAL FOR INVOKING THE HEALING ANGELS

The Archangel Raphael by Marius Michael-George

PREPARATION:

A white or gold box is to be placed in the center of the table. The names are kept in this box. On top of the box place a gold chalice and cover both with a white cloth. A white candle should be placed at either side of the box. Matches, snuffer, and a small bell should be handy.

LEADER: (ALL SEATED) Let us relax our physical bodies -- quiet our emotions -- still our minds -- and harmonize our consciousness. (PAUSE) By an effort of the will let us enclose our group in a sphere of white light. (PAUSE).

Visualize and reverently unite with, in consciousness, the Lord Christ, the World Mother and the great Brotherhood of the Adepts. (PAUSE) (BELL, ALL STAND)

LEADER: (LIGHTS THE CANDLE ON THE RIGHT.) I light this flame as the symbol of the Christ, the Lord of Compassion. (PAUSE) (LIGHTS THE CANDLE ON THE LEFT.) I light this flame as a symbol of St. Raphael, the healing archangel. (THE CHALICE IS UNCOVERED AND THE NAMES REMOVED FROM THE BOX.)

LEADER: (ALL SEATED.) In reverence we invoke the cooperation of the angelic hosts and dedicate ourselves as channels for the spiritual healing of the world.

ALL:

Lord of the depths and the heights, Who dwells in all forms.

Enlighten all who suffer, with the knowledge of your Presence.

Sustain them with your Life, comfort them with your Love.

Make them feel you as Living Will abiding in them.

May we be channels to them for your Healing Power, that each may be restored to perfect health.

Hail! Lord Christ, Healer of the World

Hail! World Mother

Hail! Members of the Brotherhood of Perfected Humanity

Hail! Devas of the healing art, come to our aid.

Pour fourth your Healing Power into those whose names we now present to you.

To every nerve give peace,

Let tortured sense be soothed.

May the rising tide of Life set every limb aglow, as by your Healing Power both Soul and body are restored.

Leave with each an angel watcher, to heal, to comfort, and protect.

To ward away all ill, to hasten the returning strength, until health returns, or Life departs, and lead to peace when life is done.

Hail! Lord Christ, Healer of the World

Hail! World Mother

Hail! Members of the Brotherhood of Perfected Humanity

Hail! Devas of the healing art

Share with us, as members of this healing group, this work, that those for whom your help is sought, may be restored to fullest health.

May your Healing Powers descend upon ............

LEADER: (takes the names from the box and reads them with a PAUSE between, then drops them into the chalice one by one).

ALL:

May the light of Christ's Love enfold them forever.

ALL:

O Lord of Love and Compassion who gave us the promise that where 2 or 3 are gathered together in your name, there you would be in their midst. Let us be channels for your Love to the world, pure instruments in your service, and awaken the souls of all to the knowledge of your presence.

O Master of the Great White Lodge, may we contemplate, receive, absorb or assimilate the radiant love and all embracing energy that in unity of life the world may be healed and saved. May the whole of humanity on earth become spiritually enlightened and realize oneness.

LEADER:

We will now turn our thoughts towards the animal kingdom, especially those in pain or suffering.

ALL:

O Lord of Love, whose care and loving kindness are over all Creation. Breathe into us the Spirit of compassion and tenderness towards all creatures, that we may recognise the one indwelling life in all. Teach us to look upon all life as a trust from you, that the day may be hastened when we shall harm no living thing.

LEADER:

Let us focus our attention on all groups and agencies working for the welfare of humankind, animals and the environment. May the light we have invoked go forth and strengthen them.

ALL:

O Hidden Life, vibrant in every atom

O Hidden Light shining in every creature

O Hidden Love embracing all in oneness

May all who feel themselves as One with Thee

Know they are therefore One with every other.

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

LEADER: Let us dissolve the sphere of white light .... Extinguish the candles with the snuffer.... COVER THE CHALICE. (PAUSE. BELL). The healing service is ended (ALL LEAVE THE ROOM IN SILENCE).

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