URSUS CONDUCTS A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

A Prophet is born?

To: Most Reverend Rose Nodeki, Bishop of the Eastern Territories

From: The Reverend Keira Antal, Priestess of Isis, Tri-Arcanum Magic Guild, Granted Arcana, Wisdom

Date: Grekar the 23rd, 345th year of the Dominion. Mik Na the 23rd, Year 2 of the Rebirth.

Subject: Official Report of Worship and Ceremony honoring Khonsu, patron of travelers, the good that walk the night, those of good hearts in the monster races, God of the Moon and Rebirth.

Most Reverend Bishop Nodecki,

It is with great honor and reverence that I report to you the proceedings of the re-inaugural Blood Moon ceremony, as envisioned and performed by the most Holy Prophets of Khonsu: Khonsu’s Revenant and Khonsu’s Reaper.

As a foreword, I will convey as to how I became involved in this most Holy re-inaugural ceremony and the shame and release I felt after the ceremony. It was the evening of the 23rd of Grekar or Mik Na (I was seemingly rudely made aware of this fact by Khonsu’s Revenant). I was approached by the Prophets of the Light, Seeker for Isis and Khonsu’s Revenant. I knew well of Father Indaris, but was, ashamedly now, not well aware of Master Ursus. At first when they approached, I presumed the Father wished to speak with me on some matter of import concerning World Mother and the Church, and Master Ursus was just accompanying him; it is very rare for any member of CrIsis to travel alone, whatever the circumstances. Well I was most aghast when Master Ursus began to prattle on about a Blood Moon Ceremony honoring the Patron of Travelers. At first it was difficult to understand him, his monstrous accent and gruesome butchery of the elven language made him quite difficult to understand, I assumed the Members are used to this and have translated his oafishness. At one point he even mispronounced my name in such a manner that it sounded like a belittling reference to the female of my race. I was quickly offended; he noticed with amazing speed and quickly tried to apologize and referred to his lack of mastery of the language. He asked me to slowly spell my name so he could better understand it, it took him several tries but he eventually was able to pronounce my name correctly. Because of Father Indaris’ presence and this profound apology, I agreed to assist with the ceremony. I am sharing this experience, because I now know that I am the one who should have been ashamed. This foreword serves as a public apology and confession of sorts. The explanation will be forthcoming from the main portion of this report.

All those directly involved in the ceremony [all members of CrIsis and Myself] were made to dress in crudely made [the prophets in charge of the ceremony weren’t the most organized or prepared] bear costumes, referred to as holy vestments by the Prophets of Khonsu, Father Indaris & I were instructed to put our Queen of the Dead and Queen of War priestly vestments over the top of our Khonsu vestments. Any that came to observe and worship were asked to dress in some fashion as a monster or Bear like creature, some obliged. Father Indaris & I blessed and cleansed the major participants and instruments of ceremony:

• One cauldron of water, with Khonsu symbol etched on side by large bear claw or hunting knife, which became holy water used to bless and cleanse everything else
• One empty cauldron, with Khonsu symbol etched on side by large bear claw or hunting knife
• One pure white candle, with Khonsu symbol etched on side by large bear claw or hunting knife, representing every major participant, used to make a circle
• Natural chalk or charred wood to enclose circle
• Living Non-Sentient Sacrifice.

The Proto-Priest (Father Indaris) and the Arch-Priest (Myself) cleansed and blessed the Altar. The Proto-Deacon (Master Ursus) and Arch-Deacon (Master NoName?) placed the two cauldrons in the center of the altar; the sacrifice was lead to the altar and held by leash. The Proto-Priest and Arch-Priest cleansed and blessed a circle enclosing the Proto-Deacon and Arch-Deacon, using the candles, one for each of the rest of the participants, and chalk or charred wood to demarcate the circle and points. Each point was a major moon phase in order [modify or change the number of phases to accommodate additional participants, there must be an even number of phases (Master Ursus yelled for a volunteer from the audience, as we were unbalanced, I swear by Mother Isis, he and Master NoName were making it up as we went along)]. Once complete, the Proto-Priest takes station at the Full Moon; the Arch-Priest takes station at the New Moon. The rest of the participants take station in order starting at the full moon, working in order until the circle is complete, all stand in silent reverence.

The Proto-Deacon turns to the altar, holds arms open wide, tilts head to face skyward, and speaks these words:

“God of the Moon, patron of travelers, the good that walk the night, and those of good hearts in the monster races, you who are ever changing and yet always constant, I ask that you guide us with your wisdom, help us grow with your knowledge, and hold us in your arms.”

The candles are lit in order starting with the Full Moon, once all are lit; the Arch-Deacon speaks these words:

“The moon is the symbol of the cycle, and he watches over us day and night. He brings the changing tide, the shifting night, the flow that changes beast’s bodies and the passion of lovers to their loved. His wisdom is great and all-knowing, and we honor him tonight. Keep your watchful eyes upon us, great Father, until the cycle returns once more, and bring us to the next full moon, in your love and light.”

The Proto-Deacon then begins the Moon Draw Down:

“God of the Moon, patron of travelers, the good that walk the night, and those of good hearts in the monster races. You have been known by many names in many lands in many times. You are universal and constant. In the dark of night, You shine down upon us and bathe us in Your light and love. I ask You, O Divine One, to honor me by joining with me, and allowing me to feel Your presence within my heart.”

The Proto-Deacon moves feet apart to shoulder width, then raises arms up and out to welcome Khonsu in. At this point Khonsu may or may not enter the Proto-Deacon, but regardless the following words will be spoken by the Proto-Deacon:

“I am the God of the Moon, patron of travelers, the good that walk the night, and those of good hearts in the monster races, the One who watches over all. I am the wind in the sky, the spark in the fire, the seedling in the earth, the water in the river. I am the vessel from which All Things spring forth. Honor Me from within your heart! Honor Me on this night of the Blood Moon [‘Full Moon’ will be substituted for regular Full Moon ceremonies]! I have been with you since the moment you were created, and shall remain with you always. Let there be beauty and strength, wisdom and honor, humility and courage within you. If you need ME, call upon ME and I shall come to you, for I am everywhere, always. Honor ME as you seek knowledge! I am the Moon, patron of travelers, the good that walk the night, and those of good hearts in the monster races, and I live within you. I look down upon the sands of the desert, I crash the tides upon the shore, I shine on the mighty trees of the forests, and watch with joy as Life continues every cycle. Be true to Me, honoring that which I have created, and I shall be true to you in return. With harm to none, so it shall be.”

[One Note; The Mighty Khonsu did fill Master Ursus with his voice, first, his accent and language were in perfect elven, yet I understand it in all the languages I know. Also I could feel his presence; this is when I felt ashamed of my earlier attitude towards Master Ursus]

At this point, regardless of Holy Possession, the Arch-Deacon leads or hands the sacrifice to the Proto-Deacon, whom lifts it high above the alter by the hind legs. Using a hunting knife or bear claw, the throat is slit [Master Ursus (or Khonsu?) used his own natural claws, the head was sliced off clean, I was completely awed]. Blood is pooled into the empty cauldron and upon the altar until there is none left in the sacrifice. The carcass is then fully gutted and dressed [this is a hunting or Ranger term]. The carcass is laid on the altar and the cauldron of cleansed Holy Water [there was not a single drop of blood within the cauldron, amazing considering the proximity to the blood cauldron] is picked up by the Proto-Deacon, taking a small sip, passing it to the Arch-Deacon, then to the rest of major participants starting at the Full Moon station, each taking a sip, then returned to the altar. [The Holy Water stays completely clean and clear, despite the fact that all involved are drench in the arterial spray of the sacrifice.] The cauldron of blood is then passed around in the exact fashion as the Holy Water. Once complete, the Proto-Deacon and Arch-Deacon perform similar rites from the beginning of the ceremony:

The Proto-Deacon turns to the altar, holds arms open wide, tilts head to face skyward, and speaks these words:

“God of the Moon, patron of travelers, the good that walk the night, and those of good hearts in the monster races, you who are ever changing and yet always constant, I ask that you guide us with your wisdom, help us grow with your knowledge, and hold us in your arms.”

The candles are extinguished in reverse order starting with the Full Moon, once all are extinguished; the Arch-Deacon speaks these words:

“The moon is the symbol of the cycle, and he watches over us day and night. He brings the changing tide, the shifting night, the flow that changes beast’s bodies and the passion of lovers to their loved. His wisdom is great and all-knowing, and we honor him tonight. Keep your watchful eyes upon us, great Father, until the cycle returns once more, and bring us to the next full moon, in your love and light.”

Once the circle is open again, The Arch-Deacon carries the two cauldrons around to those that witnessed asking if they would like to partake of Khonsu, Holy water first, then blood, but they must drink from both. The Proto-Deacon hoists the carcass over a shoulder, taking a small bite of the raw flesh, than walks around offering the same to those that wish to partake of Khonsu, but they must rip the flesh off with their teeth only, the Proto-Deacon will demonstrate for those unfamiliar with the process [Master Ursus was most willing to demonstrate often, amazingly taking very tiny bites, given the massive size of his mouth, feeling the presence, I also partook of the flesh often]. A massive feast is to commence shortly after the ceremony, with the Proto-Deacon and Arch-Deacon continuing to pass the fruits of the ceremony. [Master Ursus was most distressed that for this ceremony the feast was served PRIOR to the ceremony, He was concerned that Khonsu would be angry with him]. Once all have consumed their fill, all remaining fruits and feast are then scattered amongst fields or orchards as a blessing upon the crops [in this case it was spread amongst the trees and flowers of the open air garden that was the sight of the ceremony].

Even though everything leading up to, including and following the ceremony seemed improvised and lacking any ounce of preparation, it was on the contrary. I…we witnessed the re-birth of a worship of a God that has been silent for countless years. His reawakening and rebirth are truly unprecedented, thus this re-inaugural ceremony was also unprecedented; thus the seeming nature of its chaos. Of course, since it was being borne through Master Ursus and Master NoName, also lent to its chaotic nature. My own observations were skeptical at first, but I did feel shame at my first thoughts once I was in the presence of Khonsu, but once the ceremony was complete that shame was lifted and released. Partly from realizing my participation in this amazing re-birth and having the cycle complete and releasing my shame and other shortcomings. Once I returned to my quarters I re-read many of the books of CrIsis that concerned Master Ursus and Master NoName. I realized that in his own oafish way he was trying to complement or bless me by giving me a new Ursus or Khonsu name when he mispronounced my given name. I now feel honored in being known as Kutie-Pious.

May She of Countless Names bless thee and may He of the Moon shine upon thee.
The Reverend Keira Antal
Priestess of Isis, Tri-Arcanum Magic Guild, Granted Arcana

[Note, the author attempted to write this in the voice of Khonsu’s Revenant, but was unable to fully capture it, as there are not any misspellings or butcherer of the language]

Khonsu Symbol from open sources
Rose picture previously referenced in A God Rebuilt
Ursus & NoName picture drawn by AZ_RUNE
Bear Robes picture from Wanelo
Moon Altar picture from 13 Moons
Chalice of Blood picture from Second Life
Star of Chaos from Space Marine Wiki