Mass of the Phoenix
Encyclopedia
The Mass of the Phoenix is a single person ritual within Thelema
, a philosophy and religion created and organized by author and occultist Aleister Crowley
. The Mass was first printed as Chapter 44 in Crowley's The Book of Lies
, published in 1913.
Within this ritual, the practitioner consumes a Cake of Light
(a wafer made from meal, honey, olive oil, Oil of Abramelin and blood/bodily fluids).
There are also those who consider doing the ritual astrally (within their minds). Some consider this a safer and more practical alternative to marking their skin. Although the legitimacy of this method is questionable, it is still to be considered.
, the instructions for the making of a Cake of Light are found:
For perfume mix meal & honey & thick leavings of red wine: then oil of Abramelin and olive oil, and afterward soften & smooth down with rich fresh blood. The best blood is of the moon, monthly: then the fresh blood of a child, or dropping from the host of heaven: then of enemies; then of the priest or of the worshippers: last of some beast, no matter what. (AL.III.23-4).
Various types of blood are given as acceptable within a Cake of Light. "Of the moon" refers to monthly menstrual blood. "Of a child" refers to fluid from sexual intercourse. "From the host of heaven" refers to semen. "Of enemies; then of the priest or of the worshippers" is self-explanatory. "Last of some beast" refers to animal blood; the least controversial since many foods are made with the substance. Although the first three options are used for their higher value (and notoriety), any option is acceptable.
Thelema
Thelema is a religious philosophy that was established, defined and developed by the early 20th century British writer and ceremonial magician, Aleister Crowley. He believed himself to be the prophet of a new age, the Æon of Horus, based upon a religious experience that he had in Egypt in 1904...
, a philosophy and religion created and organized by author and occultist Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, and also known as both Frater Perdurabo and The Great Beast, was an influential English occultist, astrologer, mystic and ceremonial magician, responsible for founding the religious philosophy of Thelema. He was also successful in various other...
. The Mass was first printed as Chapter 44 in Crowley's The Book of Lies
The Book of Lies (Crowley)
The Book of Lies was written by English occultist and teacher Aleister Crowley and first published in 1912 or 1913...
, published in 1913.
Within this ritual, the practitioner consumes a Cake of Light
Cake of Light
Cake of Light is the name of the eucharistic host found within Thelema, the religion founded by author and occultist Aleister Crowley in 1904. It contains honey, oil, and particular bodily fluids for the base ingredients, and is usually cooked in the shape of a small, flat wafer. It appears by name...
(a wafer made from meal, honey, olive oil, Oil of Abramelin and blood/bodily fluids).
Self-Mutilation Controversy
Critics of this ritual often cite the cut that the practitioner makes on their chest as self-mutilation. It should be noted that the practitioner does not have to slice into their skin and draw large amounts of blood. Lon Milo DuQuette wrote that "nowhere is it indicated that pain, scarring, or injury is a required element of the ceremony." The practitioner need only scratch their skin lightly and increase the pressure enough for a tiny droplet of blood.There are also those who consider doing the ritual astrally (within their minds). Some consider this a safer and more practical alternative to marking their skin. Although the legitimacy of this method is questionable, it is still to be considered.
Usage of Blood/Bodily Fluids
Although the Cakes of Light are famous for sometimes having semen or menstrual blood within them, using these bodily fluids is not a mandatory part of their creation. Within The Book of the LawThe Book of the Law
Liber AL vel Legis is the central sacred text of Thelema, written by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in the year 1904. Its full title is Liber AL vel Legis, sub figura CCXX, as delivered by XCIII=418 to DCLXVI, and it is commonly referred to as The Book of the Law.Liber AL vel Legis contains three...
, the instructions for the making of a Cake of Light are found:
For perfume mix meal & honey & thick leavings of red wine: then oil of Abramelin and olive oil, and afterward soften & smooth down with rich fresh blood. The best blood is of the moon, monthly: then the fresh blood of a child, or dropping from the host of heaven: then of enemies; then of the priest or of the worshippers: last of some beast, no matter what. (AL.III.23-4).
Various types of blood are given as acceptable within a Cake of Light. "Of the moon" refers to monthly menstrual blood. "Of a child" refers to fluid from sexual intercourse. "From the host of heaven" refers to semen. "Of enemies; then of the priest or of the worshippers" is self-explanatory. "Last of some beast" refers to animal blood; the least controversial since many foods are made with the substance. Although the first three options are used for their higher value (and notoriety), any option is acceptable.