A MASS OF ODHINN

TNS RITUAL

PREFACE

It will be noted that extensive introductory notes are given below. This serves

several purposes. Firstly, they provide an intellectual context for the Rite, as the

authors consider it important that intellectual vehicles be supplied, to serve as

matrices for the integration of magical experience. Secondly, when this Ritual

was first presented to the Temple, lectures in and demonstrations of rationale

and technique accompanied it. Thirdly, in making the following material semi-

public, this temple cannot assume that the reader has more than basic magical

knowledge and experience.

INTRODUCTION

In the past several years, the Norse runes have entered into the realm of popular

occultism under the lurid banner of "New Age". While seemingly on par with

the newspaper daily "horoscopes", it is important to recognize that the runes are

not a debased currency. Their transpersonal power is undiminished by the

superficial interpretations that have been imposed on them.

The same diluting process has affected Witchcraft, which has been tagged with

the misnomer "Wicca". This term is both historically and linguistically

inaccurate, and now applies to a cozy and essentially impotent concoction of

watered-down folk belief and trite mysticism. Witchcraft is Witchcraft, and the

Runes are the Runes, regardless of any clumsily glued-on veneers. The true

magician drinking at the same well will inevitably draw his water from a

deeper source, which remains unpolluted.

The stance taken by the Chaos Magician is one of utmost utilitarianism. Any

form that real magical energy takes should be explored and assimilated, so as to

draw on or glean from the knowledge and power accumulated in a specific

egregore. This should not be seen as a superficial skimming of various

traditions for its own sake. It is a process of gaining gnostic experience of

varying currents, for both personal growth and the initiation and education of

others.

Whether the Chaos Magician chooses a particular egregore in which to

manifest the Chaos Current is solely a matter of individual choice, which may

be affected by environment or psychological makeup. It is hoped that the

Magus can expand beyond these considerations. Any given racial or cultic

egregore should be viewed simply as a vehicle for magical expression. The

aspiration of the Magus is to transcend the bounds of language and form,

reaching a level of abstraction where the Magus IS and DOES, freed from

linear neurological processes. In other words, he becomes a discrete complex,

wielding his Will in a broader Universe. The invocation of any god-force is a

very real way to power. However, in playing host to a god, the presiding

internal conditions of the individual will affect the quality of the manifestation

of that force. With greater experience of any given god form, the qualities that

tend to diffract or disperse its manifestation will be overcome, giving a truer

expression of the force invoked. The possibility of an authentic spontaneous

possession of a Novice is not to be discounted.

A traditional rule of thumb that remains valid is whether the "god" that presents

itself shows knowledge and power beyond that of the individual host.

Considered as a force, Odhinn presents itself as the distillation of the Runic

current. As a god, he is both the giver and receiver of Runes. The Runes

themselves, when divorced from their mythological background can be viewed

as a series of gateways or conduits for magical energy. Each Rune reflects each

other Rune, and each is a fractionation of the multi-faceted Odhinnic current.

Any given Rune holds the summary of all others within it while still

representing its own aspect. Herein lies a magical paradox of no little

significance.

In operating within the Runic system, the Magician is confronted by a gestalt.

The Runic current is of special significance because of the relative accessibility

of this gestalt experience.

The Mass of Odhinn described below can be performed either by a single

Magician or with assistance from others.

It climaxes in extreme ecstasies, and therefore should be performed in either a

soundproofed room or well away from non-participants.

It can be performed for divination (ideally by means of Runes, wherein the god

and/or his assistants interpret the cast), for initiation of either the nominated

Priest or another individual, or for the consecration of any material object that

is to become a repository of Odhinnic force, be it talisman, Runic formula,

elixir or Physical set of Runes.

The Ritual can be adapted for astral exploration of the World Tree, Yggdrasil.

It can also be used to evoke the wights, either that presiding over the individual

runes or that independent of them. It should be borne in mind that the gnosis

achieved in this ritual is of value in itself. If the ritual is performed for the sake

of gnosis only, the experience should be anchored to a sigil or amulet, to

facilitate easier entry into this specific realm of consciousness on subsequent

occasions. In such a case, the sigil or amulet should be linked to a trigger, to

maintain parameters that safeguard ordinary states of consciousness. A suitable

trigger would be the Odhinnic Proclamation given in the text of the Ritual.

THE GOD

The most useful background material available at the present time is the work

of Edred Thorsson (a.k.a. Stephen E. Flowers). Futhark provides an excellent

introduction to the Runic System, and is highly recommended to those seeking

a reasonable and scholarly exposition. The Odhinn form is illustrated in detail

in the work cited, but a general summary of this form is given here for the sake

of focus

Odhinn is an archetypal shaman, in the western tradition. He is the penetrator

of the night sky, which is the Unconscious. His image is that of a powerfully

built man in a deep blue cloak, long- bearded and with a wild shock of gray

hair. He is a priest king with both the power and authority to command. A

single striking eye glares from a strong face, enchanting and intoxicating

anything in his gaze. This is the burning eye of Shiva, the anga chakra aflame.

Here is the wisdom that unmasks the folly of all illusions and perceives the

nakedness of the magical multiverse.

Odhinn is also a shape-shifter. He may come in any form appropriate to the

Rite. Gender is no barrier, nor is species, as a reading of the Eddas will attest.

The nature of Odhinn is expressed in the Ansuz-Rune. He is the god of magic

and ecstasy. He is the receiver, container, transformer and expressor of magical

power and knowledge. He is a true priest, acting as a mediator and guide

between worlds. He inspires and excites, brings song, poetry and incantations,

and is the realization of the link to the primitive. He embodies the mysteries of

death and its transcendence. As psychopomp, he banishes the terror of death.

PREPARATION

As with any ritual, the operation can only be strengthened by integrating the

appropriate correspondences. Traditionally, incenses, elixirs, magical weapons

and personal attire perform this function.

For the Chaos Magician, the traditional materials and correspondences may not

always be appropriate. What is of importance is personal significance and

vibratory atunement. If one is to engage in high ritual, all senses must be

exploited.

Objective stimuli are not indispensable. If so inspired, the operator will receive

the necessary sensory stimulation through the agency of the force invoked. A

ritual that can be performed "empty-handed" (i.e. without ritual paraphernalia)

and driven by need, can be just as effective as any other, if not more so. In such

a case, the source of inspiration is greater than the conscious will.

In high ritual, ALL sensory input must be under the conscious control of the

operator.

Suggested incense for this Rite is found below. This is a basic formula. The

operator can subtract or add any component deemed necessary to a specific

need. This also applies to the elixir.

INCENSE

Base: oak and willow dust. Dry ingredients: oak moss, lichen, yeast, salt,

sandalwood dust. Oils/resins: Aniseed, lavender, benzoin, oakmoss, pine, and

spearmint. Sexual elixirs (red lion, white eagle - gathered under the appropriate

conditions).

ELIXIR

The Odhinnic elixir Par excellence would undoubtedly be a concoction

containing psilocybin, tempered with appropriate aromatics and flavorings.

This assumes skill with both this Sacrament and the given Rite. Alternatively, a

herbal formula which would assist greatly in this working is as follows: To a

base of ale or mead, fortified with a white spirit such as schnapps, akvavit or

tequila, add fluid extracts of wild lettuce, skullcap, lavender flowers, galangal

(two inches of root per person).

To allow the elixir to have its maximum effect, participants should fast for a

minimum of four to six hours beforehand.

If any adverse reaction to the elixir occurs, depending on the final formulation

used and how much time has elapsed after administration, either give an emetic

or some food to slow absorption of alkaloids. Any undesirable symptoms

should then be treated symptomatically.

MUSIC Rhythmic drumming, constant solemn drones as background. If

assistants are involved, it should be possible for them to provide this.

If recorded music is used, it should be constant, appropriate to the tone of the

Rite, and predictable.

The human voice is used extensively in this work.

L0CATION.

Whether performed indoors or out, the ritual site should be safeguarded from

outside influence, as interference at crucial stages of gnosis could result in

catastrophic unfixed obsessions.

The site or room should dressed appropriately, making use of banners, flags,

totems, and fetishes, with the Runes themselves forming the circle.

If working indoors, the room should be adequately heated, and if outdoors, a

substantial fire should be maintained.

ATTIRE

The Priest and his assistants should be unencumbered by clothing.(Loose

trousers and T-shirts at most.)

If working skyclad, make use of fetish ornaments and/or body painting or skin

marking.

A headband of pale, light fabric approximately 4 inches wide and a yard in

length is necessary in this Rite. It should be inscribed beforehand with some red

paint derived from the Magician's ingenuity with the runic formula "ER

ODHINN (a pictograph of a human eye) RIST RUNAR"*. For the purposes of

this Rite, this is interpreted as "I Odhinn conjure the mysteries".

The construction and assembly of all the above should be done with conscious

focus on the work at hand, being a meditation in itself, and also lending

potency to the Rite as a whole. This adds to the preparatory psychological

imprinting that can assist in integrating new concepts and experiences.

Temple Masters and Initiators should make use of this process as a training

device.

THE RITE

Once the site is prepared and all the necessary materials are assembled, all

participants sit in a circle, either around the fire or some central point of focus.

A suitable banishment is then performed.

The Gnostic Banishing Ritual, a version of the Norse Hammer Ritual as given

below, or any other Banishing Ritual as devised by the presiding Magister

Templi would be appropriate.

THE HAMMER RITUAL

An energy raising is effected as follows: All participants visualize and sense a

growing red sphere in their solar plexus, and all intone the vowel sound "aaaa"

(the Ansuz Rune). By force of will, this throbbing red center is expanded to fill

the entire body, increasing the personal life force.

A brilliant red sphere is then visualized/projected, enclosing the ritual site.

Around this, also in blazing red, the 24 Runes are projected, in a counterclockwise

direction.

The solo operator can project the sphere and runes either astrally, or

accompanied by appropriate gestures, The individual Rune-names should be

vibrated as each Rune is projected.

If two or more participants are involved, an embodiment of the Chaosphere is

created. The Magister Templi stands with legs apart, one in front of the other,

and arms raised and apart above the head, one facing forward, one back. This

posture places the MT's forward leg between the spread legs of an assistant,

and the forward arm between their upraised arms. It is preferable if this

assistant is the sexual/magical partner of the MT.

The assistant continues to intone the "aaaa" vowel sound while the MT vibrates

the 24 Rune-names.

Once established, aided by the visualization and energies of all present, the MT

projects and sends a Hammer sigil to the eight points of space (above, below, to

the left and right, forward and backward, and diagonally above and below),

with the proclamation "I cast the Hammer of power and protection into all

spaces and those which lie between".

No order for these Hammer projections is given. This is intentional, as it will

induce mild-disorienting gnosis as well as being a first step in stimulating midbrain

activity. The MT directs the consciousness of all participants with the

appropriate gestures. Following the Banishing, the Priest/Priestess proclaims

the Rite with the declaration n It is our will to invoke Odhinn for the purpose

(...)".

The Priest then places himself near the center of the circle and assumes a

supine Hanged Man position, having at hand the headband, a personal chalice

of the elixir and any material basis to be used at the culmination of the Rite. All

other participants keep passing a second chalice, replenishing it as needed.

The Priest (or assistant) commences the first Invocation of Odhinn. The god is

addressed in the second person, and the invocation is directed to the aether.

INVOCATION OF ODHINN

Odhinn! Har, the High One Grim, the Gray One Allfadir, father of all

Galdrasfadir, father of enchantments Hangatyr, God of the hanged Hroptatyr,

the Hidden God Fimbultyr, the Awesome God, Master of secrets, Master of

Knowledge, Scatterer of the shadows. I know you hung on the windy tree all of

the nights nine, wounded by spear and given to Odhinn; yourself to yourself, on

that tree, which no man knows, from what roots it rises. They dealt you no

bread nor drinking horn, you looked down, you took up the Runes you took

them screaming, you fell back from that place. (REPEAT AND AD LIB AS

REQUIRED)

As the invocation is performed, the other participants take up a chant of

"Odhinn...Odhinn..." while "doveing" (rocking back and forth). The chant

should be delivered in an enticing manner. Once the invocation is complete, the

Priest takes up the chant. It should begin to work to a crescendo.

As the chant builds in intensity, the participants project the image of the god

onto the Priest. His consciousness becomes displaced. As he feels possession

becoming imminent, the chant reaches its maximum intensity. It should be

literally screamed. Just before personality is completely displaced, the Priest

ties on the headband, effectively tying the god within, and proclaims, as the god

himself "EK ODHINN RIST RUNAR”.

As soon as this proclamation is made, all other participants cease the

"Odhinn..." chant and go into Bee Mantra, i.e. a nasal drone, while continuing

to dove.

The Priest, as the god, then delivers the second Invocation of Odhinn, in the

first Person. He then executes whatever work is at hand. Once the work is

completed, the god quits the Priest. The Priest heralds the exit with a bloodcurdling

scream as he throws himself to the floor. All celebrate the completion

of the work by cheering, clapping and sounding instruments, which moves into

Banishment by ecstatic laughter.

COMMENTS

Although this rite appears simple at first glance, when properly executed, it is

most powerful. Its format allows for episodes of spontaneity, which is

fundamental to Chaos Magic: - enter and guide the gnosis, and let the gnosis do

the work.

A NOTE ON GENDER.

"Priest" and "his" are used above. This is for stylistic convenience only, and

does not in any way exclude women. The illusions of gender and sexual

preference should not feature in the repertoire of the Chaoist's madness. All is

continuum, all is flux, and all is.

HERE ENDS THE RITE.

NOTHING IS TRUE, EVERYTHING IS PERMITTED.