THE ROAD TO SARRAS
Throughout this book we have sought ways to answer the call of Arthur and the Grail. We have explored the starry realms and spoken with Merlin in his tower. We have walked beside the great quest knights, woven the magic of the lake and the Faery realms, drunk from the vessels of the maidens of the wells, taken up each of the hallows and learned how they bring power and healing to ourselves and the world. We have followed Taliesin and the sacred creatures of the older world into the initiations of life itself and have woken the one who sleeps. The final chapter of this section deals with the steps along the way to the mysterious city of Sarras, the final resting place in this world of the Grail. To reach this goal is itself an initiation, and we offer here meditations and rituals to set the seal upon the magical energies we have experienced into our own initiatory journey.
The Quest
(CM)
We are each on our own quest, but the quest is not ours alone. Dante spoke of being in a Dark Wood in his middle life: he entered the inner cosmos of the Divine Comedy in order to rediscover his direction. We will take a similar journey within. There will be pauses for you go more deeply and assess what you see. Here you may encounter figures you have met before. Remember your feelings or sensations from these encounters. What changes within you?
…
Sinking deeply into meditation, you awake to find that it is daytime and you are approaching a castle. It is a large and busy place, and no one notices you. You enter and find your way to the Great Hall, where stands the Round Table. You see that there are names written upon the back of each chair, and you walk around it until you find the chair with your name written on it…
Awed that the place long reserved is opened to you at last, you hesitate. Has the moment for which you have so long awaited finally arrived? If you feel ready to accept this place at the Round Table of Arthur, take your seat. If not, return from the meditation at this point and wait until you feel called to do so. Know that you are blessed and that the place set aside will remain until such time as you accept it.
If you decide to sit down within the fellowship, do so now. You see many people come in and join you. You realize the court are meeting to discuss matters of importance and that you are being called upon to represent your own country. Each person reports their news. Soon it will be your turn. You turn your mind to your own country and the events of the world. What is happening right now? What is the world’s need? Tell your own news to those seated at the table.
Now everyone has spoken. Suddenly a shaft of light comes through a high window onto the table. You see the Grail shimmering within the light. Its beauty speaks to your heart, and you know that if the Grail can be found, the problems of your world will be eased. Make your own dedication to find the Grail and help heal the world’s pain.
From this moment you are fully called to the quest. You rise and prepare yourself, leaving Camelot and passing into the countryside beyond. You may go on foot or take a horse from the stables.
You follow the path before you and soon find yourself in a dense forest. Your quest does not seem so important now that the vision has begun to fade. You come to a place where the path splits into four—which one shall you follow?
As you consider, a white stag appears on one of the paths and you follow it. You realize that you are in the Forest of Adventure, where extraordinary things can happen if you are true to your quest. The white stag leads you into a clearing—a place of tranquility where you can sit and think about your quest. You set out in high hopes and with strong ideals, but a part of you is lazy and wants to rest. Ask yourself this question: What aspect prevents you from finding the Grail?
Within you is the answer you seek. It may not be an easy one, but you must pay heed to it. The birds sing encouragingly to you in the forest as you prepare to continue your quest.
Still following the path, you emerge from the forest and see before you a castle, which would look better if it were not situated next to a dank and stagnant lake. Still, the sight of habitation cheers you and you approach it. Within a fire is lit and a table spread with food. You recognize some of the people here. They are those who despise or look down on you, the people who weaken and disempower you. They do not understand your quest and they mock your determination with questions that raise doubts in you: “Why are you so special that you think yourself good enough to go on quest? What do you think you can do—one person alone?”
But even as you consider the answers to these questions, you hear the harsh cry of the white stag. You realize that you have come to the Castle of Case, which is a place dangerous to seekers who are not firmly resolved to follow the way. You face your challengers and tell them who you are and what you intend to do.
Without more argument, you turn and leave. You see before you the white stag once again. It wants to lead you over a hillside and down into a valley. You follow, still angry with yourself for being lured into a confrontation.
The land about you is very beautiful, and you are reminded of a place you knew when you were a child. The air is very pure, and colors are bright and clear. Your spirits lift and you continue your quest. You cannot see the white stag anymore, but it does not matter.
Ahead you encounter a very beautiful maiden. She stops you and asks whether you would like to drink from the well. She tells you that it will give you whatever food or drink you desire the most—that it can give you spiritual nourishment from the depths of the earth, before the beginning of time. She draws up a bucket from the well and pours the waters into a cup and dish. Whatever food and drink you desire is within these vessels, and you eat your fill. As you do so, you feel great strength and encouragement.
Thank the maiden now and pass on your way. She will indicate which road you should take.
Strengthened by the draught of the well, you go along your way until you come to a low green mound set in the side of a hill. At the entrance to the mound is a tall green figure dressed in leaves. He tells you that this is the Green Chapel, the place of ancient tradition. He asks if you would like to meet one of your ancestors and receive a token of help on your quest, for you may need this on the way.
If you wish to do this, you go deep inside the mound and wait. As your eyes become used to the dim light, you see a figure—it may be an ancestor you know or it may be someone you have no knowledge of…
Ask your ancestor what the greatest strength of your family is.
Your ancestor gives you a symbol or token to take upon your way. You emerge from the mound, and the Green Man sets you on your road with a blessing. As you proceed on your way, you wonder if he directed you wrongly. The farther you go, the more desolate the land becomes. It is obvious now that you are in the Wasteland. You see a place that is desacralized, where no birds sing, where no trees or plants grow, where no fish swim in the waters. The lone figure of a gaunt woman in rags approaches you. “Once I was the richest woman alive and the most blessed. Why have you made my land like this?” Maybe there is no answer in your heart. Ask the Queen of the Wasteland—for she it is—what you can do to heal the land and make it flower again. Listen to her words…
The blessing of the Grail is clearly needed here very badly. You try to call to mind the grace and beauty of the sacred vessel to inspire you, but your whole being lacks concentration. Bearing the words of the Queen of the Wasteland in your heart, you go on.
You continue until it is nearly dark. Even the sky is without stars. On the horizon you see one pinpoint of light and go towards it. As you get nearer, you see that here is a tiny hut built out of old and broken things, skillfully made of recycled rubbish. There is a friendly light coming from within, and the door opens as you approach. Inside there is an old man huddled in a long robe. He bids you welcome to his hermitage and invites you within. He tells you that he lives here to welcome and guide all Grail seekers to the end of their quests. You sit down and relate your journey to him thus far.
The hermit listens and gives you council, advising you and clarifying what you have experienced, then he brings out a crystal mirror for you to look into. As you sit in front of it, the mirror becomes very clear and scenes begin to form within it. You see a city by the sea and many little boats arriving. You realize that this is Sarras, the city of the Grail, and that all the boats contain different Grails, all arriving together. You see them assemble at a round table like the one in Camelot, only this table is made of starlight. You see the strength and determination of the seekers; you see that many have come through pain and great trouble to be here. The seekers all sit and join hands. As they form a circle of fellowship, they begin to sing of their individual quests—their voices rising in a many-layered chant. As their voices blend together, the Grail begins to form over the crystal table and dispense its glory upon each person…
The beauty of the sound and the brightness of the vision strike your heart deeply. You see each quester rise with cupped hands like people who take water from a fountain. Their hands are filled with light. They each leave the city of Sarras to return to their own lands. Your vision begins to fade as the mirror clouds over.
The Hermit tells you that this is a vision of what may be. In every age of the world this quest is reenacted, and you have a part within it. “Go now,” he says. “Return to your world and seek whatever things are good and beautiful. Remember your vision every day, even when the Wasteland seems to close about you.”
Then he strikes the wall so that a doorway of light opens within his hut. You step through, back to your own world, to your own time and place where your quest will continue.
There is a blessing on all who serve.
The Three Caves
In chapter 3 we explored the idea of the five changes of the Grail mentioned in Perlesvaus. Understanding this profound mystery is essential before proceeding to the higher mysteries of the Grail and Arthur. There follows a brief visualization designed to prepare the way towards a deeper experience of this aspect of the Arthuriad.
…
You stand before a cliff face that rises high above you towards a bright sky. Ahead is the entrance to a cave. It is small and easily missed. Inside, the passage slopes steeply upwards inside the cliff, lit dimly by the light that enters by round windows cut in the living rock. By their light you see depicted scenes from the stories of the Grail Family. All are there: the Rich Fisher, the Wounded King, even the Dark King of Castle Mortal. At the top of the first part of the seemingly endless stairway (it continues beyond your sight), the tunnel opens out suddenly into the heart of the rock. You find yourself in a cave—the Cave of the Mind. Here all dreams and visions are collected and stored in the very air itself, so that you breathe the stuff of your most secret hopes, fears, and aspirations. Here you relive the experience of life itself, all its mysteries and manifestations, good and evil, joyous and sorrowful—for these too are the mysteries of the Grail.
From here you pass to a second cave—the Cave of the Heart. Here are kept all the countless manifestations of love, those which we feel for each other every day: the love of man for woman, woman for man; of mother and father for their child and of child for its parents; the love of man for God and God for man. Here is every kind and quality of love—for these too are the mysteries of the Grail.
From here you pass to a third cave—the Cave of the Spirit. Here is the consummation of all that has gone before. Here the mysteries of birth and death, love and hate, and truth and falsehood are transcended, collected into the great cup from which each seeker is given to drink.
Here you await the entry of the procession and see the hallows borne before you: the youth who carries the Spear, the maidens who carry the Cup and the Dish. Together these are placed on the Stone, the foursquare altar of the elements upon which the sacrifice is made. Here it is that the greatest mystery of all is enacted: the five changes are laid out before your opened eyes, and you perceive the divine order and rightness of them. The secret teachings of the Grail are made known to you, the hidden deep words that move forever in your heart and mind and soul.
Here you remain, lost to the outside world of men and time, until you hear the silver bell in the roof of the cave ring once to announce that another soul has joined the company of the Grail, whereat the new knight of the hallows awakens and prepares to go out into the world, which for them will be changed, and where they will journey far, taking with them the message of the Grail.
You are that knight…
…
Now we prepare to embark on the final stages of the quest. This will take you to the home of the Grail within the earth. First we shall explore the deepest secret of the quest—the five mysterious changes of form that the Grail undergoes. Much of this rite is based on the text of the Elucidation, which, as we saw in chapter 5, includes the most profound explanation of this theme. Here also you will encounter the oldest members of the Grail Family in the world of Arthur, drawn from the Celtic mysteries and paving the way for the better-known knights of the Round Table.
The Changes of the Grail
(cm, jm, and Marian Green)
Dramatis Personae
In the Wild Wood
- The Woodward: Keeper of the Wild Wood who guards the west
- Arthur: Observer of the Changes who guards the east
- Lady of Dawn: Oracle of the Future who looks to the south
- Lady of Twilight: Oracle of the Past who looks to the north
- Two Dwellers in Avalon: the Apple Guardians
The Storytellers
The Seven Skilled Ones: Quest-brothers of the Plough
- 1: The Endurer (Cai)
- 2: The Perceiver (Bedwyr)
- 3: The Knower (Cynddeleg)
- 4: The Interpreter (Gwrhyr)
- 5: The Discoverer (Gwalchmai)
- 6: The Imaginer (Menw)
- 7: The Servant (Culhwch)
The Seven Spinners of Story: Quest-sisters of the Pleiades
- 8: The Deep (Don)
- 9: The Vision (Creiddylad)
- 10: The Secret (Essyllt)
- 11: The Ancient (Ellylw)
- 12: The Sovereignty (Gwenllian)
- 13: The Weaving (Morfydd)
- 14: The Love (Olwen)
The Watchers
- Watcher of the Unseen: representative of otherworldly beings
- Watcher of the Stones: representative of stones and minerals
- Watcher of the Green: representative of plants and trees
- Watcher of the Beasts: representative of animals
- Watcher of the Kindred: representative of humankind
The Bearers
- Bearer of the Star Bowl
- Bearer of the Stone
- Bearer of the Grail
- Bearer of the Spear
- Bearer of the Sword
All others embody beings in the realms of the otherworld.
Ritual Equipment
Star Bowl (a ceramic bowl painted with constellations)
Stone/Chessboard
Grail
Spear
Sword
Cup of apple juice with slices of apple floating in it
Star-shaped biscuits
General Note for the Ritual: Some of the participants are required to listen to the spiritual reality of the Grail question and then speak from the heart of their revelation. No words are given in this text; rather, they arise from the otherworld.
The Opening of the Rite
The entire company is assembled and seated silently, with the exception of the woodward and dwellers in Avalon, Arthur and ladies of dawn and twilight. The hallows are situated in the five realms, where they are held by the representatives of those realms. The stone table is at the center and bears a single light.
The woodward enters. He circles the room once, looking at each person as he passes. As he passes each realm, he acknowledges the presence of the hallow there. Finally he is seated with bowed head in the west. After a moment’s silence he raises his head and addresses the company.
WOODWARD
Welcome one and all to these woods! I am the Woodward, the guardian of this place. You are summoned to bear witness to the mystery of the Grail in the Greenwood. Around you stand the trees, ancient and immemorial denizens of this place. These wardens of the wood were here from the beginning and shall remain long after the last mortal has passed to the lands of Summer. Mighty in their song and in their lore, these are the guardians of the deep traditions from the beforetime. Listen, and you shall hear. Watch, and you shall see. Attend, and you shall learn the mystery these woods have kept safely for a hundred generations of men. On every side the avenues of silence stretch in rivers of green and gold. Beneath your feet the deep hoard of ten thousand autumns lies deep and still. Above the branches stretch, drinking the wisdom of sun, moon, and stars. Hearken now to the voices of the trees, for they tell us there is darkness before dawn, and dawn precedes the day!
From before the times that were to the times that shall be after this, these trees have sung their song, and their notes are as leaves in the land of Avalon. This day I call upon the dwellers in Avalon to be present at this mighty gathering, that the Once and Future King might bear witness to the changes of the Grail as it is prophesied. From the living realms of Avalon may he come forth with his companions!
Enter ladies of dawn and twilight, with Arthur behind, and then the two dwellers in Avalon. They accompany Arthur and the ladies to their place in the east, after which the dwellers return to the west.
WOODWARD
Welcome to this place, King Who Was and Will Be, and welcome to the blessed ones in your company!
DWELLERS and LADIES (together)
We bring the greetings of Avalon to the hall of the Greenwood.
ARTHUR
Greetings, Woodward! It is long since you were a porter at the gate.
WOODWARD
Long indeed! Before that I was in Caer Se (kire say) and Asse (AS’say), in Sach and Salach, in Lotor and Fotor. I have been in Caer Oeth (kire oith) and Annoeth (an’oith) and in Caer Nefenhir (kire neVENhere) of the nine natures, but pleasant was my sojourn in the court of Arthur.
ARTHUR
You who have kept the gate of the Strong Door, reveal to us the ones who will show forth the mystery of this place. For though I dwell in Avalon, it is still my custom that I shall not put knife into the meat until I see a wonder.
WOODWARD
I call now upon the five who watch: they who guard the deep places of the world. May they be welcome here in the spirit of true fellowship and open this gathering of the changes. May the star-loom be prepared!
The five watchers each pass to their appropriate place in turn: Watcher of the Unseen from the west to the otherworldly realm in southeast; Watcher of the Stones from the southeast to the realm of stone in the north; Watcher of the Green from the north to the realm of the green in the south; Watcher of Beasts from the south to the realm of beasts in the northeast; Watcher of the Kindred in the northeast to the realm of the kindred in the west, forming a five-pointed star.
WOODWARD
Watchers of the five realms, share with us your wisdom!
WATCHER OF THE UNSEEN
I am the Watcher of the Unseen Realms. I dance between the worlds bearing gifts and wisdom from one to the other. Where I go, the dreaming children follow. Where I bring blessing, all hearts are lifted.
WATCHER OF THE STONES
I am the Watcher of the Stones. I give voice to those who have no voice but whose presence is felt everywhere: the stones and rocks, the minerals and gems that shine out within the earth. Where I walk, the earth is glad. Where I bring blessing, there is deep joy.
WATCHER OF THE GREEN
I am the Watcher of the Green. I speak for all green and growing things. I give voice to the earth and utter the song of the seasons. Where I walk, the earth flowers anew, and where I bring blessing, all hearts and souls find renewal.
WATCHER OF THE BEASTS
I am the Watcher of the Beasts. I speak for all creatures that walk, crawl, fly, and swim. I hold the wisdom of the oldest animals and declare the song of all beings. Where I walk is the blessing of strength and endurance to which all hearts respond.
WATCHER OF THE KINDRED
I am the Watcher of the Kindred. I speak for humanity, for all races and creeds, for the ancestors and the descendants who have been and who will be. I am of the world and in the world. Where I walk, I bring blessing to all my kin. May all who hear me respond with goodwill.
WOODWARD
Welcome to the five watchers! May your words be heard and your blessings heeded!
THE WATCHERS (together from their places)
We watch, that all may see.
We listen, that all may hear.
We call upon the bearers of the five holy things:
Reveal the wonder!
Fill us with your joy!
The five bearers stand ready with their hallows to process around the hall during the next section.
ARTHUR
Watchers between the worlds, I am glad to be of your company, and I long to hear of the joy that dwells in the seven cloaks of the story.
WOODWARD
That story shall be told again, for each living being has played a part in that telling. It is a story of changes. Here stand seven skilled ones and seven spinners of the story, keepers of the starry caers. By other names and titles are they known to you, king in Avalon. These are the wardens of the seven cloaks of the story, which shall be rewoven upon the loom of the star that shines in this hall. Brothers and sisters of the stars, reveal to us the changes through the seven cloaks of the story!
THE SEVEN SKILLED ONES (together)
We steer the ship of the starry caers
Keeping the Bear-King’s winter fires.
When tasks are heavy and hearts downturn
We are the seven who ever return.
THE SEVEN SPINNERS (together)
We hold the threads of the ancient places
Keeping the tracks, remembering the traces.
When quests go ill and memories fail
We are the seven who spin the tale.
THE ENDURER
The Grail has had many forms in its long history, none more mysterious than the five wondrous changes spoken of in the histories and tales of the great quest. Hear now the telling of the mystery, of which it is said that none ought to witness it save those who would be changed.
THE DEEP
There went a king into the otherworld, and he saw a fountain with five streams flowing out of it and nine hazels growing over it. Five salmon were in that fountain, and they ate the nuts that fell into the fountain. The sound of those streams was more melodious than any other song. Those streams were the five streams of the senses, through which all knowledge is obtained, and no one can have knowledge but by these five. Behold the mystery of the Grail within each of us!
THE ENDURER
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who has endured the deep but I?
THE DEEP
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who but the deep has endured save I?
ALL (together)
All things change: by rock and herb, by foot and wing
Only a question can find the beginning.
THE PERCEIVER
Behold the Bowl in which the ancient gods mixed the elements of creation! Long ago before Time stirred and woke, the shaping gods prepared the elements of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. They mixed them together in the Krater, the mixing bowl of creation. From this they poured forth the stars, setting them in the heavens to warm the darkness and to bring illumination to the night. As they poured, certain drops flew free and spun off into the vast depth of the firmament.
THE VISION
These drops grew into the planets circling their suns and circled in turn by moons to reflect light in the darkness. On these planets life began, and on each one in time was found a bowl of elemental power, a fragment of the Krater, which still echoed the song of the shapers. Behold now the Bowl of our world, the first appearance of the Grail.
The Bearer of the Star-Bowl spirals clockwise to center, placing the Star-Bowl in the center of the table.
THE PERCEIVER
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who has perceived the vision but I?
THE VISION
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who but the vision has seen save I?
ALL (together)
All things change: by birth and end, by life and death,
Only a question can kindle the breath.
THE KNOWER
Behold the Stone of Foundation and Establishment! Long ago, at the dawn of the world, the first people gathered around the Stones of Foundation, acknowledging the heat of creation and the deep power of life that surged within the earth and poured forth into all life. These stones were the knowers who marked the thresholds of the secret.
THE SECRET
Later these kindred raised up leaders whom they named kings. These were established by placing their foot upon certain great stones of wisdom, which cried out if one of false heart stood upon it and which sang joyfully when the rightful ruler was recognized. Behold now the Stone of Kings, the second appearance of the Grail!
The Bearer of the Stone spirals clockwise inwards, placing the Stone in the north of the table.
THE KNOWER
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who has known the secret but I?
THE SECRET
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who but the secret has known save I?
ALL (together)
All things change: by grace and silence, frond and feather,
Only a question can right the weather.
THE INTERPRETER
Behold the Grail of Light! In the age of Arthur, when the quest was the way for all who sought the truth, the Grail appeared in the hall of Camelot the Golden. Filled with light, refulgent with light, the Cup passed among the knights and their ladies, and each bore witness to the other, seeing them in their true form and nature.
THE ANCIENT
And when they saw the wondrous thing, all there declared that they would not rest a single night until they had discovered the truth about this mystery. And therewith they went forth upon the great quest, seeking to behold the Cup in all its glory. Behold now the Cup of Life, the third appearance of the Grail!
The Bearer of the Grail spirals clockwise inward and places the Cup in the west of the table.
THE INTERPRETER
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who has interpreted the ancient but I?
THE ANCIENT
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who but the ancient interprets save I?
ALL (together)
All things change: by song and word, by wind and rain,
Only a question brings blossom again.
THE DISCOVERER
Behold the Spear of Truth! A man named Balin went forth seeking adventure, and on the way he met with one named Garlon, who rode invisible and struck at innocent travellers without mercy. Therefore Balin sought to avenge himself on this man and pursued him to the castle of a certain king named Pelles. There he struck down the evil Garlon, but King Pelles, being his brother, chased Balin through the castle until he found a small chamber in which was a marvelous spear.
SOVEREIGNTY
Taking up this mysterious weapon, Balin used it to defend himself and inflicted upon King Pelles a wound that would not heal. This blow was called Dolorous, for with it came the wasting of the land. But later came Perceval, second only among the quest knights, who used the Spear to heal the Wounded King and so brought back life to the land. Behold the Spear of Truth, the fourth appearance of the Grail!
The Bearer of the Spear spirals clockwise inward to the center and places the Spear across the table.
THE DISCOVERER
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who has found the sovereignty but I?
SOVEREIGNTY
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who but sovereignty has found save I?
ALL (together)
All things change: by mind and grip, by green and root,
Only a question can quicken the shoot.
THE IMAGINER
Behold the Sword of Victory! King Arthur’s nephew, Sir Gawain, also sought the Grail. But to him the destiny was to find the Sword, which could only be wielded with perfect trust and perfect love.
THE WEAVING
It is told that this weapon was used both to wound and to heal, for it could cut away all that was no longer needed in the life of an individual. Thus Gawain became the knight of the Sword and declared the victory of the quest to all. Behold the Sword of Victory, the fifth appearance of the Grail!
The Bearer of the Sword spirals clockwise inward to the center and places the Sword on the table in the east.
THE IMAGINER
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who has imagined the weaving but I?
THE WEAVING
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who but the weaving imagines save I?
ALL (together)
All things change: by gold and yew, by tongue and fish,
Only a question can hasten the wish.
THE SERVANT
Behold the mystery of the hallows! We have borne witness to these mysteries, and now we announce an even greater mystery. For the Grail is among us still, and where it moves our hearts are changed.
THE LOVE
Behold, then, the mystery of the hallows and learn of the part that we each must play in the ongoing story. For thus is the tale of the hallows passed to a new generation…
THE SERVANT
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who has served love itself but I?
THE LOVE
Keeper of the Starry Sky, who but love has served save I?
ALL (together)
All things change: by stone and tree, by hoof and hand,
Only a question can heal the land.
Now Arthur rises from his place in the east.
ARTHUR
Thus indeed are the five hallows established in our realm as they were long since. But it was said then to all who undertook the quest that a certain question must be asked. Let that question now be sounded in this hall of trees.
ARTHUR, WATCHERS, and BEARERS
Whom does the Grail serve?
ARTHUR
Rightly is this question asked. An answer must now be sought. I call upon the Lady of Twilight to seek for an answer from the past.
The Lady of Twilight goes to the north and prepares and delivers an oracle of the question.
ARTHUR
I give thanks to you, royal lady, on behalf of this company, for your gift of sight. And I call upon your sister, the Lady of Dawn to seek for an answer from the future.
The Lady of Dawn goes to the south and prepares and delivers an oracle of the question.
ARTHUR
I give thanks to you, royal lady, on behalf of this company, for your gift of sight. (pause) We have heard and we have watched the mystery. But there is a greater mystery still—the part that we each play in the story of the Grail. I call upon all of the company here gathered amid the trees of the ancient wood to look into their own innermost places and to seek the answer to the most ancient question of whom the Grail serves. (pause for meditation)
WOODWARD
You have sought for answers and been granted the gifts of true sight. Now I bid you look deeply into your hearts and renew your dedication to your own source of spiritual strength, for thus you make the promise to serve in both worlds…(pause for meditation)
We have listened and we have heard. But there are those who have yet to speak the wishes of their hearts. In the court of the Grail in the Greenwood there is room for all to be heard. Therefore I call upon the representatives of the five realms to speak. I call upon the Watcher of the Unseen: What are the needs of the otherworldly beings?
Pause while all representatives of the unseen and their realm ponder the question on behalf of all otherworldly beings.
WATCHER OF THE UNSEEN
(replies in own words)
WOODWARD
I give thanks to the Watcher and all of the unseen realm. I call upon the Watcher of Stones: What are the needs of the stone beings?
Pause while all representatives of the stone and their realm ponder the question on behalf of all stone beings.
WATCHER OF STONES
(replies in own words)
WOODWARD
I give thanks to the Watcher and all of the Stone Realm. I call upon the Watcher of the Green: What are the needs of the green realm?
Pause while all representatives of the green realm ponder those needs in their hearts.
WATCHER OF THE GREEN
(replies in own words)
WOODWARD
I give thanks to the Watcher and all of the green realm. I call upon the Watcher of Beasts: What are the needs of the realm of beasts?
Pause while all representatives of the realm of beasts ponder those needs in their hearts.
WATCHER OF BEASTS
(replies in own words)
WOODWARD
I give thanks to the Watcher and all of the realm of beasts. I call upon the Watcher of the Kindred: What are the needs of the kindred?
Pause while all representatives of the kindred realm ponder these needs in their hearts.
WATCHER OF THE KINDRED
(replies in own words)
WOODWARD
I give thanks to the Watcher and all of the kindred realm. I call upon you all to beg the blessing of the Hidden Ones, whose presence has guided our steps through the mysteries.
The five watchers together turn towards the dwellers in Avalon in the west.
THE FIVE
We call upon you, keepers of the mysteries, apple guardians, to bring your healing communion to this company.
At this the dwellers rise and, with help of ladies, prepare a cup of apple nectar and slices of apple (or alternative). They circulate around the company offering drink and food to all. Arthur follows them, giving out star-shaped biscuits from a wooden bowl.
ARTHUR (to each)
From the stars you came, to the stars you shall return.
When all have eaten and drunk and the dwellers and Arthur are again seated, the five reverse the star pattern, returning to their original places: Watcher of the Kindred from west to northeast and realm of beasts; Watcher of Beasts from northeast to south and realm of green; Watcher of Green from south to north and realm of stone; Watcher of Stone from north to southeast and realm of unseen; and Watcher of Unseen from southeast to west and realm of kindred.
WOODWARD
You who have watched and waited, you who have seen and heard,
I call upon each one of the five watchers to give the blessing of their kind.
WATCHER OF UNSEEN
(gives blessing in own words)
WATCHER OF STONES
(gives blessing in own words)
WATCHER OF GREEN
(gives blessing in own words)
WATCHER OF BEASTS
(gives blessing in own words)
WATCHER OF KINDRED
(gives blessing in own words)
WOODWARD
You have been welcome among my woods for the witnessing of these mysteries. Let all now turn outward to send forth the blessings of this company and of all the unseen dwellers into the world.
Company turns outward and sends forth blessings silently to those in need of healing and change.
WOODWARD
King Who Was and Will Be, what is your witness of this mystery?
ARTHUR
Such is the joy engendered by these changes that the Wasteland will be repeopled, that the waters will flow again through the rocks, that fields and woods will be green, that beasts will throng the land, that human hearts will be touched and the many beings of the unseen realms will be known to us again.
LADY OF TWILIGHT
In the name of the ancestors, I take this healing forth.
LADY OF DAWN
In the name of the descendants, I take this healing forth.
ARTHUR
In the names of all beings in whatever realm who are or will be, I take this healing forth!
DWELLERS OF AVALON
The blessing of the dwellers in Avalon be upon the company!
The dwellers pass anticlockwise to east and to Arthur, whom they lead out, followed by ladies of twilight and dawn out of the western door towards Avalon.
WOODWARD
Comes to center and contemplates the hallows in silence, then douses the candle.
As the light is put out, here know that it continues to burn in the otherworld. Let us give thanks to all who attended these mysteries—seen and unseen, known and unknown, named and unnamed. I bid you all to go forth quietly from this place in your own time, and to take with you the light of the Greenwood and the light of the Grail. I utter now two further mysteries. There is a blessing upon all who serve!
The Grail serves us all!
Company disperses in its own time.
…
Soon we shall embark on the Ship of Solomon, which will carry us to the country of the Grail and the holy isle of Sarras. Here, then, is a meditation that prepares the way for that magical journey.
Boarding the Ship
As you allow your surroundings to dissolve, become aware of another place. You are standing in a chamber of stone lit by two hanging lamps that emit a soft radiance. By this light you see that the northern wall of the chamber consists of two great doors that stand slightly open. You step forward and the doors open fully before you.
Outside, you find yourself in the cool of a summer’s night, the sky a deep blue in which hangs a round yellow moon. Beneath your feet is soft green grass and ahead lies a gently inclined slope stretching downward. In the distance you hear the sound of the sea. You go forward again and in a few moments find yourself standing on a cliff overlooking the sea, which pours in upon the sands below and withdraws with the familiar rattle of stones.
Moored in the shallow water at the edge of the sea is a boat, wide and deep and with a single sail hanging limply from a central mast. Before you is a narrow path leading down from the cliffs to the shore, and this you follow.
Reaching the shore, you find the ship drawn closer and the water calm so that you are able to go aboard without difficulty. As soon as you are on the deck, the ship begins to move, very smoothly and with almost none of the motion you would expect. The single sail fills with wind, though you can feel almost no breath of it on your face, and the ship begins to move out to sea, following the path of moonlight laid down across the water.
Looking around, you see the deck is wide where you are standing in the waste of the ship, and that in the stern is a cabin with two round windows, from which light streams, and a single door, which is closed. You feel drawn towards this door, and as you approach it, it opens silently before you. You enter the cabin.
Inside, it seems larger than it did from without. It is lit by a single lamp hanging from the roof and is divided across the center by a veil, before which stands a small cubic alter on which are laid several objects. Approaching, you see that they consist of a sword with a richly jeweled hilt, half drawn from an ornate scabbard, and next to this a crown richly encrusted with jewels, shaped like the one worn by the popes of old at their crowning, domed and surmounted by a cross. On the altar is a silver cup with jewels around the rim and three wands made from wood. One is green, the other white, and the third is red. You may take one of these, according to your choice, but no matter how many you take, there will always be three remaining on the altar.
When you have chosen one, you approach the veil that divides the cabin, and as you do so, a soft light begins to shine from behind it so that you can see what lies beyond, though you may not yet penetrate further. You see a great canopied bed, and upon it lies a woman whose beauty is beyond anything you have seen. She may remind you of a loved person that you have known—maybe wife, sister, or mother—for she is all ages and all women. You also notice that embroidered on the curtains at the foot of the bed are the letters S. A.
The figure upon the bed appears to be sleeping deeply, and there is a strong urge within you to put aside the veil and enter the space beyond. But this you may not do at this time, for this is a mystery too great for any who have not undertaken the mystery of the Grail with heart and soul and mind. However, you understand that there is a need to be answered and that you may be able to answer it at some future time.
Silently, you return to the deck of the ship. Standing at the foot of the mast, you look outwards across the sea. In the distance you may catch sight of an island rising from the water. But as you look your consciousness shifts, and the ship, the ocean upon which it sails, the moonlit sky above, and the wooden planks beneath your feet begin to fade, and you become aware that you are once again in the room where you began this journey.
The Ship of Solomon
(CM)
We come now to a ritual that brings together many of the streams of work we have experienced throughout our year in Camelot, including Grail, mystical Christian, and Gnostic sources. Here we encounter some of the mightiest of the archetypes from the ages of the Grail.
All of the texts referenced here, except for certain connecting passages, derive from original textual sources and reveal the hidden unity of the Arthuriad and the Western tradition (these are indicated within the text of the rite). Although its main trajectory is a mystical Christian path, it is intended to be performed by all people who love the mysteries of Arthur and the Grail. The purpose of the ritual is to create an Ark of the Grail and to rekindle the beacons that light the destined pathway of all beings from the beginning to the end of creation.
If you decide to enact this ritual with a group, and some amongst you have no speaking parts, their contribution is equally important since they witness the ritual on behalf of the whole community. They may choose a species/genus/individual from the mineral, plant, animal, or human kingdoms to represent. During the ritual, all the realms of creation will be invited in and are so called by the company to board the Ship of Solomon.
Dramatis Personae
Narrators
Pilot
Anchoress
Grail Seekers
Perceval (Mediator of the Green World)
Bors (Mediator of the Animal World)
Galahad (Mediator of the Human World)
Dindrane (Mediator of the Mineral World)
Mediators of the Shining Ones
Adam
Eve
Solomon
Sheba
Christ
Mary
Logos
Sophia
Ritual Equipment
Altar with candles and incense
Grail with wine or other liquid
Oil
Censer and incense
1: Embarkation
PILOT
We bid you come aboard the Ship of Solomon as privileged voyagers on a blesséd journey.
ANCHORESS
Before you embark, know that this ship bears an inscription: “Give ear whomever thou art who would set foot in me. Take heed that you be full of faith, for I am Faith itself. Whoever sets foot in me unadvisedly shall find in me no footing or support.”
PILOT
Remember that as we sail to the furthest point of the uttermost worlds, we take with each of us the kernel of the nut—the seed of life, the gleed of light—that is the holy and perfect offering made within our own being.
Pilot and anchoress make a gateway, and all enter between their upraised arms and take their places.
PILOT
Let us look to the lands about us, for they appear to us now in the seas beyond time in their first glory.
ANCHORESS
We see before us in the east the paradise of Eden, which became the forest of the Wasteland. “Most honored Paradise, garden of beauty and delight made perfect by the Creator, unending gladness and rejoicing, delight of the prophets and home of the saints; by the harmony of your rustling leaves, beseech the Creator of All to open to us the gates which have been closed to us, that we may be worthy to partake of the Tree of Life and bliss which was made for us at the beginning!” (Vesperal Stichera of the Triodion)
PILOT
We see before us in the south the Temple of Solomon—the pattern of the Grail Castle standing in the Wasteland. “How great is the house of God! And how vast the territory that the Creator possesses. It is great and has no bounds; it is high and immeasurable. Here is the throne of Wisdom. No one knows the way to her, save he who knows all things. The Creator prepared the earth for all time and filled it with four-footed creatures; the Creator who sends forth the light and it goes, called it, and it obeyed in fear; the stars shone in their watches and were glad; the Creator called them and they said, ‘Here we are!’ They shone with gladness for the One who made them.” (Baruch 3:24)
ANCHORESS
We see before us in the west the hill of the ancestors, which is both Golgotha and the Hill of the King of the Courts of Suffering. At the place of the Skull of Adam reside the wisdom of the ancestors and all the experience of humanity. Here are the gates of the underworld and the places of power. All beings journey to the west to seek what lies beyond the realm of death itself, but few return to tell of it.
PILOT
We see before us in the north the New Jerusalem, which is also Sarras. “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of the Creator is its light. There grows the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. The radiance of the city is like a most rare jewel like a jasper, clear as crystal.” (Revelation)
2: The Grail Seekers
ANCHORESS
Within this barque stand four Grail seekers who have each been found worthy to make this voyage. Let them stand forth and make themselves known.
PERCEVAL
I am Perceval the Fool. Raised in innocence, in the paradise of my mother’s bower, I came to knighthood through ignorance and mistaken advice.
BORS
I am Bors the Wanderer. Raised in the martial splendor of the royal family of Armorica, I came to knighthood through deeds of arms and good intent.
GALAHAD
I am Galahad the Warrior. Conceived in mistaken lust and raised in the traditions of the Grail Family, I came to knighthood through sitting in the Perilous Seat, knowing that to gain all, I must lose all.
DINDRANE
I am Dindrane the Martyr, and I have long known of the coming of the Ship of Solomon. Raised in the mystical confines of a cell, I came to seership through a vision of the holy vessel.
3: The Shining Ones
PILOT
There stand about this ship, at the four quarters, the mediators of the Shining Ones who accompany this voyage. They have journeyed from the very beginning of time and they will journey until its ending. Let them stand forth and make themselves known.
ADAM
I stand in the place of Adam, the First Father. “When God made us, we were placed in Paradise and given every tree bearing fruit to eat, but we were forbidden in these words: ‘Regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which is in the midst of Paradise, do not eat of it.’ Moreover God gave a part of Paradise to me and a part to Eve. The trees of the eastern part and over against the north were given to me, and to Eve was given the southern and western part.” (Life of Adam and Eve)
EVE
I stand in the place of Eve, the First Mother. When we ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, it was then that we discerned death was upon us and that the fruit of knowledge was mortality. But I bore away in my hand a sprig of the Tree of Life and it seemed to speak happily to me, “Be not dismayed, for though you are banished from your inheritance, it is not lost to you entirely; for behold, you hold a sign of your return hereafter.” (Quest del San Graal)
SOLOMON
I stand in the place of Solomon, Keeper of the Word, king of Jerusalem, and builder of the temple. “My throne stands forever and ever and I govern my kingdom with a scepter of righteousness. I reign for the sake of truth, mercy and justice, so have I been anointed with the oil of joy above my companions.” For I asked of God that I be granted ‘an understanding mind to govern my people, that I might discern between good and evil.’ And I was given the wisdom of God in order to render justice to all.” (Psalms and 1 Kings)
SHEBA
I stand in the place of Sheba, Keeper of Wisdom and queen of Ethiopia. “I stand at the right hand of the king in a mantle of gold. Blessed are they who dwell in my house. From eternity in the beginning was I created, and for eternity I shall not cease to be. I am tall like a cedar in Lebanon and black as cypress on the heights of Hermon. I will again pour out teaching like prophecy and leave it for all future generations to find. Observe, that I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek instruction!” (Psalms and Sirach)
CHRIST
I stand in the place of the Lord Jesus, the Second Adam. I took flesh of blesséd Mary, receiving her mortality, and I went down into the deep places beneath the earth, to the peoples of the past, and embraced death. And the angels sang the hymn that the Seraphim sing at dawn on the Day of Light over my body and blood:
“O the scarlet blood of the innocent lamb
is poured out at her wedding (…)
Holy, thrice holy is the Lamb
Who goes to the slaughter.
His body and his blood—
Like the garments of the King
Who rides from Bozrah.” (Hildegard of Bingen)
MARY
I stand in the place of the Lady Mary, the Second Eve. The starlight of the Mighty Spirit overshadowed me and I conceived a child. The magi followed its glittering light and saw lying on my lap one whose hands had fashioned creation in the form of a servant and they hailed me:
“Hail Mother of the Star without setting;
Hail Radiance of the mystical day!
Hail Star who manifests the Sun,
Hail Womb of the divine incarnation!
Hail you through whom creation is renewed.” (Akathistos)
LOGOS
I stand in the place of the Logos, the Last Word. “I am the light which shines in darkness” and “mine are the utterances which come from the heart, the law that is written in compassion. I am the sound that emanated from the height by which all the unrecognizables are recognized. I have shown myself to those who dwell in darkness and the abyss of night; and to those who ponder the hidden treasures I have given instruction of the hidden mysteries; and I have taught inexplicable teachings to all who are the children of light.” (St. John and the Gnostic Triple Protennoia)
SOPHIA
I stand in the place of Sophia, the Last Wisdom. “Give heed to me, it is I who am the disgraced and the mighty one; give heed to my poverty and my wealth. Do not be arrogant to me as I lie cast upon the ground, for you will find me in those who are to come. Do not leave me cast upon the dung heap, for you will find in me the kingdom. It is I who have been hated everywhere, and who have been everywhere loved. And I am life, which you have called death. Draw near to me, all who are acquainted with me, and draw near to childhood. It is I who am the listening that is acceptable in every matter; it is I who am the speaking that cannot be restrained.” (Gnostic Thunder—Perfect Intellect)
ANCHORESS
May the four Grail seekers and the mediators of the Shining Ones stand ready to rehearse the story of the Grail from the beginning of time until the ending of the ages.
4: The Story of the Oil of Mercy
PERCEVAL (turning to Adam and Eve)
O primal parents of our race, I ask you to tell us of the Oil of Mercy, which was the first manifestation of the Grail.
ADAM
Son of our race, when I lay dying, I bade Eve go with my son Seth to the regions of Paradise and there plead in the sight of the Creator to have mercy and send an angel to the Tree of Mercy, from which flows the oil of life, and to give me a little of it so that I might be anointed and have rest.
EVE
But when we had prayed at the gates of Paradise for many hours, Michael appeared to us, saying: “I have been sent to you from the Lord who has set me over the bodies of mortal kind. I say to you, Seth, man of God, do not weep, praying and begging of the oil of the Tree of Mercy, for I say to you, you are not able to take from it, except in the last days. Take now nard, crocus, calamine, and cinnamon to anoint your father.”
ADAM
And when I saw their sorrowful faces, I said, “Do not despair, for all alike shall come to death’s domain. When I die, leave me alone and await the angel of the Creator, for my maker will not forget me and will seek the vessel, which was formed at the beginning.
EVE
And as I lamented upon my knees, an archangel came to me, and my vision was bright with a chariot of light drawn by four radiant eagles. I saw the seven heavens opened and the holy angels praying for him, saying, “Forgive, Father, for he is your image.” And I asked Seth: “But who are those two dark-skinned beings praying for him?”
PERCEVAL
They are the sun and the moon, and they themselves fall down and pray for my father Adam.
EVE
And where is their light, and why have they become dark?
PERCEVAL
They are not able to shine before the light of All. And that is why the light is hid from them.
ANCHORESS
And six-winged seraphim bore Adam to the Lake of Acheron and bathed him three times and bore the body of Adam into Paradise, and the plants of Paradise were stirred so that all those born of Adam became drowsy from the fragrance except Seth.
PERCEVAL
And I heard the voice of God commanding Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael to shroud my father’s body in cloths of linen and silk, and I heard him call, “Adam, Adam!” and my father’s body said: Here I am. Then God said, “I told you that you are dust and to dust you shall return; now I promise to you the resurrection.” And then a triangular seal was set upon the tomb. All these things did I write down upon tablets of clay and stone.
BORS
And after the Flood, these written tablets were seen by many people but were read by no one. But the wise Solomon saw them and prayed to God to know their meaning.
SOLOMON
And the angel that appeared to Seth spoke to me and said: “I am he who held the hand of Seth, so that he wrote with his finger onto stone, and you shall be wise in writing so that you might know and understand all that is contained on the stones, and where the place of prayer was where Adam and Eve used to worship. For it is fitting for you to build the temple of the Lord, the house of prayer at that place.” (Life of Adam and Eve)
5: The Story of the Holy Temple
BORS (to Solomon and Sheba)
Noble parents of our race, I bid you tell to us the nature of the temple and what dwelt within it.
SOLOMON
Son of our race, when my forefather Moses dwelt in the wilderness, the Divine Spirit was pleased to dwell in the Ark of the Covenant under the tent of the tabernacle. And it was in the heart of my father David to build a worthy temple for the housing of the Divine Spirit, but it was not to be.
SHEBA
And so it was that Solomon called Hiram of Tyre to him and bade him cut the cedars of Lebanon and begin the mighty work of building the temple. Seven years did that labor last. Solomon caused a golden cover to be made of two cherubim with outstretched wings to rest upon the Ark of the Covenant. And on the day of dedication was the Ark of the Covenant brought into the Holy of Holies and established.
SOLOMON
And there was nothing in the ark save the two tablets of stone that Moses brought from Mount Horeb. But the presence of the Divine Spirit rested upon the ark as a great cloud, and the Glory filled the house of the Creator so that none could stand to minister, and I prayed: “The Creator has set the sun in the heavens but has promised to dwell in thick darkness. I have built an exalted house, a place for the Divine Spirit to dwell forever.”
SHEBA
And the fame of Solomon went abroad into every country and came even to the south, to Ethiopia, where I, Sheba, famed for beauty and for wisdom, rose up and came to visit Solomon. And I came to test him with very hard questions and riddles, but there I found my equal in wisdom. (1 Kings)
SOLOMON
And I looked upon the Queen of the South and I desired her and we lay together in my tent.
SHEBA
And nine months from that day I bore Menelik, the son of wise parents.
SOLOMON
Secure in my wisdom and assured of the Creator’s promise that my lineage should never fail, I did not heed the wisdom of my heart.
SHEBA
And my dreams were troubled by prophetic visions of the temple’s destruction,
and I sent my son, Menelik, to his father.
SOLOMON
And I bore away the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, that it might be venerated forever. (Ethiopian Kebra Negast)
SHEBA
And as Solomon had built the temple to be a dwelling place for the Divine Spirit, so did I cause to have built the ship upon which we now sail, that the family of my descendants might have true passage to the realms of wisdom.
SOLOMON
But the glory of Wisdom that was between the wings of the tabernacle departed and wandered in many lands. And my son bore the blesséd ark into the wilderness and from his line sprang the noble family of Arimathea in whom the secrets of the Grail were entrusted.
SHEBA
And as the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness, so too did the descendants of Joseph, until they found a royal house of the Grail Family within the forest.
6: The Story of the Holy Grail
GALAHAD (to Christ and Mary)
And of that lineage was I descended. Holy parents of our race, I bid you tell to us the nature of the Holy Grail.
CHRIST
Son of our race, know that three vessels shine within my story: the womb of Mary, my mother, which bore me to mortal kind; the cup of the Last Supper, the testament of my compassion; and the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, gateway to the Skull of Adam.
MARY
Each of these vessels brought transformation. For in my womb humanity was made divine, and in the cup hatred was turned to love, and in the tomb death was turned into eternal life.
CHRIST
This, then, is the secret prayer of the Grail: I give you a new commandment that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. You are servants no longer, for I name you friends of the creation. “O Creator, the world has not known you, but I have known you and these your friends know that you have sent me. I have taught them your name that the love which is between us may be in them, and I in them.” (St. John)
MARY
And he went out into the garden and prayed as a man that the cup might pass from him. But that garden was the very place of the first garden paradise, and as an angel then appeared with a fiery sword, so now the angel of the agony appeared with a cup. And so that there might be no more death, the Lord Jesus went out and mounted the Cross, which had been fashioned from the wood of the Tree of Life.
CHRIST
They parted my garments among them; they cast lots for my clothing.
MARY
And the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom.
CHRIST
Behold! The Stone which was rejected…
MARY
…has become the cornerstone.
GALAHAD
And when the Lord Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said:
CHRIST
Woman, behold your son!
GALAHAD
Then he said to the disciple:
CHRIST
Son, behold your mother!
GALAHAD
And he gave up his spirit. Then one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
MARY
And we took his body and buried it in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. But when we returned on the third day, the tomb was empty.
GALAHAD
And on that morning very early was Mary Magdalene walking in the garden, and she met a man near the tomb of the Lord.
CHRIST
Do not touch me, Mary, for you have known me and I am not yet ascended.
MARY
If I may not touch you, then at least bless my body.
CHRIST
The radiance of the highest shine upon you!
GALAHAD
And he appeared to his friends in the Upper Room and said:
CHRIST
The Counselor, the Divine Spirit, will come to you and teach you all many things and bring to remembrance all the wisdom that has been uttered. I have many things to say, but you cannot bear them now.
GALAHAD
He who saw this has borne witness—his testimony is true and he knows he tells the truth that you also may believe.
MARY
For you shall remember your heritage: that you are all shining stars.
7: The Story of the Ship
DINDRANE (turning to Logos and Sophia)
O future parents of our race, I bid you tell to us the nature of the vessel in which we travel and where we are bound.
LOGOS
Daughter of our race, know that this is the last vessel. From the wood of the Tree of Life was this ship made and from it also the cross was fashioned. You stand upon the ship of faith, the vessel of the future, the ark of space.
SOPHIA
And on this ship are figured forth many images and archetypes that in the patterning of time have been, are, and shall be. The destination of this vessel is as you desire it to be.
DINDRANE
How shall this story then be told?
LOGOS
“There was a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Divine Spirit and they began to speak in other tongues.” (Acts of the Apostles)
SOPHIA
And the Holy Grail appeared, covered with a cloth of white samite, and yet no mortal hand was seen to bear it. It entered through the great door, and at once the palace was filled with fragrance as though all the spices of the earth had been spilled abroad. It circled the hall along the great tables and each place was furnished in its wake with the food its occupants desired. (La Queste del Saint Graal)
LOGOS
Then did the company go forth on quests to the very ends of the earth that the kingdom might be restored, the Wasteland ended, and the Grail achieved. And some of that company were scattered abroad and had no good of their questing, but others made their way into this ship.
SOPHIA
A strong wind got up and drove the ship swiftly out to sea, till soon they had made such headway as to have lost all sight of land, whether near or far. By this time it was light, and they knew one another; and all wept for the joy at their coming together again.
DINDRANE
And I remembered the words of the Last Wisdom, my mother, as she sent me down to be with the creation:
SOPHIA
It is I who am you and it is you who are me,
And wherever you are, I am there.
And I am sown in all; and you gather me from wherever you wish,
But when you gather me, it is your self that you gather.
For you are my daughters, Zoë, Life. (Gospel of Eve)
DINDRANE
And this is a true saying of the Grail Family and to all upon this voyage. For we journey in faith by the light of love and the strength of life, for only so shall the Grail be found and this story ended.
LOGOS
“Behold the Bridegroom is coming in the middle of the night; blesséd is the one I shall find awake. But the one I shall find neglectful will not be worthy. Beware, O my soul, do not fall into a deep slumber, lest the door of the kingdom be closed on you. Watch instead and cry out with the angels: ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the One who Comes.’ I am the Eternal Light, born of Eternal Light, Immortal Light, invisible, incomprehensible, unchanging and unchangeable. I am the True Light which dwells in the Unapproachable Light and which shines forth in glory and radiance.” (Troparion of Greater Lent: Easter Prayer)
DINDRANE
O Ancient Light and True Word, restore our human nature to its former beauty and to the glorious light from which we have been exiled!
SOPHIA
Behold, I am the Consoler, the Spirit of Truth present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of Blessings and the Giver of Life. I will lead you to the place desired and all shall find healing under my wings.
DINDRANE
O Bride of Light and True Wisdom, come and dwell in us, cleanse our souls, and bring us to blessedness!
8: Invocation of the Grail
ANCHORESS
Let us invoke the power of the Grail, the object of our quest, that we may gain enlightenment and strength upon the way.
PILOT
O Holy Vessel, healer of the Wasteland within us, “ransom us, for we are yours, from you have we emanated.
PERCEVAL
“It is you who are our intellect: engender us!
BORS
“It is you who are our treasure; give unto us!
GALAHAD
“It is you who are our fullness: receive us!
DINDRANE
“It is you who are our repose; give us unrestrainable completion!
ANCHORESS
“O Vessel, existent and pre-existent, be present among us!
PERCEVAL
“Give us your unregretted gifts, by the gift of the Messenger, the Intercessor of Truth.
BORS
“Give us authority, we ask of you!
GALAHAD
“Give us healing for our bodies, we ask of you!
DINDRANE
“And awaken our luminous souls for ever!
PILOT
“O Vessel, existent and pre-existent, be present among us!
PERCEVAL
“Bestow what eyes of angels have not seen,
BORS
“What ears of rulers have not heard,
GALAHAD
“What has not come upon the hearts of human beings who have become angels,
DINDRANE
“And what is after the image of incarnate deity. For I have faith belonging to hope.
ANCHORESS
“And give us also a share in the wonderful mystery of your house.
PILOT and ANCHORESS
“O Vessel, existent and pre-existent, be present among us!” (Gnostic Prayer of Paul)
9: Grail Epiphany
PILOT
We have sailed to the four corners of the compass and to the outer reaches of time. Let the Grail seekers now look upon each side and scan the horizon, telling us of the deep wells by which the world is given beauty and strength.
ANCHORESS
All about us we are aware of a stillness upon the seas. See four great vortices of water from which mighty beings of light emerge. They are the guardians of the wells of existence, hidden beneath the earth and its waters.
PILOT
Behold the five changes of the Grail, of which the ancients feared to speak.
PERCEVAL (turns to face east)
In the east behold the well of mercy!
BORS (turns to face south)
In the south behold the well of grace!
GALAHAD (turns to face west)
In the west behold the well of spiritual comfort!
DINDRANE (turns to face north)
In the north behold the well of wisdom!
ANCHORESS
Beneath us in the center, behold the well of eternal life!
For we sail upon the ship of faith, which is the vessel of fair love and of holy hope.
Here the Grail is brought forth, and all drink.
PILOT
Let us hear of the mystery of the wound which heals!
10: The Healing of the Creation and the Release of the Ancestors
EVE
In the beginning all creation was verdant,
Flowers blossomed in the midst of it;
Later, greenness sank away.
And the champion saw this and said:
MARY
I know it, but the golden number is not yet full.
You, then, behold me, mirror of your parenthood:
In my body I am suffering exhaustion,
Even my little ones faint.
CHRIST
Now remember that the fullness
Which was made in the beginning,
Need not have grown dry,
And that then you resolved
That your eye would never fail
Until you saw my body full of jewels.
CHRIST and MARY
For it wearies me that all my limbs are exposed to mockery:
Creator, behold, I am showing you my wounds.
ADAM
So now, all you people,
Bend your knees to the Creator,
That the parents of you all may
Stretch forth their hands into the hands of the Creator.
(Hildegard of Bingen: Ordo Virtutem)
Adam and Eve stretch out their arms towards Christ and Mary palms down; Christ and Mary respond by stretching out their arms also, as though making a bridge between them.
ANCHORESS
And we visualize the deep places of the earth opening and, on the hill of the ancestors, Adam and Eve stretch out their hands and lead forth the peoples of the past. And by means of a rainbow bridge they come aboard this ship, expectant and full of joy. (pause for mediation)
PILOT
Now let the Shining Ones, our guides, open up the doorways of this barque that it may become a mystical ark for the continuance of life.
Those mediating the Shining Ones put down their scripts, face their partner, and make a doorway arch with their hands: Grail Seeker to Shining One, Perceval to Adam and Eve, Bors to Solomon and Sheba, Galahad to Jesus and Mary, Dindrane to Logos and Sophia. The Grail seekers face the doorways and mediate the kingdom of their quarter.
ANCHORESS
Let the first be last! May the doorway be opened in the east that all species of flowers, plants, trees, grains, and grasses and all representatives of the green kind may be welcome aboard this ship. (pause for mediation)
PERCEVAL
The families of the green kind are all welcome aboard this ship. (or extempore welcome)
PILOT
May the doorway be opened in the south that all species of birds, beasts, fish, insects, and reptiles and all representatives of animal kind may be welcome aboard this ship. (pause for mediation)
BORS
The families of animal kind are all welcome aboard this ship. (or extempore welcome)
ANCHORESS
May the doorway be opened in the west that all races of human beings, of all colors, creeds, and nationalities, may be welcome aboard this ship. (pause for mediation)
GALAHAD
The families of human kind are all welcome aboard this ship. (or extempore welcome)
PILOT
May the doorway be opened in the north that all kinds of rocks, ores, crystals, and stones and all representatives of the mineral kingdom may be welcome aboard this ship. (pause for mediation)
DINDRANE
The families of the mineral kind are all welcome aboard this ship. (or extempore welcome)
ANCHORESS
May this blesséd assembly of the families of earth be blessed in all existences. May they learn to live harmoniously upon our earth and may each have their continuance in accordance with the pattern of the divine purpose.
11: Theophanic Prophecy
SOLOMON
“At present we have access to the visible aspects of creation, saying that they are mighty and glorious and that hidden things are powerless and contemptible. Are the hidden aspects of truth like this?
SHEBA
“Now the mysteries of truth are manifestly representations and images. Thus the bedroom is hidden away; this stands for the holy within the holy. For, originally the veil concealed how the Creator ordered creation, but when the veil is torn and what is within appears, then this building will be left desolate.
LOGOS
“And all deity will flee from here, but it will not flee into the holy of holies, for it cannot mix with unalloyed light. Rather, it will dwell under the wings of the cross and under its arms. This ark will be for people’s salvation when the watery flood rages over them.
SOPHIA
“For this reason the veil was torn from top to bottom; the upper realm was opened for us in the lower realm, that we might enter into the hidden realm of truth…Thus perfect things were opened to us, along with the hidden aspects of truth. And the holy of holies was uncovered, and the bedroom invites us in…” (Gospel of Philip)
LOGOS
“The reign of peace draws near, when the Holy Spirit shall be born among us and shall come again as a Woman, the Daughter of God. When the Divine Spirit shall come again as a Woman, then for the first time the world will know peace. For she is my Bride.” (Fiona MacLeod: Iona)
SOPHIA
And I shall walk upon the lands and call unto me my own, and they shall come to me from the ends of the earth and the depths of the sea and the vistas of the air. “And I shall come a second time, in the manner of a woman and I shall instruct them about the coming end of the realm, and about the beginning of the coming realm which does not experience change and in which our appearance will change.” And they shall follow me to the gate of the Pleroma and enter in. (to Logos) Then shall I take thy hand and we shall stand together in the bridal chamber and all things shall find their consummation. (Gnostic Triple Protennoia)
12: The Hierophany of the Seekers
PERCEVAL
So am I no more a Fool. For I, who have been Seth, Enkidu, the Wild Herdsman and St. David as well as Perceval, shall come again to walk the forests and bring draughts of light from the life-giving rivers of Paradise. I shall be the Freer of the Waters.
BORS
So am I no more a Wanderer. For I, who have been Menelik, Hercules, Gilgamesh, and St. Kentigern, as well as Bors, shall come again to champion the oppressed and to ransom the lost. I shall be the Restorer of the Temple.
GALAHAD
So am I no more a Warrior. For I, who have been the Beloved Disciple, Melchisidek, Thoth, and St. George, as well as Galahad, shall come again to proclaim the coming of the Bridegroom. I shall be the Dancer of the Light.
DINDRANE
So am I no more a Martyr. For I, who have been ZÖe, Astraea, Macha, and St. Brighid, as well as Dindrane, shall come again and bind the hair and wash the feet of the Bride of God. I shall be the Bringer of Joy.
PILOT
And I, who have been Charon, Anubis, and St. Peter, as well as Barinthus, shall come again to pilot many upon this blessed voyage. I shall be the Wayshower of the First Father.
ANCHORESS
And I, who have been Maat, Diké, and St. Anne, as well as the Grail Messenger, shall come again to lead the way from the heart of the earth along the starways to the heights of the Pleroma. I shall be the Keeper of the Last Mother.
All MEN (chant)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (pronounced AY)
When their first breath begins to fail, the women take up the chant:
All WOMEN (chant)
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
When their first breath begins to fail, the men take up their chant. The chant circulates for three times in total, ending with women.
13: Restoration of the Worlds
ANCHORESS
And we look once more to the lands about us and see the perfection that has been wrought.
PILOT
In the east we see the pattern of the earthly paradise. “Most honored Paradise, garden of beauty and delight made perfect by the Creator, unending gladness and rejoicing, delight of the prophets and home of the saints; by the harmony of your rustling leaves, beseech the Creator of All to open to us the gates which have been closed to us, that we may be worthy to partake of the Tree of Life and bliss which was made for us at the beginning!” (The Orthodox Vespers Sticheron for Lent and Easter)
ANCHORESS
In the south we see the restored temple. “Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God. See your children gathering from North and South. For they went forth from you on foot, led away by enemies, but the Creator brings them back to you in glory, as on a royal throne.” (Baruch)
PILOT
In the west see the place of the skull as the gates of the underworld opening. “The angel’s fiery sword no longer guards the gate of Paradise. The power of the Creator has put it out wondrously. The power of death has been broken, the victory of the Underworld has been wiped out and the Saviour has stood up and called out to all the peoples of the past: ‘Come now and enter my garden.’ And from the place of sacrifice leads a path to the garden of Paradise for the delight of all creatures.” (Kontakion of the Cross)
ANCHORESS
In the north behold the city of Sarras: “O Sion, look around; behold the return of your children. From West and North, from the South and from the East, they come like stars guided by the Creator! Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem,” for the divine voice has made us a truthful promise of return. We exult in joy to see the city of Sarras stand perfected. (Easter Hirmos)
14: Disembarkation
PILOT
And now I pilot you to your own shores in your own time and place. And I bid you step from the ship of Solomon now and visualize it rising beyond this time and place without us, with only its company of shining beings, the ancestors, and its cargo of all the blesséd kingdoms of the earth.
ANCHORESS
For it will be written in the language of the Grail, in the Lifr Brynean Lithargoel, “The Book of the Royal Company of the Bright Garden,” that many souls journeyed in the quinquirimym-Salmadim, the Ship of Solomon, and came at last to Sarras, which is the New Jerusalem and the Earthly Paradise in our language. (The Emperor of Paradise, J. and C. Matthews)
PILOT
For now is the Grail, which was called “the wonderous thing hidden in the flower-garden of the King where the elect of all nations are called” established in the garden of our hearts and minds, as well as in the starry heavens, from which its rays pour down upon us in ineluctable streams of blessing. (Parzival)
ANCHORESS
Therefore we bid you to remember these things, and with this most holy anamnesis set forth upon the way that shall be for all people for all time, and shall heal them, as they stand forth in the city of the Grail.
Anchoress and pilot then take oil and incense and with these anoint and cense the gathering, after which there is a short pause for silent meditation.
PILOT
The time has come to depart.
ANCHORESS
Let us go forth and bear the blessing of this voyage to the whole world.
All file out slowly.
Restoring the Courts of Joy
(CM and JM)
With this ritual we draw together all of the threads that have preceded it. In this we are shown the Way of the Grail and hear the call of Arthur more clearly than ever before.
Dramatis Personae
The kings represent the destined wielders of the hallows:
- Sword King—Air of Air
- Spear King—Air of Fire
- Grail King—Air of Water
- Stone King—Air of Earth
The queens are the keepers of the elemental functions:
- Sword Queen—Water of Air
- Spear Queen—Water of Fire
- Grail Queen—Water of Water
- Stone Queen—Water of Earth
The knights are the appointed representatives of their sovereigns:
- Sword Knight—Fire of Air
- Spear Knight—Fire of Fire
- Grail Knight—Fire of Water
- Stone Knight—Fire of Earth
The maidens are the guardians of the hallows:
- Sword Maiden—Earth of Air
- Spear Maiden—Earth of Fire
- Grail Maiden—Earth of Water
- Stone Maiden—Earth of Earth
The Arthurian characters stand at the cross-quarters, representing the empowering archetypes of the mysteries of the hallows.
- Morgan, Mistress of the Isles of the Ever-Living; the Kingmaker
- Arthur, Wounded King of the White Mount; once emperor of Britain
- Guinevere, Wounded Queen of the Isle of Glass, once empress of Britain
- Merlin Emrys, Master of the Mound at Dinas Emrys, keeper of wisdom
- Porter, the keeper of the gate who announces the joy of the court
Ritual Equipment
Sword
Spear
Grail
Stone
Horn/bell
Incense stick
Candle
Phial of water
Bag of earth
(all non-designated officers sit between these positions about the circle)
At the beginning of the rite, all officers and participants are seated in position except for the hallow maidens, who wait outside. The door is open.
PORTER
Entering deeply into meditation, see before you the land of Logres, the inner Britain. This is the once and future land that is faithfully reflected in the outer world when by some blessed action or deep insight we are in true alignment. Long ago Merlin, the wisest of the land’s many guardians, set a wall around this island to act as protection and defense of Logres. It was called Clas Merddyn, or Merlin’s Enclosure. Assist me by visualizing this wall. See it rise, clear and shimmering, like a rainbow veil through which only those who wish the land’s good may pass…
Now see the inner Britain of Logres spread like a green quilt around us. See the ancient centers of holiness, the guardian places of the hallows, the ancient cities and standing stones, the forests and hills, the streams and rivers that make up the Lands Adventurous. See the great cities and centers of power that stand at the four quarters of the land: in the east Camulodunum, the ancient Colchester; in the south Venta, the ancient Winchester; in the west Caerleon, city of the Legions; and in the north Luguvalium, the ancient Carlisle. See at the cross-quarters of the land four places of mystical power: in the northeast the Orkneys, the retreat of Morgan; in the southeast the White Mount, the retreat of Arthur; in the southwest the Isle of Glass, the retreat of Guinevere; in the northwest Dinas Emrys, the retreat of Merlin Emrys. See at the center of the land the deep wells at which are guarded the ancient hallows that keep the land in balance. Let us now prepare to take up our parts in the quest for these hallows, that when these four holy powers are operative once more in the land, the Courts of Joy will be established and the inner and outer lands brought into alignment.
As we open our eyes, we listen to the ancient story from the times before, which is yet repeated in every generation. For in that time, as in our time, a knight came seeking the court of the Rich Fisherman. And while he sat at table that night, there came into the hall four maidens, each of whom carried a rare and wondrous thing: a sword whose blade glittered in the firelight, a spear whose point welled drops of blood, a cup covered in a cloth of red gold, and a stone, foursquare and mighty, which flashed with crystal points of fire.
Porter rings the bell and the maidens enter—Sword, Spear, Grail, and Stone—bearing their hallows. Silence while they circulate the hall once. They then proceed to their appointed places about the center altar, where they remain standing, facing inwards. Porter closes the door after them and rings the bell again.
These four maidens passed through the hall in silence and were gone. But the knight who sought the hallows was so awed by the mystery of the damsels and the mighty powers that he forgot to ask the question that would have healed the land. Now the hallows lie hidden in the deepest realms of Logres, where only seekers of true heart may come. Let all those gathered about the margins of this land attend and hear, for the quest is about to begin again.
MERLIN
Is there a porter at the gate?
PORTER
There is and I am he, the porter who stands at the threshold to Merlin’s Enclosure, to the Island of the Strong Door, as this kingdom was once named. I am the one appointed to guard the door and bid the quest begin. I go now to waken the four corners of this land. (goes east)
PORTER
Who stands in the east? (eastern officers rise)
SWORD KING and QUEEN
We stand in the east, elemental guardians of air.
SWORD KING
I am the King without a Sword. I long to wield the Sword of Light, which shall set my kingdom right.
SWORD QUEEN
I am the Queen of Air, the keeper of the land’s breath. Without the Sword of Light, the devastating winds blow through the kingdom, the will of the people is weak, and dawn breaks to despair.
SWORD KNIGHT
I am a seeker through the lands, the Champion of Air. It is my destiny to be king one day, but I must seek the Sword of Light in order to be worthy heir to this kingdom, to seek the Courts of Joy and wed the land.
Porter moves to the south.
PORTER
Who stands in the south? (southern officers stand)
SPEAR KING and QUEEN
We stand in the south, elemental guardians of fire.
SPEAR KING
I am the King without a Spear. I long to wield the Spear that Heals and Wounds, which shall set my kingdom right.
SPEAR QUEEN
I am the Queen of Fire, keeper of the land’s blood. Without the Spear that Heals and Wounds, the blood of the people is tainted, and plague rages at noonday.
SPEAR KNIGHT
I am a seeker through the land, the Champion of Fire. It is my destiny to be king one day, but I must seek the Spear that Heals and Wounds in order to be worthy heir to this kingdom, to seek the Courts of Joy and wed the land.
Porter moves to the west.
PORTER
Who stands in the West? (western officers rise)
GRAIL KING and QUEEN
We stand in the west, elemental guardians of water.
GRAIL KING
I am the King without a Cup. I long to wield the Grail of Love, which shall set my kingdom right.
GRAIL QUEEN
I am the Queen of Water, keeper of the waters of the land. Without the Grail of Love, the compassion of the people falters, and twilight comes without a homecoming.
GRAIL KNIGHT
I am a seeker through the land, the Champion of Water. It is my destiny to be king one day, but I must seek the Grail of Love in order to be worthy heir to this kingdom, to seek the Courts of Joy and wed the land.
Porter moves to the north.
PORTER
Who stands in the north? (northern officers rise)
STONE KING and QUEEN
We stand in the north, elemental guardians of earth.
STONE KING
I am the King without the Stone of Establishment. I long to wield the Stone of Knowledge, which will set my kingdom right.
STONE QUEEN
I am the Queen of Earth, keeper of the body of the land. Without the Stone of Knowledge, the limbs of the people are weighted with lethargy, and midnight comes without illumination.
STONE KNIGHT
I am a seeker through the land, the Champion of Earth. It is my destiny to be king one day, but I must seek the Stone of Knowledge in order to be worthy heir to this kingdom, to seek the Courts of Joy and wed the land.
Porter circulates to his place near the door.
PORTER
The kingdoms of the four quarters are established, but there are other kingdoms in the worlds between. Who are they that stand at the crossing places in the secret places of power in the lands between?
MORGAN
I am Morgan, sometimes called le Fay, sometimes shapechanger but ever mistress of the worlds between. I rest between the worlds in the Isles of the Dead, the Orcades, where in my turning tower many are changed and remade. Now I watch the people of the land and await the coming of the Sword of Light, that there may arise one among them worthy to be sovereign in your realms and mine.
ARTHUR
I am Arthur Pendragon, once emperor of this land and king yet to be. I rest between the worlds at the White Mount, where once Bran the Blessed, wounded unto death, guarded the island until I fell in the Last Battle and took his place. Now I watch, wounded like him, awaiting the coming of the Spear that Heals and Wounds, that my wounds too might find healing.
GUINEVERE
I am Guinevere, once empress of this island and queen yet to be. I rest between the worlds in the Island of Glass, where once I was taken by my fairy lover, Melwas the Winged. Now I watch, tormented by care, to await the coming of the Grail of Love, where all loves are reconciled.
MERLIN
I am Merlin Emrys, once magician of this island, and its guardianship remains in my keeping. I rest between the worlds at Dinas Emrys, where once I released the dragons to scour the kingdom of wrongdoing and evil kingship. Now I watch the people of this land and await the coming of the Stone of Knowledge, that there may arise among them new guardians of wisdom.
PORTER
The guardians of the worlds between are gathered, but there are guardians deeper yet. Who are they that stand at the innermost earth, at the deep fountains, at the fissures of fire, at the fumes from the first rocks?
The four maidens each turn to face outwards.
SWORD MAIDEN
I am the bearer of the Sword, its guardian and keeper. Whoever would seek the Sword of Light must challenge me. Whoever would win me must take my hand and claim me with a kiss.
SPEAR MAIDEN
I am the bearer of the Spear, its guardian and keeper. Whoever would seek the Spear that Heals and Wounds must learn of me. Whoever would win me, must take my hand and claim me with a kiss.
GRAIL MAIDEN
I am the bearer of the Grail, its guardian and keeper. Whoever would seek the Grail of Love must ask of me. Whoever would win me must take my hand and claim me with a kiss.
STONE MAIDEN
I am the bearer of the Stone, its guardian and keeper. Whoever would win the Stone of Knowledge must answer me. Whoever would win me must take my hand and claim me with a kiss.
PORTER
The guardians of the deep places are gathered. The guardians of the worlds between are gathered. The kingdoms of the four quarters are established. Is the company of one accord?
ALL
It is.
PORTER
Then let the quest for the hallows begin. Let us look to the east of the Lands Adventurous. Champion of Air, stand forth!
All but the eastern officers and Morgan sit; Sword Knight turns to face the Sword King and Queen.
SWORD KING
Champion of Air, we appoint you a wanderer in the Lands Adventurous, to seek and not to stay until you find the Sword of Light. For one day you shall be king of this land if you succeed.
SWORD QUEEN
Champion of Air, accept as token of your quest this emblem of our kingdom. (she gives him incense stick) Let it be to you a breath of hope until you find the Sword of Light by which the kingdom may be made bright.
SWORD KNIGHT (kneeling)
Lord and Lady of Air, give your blessing on a wanderer in the wilderness.
Sword King and Queen hold their left and right hands respectively over his head. He bows and departs towards the south, circling once until challenged by Morgan.
MORGAN
Champion of Air, you may not pass! Without the Sword of Light I can make no king.
SWORD KNIGHT
I have travelled in the Wasteland and in the wilderness, but I have not found the Sword. Blessed Lady, do you know where it lies?
MORGAN
I am mistress of magics, a weaver at the web, Queen of the Turning Castle. Within my orchard many knights lie mazed. Do you dare go where I will send you? Hold fast to your token, Champion of Air, knight who is yet to be king, and enter the heart of the earth.
Sword Knight turns to face Sword Maiden.
SWORD MAIDEN
Who approaches the deepest earth?
SWORD KNIGHT
A wanderer in the Wasteland.
SWORD MAIDEN
By what right do you come?
SWORD KNIGHT
By right of my sovereign lord, the King without a Sword; by right of my sovereign lady, the Queen of Air; by right of the people of this land who need the Sword of Light; by right of the lady Morgan, kingmaker.
SWORD MAIDEN
None may obtain the Sword of Light save the one who challenges me.
She lifts the Sword, but the Knight defends with his token.
SWORD KNIGHT
By virtue of this token I claim the Sword, that the keeper of the breath may be empowered, that the king may have his Sword once more, that the people may find their way!
SWORD MAIDEN
By this Sword of Light may your destiny be fulfilled. By its purpose may your children be directed.
SWORD KNIGHT
One day I shall be king. Maiden of the Sword, be queen of my kingdom in that day.
SWORD MAIDEN
Whoever would win my heart must claim me with a kiss.
Sword Knight kisses her on the cheek; Morgan approaches them.
MORGAN
Hail, Champion of Air, king yet to be! Greetings, Maiden of the Sword, queen yet to be! When the Sword of Light is wielded in the lands, the king will come and my purpose be fulfilled. The quest for the Sword of Light is achieved, but there are other quests to accomplish. Until the finding of all four hallows, the Courts of Joy cannot be restored, nor may you find your home until that day. I lay a destiny upon you that you wander in the worlds between until you come to the Isles of the Dead, sojourning there until the sounding of the Horn of Joy. Take now the Sword of Light in exchange for the token you bear, which I shall guard that it may be purified in the heart of the land.
Morgan receives the incense stick, which is placed on the altar. She joins their hands and they circulate until they come to the northeast, where they remain. Eastern officers sit.
PORTER
Let us look to the south of the Lands Adventurous. Champion of Fire, stand forth!
Southern officers and Arthur rise; Spear Knight turns to face Spear King and Queen.
SWORD KING
Champion of Fire, we appoint you a wanderer in the Lands Adventurous, to seek and not to stay until you find the Spear that Heals and Wounds; for one day you shall be king of this land, if you succeed.
SPEAR QUEEN
Champion of Fire, accept as token of your quest this emblem of our kingdom. (she gives him candle) Let it be to you a beacon of light until you find the Spear that Heals and Wounds, by which the kingdom may be healed.
SPEAR KNIGHT (kneeling)
Lord and Lady of Fire, give your blessing on a wanderer in the wilderness.
Spear King and Queen hold their left and right hands respectively over his head. He bows and departs towards the west, circling once til he is challenged by Arthur.
ARTHUR
Champion of Fire, you may not pass! Without the Spear that Heals and Wounds, my own wounds bleed still.
SPEAR KNIGHT
I have travelled in the Wasteland and in the wilderness, but I have not found the Spear. Dread Lord, do you know where it lies?
ARTHUR
I was lord of this land, its defender and champion. Do you dare to follow where I once went? To the fires of Annwn? To the realms within? Hold fast to your token, Champion of Fire, and enter the heart of the earth.
Spear Knight turns to face Spear Maiden.
SPEAR MAIDEN
Who approaches the realms within?
SPEAR KNIGHT
A wanderer in the Wasteland.
SPEAR MAIDEN
By what right do you come?
SPEAR KNIGHT
By right of my sovereign lord, the King without a spear; by right of my sovereign lady, the Queen of Fire; by right of the people of the land who need the Spear that Heals and Wounds; by right of the emperor Arthur whose wounds bleed yet.
SPEAR MAIDEN
None may obtain the Spear that Heals and Wounds save the one who learns from me. (she holds the spear point over his head)
SPEAR KNIGHT
I feel the pain and know the cure. (he holds up candle) By virtue of this token I claim the Spear that the keeper of the blood may be empowered; that the king may have his Spear once more; that the people may be healed.
SPEAR MAIDEN
By the power of this Spear that Heals and Wounds, may your destiny be fulfilled;
by its wisdom may your children flourish.
SPEAR KNIGHT
One day I shall be king; Maiden of the Spear, be queen of my kingdom in that day.
SPEAR MAIDEN
He who would win me must claim me with a kiss.
Spear Knight kisses her on the cheek; Arthur now approaches them.
ARTHUR
Hail, Champion of Fire, king yet to be! Greetings, Maiden of the Spear, queen yet to be! Lay but the point of the spear to my wounds and I shall be healed.
Together the Spear Knight and Maiden touch Arthur’s side with the Spear point.
ARTHUR
The quest for the Spear that Heals and Wounds is achieved, but there are other quests to accomplish. Until the finding of the four hallows, the Courts of Joy cannot be restored, nor may you find your home until that day. But be heartened, for no quest lasts forever. Until that time, I bid you wander in the worlds between until you come to the White Mount, sojourning there until the sounding of the Horn of Joy. Take now the Spear that Heals and Wounds in exchange for which I will guard the token which you bear, that it may be purified in the realms within.
Arthur receives the candle, which is placed on the altar. He joins their hands and they circulate until they reach the southeast. Southern officers sit.
PORTER
Let us look to the west of the Lands Adventurous. Champion of Water, stand forth!
Western officers and Guinevere stand. Grail Knight turns to face the Grail King and Queen.
GRAIL KING
Champion of Water, we appoint you a wanderer in the Lands Adventurous, to seek and not to stay until you find the Grail of Love. For one day you shall be king of this land, if you succeed.
GRAIL QUEEN
Champion of Water, accept as token of your quest this emblem of our kingdom. (she gives him a phial of water) Let it be a sign of love in barren places until you find the Grail of Love, by which the kingdom shall be made fertile.
GRAIL KNIGHT (kneeling)
Lord and Lady of Water, give your blessing on a wanderer in the wilderness.
Grail King and Queen hold their left and right hands respectively over his head. He bows and departs towards the north, circling once until challenged by Guinevere.
GUINEVERE
Champion of Water, you may not pass! Without the Grail of Love, my heart is broken.
GRAIL KNIGHT
I have travelled in the Wasteland and in the wilderness, but I have not found the Grail. Sovereign Lady, do you know where it lies?
GUINEVERE
I was lady of this land, its mistress and its joy. Would you go where I was taken—to the courts of Faery, to the realms within? Then hold fast to your token, Champion of Water, and enter the heart of the earth.
Grail Knight turns to face Grail Maiden.
GRAIL MAIDEN
Who approaches the realms within?
GRAIL KNIGHT
A wanderer in the wilderness.
GRAIL MAIDEN
By what right do you come?
GRAIL KNIGHT
By the right of my sovereign lord, the King without a Cup; by right of my sovereign lady, the Queen of Water; by right of the people of this land, who need the Grail of Love; by right of the empress Guinevere, whose heart is sore.
GRAIL MAIDEN
None may obtain the Grail of Love save the one who asks of me.
GRAIL KNIGHT
What is the meaning of the Grail?
GRAIL MAIDEN
It signifies service.
GRAIL KNIGHT
Whom does the Grail serve?
GRAIL MAIDEN
It serves all who serve the Grail.
GRAIL KNIGHT
By virtue of this token, I claim the Grail, that the keeper of the waters be empowered, that the King may have his Cup once more, that the people may learn compassion.
GRAIL MAIDEN
By this Grail of Love may your destiny be fulfilled. By its fertility may your children be engendered and nourished.
GRAIL KNIGHT
One day I shall be king. Maiden of the Grail, be queen of my kingdom in that day.
GRAIL MAIDEN
He who would win my heart must claim me with a kiss.
Grail Knight kisses her on cheek. Guinevere approaches them.
GUINEVERE
Hail, Champion of Water, king yet to be! Greetings, Maiden of the Grail, queen yet to be! Set the rim of the Grail to my lips and mend my heart.
Grail Knight and Maiden give her the cup to drink.
GUINEVERE
The quest for the Grail of Love is achieved, but there is another quest to accomplish. Until the finding of the four hallows, the Courts of Joy cannot be restored, nor may you find your home until that day. Be happy, though you may not yet be one, for you will wander in the worlds between until you come to the Isle of Glass, sojourning there till the sounding of the Horn of Joy. Take the Grail of Love in exchange for the token that you bear, which I will guard and purify in the realms within.
Guinevere receives the phial of water, which is placed on the altar. Grail Knight and Maiden circulate until they come to the southwest. All western officers sit.
PORTER
Let us look now to the north of the Lands Adventurous. Champion of Stone, stand forth!
Northern officers and Merlin stand. Stone Knight turns to face Stone King and Queen.
STONE KING
Champion of Earth, we appoint you a wanderer in the Lands Adventurous, to seek and not to stay until you find the Stone of Knowledge, for one day you shall be king of this land, if you succeed.
STONE QUEEN
Champion of Earth, accept as token of your quest this emblem of our kingdom. (she gives him a bag of earth) Let it be to you a sign of fellowship until you find the Stone of Knowledge, by which the kingdom shall be made creative.
STONE KNIGHT (kneeling)
Lord and Lady of Earth, give a blessing on a wanderer in the wilderness.
Stone King and Queen hold their left and right hands respectively over his head; he bows and departs towards the east, circulating once until challenged by Merlin.
MERLIN
Champion of Earth, you may not pass! Without the Stone of Knowledge, I can teach no wisdom.
STONE KNIGHT
I have travelled in the Wasteland and in the wilderness, but I have not found the Stone of Knowledge. Reverend Master, do you know where it lies?
MERLIN
I am master of magics, keeper of the kingdom, upholder of the law. I have been in many worlds, but do you dare to go where I will send you—to the places beneath, to the realms within? Then hold fast to your emblem, Champion of Earth, and enter into the deepest earth.
Stone Knight turns to face Stone Maiden.
STONE MAIDEN
Who approaches the realms within?
STONE KNIGHT
A wanderer in the wilderness.
STONE MAIDEN
By what right do you come?
STONE KNIGHT
By right of my sovereign lord, the king without a stone of establishment; by right of my sovereign lady, the Queen of Earth; by right of the people of this land, who need the Stone of Knowledge; by right of the Master Merlin, keeper of the law.
STONE MAIDEN
None may obtain the Stone of Knowledge unless they answer me. Who is she who stands: a maiden, a warrior, a queen, a crone?
STONE KNIGHT
Who but Sovereignty, the true lady of the land?
STONE MAIDEN
Who represents her in the worlds without?
STONE KNIGHT
Who but the rightful Sovereign, man or woman, who wields the hallows for the good of the land and its people. By virtue of this token I claim the Stone of Knowledge that the keeper of the land’s life may be empowered, that the king may have his Stone of Establishment, that the people may be made creative.
STONE MAIDEN
By this Stone of Knowledge may your destiny be fulfilled. By its law may your children live.
STONE KNIGHT
One day I shall be king; Maiden of the Stone, be queen of my kingdom on that day.
STONE MAIDEN
He who would win my heart must claim me with a kiss.
Stone Knight kisses her on cheek. Merlin now approaches them.
MERLIN
Hail, Champion of Earth, king yet to be! Greetings, Maiden of the Stone, queen yet to be! The quest for the Stone of Knowledge is achieved; there are no other quests to accomplish at this time. None but those who stand at the elemental table of the hallows may witness these mysteries. Give into my keeping the token which you bear, which I will guard and purify in the realms within. Take now the Stone of Knowledge and go quickly with joy to Dinas Emrys in the worlds between.
Stone Knight and Maiden circulate northwest. Northern officers sit.
PORTER
Knights and maidens all, be ready to return to your homes, there to present the hallows to your sovereigns.
Sword Knight and Maiden pass to stand before the Sword King and Queen.
SWORD KNIGHT
Behold, sovereign lord of Air, the Sword of Light! I give it into your hands.
SWORD KING (receives the Sword)
Champion of Air, we thank you. You have done bravely and well.
SWORD QUEEN
Champion of Air, I gave into your hands a token of our kingdom; where is it now?
SWORD MAIDEN
It has passed into the keeping of the guardian in the realms within.
MORGAN (facing east)
Greetings, Lord and Lady of Air! I hold the emblem of the Kingdom of Air in trust, where it shall be purified. Wield well the Sword of Light by which kings and queens are made, by which the people are empowered and the land restored. For now are the worlds within and the worlds without aligned and operative.
She holds up incense stick, and Sword King and Queen raise the Sword between them in mutual salute.
MORGAN
There stand before you two who will be king and queen in the times to come: let them be recognized in the Kingdom of Air.
Sword Knight and Maiden are invited to sit in the east with Sword King and Queen. Spear Knight and Maiden circulate to stand before the Spear King and Queen.
SPEAR KNIGHT
Behold, Sovereign Lord of Fire, the Spear that Heals and Wounds. I give it into your hands.
SPEAR KING (receives the Spear)
Champion of Fire, we thank you. You have done bravely and well.
SPEAR QUEEN
Champion of Fire, I gave into your hands a token of our kingdom; where is it now?
SPEAR MAIDEN
It has passed into the keeping of the guardian in the realms within.
ARTHUR (facing south)
Greetings, Lord and Lady of Fire! I hold the emblem of the Kingdom of Fire in trust, where it shall be purified. Wield well the Spear that Heals and Wounds, by which kings and queens govern their lands, by which the people are healed and the land restored. For now are the worlds within and the worlds without aligned and operative.
He holds up candle; Spear King and Queen raise the Spear in mutual salute.
ARTHUR
There stand before you two who will be king and queen in the years to come; let them be recognized in the Kingdom of Fire.
Spear Knight and Maiden are invited to sit in the south with Spear King and Queen. Grail Knight and Maiden circulate to come before Grail King and Queen.
GRAIL KNIGHT
Behold, Sovereign Lord of Water, the Grail of Love. I give it into your hands.
GRAIL KING (receives the Grail)
Champion of Water, we give you thanks. You have done bravely and well.
GRAIL QUEEN
Champion of Water, I gave into your hands a token of our kingdom; where is it now?
GRAIL MAIDEN
It has passed into the keeping of the guardian in the realms within.
GUINEVERE (facing west)
Greetings, Lord and Lady of Water! I hold the emblem of the Kingdom of Water in trust, where it shall be purified. Wield well the Grail of Love, by which kings and queens rule with mercy, by which the people are taught compassion and the land restored. For now are the worlds without and the worlds within aligned and operative.
She holds up phial, and Grail King and Queen raise Grail in mutual salute.
GUINEVERE
There stand before you two who will be king and queen in the years to come; let them be recognized in the Kingdom of Water.
Grail Knight and Maiden are invited to sit in the west with Grail King and Queen. Stone Knight and Maiden proceed to stand before Stone King and Queen.
STONE KNIGHT
Behold, Sovereign Lord of Earth, the Stone of Knowledge! I give it into your hands.
STONE KING (receives the Stone)
Champion of Earth, we give you thanks. You have done bravely and well.
STONE QUEEN
Champion of Earth, I gave into your hands a token of our kingdom; where is it now?
STONE MAIDEN
It has passed into the keeping of the guardian in the realms within.
MERLIN (facing north)
Greetings, Lord and Lady of Earth! I hold the emblem of the Kingdom of Earth in trust, where it shall be purified. Wield well the Stone of Knowledge, by which kings and queens rule with discernment and wisdom, by which the people are enlivened and the land restored. For now are the worlds without and the worlds within aligned and operative.
He holds up the bag of earth, and Stone King and Queen raise the Stone in mutual salute.
MERLIN
There stand before you two who will be king and queen in years to come; let them be recognized in the Kingdom of Earth.
Stone Knight and Maiden are invited to sit in the north with the Stone King and Queen.
MERLIN
How stands the land, porter at the gate, keeper of my threshold?
PORTER
The trees are in bud, the fields gather their goodness, the waters flow, the hearts of the people awaken, and the guardians stand ready.
MERLIN (to those standing at the center)
You who stand at the land’s center, you who have seen the reestablishment of the court of Arthur in the realms within, is there hope for this land?
MORGAN, ARTHUR, GUINEVERE, and MERLIN
There is.
MERLIN
Kings, queens, knights, and maidens who stand at the four corners of this island, is there hope for this land?
ALL QUARTER OFFICERS
There is.
MERLIN
Good people who stand about the borders of this island, my enclosure,; is there hope for this land?
ALL
There is.
MERLIN
Then let the Courts of Joy be restored among us. Porter at the gate, let the Horn of Joy be sounded to the four corners of the kingdom.
Porter stands and blows horn at east, south, west, and north, then circulates back to his place and sits. Silent mediation of the Courts of Joy.
PORTER
The sound of the horn has gone forth through the land. The hallows are established at the four corners of the Island of the Strong Door. The maidens of the wells and the knights of the wood no longer wander lost in the forests. There is peace on all peoples. See about you the land of Logres with the court of Arthur at its midst, where the ever-living guardians keep the kingdom. See in every part of the land the establishment of the hallows, bringing that which is out of balance into alignment by the mighty power of their action. I ask you all, will you share the guardianship of the land and help found among all peoples of the world the Courts of Joy?
ALL
We will.
PORTER
Then let these rites be ended. Guardians of the east: is the Sword of Light operative in the land?
EASTERN OFFICERS
It is.
PORTER
Guardians of the south: is the Spear that Heals and Wounds operative in the land?
SOUTHERN OFFICERS
It is.
PORTER
Guardians of the west: is the Grail of Love operative in the land?
WESTERN OFFICERS
It is.
PORTER
Guardians of the north: is the Stone of Knowledge operative in the land?
NORTHERN OFFICERS
It is.
PORTER
Guardian of the realms within, is the element of air purified and operative in this land?
MORGAN
It is.
PORTER
Guardian of the realms within, is the element of fire purified and operative in this land?
ARTHUR
It is.
PORTER
Guardian of the realms within, is the element of water purified and operative in this land?
GUINEVERE
It is.
PORTER
Guardian of the realms within, is the element of earth purified and operative in this land?
MERLIN
It is.
PORTER
In token of this alignment of the worlds within and the worlds without, let all partake of the Grail. (faces Grail King and Queen) Lord and Lady of the Grail, I ask that you give to me for a short time the vessel of the Grail, that all may drink.
Grail King and Queen give the Grail to Porter. He gives it to all to drink, starting with the Grail Court. When all about the circle have drunk, he gives Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, and Morgan to drink. Morgan gives it to him to drink. He then gives the Grail back to the Grail King and Queen.
PORTER
All have partaken of the Grail. Lord and Lady of Water, I give you thanks for your trust in me.
He returns to his place.
PORTER
Lady Morgan, I ask that you grant us a blessing.
MORGAN (rising)
May all in this company be blessed by the dwellers in Avalon!
PORTER
Let the hallows be processed about Clas Merddyn and let their power go forth throughout the land.
Porter opens the door. Eastern officers, King and Queen with Sword, followed by Knight and Maiden circle once clockwise, showing the Sword to each quarter; after east they depart.
Southern officers, King and Queen with Spear, followed by Knight and Maiden circle once clockwise, showing Spear to each quarter; after south they depart.
Western officers, King and Queen with Grail, followed by Knight and Maiden, circle once clockwise, showing Grail to each quarter; after west they depart.
Northern officers, King and Queen with Stone, followed by Knight and Maiden, circle once clockwise, showing Stone to each quarter; after north they depart.
PORTER
Let all those who have guarded Merlin’s Enclosure with me now depart, bearing the Joy of the Court to their homes. On all, peace and blessing!
All about the circle depart, followed by center officers and porter last.
A Blessing of the Grail
When preparing to teach a course on the mysteries, both Arthurian and others, teachings will appear out of the depths of our understanding. On many occasions in the days leading up to one of our open Mystery School courses we have received prayers or invocations that were used in the ritual setting. (Others are included in Part Three under “blessings.”) Here is one that offers a fitting close to our yearlong work—and a beginning for whatever we will continue to do in the future. It is a blessing from one of the great inner guardians of the Grail, Prester John—said by many to be the protector of the divine vessel for our own time. It stands as a blessing upon all who answer the call of Arthur and follow the path of the quest.
These Are the Words of Prester John
The Ship of the Grail has reached the shore. With it comes an ancient blessing made new in this time. All who have set forth in this manner, as pilgrims in search of truth, are made welcome in the presence of the Most High. All who have undertaken the quest are made welcome in the land of the bright company. All who venture forth in the Lands Adventurous are permitted to share in the light of the Grail. That light, which came into being before the first men and women walked upon the earth, and which will continue until the last star is put out, shall continue to be a guiding presence to all who set forth without promise of fulfillment, and who come at last, by many ways, to the door to the Hidden Chamber of the Grail. Let all who would, enter, for matters no longer stand as they once did. Now, Lancelot will not be turned away, nor any who come in search of the light. Let all be welcome then, and let all lay down their burdens in this place. And know that, when you go forth, you shall all be bearers of a new light, which is in truth a most ancient light, and that you shall carry it forth into the world, where it is much needed, and where you will find welcome among your fellows.
Go then, with the blessing of the Most Holy Grail and of the dwellers in Avalon. Peace upon you all.