The
First Degree:
In the first degree the candidate
is led naked, blindfolded
and with his hands tied behind
his back, into the "Circle of Power".
After various occult mutterings
from the leader of the coven,
the postulant receives the five-fold
kiss
(on feet, knees, genitals, breast
and lips)
and forty strokes of the scourge,
and takes an oath of secrecy:
"I, ......,
in the presence of the Mighty Ones
do of my
own free will and accord most solemnly swear that
I will
ever keep secret and never reveal the secrets of the Art
except
it be to a proper person,
properly
prepared, with a Circle such as this.
And that
I will never deny the secrets of the Art to such a person
if he or
she be vouched for by a Brother or Sister of the Art.
All this
I swear by my hopes of a future life mindful that my measure
has been
taken and may my magical weapons turn against me
if I break
this my solemn oath."
It can safely be said that no
oath has so often been broken as this one;
for the "secrets of the Art"
have been recorded in books,
shown on television and described
in the popular Press.
Following the administration
of the oath,
the candidate is handed various
implements,
known as the "working tools of
the Art",
and has their use explained to
him.
For example,
he is given the athame, a black-hilted
knife,
the design of which Crowley and
Gardner took from
the old textbook of magic known
as the Key of Solomon,
and told that with it he can
"form all Magic Circles,
dominate, enslave and punish
all rebellious spirits and demons
and persuade angels and good
spirits".
Finally, the candidate is informed
that he is now
"Priest
and Witch of the Great Goddess".