Hopefully, at some stage, all members should take a role as an Officer in the Temple, and ideally all Office positions from Sentinel to Hierophant. This will give the member a unique perspective of their own interpretations of what the Office symbolises, as well as the symbolism of the Temple and the various stages of each Ceremony.
The general atmosphere that all Officers (and members) should be trying to produce is one of solemn reverence, without being stilted, overly dramatic, or with too much drilled precision.
Until a member has had some experience in a role, it can be a little daunting at first. Here are some notes and tips for those taking Office.
• Certain speeches should be learned by heart. These are actually few in number, but each Officer will have at least one of these in each Ceremony e.g. Kerux’s proclamations, Hierophant’s words at the Mystic Repast etc. Learn them a little at a time over a couple of weeks, doing so silently initially in one’s head, but eventually saying them aloud so that you get used to your own voice. Eventually practice these speeches in the Temple so that some volume can be used. I am not in favour of learning every speech by heart as there will always be errors, and it takes the attention from the Candidate to the person reciting the speech who will be focusing on trying not to make a mistake!
• Rehearse pronouncing hard to pronounce words with an experienced member.
• The correct attitude to bring to the role is that you are doing this not for yourself, but for the Candidate. Jewellery should be removed, including earrings and other piercings – these are mundane projections of the persona and do not belong in the Temple – they are distracting for the Candidate. This also applies to watches, although wedding rings can be kept on if the person feels strongly about this.
• Once robed and seated, waiting for the Opening, the Four Fold Breath should be used. This exercise is usually given to the Zelator for their personal preparation for meditation, and should be used from that point onwards – I still perform it in preparation for any Ceremonial even 30 years after first learning it. With time, simply doing the Four Fold Breath puts one in to a ritualistic frame of mind.
• When sitting, hold Implements in the right hand, in an upright position. Do not cross legs or arms (this applies to members also).
• When walking in the Temple, always step off with the left foot – this reminds us of our Initiation and that we always remain Neophytes despite what Grade or Title we hold. Walk at a gentle pace, and use the space as much as possible – do not cut corners, especially during the Circumambulations. Be conscious in your movements at all times.
• Use pace, tempo and volume when undertaking speeches, but do not be over-dramatic.
• When holding copies of the Rituals and not in use, do not read other’s speeches from them but place them aside or at one’s side. It is a good idea to read ahead slightly to find your next speech or rubric and keeping a finger on it with the Ritual closed so you don’t have to find it again. Do this when the Candidate does not have a view of you.
• If you loose your place, don’t panic – take pause, gather decorum about oneself, and then continue.
• When giving unscripted cues or direction instructions to the Candidate (e.g. follow me), do so in a whisper using a different, or rather more normal tone or way of speaking.
• When explaining diagrams, place the Candidate front and centre of the diagram. Use the Implement to point to salient points of the diagram. Once the explanation has been delivered, pause and watch the Candidate carefully for signs they have ceased concentrating on the diagram, then move on – some diagrams will demand their attention more than others. This differs between Candidates.
• If you are barring with a Banner, hold the Banner by the crossbar and tuck your copy of the Ritual behind the Banner.
• When all Officers are standing, do not sit until after the Hierophant has seated themselves. Take the cue from the Hiereus.
• Unless instructed otherwise (e.g. during some barrings) do not invert your Implement.
With time it becomes easier to find an inner peace when performing a role as an Officer. Embrace the moment and live the experience in the now, much as one does when listening to music or enjoying the arts.
And remember that everyone, at one stage was a novice, and made mistakes.
Kasmillos
