Day of the Underworld V

Calendar of the Moon 14 Ruis/Poseideion Day of the Underworld V Colou

r: Black Element: Air Altar: The altar is the same as yesterday, but with sticks of incense lit in plenty. Windows should be kept ready to be opened, regardless of weather. Offerings: Whatever the Gods tell you. Daily Meal: Good hearty food, to be consumed as soon as the ritual is over. Chant: Our life is Death, A downward path Into the Earth Where every breath We dare to breathe Is a farewell Is a farewell Is a farewell. Underworld Invocation V Let us then praise thee, Death, For thy law which is law, For thy power which is proven, For thy silence which is unbroken. Thou art past all sorrow and remorse, Thou art past change and challenge and failure, Thou art perfect, as darkness is perfect, Thou art perfect, as light can only show flaw, Thou art perfect, as all else is imperfect, As even mighty madness is imperfect, As we have learned, having ourselves been mad. And Sun and Moon are only flaws That flare and fade upon the perfect sphere Of thy eternal space and time. Let us then praise thee, Death, Let us adore thy flawlessness Which shall become the perfection Of we who are imperfect now Who shall yet become most perfect in thy law. (All lie for a time about the altar, prostrate, and meditate upon Death, and then one who has been chosen goes about and opens all the windows, and cries out:) Awaken, awaken! For the gates to the Underworld are open, And there is one chance for you to return To the time of living and breathing! Breathe in the air, and follow that breath! Follow the wind that carries the dead souls Up to the upper world Where they will find solace in the bellies Of warm life and flesh! Awaken, and follow the wind! (All rise, and breathe deeply. One who has been chosen sings forth the verses of "Hel's Gates", and they are echoed back. After the song, all cry in jubilation, and go forth to eat and celebrate.) Hel's Gates 1) Open before me the gate of sorrow, For I come with a song of joy To bring light into the darkness. 2) Open before me the gate of sleep, For I come with the summons of morning To awaken the dead to a new day. 3) Open before me the gate of grieving, For I come on the wheel of time To begin a new year's turning. 4) Open before me the gate of silence, For I come with the trumpets of daylight To shatter the pressing glass. 5) Open before me the gate of drudgery, For I come with willing hands To find sanctity in the thawing earth. 6) Open before me the gate of fear, For I come with a will unbroken To brave the summer storms. 7) Open before me the gate of madness For I come with the blade of clarity To rend the veil in two. 8) Open before me the gate of weeping For I come with the strongest heart To endure the pangs of living. 9) Open before me the gate of hunger For I come with words of hope To fill the cup to the brim. 10) Open before me the gate of Death, For I come with the breath of the future To bring the dead back to living.

[source:paganbookofhours.org]