Initiatio
ELECTIO · PROBATIO · JURAMENTUM
The Temple is reserved exclusively for its sworn members. It does not recruit, it does not advertise, and it does not answer.
Applications are not read.
Letters asking for admission are destroyed unanswered.
Whoever asks to be admitted has already shown that he is not ready.
The Way In
Election, Trial, Oath
- I.
The Election
The Temple chooses. Those who have walked the dark path alone, whose devotion to the Adversary has been proven over years in deed and in silence, may be noticed. They are approached. They never approach.
- II.
The Ascent
Some rise through the current itself — through work, rite and writing in the circles of the Left-Hand Path — until the sworn recognise them as one of their own. Recognition is given. It is never asked for.
- III.
The Trial
The chosen are not yet members. A long novitiate follows: the doctrine learned by heart, solitary rites in the night, tasks set by the Temple and judged without mercy. Many are dismissed. None are told why.
- IV.
The Oath
Who passes the trial is brought before the black altar in the presence of the sworn and gives himself to Satan. The oath is sealed upon the altar and recorded in the book of the Temple. It is not taken back.
Juramentum
I renounce the god of the world and all his works,
his law, his heaven and his flock.
I give myself to Satan, Lord of the Black Light,
Serpent of the Garden, King of the Night,
in this life and beyond its end.
My seal upon this book is my word.
My silence is my bond.
Ave Satanas.
The Grades
- I.
Novitius
Novice
Under trial. Admitted to the outer archive, bound to silence.
- II.
Adeptus
Adept
Sworn to the Adversary. Admitted to the greater rites and the inner archive.
- III.
Custos
Custodian
Keeper of the flame, the book and the circle.