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The Charge to New Initiates

O Thou who hast declared intent to become one of us, hear then that which thou must know to do: Single is the race, single of men and of Gods, from a single source we both draw breath, but a difference of power in everything keeps us apart, for we are as nothing but the Gods stay forever. Yet we can, in greatness of minds, be like the Gods. Though we know not to what goal by day or in the night, Fate has written that we shall run beyond all seas, and earth's last boundaries. Beyond the Spring of night and the Heaven's vast expanse there lies a majesty which is the domain of the Gods. Those who would pass through the Gates of Night and Day to that sweet place, which is between the world of men and the domains of the Lords of the Outer Spaces, know that unless there is truth in thy heart, thy every effort is doomed to failure. HEAR THEN THE LAW: That thou lovest all things in nature. That thou walkest humbly in the ways of men and the ways of the Gods. Also it is the law that contentment thou shalt learn, through suffering, and from long years, and from nobility of mind and of purpose. FOR THE WISE NEVER GROW OLD. Their minds are nourished by living in the daylight of the Gods and if among the vulgar some discoveries should arise concerning some maxims of thy belief in the Gods so do thou, for the most part, keep silent. For there is a great risk of those who straightaway vomit up that which they hast not digested. And when someone shall say to thee, thou knowest naught and it bites thee naught, then knowest thou that thou hast begun the work. And as sheep do not bring their food to the shepherd to show how much they have eaten but digesting inwardly their provender do bear outwardly wool and milk, even so, do not display the maxims to the vulgar, but rather the works that flow when they are digested.

NOTES

This is part of Lady Sheba's First Degree Initiation Ritual, where it is given as a speech made to the Candidiate by the High Priestess