THE CEREMONY OF RECEPTION INTO

The Master of the Temple returns to his Throne and faces West. The Officers and Members resume their usual positions.

Imperator.—Brother Aquarius, in the Sign of Understanding and remembering the Great Sea, I direct you to sanctify this Fellowship of the Rosy Cross with Water.

Brother Aquarius follows the path of the Sun, moving Eastward from his place in the Temple. He faces the Most Honored Imperator and offers his Vessel for blessing. The Imperator blesses it with the Cosmic Cross and says:

Imperator.—Sanctify us, O Lord, in Your mercy, and bless this element original: "creature" of Water, which I have set apart here for Your service, as an outward sign of graces that are shared within.

Dipping the sprinkler Aspergillus in the Vessel of Holy Water, the Aquarius makes a Cosmic Cross symbol of a cross within a circle with it before the Thrones in the East and sprinkles three times. He proceeds, sprinkling as he goes, and performs the Ceremony in the four quarters, returning to the East. There, he faces West before the Thrones, lifts up the Vessel of Water, and says:

Brother Aquarius.—Waters of Understanding, Waters of the Great Sea: I have sanctified with Water.

He returns to his place following the path of the Sun.

Imperator.—Brother Thurificans, in all symbols of Divine Desire and by the sparks of aspiration flying upward, I direct you to sanctify this Fellowship of the Rosy Cross with Fire.

Brother Thurificans follows the path of the Sun, moving Eastward from his place in the West. He faces—