Calendar of the Moon 13 Ruis/Poseideion
Colour: Black Element: Fire Altar: The altar is draped in black, with flickering candles, and an iron brazier with coals. A black tomblike box sits on the table, with a skull in front of it, filled with bones. As each one enters, they draw a bone from the box and hold it against their hearts. Offerings: Whatever the Gods tell you. Daily Meal: Fasting tonight, until the morning. Underworld Invocation IV Call: The year grows dark with the darkening of the Sun. Response: The mind grows dark with the darkening of the Sun. Call: Nihil Stat! Response: Nihil Stat! Call: Even the night is dead now at the dark of the year. Response: All who once lived are dead now at the dark of the year. Call: Nihil Stat! Response: Nihil Stat! Call: What shall remain? Response: This shall remain! (The bones are raised high.) Beneath the Earth, behold the Kingdom of the Dead, The place of darkness where no words are spoken, Nothing moves, and the King of Death sits always On his carved black throne, silent and unmoving. Forever and forever, a ruler never challenged, Never disobeyed, a figure carved from bone, His face the face of silence Carved from Death's own substance, His eyes black shadows of silence, Empty caves of bone, he sits unmoving While he rules absolutely by his silence Those vast hordes of the Dead. Only one law rules their kingdom, And it is carved deep into the throne Where sits eternally its maker and enforcer: A single law, and one that is not broken While the King of Death rules silently forever, Carved in the stone above his head, these words: Thou Shalt Not Live. Yet we shall bring what warmth we can to this land, Warming it with the fire of our own beating hearts. (The bones are placed in the brazier and burned. All leave in silence, marked with the ashes.)
[source:paganbookofhours.org]