GREEK FIRE INITIATION Cast of Characters Tiresias:____________ Hephaestus:____________ Artemis:____________ Apollo:____________ Hestia:____________ Prometheus:____________ Seeker:____________ In casting the circle, when calling the Quarters you are free to use your own words but we ask that you use Greek styling and personify with the names of the four Greek winds: North: Boreus East: Eurus South: Notus West: Zephyrus Tiresias seated north of altar rises, goes around to face altar, and invokes God and Goddess in a Greek style using these two triumverates: GOD Zeus: Strength Hades: Knowledge Poseidon: Emotion GODDESS Hera: Power Athena: Wisdom Aphrodite: Love He then step back and says: "We have been called forth from the edges of Time and Space by one who seeks entry to the Halls of Olympus. I am Tiresias, Prophet of Thebes, who, though blind, shall be his guide. Seeker, come forth!" Seeker approaches circle at north-east point of Circle. Tiresias: "Who seeks entry to Olympus?" Seeker: "I, __________. Tiresias: "Before you enter, gaze upon one who sought what was not rightfully his. Do you still desire entry?" Seeker replies. Tiresias: (If no, he leaves and circle is closed. If yes): "Then enter and ask passage of the Guardians of the Gods." Seeker enters and they travel 1 1/8 to North. Tiresias: "Hail, Mighty Hephaestus, Craftsman of the Gods. With me is one who seeks entry to Olympus." Hephaestus: "How are you known, Seeker?" Seeker: "I am called __________." Hephaestus: "By what right seek you passage through the North?" Seeker: "I have endured a year of the path of Earth and learned of my own mortality." Hephaestus: "Pass with the Blessings of the Earth." They travel around 1 1/4 to East. Tiresias: "Hail, Vigilant Artemis, Virgin Goddess. With me is one who seeks entry to Olympus." Artemis: "How are you known, Seeker?" Seeker: "I am called __________." Artemis: "By what right seek you passage through the East?" Seeker: "I have endured a year of the path of Air and have learned the need for focus of will." Artemis: "Pass with the Blessings of the Air." They travel around 1 1/4 to South. Tiresias: "Hail, Bright Apollo, Lord of the Sun. With me is one who seeks entry to Olympus." Apollo: "How are you known, Seeker?" Seeker: "I am called __________." Apollo: "By what right seek you passage through the South?" Seeker has no answer. Apollo: "You have not yet earned the right to pass through the South. To win this right, you must seek Fire from he who first gave it to Mankind, Prometheus. Tiresias, guard him upon his path of Fire that he learn what he needs to face the Titan." They travel around 1 1/2 to North. Tiresias: "I come with __________, who now seeks Prometheus that he may gain the right to Fire. What can you teach him that will ease his path?" Hephaestus: "Know that I am Hephaestus, Craftsman and Smith of the Gods. In my labors, I use Fire as a purifying agent, seperating the metal from the stone, and for the actual forging of my Art. But remember that creativity requires forethought. Daedalus was a Master of my Craft, yet rarely considered the implications of his creations. He created the Labyrinth of Minos, who then imprisoned him within its intricasies. He crafted wing that he and his son might escape, yet in their flight Icarus died. Always consider the consequences of the which you create." They travel 1 1/4 around to East. Tiresias: "I come with __________, who now seeks Prometheus that he may gain the right to Fire. What can you teach him that will ease his path?" Artemis: "Know that I am Artemis, Virgin Huntress. Through my will, no man has ever known me. Yet will must be tempered by intellegence. Remember Otus and Ephialtes, twin giants who were arrogant enough to think themselves better than the Gods. They continued their ill-wrought plans, even after Poseidon warned them. Through supposed desire, they chose to pursue me. They seperated in pursuit of what they saw as a white hind, and, with simultaneous throws, slew each other. Thus blind will caused the death of all they truly loved." They travel 1 1/4 around to the South Tiresias: "I come with __________, who now seeks Prometheus that he may gain the right to Fire. What can you teach him that will ease his path?" Apollo: "Know that I am Apollo, God of the Sun and Keeper of Knowledge. Knowledge of Fire has allowed Man to forge a civilization. But seeking to advance without can lead to catastrophe. Witness Phaethon, who attempted to drive the Sun Chariot without proper knowledge, nearly causing the incineration of the Earth. Action without knowledge will often lead to ruin." They travel around 1 1/4 to the West. Tiresias: "I come with __________, who now seeks Prometheus that he may gain the right to Fire. What can you teach him that will ease his path?" Hestia: "Know that I am Hestia, Goddess of Hearth and Home. The warm glow of emotion in balance is vital for proper growth and life. But when emotions are allowed to rule above all else, tragedy is soon to follow. Consider Paris, who upon seeing Helen, bowed to an all-consuming desire for her, kidnapping her without thought of the consequences. Thus began the Trojan War. Do not bury your emotions, but neither should you elevate them to the level of Ruler. They travel 1 3/4 around to the South. Tiresias alone goes to altar and faces Seeker. Tiresias: "Seeker, are you prepared to face Prometheus himself with your request?" Seeker: "I am." Tiresias: "Then come forward and call him forth." Seeker goes to altar facing North. Seeker: "From the depths of Time, I call you forth. Arise Prometheus, Lightbringer." From within the members in the Circle, Prometheus rises and goes to north side of altar. Prometheus: "I am Prometheus. Who summons me here?" Seeker: "I am __________." Prometheus: "Why have you brought me here from the depths of Time?" Seeker: "I seek the Gift of Fire." Prometheus: "And by what right do you ask it? Seeker: "By the right of perfect love and perfect trust." Prometheus: "Then know that you are well met. I will grant you Fire and its path for a year and a day that you might learn its lessons. The most important lesson it can teach you is the need for thought before action of any kind. You must always consider the consequences of all that you do or say. At the end of your time on this path, you will be judged on your fitness to continue your search." Prometheus gives Seeker a token of Fire. Prometheus: "With my service done, I bid you farewell." Prometheus leaves, blending into Circle. Tiresias: "Well done, most noble Seeker.Please join us for the remainder of our revels." Seeker is given seat in Circle. Tiresias faces front of altar and dismisses Deities using Greek styling and the following names: GOD Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon GODDESS Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite Each Quarter dismisses its element in a Greek style and dismisses the appropriate Wind: NORTH: Boreas EAST: Eurus SOUTH: Notus WEST: Zephyrus Tiresias: "Our work is completed for now. Let us rejoice and enjoy this company, remembering that though we may go our seperate ways, we are alway united as one. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!"