Mass of the Phoenix

The Mass of the Phoenix is a single person ritual within Thelema, a philosophy and religion created and organized by author and occultist Aleister Crowley. The Mass was first printed as Chapter 44 in Crowley's The Book of Lies, published in 1913.

Within this ritual, the practitioner consumes a Cake of Light (a wafer made from meal, honey, olive oil, Oil of Abramelin and blood/bodily fluids).[1]

Self-mutilation controversy

Critics of this ritual often cite the cut that the practitioner makes on their chest as self-mutilation. The practitioner does not have to slice into their skin and draw large amounts of blood. Lon Milo DuQuette wrote that "nowhere is it indicated that pain, scarring, or injury is a required element of the ceremony."[2] The practitioner need only scratch their skin lightly and increase the pressure enough for a tiny droplet of blood.

There are also those who consider doing the ritual astrally (within their minds). Some consider this a safer and more practical alternative to marking their skin.[3] Although the legitimacy of this method is questioned by the Ordo Templi Orientis, it is still to be considered.

See also

References
  1. Crowley, Aleister. "Mass of the Phoenix, Liber 44". Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  2. "Mass of the Phoenix". Thelemapedia. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  3. "Temple of Thelema Discussion Boards". Retrieved 5 August 2011.
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