Ra-Hoor-Khuit Network's
Magickal Library
Copyright © 1997 Ordo Templi Orientis U.S.A. All rights reserved.
Thelema rejects the idea of original sin. So, for us, baptism represents a symbolic birth into the Thelemic community. The child heeds the call of Nuit, who declares, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." The child enters the portals of Her Church, where he or she is welcomed into the community of worshippers, leaving the profane world and its materialistic obsessions behind.
The baptized child joins the community at what is essentially a
probationary level. The recitation of the creed by the congregation
during the baptismal ceremony represents the instruction of the
child in the essential tenets of the church. The child is not a full
member of the community until he or she has learned these tenets and
has made a conscious, informed decision to accept them.
(The Temple is arranged for the Gnostic Mass, but the Veil is
closed. The guests are admitted and seated. The person to be
baptized, who has attained or exceeded the age of puberty, enters
with two sponsors who are confirmed members of the Church; they sit
near the Tomb in the West.
The Priest, Priestess and Deacon are all present, clad in
plain white robes. The Deacon holds a small towel over his arm, and
a goblet of wine is ready near the Font.
The part labeled PRIEST(ESS) may be filled by either the
Priest or by the Priestess; or the Priest and Priestess may allocate
the lines between each other and administer the ceremony conjointly
if both are ordained and recognized.)
The DEACON (facing East, with the appropriate gesture):
"APO PANTOS KAKODAIMONOS."
(He turns, and invites the Candidate and the Sponsors to
advance to the Font.)
The DEACON: "Every man and every woman is a star." We are
all born free, independent, shining gloriously, each one a radiant
world, according to the Law of Liberty. "Do what thou wilt shall be
the whole of the Law."
The PRIEST(ESS): It is written in the Book of the Law:
"Come forth, o children, under the stars, & take your fill of love!"
And this:
"They shall gather my children into their fold: they shall bring
the glory of the stars into the hearts of men."
PRIEST(ESS): [Describes the object of the
baptismal rite in the E.G.C. The following language is suggested.]
The origins of the Rite of Baptism are lost in antiquity, but its
meaning is as clear as living water: it symbolizes birth. The object
of this Rite is to commemorate the birth of a child as a member of
the Body of Nuit, whose Life is one, individual and eternal; to
welcome this individual through a symbolic second birth into the
knowledge, fellowship and sanctuary of our Congregation; and to
remind us of our duties toward each other, as toward our children
and all children.
PRIEST(ESS) (to the Sponsors): Is it your will to
accept, protect and aid this Candidate as you would your own child?
The Sponsors: It is.
PRIEST(ESS): Do you swear to defend his/her freedom?
The Sponsors: I do.
PRIEST(ESS): Then lead us in the confession of our Creed.
The Sponsors: (lead all in reciting the Creed.)
PRIEST(ESS): Will you instruct this Candidate, and assist
him/her in his/her way to true knowledge and understanding of the
mysteries of our creed?
The Sponsors: I will.
PRIEST(ESS) (to the Candidate): Candidate, say
after me: I will know my own Will. I will do my own Will. I will
rejoice in the Will of my God.
Candidate: (repeats)
DEACON: Lord of Life and Joy, grant unto this Candidate
the Power of the Holy Spirit to persevere in this intention, and to
grow in Knowledge and Understanding.
PRIEST(ESS) [consecrates water. The following formula
is suggested.] (holding hands over the Font): "This is the world
of the waters of Maim; this is the bitter water that becometh
sweet." (breathes over Font).
PRIEST(ESS) [consecrates wine. The following formula is
suggested.] (brings a goblet of wine and elevates it over the Font):
"I came to the house of the Beloved, and the wine was like fire that
flieth with green wings through the world of waters." (makes
with wine over Font).
DEACON: Under what name do you approach baptism?
Candidate: (Gives Baptismal Name.)
[The Candidate is now baptized with water, then with wine. The following formula is suggested.]
(The Deacon helps the Candidate to kneel and position his/her
head over the Font, and places a towel at his/her breast to protect
his/her clothing. The PRIEST(ESS) then takes the Ewer, fills it with
consecrated water from the Font, and pours the water over the
Candidate's head thrice into the Font [alternatively, the
PRIEST(ESS) may take a rose from the altar, dip it in the font and
sprinkle the Candidate with the water from the rose], saying:)
PRIEST(ESS): [Baptismal Name] I baptize thee in the name
of NUIT (pour), of HADIT (pour) and of RA-HOOR-KHUIT (pour).
(The PRIEST(ESS) then pours the consecrated wine from the
goblet over the Candidate's head [alternatively, the PRIEST(ESS) may
sprinkle some of the wine over the Candidate's head, or apply a
small quantity of the wine to the Candidate's head with her hand],
saying:)
PRIEST(ESS): "I am uplifted in thine heart; and the kisses
of the stars rain hard upon thy body."
[The Candidate is received.]
PRIEST, PRIESTESS and DEACON: We receive thee into the
Gnostic and Catholic Church of Light, Life, Love and Liberty, the
Word of whose Law is THELEMA.
(If more than one person is being baptized on this occasion,
each is brought in turn to this point, then all assemble beside the
Font.)
PRIEST(ESS): (raising hands in blessing): Gloria
Patri et Matri et Filio et Filiae et Spiritui Sancto Externo et
Spiritui Sancto Interno, ut erat est erit in saecula Saeculorum sex
in uno per nomen Septem in uno ARARITA.
(The Deacon rings the bell 333-55555-333)
DEACON: Now I begin to pray: Thou Child,
Holy Thy name and undefiled!
Thy reign is come; Thy will is done.
Here is the Bread; here is the Blood.
Bring me through midnight to the Sun!
Save me from Evil and from Good!
That Thy one crown of all the Ten
Even now and here be mine. AMEN.
PRIEST(ESS): (delivers exhortation.) [This may be
extemporaneous or pre-written. It should be tailored to the
particular Candidates, if possible, and should encourage the
Candidates to: (a) find their own way of life through the active
pursuit of self-knowledge; (b) respect and learn from the
experience, both positive and negative, of other members of the
Church; and (c) contribute to the growth and welfare of the Church
and the Order.]
(Applause. The Veil is opened. The Officers retire and prepare for the Gnostic Mass. The Gnostic Mass is then celebrated, with only the person(s) baptized partaking of communion. Afterwards, the Candidate(s) receive instruction in the step and sign, and a copy of the Creed. Confirmation may take place as soon as each Candidate has obtained a suitable white robe and memorized the Creed.)
This page last updated: 03/01/2018