Rite of Compassion is for those occasions where a soul feels we have been injured or bereft of some benefit that might get them past some obstruction. This may range from a job promotion, moneys lent and not returned, or need to be paid back, or some injury or illness. If a soul needs anything, Rite of Compassion is the most likely service.
While working through this rite, three things should be kept in mind. As in all rites, genuine emotions are necessary. Of course, any Magus can alter their emotional state to match that of the one wanted. The idea, here, is to garner sympathy from the lords of Magic, internal or external, so that we move them to work for us. Second, unless the soul seeking this help is utterly without shame, we usually enjoy getting at least one other soul to join this rite and be the Minister of it. This is partly because of the first issue, that of garnering sympathy. Sometimes a human target is better than a virtual one. Then, for those of us who do have a bit of shame, we often feel we do not deserve what we are asking, and that alone may be the obstruction to our success. It is human nature, however, to help another when we are unwilling to help ourselves. Gaining the assistance of another can bypass this issue, while opening the new path of shamelessly asking for help when we really need it. Finally, if the Petitioner asks you to help in one of these rites, be determined that you will never regret the effort. We have heard of the fellow who was too happy to get what he got that he not only forgot to thank the giver. Worst is when they have brushed the benefactor off as being unimportant. The Magus who ministers this rite should be determined to accept that without owning it. If nothing else, cling to that warm fuzzy joy you got from helping the embittered soul, with the after glow of another successful employment of Magic.
In the rite, I would have the petitioner stand or kneel before the minister of the rite as naked as they dare. This represents their feelings of vulnerability and lack of empowerment. When the petition is offered to the Minister (preferably the vessel of the Goddess) then another Minister (preferably the Guardian) can drape a cloak over the shoulders of the Petitioner. The Goddess will then become Oracle, using what tools she will to gain special knowledge of the case, and the best solution. The rest of the rite would follow according to her Oracle. If the Petitioner means to perform a Passion or Destruction Rite, it is always my recommendation that we enact this rite as a preliminary to them. It also serves as a rite in its own right.
The Rite of Passion is a ritual whose function is the fulfilment of some human instinct, especially that of reproduction or survival. The Rite of Passion will invoke the gods of Love and War, who will occasionally be the same person. With all forms of Magic, we should employ care when engaged in this form of Rite. In either form of this Rite of Passion, the prey is not always as much fun as the hunt. This rite means to help us enjoy the hunt, with the prey as the glorious, climatic reward. The main difference between the two would be the emotional state of the Magus seeking this result. An act performed in a relaxed state will invoke a different response from the target than if the target were afraid or angry. So, a bite from a beloved Vampire would be both pleasurable and potentially addictive. If the bite were an assault, then it would be very painful, and the resulting shock could kill the victim, even if not much blood were lost.
If the Passion we are seeking to make a path for is love or lust, then the Target for the Rite should be present at the rite, with full knowledge and consent. If we aim this Rite at an unwary individual, then Propriety would better classify it as a Rite of War, for it is an assault as reprehensible as rape. If the target is willing and knowledgeable, it is most likely they are interested in the relationship, just unsure about their own desires in the matter. The Magus should craft this rite to give them the needed energy to choose their path, and either move on, or in. In the end, while recreation of a human life maybe a goal of this rite, the path is sex, or we can fulfill one of its kindred expressions — poetry, art, aesthetic fulfillment.
For the Rite of Lust, sensually appealing clothing should be chosen over nudity. It is not what a person sees that will get then to come over to you, but what they think they will see that is the trick. This would be true whatever the gender combinations of the Magus and Target. The Magus should look within him or herself and decide what they bring to the table, sensuality, sympathy, or wonder, and bring that to the table. More than that, though, the Magus ought to know what will appeal to the target, which is often repulsive to the Magus.
For the Rite of War, first begin by deciding if you would win anything by starting or continuing this fight. If peace of mind is the sole goal, then a Rite of Destruction may prove more suitable. If, for example, you want to fight corruption within city-hall, ask yourself what you would really gain if you win, and remove all the graft? So you have a clear idea of what you are fighting against, and that the victory would be worth any loss you may sustain. Now, don your battle gear, call up the dogs of war, and stir up your anger and fear. Yes, anger will give you the power and the drive, and fear will keep you alive, while both are your servants. Then in a dark room, with enough light to ensure that what you do will be solely symbolic, have your war. Imagine the picture or the Gingerbread man being the soul with which you are at war. When you are at the peak of your fury, destroy the picture with all pleasure, or devour the gingerbread man with all delight.
Magic is just Magic. Alone, it is amoral, just as the wind or the oceans are amoral. While a curse will not topple a tree on a windless day, it could weaken the roots, the immunity of that tree so that its demise becomes more certain sooner. As part of anyone’s education in Magic, we ought to learn how to curse. There were three reasons for this.
If you know how to curse, then you know how to cure a curse. A curse is an accusation that keeps the accused from succeeding until the accusations are removed, or the target dies. Knowing this has helped me to help others remove a curse. In the day that I should find someone who deserves death, I am capable and ready to do so.
Knowing how to curse, one also knows who should be cursed. Those who deserve such malice are themselves asking for it. They are going out of their way to ruin as many lives as they can. Such a person would be a pleasure to curse, to watch them suffer in agony and die, putting them out of our misery. Only when such conditions exist, when there would be celebrations, dancing in the streets at the death of this person, would a curse be of any value. I have yet to find anyone who is so deserving that I should spend my time and energy on such an effort.
Dukkha, if I understand Siddhartha’s teaching correctly, is a life in suffering. We suffer because our lives are unfulfilled, and we try to fill it with vain, empty pursuits. Frustrated, we may lash out with hate filled words or deeds. Worst yet, in our eagerness to be rich in money or vanity, many of us wander away from our true selves and pierce ourselves with many pains.
This story can be changed by a change in behavior. The problem with this is that a life time pattern of behavior may take another life time to change. Not to mention the thoughts that govern such behaviors may be hard wired into the brain. If the Magus, Pagan, Witch, or Satanist should desire to perform the destruction rite, be sure that you will never regret the target’s suffering. You may revel in their suffering for years, only to find he was abused as a child, or that she was raped. Because of this history the target is lashing out, and their despicable behavior has caused their less than happy history. Now, you regret your actions. The damage you have visited has run its course and in regret you recall your malediction, and it will start to work on you, if for no reason than the guilt you now feel.
Examples of Rituals, not to be copied, just learned from. These Ritual studies are useful for building your own. I retain the copyright to this specific work, to encourage you to build your own. Some of us are more creative than others, and some just need a hint. This is what I present to you. Steal my work, and I will infest your life with ten Uruk-hai and you will have to explain to your mummy where they came from.