DEFINING SACRED SPACE

                     Pat Dunn Jr.


I.  Erecting the Temple

Censor is lit, and a brand therefrom is dipped into water to make 
Khernips.  See the prayer of the Flame and the Khernips.  [below]

Cup and Dagger are taken up in the left and right hands.  Priest shouts:

Hekas Hekas Este Bebelloi!

He or she then says:

"Let these Holy Instruments be carried about the Bomos."

on the first Circumambulation.  (Opening circumambulations are
clockwise.)

On the second circumambulation:  "With Will I cleanse this Temple and 
define the Sacred Precinct."

On the third circumambulation:  "With love I cleanse this temple and 
define the sacred precinct."

A circle of protection should be visualized.

The precinct is sprinkled with Khernips and fumed saying: "I purify with 
water" and "I sanctify with fire."

The temple is closed by the Priest walking counterclockwise once about 
the Bomos, then knocking on the Bomos with the hilt of the dagger, saying 
"I now declare this temple duly closed."


I.  Prayer of the Flame

Prometheus, who brought this flame to Earth
Was bound for it, and tortured daily for
An eagle eats his liver: by this use
We set Him free.  All holy things hold heat,
All living things are flame, the flame of love
Of sex, of war, of anger: these all burn
As this flame burns, a doorway to the Gods,
A path up high Olympus, which we climb
To offer gifts to all the Deathless Gods.
We light a flame to guide us to the Truth,
We light a flame to warm our frigid hearts,
We light a flame to honor ancient Gods.

II.  Prayer of the Khernips

Into the water let the fire plunge!
We wash our hands together, one by one,
And purify ourselves, we wash our hands
Of hatred, pain and jealousy, of fear,
Of enmity and cowardice, of lies,
We wash our hands together: we are one
Before the Gods, we stand together, One.