THE ORDER OF SELENE DESPOINA This book is the written and hidden Rites for the outer court of Selene Despoina. It is my goal to bring to light this old tradition in the modern day. All spells, rites, and rituals have been tested and approved for the outer court. Since the spells and rituals were give by the Goddess herself those secrets are held by the Inner Order and will be revealed when the mastery of the basics has be achieved Nothing is to be changed in any way without the written permission of the High Tribune. Everything you find within this work is based solely on the written words of the goddess herself and has been approved for use by all members of the High Tribune and follows along the current of the goddess. This handbook is a guide for the 1st degree and should be kept secret for those not involved in the order. A level of mastery of this work gives the member a chance to apply to the Inner Circle where more mysteries of the tradition will be revealed as time passes. THE PATH The path working of the Goddess is a Pranic tradition. It is by this that the Goddess receives offerings and gives offerings to her worshipers. Through the offering of prana or energy we feed the goddess who in turn returns some of her divine energy back onto her followers. With this divine prana one can begin a long a deep connection with the goddess and her mysteries. THE GODDESS The Goddess Selene appears on the back of a large Gray Wolf. She in her physical form is what some may call a “vampire” however this is not to be looked at as a negative aspect of her. She does have the ability to shapeshift and in that form she takes the image of a wolf. Her skin is as pale as the moon. Her body soft and perfect as if carved from stone. Her lips are a blood red and her hair as black as night and is as soft as the finest silk. She wears a silver crown circle atop her head and a purple see through dress with a silver rope belt. She has also been know to appear as a purple mist and even just a feeling of warmth and comfort to her followers. The goddess embodies all aspects of loving kindness and sensuality. A driving force of protection and as a motherly guide. Any of these traits can be called upon for the benefit of others. The goddess colors are Purple, Red, Black, and Silver. She can be called on in both the day and night as the user see fit with need but it is best to call her when the moon is in its most full and bright state since she is a form of moon goddess. THE SIGIL OF SELENE The sigil of Salene is cast on the square of Venus and it appears as such And this is how it looks without the square. The sigil should be cast on a disc of wood or carved into the earth when doing rituals. It may also be cast into the air with the wand thinking of a purple light coming from the tip of your wand as you draw it. Many who are dedicated to the goddess will place this sigil on their body as a sign of respect to the goddess. THE ALTAR AND TOOLS OF THE PATH The altar set up of the goddess is a simple and clean work area without to much clutter that can be taken down if need be. It includes the following altar candle incense burner wand bowl of water flowers (in the goddess colors ) an image of the goddess or goddess candle The altar cloth can be any of the colors of the goddess. The altar candle should be white and placed in the middle of the altar surrounded by flowers in her colors. The flowers should be fresh but if this can not happen a nice made arrangement of plastic flowers will work. The goddess image should be the image of the triple goddess as this is we have found to be the best image to represent her. If though your using the goddess candle it should be purple and at the back of the altar, if purple is not available then white will also work. The incense burner is set to the right of the altar and the water to the left. The wand is in the front closest to the practitioner If a ritual is to be done outdoors then the earth works well as the altar as this adds grounding to the magick. THE WAND The wand is the most important tool of the path as this helps to guide the prana to and from the goddess as well as spellwork. It is best to have the wand made of willow as this is the goddess tree essence however you can make it from any wood and still have wonderful results. The wand can be carved into any shape you like as this puts your lifeforce into it and once work begins with the goddess some of her energy will go into it as well. Remember that the wand is a channel to the goddess energy and so therefor it should not be handled by anyone but you. THE INSENSE The incense of the goddess is truly of nature. The Goddess Incense is a recipe made by the practitioner from the elements. The incense is made from wood and dry tree leaves and is as follows. This recipe is from the mouth of the goddess herself and if used should be kept to. “ By the light of day, go forth and acquire fresh green cedar that has fallen from a tree and one pine cone or pine needles. This you will mix together with drops of the essence of sage and the dried leaves of the oak or maple tree, a most purifying scent. Then the petals of a rose are to be added and then allowed to sit outside under the full moon. Keep it uncovered so that the dew of the morning dawn may come upon it charging it with its powers of the sun as well as the essence of the moon” This is how the goddess has stated that her scent be made however she has also added later this part. “ if above all the scent can not be formed then an offering of rose is as equally pleasing in my eyes, as all people should be able to come to me ” So as you can see from the words of the goddess she has given a way for all . THE RITES AND WORSHIP The rites of the goddess are meant to be kept simple and flowing. Many have asked of the ritual dress and how one should approach the work and the goddess herself has said this. “When you approach me you should do so as yourself, with pure heart and intent. You may dress as you see fit, yet all I ask is that you come to me a member of the silver sash with my seal open and seen, if this is not possible come to me with the tri colored braid, If this is not possible come to me with my sign on thy arm” The sash the goddess speaks of is just that, a silver sash or rope, tied off and draped over the right shoulder going right to left. If one can not find this then a braid of purple and silver can be made an worn on the wrist. This is done by making three pieces of rope braids using nine pieces of string forming two purple rope braids and one silver. Once that is done three knots are tied into the string and then tied around the right wrist. We have also seen this made out of colored wire. Also you may draw her sign on your right arm in one of the colors of the goddess. Her seal is cast on a wooden disc in one of her colors and is worn around the neck with a piece of purple cord and your name cast on the back in any form of magical writing you choose. Goddess herself has also given us but a few spells to work with and they are closely guarded to protect the purity of the spells however she has said this. “All spells written from the heart in devotion to me, are as if they were spoken from my lips and as such contain the essence of my being” So with those words the goddess has given us right to write on her behalf, however this does not come without her own set of rules. “Should any choose to cast out evil in my name they will feel the full force of my wrath” There are , even though she is a bringer of love, darker sides to the goddess and those dark sides can be released onto the person who would try to do harm or evil. Now this does not mean that one can not call the goddess to protect them from enemies however if the person were to ask for the goddess to bring about suffering on someone who was undeserving then the spell wold backfire..or worse. So with that cautionary out of the way we turn to the Goddess own words as to how we are to give devotion. “To call upon me is one of the many blessings I have given you.