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Myceneaen Mysteries by Joseph Teller

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This collection of works represent a large amount of my own personal research into Neo-Paganism, Philosophy, Magic, Ritual, Archaeology and History and is placed within the public domain to be distributed, printed, and utilized within the Religious concepts herein freely by all who might be willing to accept the beliefs it contains and the information presented without its commercialization or sale by anyone for a cost more than the cost of the media it is presented on (aka no more than the cost of its printing or transferal by computer media). It is a work of love and sincerity, not of greed or interdependency. If you like it and can afford to do so, please write me at the following address, or call me via computer modem at the BBS Data phone line listed and tell me so (and also any questions or suggestions you might have to improve the work). If you really appreciate it and can afford it, then mail me a personal check or money order for whatever you feel my efforts have been worth to you so that I might survive the present harsh economic times and be able to continue my efforts (I ask for this gift only because my present life is one of poverty caused by my ignorance of the 'mundane' worlds' economy).

If you are a commercial publisher of Esoteric or religious books and pamplets and wish to publish any or all of this work (except in the format of a review column) please contact me for permission. I will be mainly interested in the context the work will appear in, wether it will be reaching the people who need it etc. I maintain strict control for such to prevent its being maligned or twisted to commercial greed.

Joseph Teller
40 Allen Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821

DATA 508-663-6220

Before You Begin Reading

As I stated in the overleaf page, this is the result of a labor of Love - if you are reading this with thinking of exploiting it for personal gain financially then you had best find some other path, as you will find that any such effort will probably fail.

If you are looking to gain in personal power over others or to manipulate the Universe to serve your own personal wants over all others or to hold in your hands a lot of fancy special effects or harmful abilities you are going to be very disappointed.

If you are looking to join a formal Church, recognized by the government for tax purposes or other legal loopholes, you won't find this belief system of interest. It is not yet a recognized belief system by legal authorities, and unless someone else is interested in going thru the motions needed for this sort of work it will not be so registered. I feel that a need for this sort of government regulation and infringement on First Amendment Rights is obnoxious and obviously unConstitutional.

But if you are looking for a belief structure, built upon the Paganism of the Greek Mainland and Isles of the Mycenaean Era, a path of personal growth and enlightenment that is pantheistic and polytheistic based in history and revised for Todays World, one that seeks to work with Nature and not against it while still allowing internalized as well as externalized growth in life, then maybe this work will help you to develop your personal path with the tools and ideas I have forged within these pages.

Historical Context

The Mycenaean Era is not the Greece of Homer, and has many of its own unique differences that set it off from that Era. It is sometimes known as the Golden Age or Heroic Age of the ancient land we call Greece. Fledgling borne from migrants coming into the area from Syria and Persia during the Empire of Crete, the Mycenaeans were a willful folk, who accepted the rule of Crete until the Minoans fell from power by a complex series of events that caused them to abandon the Mainland and Isles of Greece and vanish back into the mists of History. Neither The Minoans nor the Mycenaeans were remembered, until our own 1840's (AD) when the ruins were discovered and slowly excavated (a process still uncompleted to this day).

Egypt, it has been said, introduced government to the world (and Bureaucracy and all that goes with it). Minos introduced the concept of Laws governing all equally (which Homer's Greece would rediscover in its own era) and the value of colonization & trade. Each had its religions and cults, but it was in Mycenaean that did rise truly human gods and goddesses - those who could weep or laugh, who did not simply hold themselves aloof from the majority of the population but who were close and intricately associated with their people.

In concept, and in Mycenaean Myth, we are all descended from the gods. We are all their children, and we are all working towards learning what we must to take our proper places beside them one day in a future existance. We all have within us the ability to perform feats of wonder, magic as we call it, thru our own ability of will and perception.

As children of the gods and goddesses, we are imperfect only in that we have not yet learned the ways to best utilize our own abilities and to work with nature thoroughly - as Neo-Pagans we can work towards this goal, unlike those who refuse to open their eyes to their own ability and instead falsely believe that nature is a force to be battled and conquered instead of one that we are part of and must work with in order to survive. We are not in any way perfect, we do not have 'the one true path' or the 'one way to enlightenment', we have simply chosen a path in this belief system and religion that serves our personal growth (some may even walk this path and then later chose another closer to their own hearts in some way). We ask that others accept the fact that we have chosen this path of our own free will, if they ask for any information we shall give it freely, and that we ask that they be tolerant of us in our every day lives and not show bigotry against us for our belief path.

The Mycenaean Era, historically lasted from aprox. 1700 BC, as the Minoan Empire collapsed inward, and prospered thru till 1120 BC when the last shreds of it fell beneath the onslaught of the invading Dorians, who were the ancestors of Homer's Greece. The fall of Mycenaea brought with it a terrible 400 years of what has been called the 'Greek Dark Age' for the invaders destroyed all the knowledge of writing, and much of the culture and technology of the people of the land that was then Greece. They had come down out of the Northern parts of Central Europe, outnumbering the Mycenaeans and being experts at large scale war, still it took them from 1190 BC to 1120 BC to fully conquer the Mycenaeans.

When the Dorians invaded and conquered the people, they destroyed what was then the most advanced civilized people in Europe. Mycenae had the benefits of the technology of the Minoans and the advantages of a widespread sea-trade with Syria, Italy, Sicily, Spain, Egypt, Rhodes, Persia and even possibly the Isles of Britain. This widespread trade made them one of the richest people, and their willingness to exchange knowledge and goods made them welcome in many ports. Mycenae had colonized villages in many lands, to serve as trading posts with native peoples. Their only major war was, that which we know now as the Trojan War, in 1200 BC (aprox), was a successful enterprise supposedly based on principle instead of greed.

Mycenae, like the native peoples of the Americas, were slowly worn down and defeated by an enemy they had sought to not war with but to trade with. The Dorians came first as raiders, then in larger numbers as they fled south from either hostile weather conditions or an unknown northern invader, and were not to be appeased with simply the lands of the neighbors of the Mycenaeans, such as the Hittites, but wanted the rich trade of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. They did not have a written language, but were evidently of similar stock of that which the Mycenaeans had once come from centuries before and spoke a similar tongue. They destroyed the citadels, palaces and shrines, burning many to the ground in their fury. They slew the learned and enslaved the poor and agricultural people to serve their own economy - they were not the peaceful folk that Homer first tries to show them to be, in Homer's day, after the ages, Mycenae was forgotten and Minoan Empire a wispy memory of long ago.

Parts of the culture and its gods and goddesses were still so strongly enmeshed in the people that remained that the Dorians adapted it into their own rather than try to fight its existance, changing it to fit their own values and warlike natures. Thus the Mycenaean Age faded away in history and memory until the 1840's AD when the ruins of Mycenae were discovered and the Archaeological Society of Greece began to recover its forgotten past.

Much of what we have to work with in our beliefs are based on the records of archaeological findings, the eventual decipherment of the few tablets and inscriptions in the ancient language of the people (Many of which were simply old accounting records) and the myths that have survived even the purging and nature of the Homeric era. Vocal records always change tales with the telling, and thus it has been painstakingly difficult to produce what these pages attempt to do. Much has had to been assumed in the writing, and my own bias are sure to show in the work as I have had to in many cases improvise that for which information was sketchy. Still it works for me and thus the path is valid, for those who approach it with enough creativity.

If you hold in your hands the computerized version of this work you should note that the Project in this form is actually several ASCII text files, designed such for easy printout ability and transfer. The printed version should contain all the same material and supplemental pages, as distribution is only acceptable in its entirety.

Organization & Structure

Freedom of Choice is vital to all Neo-Pagan beliefs, and this is true to this path of religious endeavor as to any other. I am not a guru nor have I been bestowed with hundreds of years of a tradition, this course is my interpretation of the information that was available and is subject to revisement by myself, others and you. You are most important in choosing your own path - no one should choose which gods you are to worship, which celebrations you will participate in and which ones you will not. You have the freedom you were born with, given to you by the gods and goddesses forged from dozens of pantheons and concepts. No one has the right to force you to conform to their beliefs and live it as your own. What I have presented herein is an outline, no more, the rest will be up to you. I do ask that if you accept my own basic structure and use my belief's name(s) that you do so accepting the rules I have used so that none will accuse me of teaching falsely or to associate my beliefs with an activity, ritual, concept or belief that are not mine. I do not ask for any conformity beyond what I have written here, but I do ask not to be misquoted or my beliefs misrepresented to others.

I have looked at the internal structures of many organizations and belief systems, both those recognized by the government, those seeking recognition and those who wish nothing to do with legal status. From these I have forged the structure, titling and the concepts that follow, enclosed with my own research and beliefs.

Each group of practitioners who work together, a group being at least two people, on a regular basis form for themselves a Damos (the greek word for 'commune' or 'village' or 'community'). Each Damos chooses by its own means (by vote, discussion, choice of founding, experience, age, whatever) a individual who shall be the Wanax (greek for 'leader'). The Wanax is responsible for the teaching of those new to the Damos the ways of the path and the ways of their own Damos. THe Wanax does not hold position by fear or heredity - it is a position of trust, and if a Wanax betrays that trust then the Wanax should be removed from that position by the Damos members. The Wanax is also responsible for keeping a record of the Damos' activities, it can be handwritten, typed or even computer recorded. This record should track each gathering of the Damos to ritual, teach, discuss finances or celebrate. Also to be recorded here are matters of dispute and discussion within the Damos, births, deaths, joinings and initiations. It should be brought to each gathering of the Damos and may be read by any member of the Damos.

Each Wanax is responsible for seeing that their Damos sits down and somehow develops a name for their Damos, and it is by this name that they will be known to other Damosi. It is suggested that Greek names or ones related to the places they choose to name sacred or to the local Native American Indian names be used (We, as members of the Myceneaen belief must realize the rights of the natives of the lands we presently live in and also respect and honor their gods, godesses and local nature spirits and beliefs, for like the original Myceneaens we accept the validity of local deities as much as our own, some being our own known by other names and some being local powers like the dozens of river gods and nature spirits found in ancient Greece). If a name is not to be in Greek or in line with a Native American group then it should in some way reflect the nature of the people involved and their own goals together. Names, preferably, should not be more than ten words in length and not less than two. At the end of each name shall be added the word Damos, to identify it as a part of the Laos.

For the present I have chosen to act as the Basileus of the 'organization', that is I wish to be a personage who will be the arbitrator (if requested by all sides) in disputes between any two or more Wanaxi or Damosi dealing with the material in my structure or in a gathering of Damosi. I will also, for the moment, hold the position of a communications point between any of the further spread Damosi. I hold this position only until we have someone who can serve better for either position and who is willing to take on the duties - the position holds no true power over other Wanaxi or the greater Damosi unless they choose to have me arbitrate. This position I will hold no longer than ten years, and preferably much less. Once a hundred Wanax are established they will have the power, by a majority decision, to decide when to replace the Basileus and with who (the who must be willing to take the office).

I also ask that all Wanaxi record their record of activities (which we will call, for lack of better terminology your Damosi's Book of Records) in photocopy, ASCII text file or to be Handwritten/typed/carboned and pass this duplicate on to me to keep and utilize for communicating with all the members of the Laos (the people, in greek) of the Mycenaea faith, either within newsletters, computer files or whatever - based on the needs of each individual of the faith. This is a matter of choice of the Wanax personally, if they feel they need secrecy for some reason that is their choice and they may choose not to send such to me. I am not in a position of power in this path, simply a guide for part of the way and then it is up to your own selves to decide where you will go dealing with the path, your Wanax, your damos and your lifecycles.

Many of the ancient titles and positions within Mycenae are no longer of great import in todays society, but might one day become of import. The E-qe-tai (ee-kay-tie) were the liaison between the temples and the military, I suggest that this be a position given by each Wanax to a member of their Damos when they feel the need for someone to act as a Liaison between the Damos and any other Damos, a messenger of sorts between groups, and also to serve as such if the group comes into contact with the press or other public media. This position need not be a permament one, and several may be bestowed this title at one time if more than one series of liaisons are necessary. The Ko-Re-te (kowe-ray-tay) were military commanders within a Damos, we have no need of such at present, unless the Wanax of a group chooses that members of their Damos should learn a martial art or weapon skill for personal growth - then the Ko-Re-te will be the title given to a teacher within the group (You should not expect members of your Damos to be taught in such things by a person outside the Laos, nor can teaching be forced or required, only requested or suggested).

The Lawagetas was in ancient times the 'Leader of the Host', a military leader for a collection of the Laos from more than one Damos for a particular purpose. Obviously this is not a needed position within our present structure. The Pa-si-re-u was the official responsible within a Damos responsible for the bronze smiths, again a title I cannot see the need to restore (If anyone is skilled at this art and wishes to offer it as a teaching to members of your Damos, then grant them the title).

The klawiphoroi were the keybearers, always female, of the temple. Since our temples, shrines, groves and altars will be most likely within other buildings or outside and there is no plan to purchase buildings at present for this purpose (for we are a poor folk) this title will remain among the unused.

Each individual of the Laos, including those not of a Damos, may consider themselves Mycenaean Priests and Priestesses as long as they choose to follow this path of Neo-Paganism. There are no paian (non-clerical followers), though there may be members of other faiths present at a ritual, celebration or gathering - so long as they are willing to accept the rules of hospitality. Due to legalities, children are brought into ritual rarely - they are not yet on this path and should not be forced upon it like some religions do. We must not make the mistakes that many mainstream religions have before. They can be present at an open celebration, but should not be brought into ritual until they are old enough to understand the beliefs and concepts, say not before their 16th birthday (this will be an arbitrary choice between the Wanax and the parents).

Finances are the choice of the to deal with, and wether they will handle the finances of the Damos or have a separate person appointed treasurer or choose to keep no finances for the group but run the group as a 'donate anything but money' operation. I would like to hear from the Wanaxi on how they are handling their finances and the operations herein, especially any who set up their Damos as a physical communal household or farm site.

To some of you all this organizational material may seem just so much unnecessary paperwork or a lot of complications in a simple life, but it is something to things about when setting up any organization, even one as loose knit as this. The purpose of it will become obvious with time, so please bear with me. I have written in a format that is not a bunch of mangled legalese, but that fits our needs for clear and concise communications between each other as a community.

The Laws of Hospitatlity for Myceneaens

1. A Guest always has the right to leave a Host's home, lands, celebration or gathering when they wish (this is not possible always in the middle of a ritual and can only be done when the officiary of the ritual grants it magically etc), without harm or threat of harm, with all that they brought with them into the locale.
2. A Host always has the right to ask a Guest to leave their home, lands, celebration, gathering or ritual without conflict of a physical or verbal nature, and to take with them all they brought with them into the locale.
3. A Host has the right to request an armed guest to peace bond, remove from the locale or to take a weapon of any obvious nature, unless necessary for a ritual taking place, until it the guest is ready to leave without argument or conflict.
4. A Host has the right to request a guest not utilize or even bring into their home, lands, celebration, gathering or ritual any substance or device that may be legally questionable or outlawed or physically harmful to the Hosts health or that of other guests or members of the Damos. (this may be anything from drugs, alcohol, poisons, cigarettes, flamethrowers etc. all by the Host's discrecition).
5. A Host may ask the following of a personal rule of hygiene or social concept be followed by a guest while within the home, celebration, ritual, lands etc (EX: the removal of shoes before entering the house, the washing of hands, maintaining a low level of noise due to someone else sleeping, sharing in the breaking of bread, etc by the host's discretion).
6. Both Host and Guest are bound by a rule of trust - none shall carry out violence of a physical or psychic nature against those present or they shall be in violation of the rules of Hospitality and nullify all such rules at that point.
7. Neither Host nor guest shall steal from the other - either doing such shall be in violation of the rules of Hospitality and they shall be annulled at that point.
8. The Host may ask one service of the guest if they are to share meal, sleep within the hosts area, or in other words impose on the host in any manner. This service cannot require the leaving of the hosts area, nor be of an illegal, personally distasteful or harmful way, but will most probably be of a simple manner (and not the tasks set out historically in legend) such as assisting with the setting of the table, chopping of wood for the fire, etc. This is not mandatory, simply suggested in conceptional context of the original Mycenaean Society.
9. The Host and guest, if of different religions, will not seek to force their beliefs upon the other - discussion is allowed, but not obvious attempts to convert or prostilitize.
10. The Host and guest (and members of the Hosts Damos) will not seek to force their affections on each other sexually - this does not rule out flirtation, involvement or seduction, but does rule out harrassment, forced sex and rape. If a person says they are not interested then their word is final and any further consideration should be personally curbed. Violation of this rule invalidates the rules of hospitality in the situation.
11. The Host may request of a Guest reimbursement for any supplies that have been used in the feeding or entertainment of the guest that are considered excessive. Additionally a guest is expected to repay any bills of an excessive nature (such as those of long distance telephone calls) that they are responsible for.
12. A Guest at Ritual is expected to accept the Authority of the officiaries within the ritual area as absolute, and shall not question their authority or actions while within the ritual area. Nor shall a Guest seek to disrupt a ritual from within or from outside of it while it is being carried out.
13. A Guest is expected to provide a gift for a host or the hosts Damos when visiting for ritual (A food dish or libation is the common practice) or celebration. This is waved if not more than one days notice has been given or if the Guest claims a truly impoverish condition in their own life.

The above may seem simplistic, obvious or unnecessary, but I feel it is important that we have a set of rules for those who cannot see the obvious and to protect all involved. Further, I'd like to request that any member of the Laos who has had the Rules violated by a Host or Guest (especially those rules dealing with violence, Forced affection, theft etc) to report them by name to me, anyone who has been found in such violation with witnesses by members of any three Damosi will be reported as such and publicized by us internally to be avoided as Guest or Host (and of course, if a legal violation occurs any Host is welcome to report them as such to the authorities).

Remember that a Guest or host cannot be considered held by the rules of Hospitality if they have not seen them and agreed to them beforehand. Feel free to suggest that other Neo-pagan groups accept these rules themselves - this does not have to be just a Myceneaen only concept.

Ethics &: Concepts of Conduct

You take, by using this work and collection of beliefs and the title of Myceneaen Priest or Priestess, the responsibility for your own life and actions in it. Every time you make a decision in life you are exercising your freedom and are responsible for your actions. With knowledge and power come great responsibility, to yourself, your Damos, your Waxan, the Laos, your homeland, your birth family, the human race and that of the entire planet. There are no 'evil' forces manipulating you or your actions, no devils or demons exist save in the minds of others (and if any do exist in your own mind then you must cast them out). No amount of alcohol, drugs or influence shall change the fact that you are still responsible for what you choose to do and not to do.

Yes, we recognize that there are forces beyond our ability to fully conceive in this reality, that at times the gods and the goddesses might interfere with our lives, remember that there is something to be learned from each success and every failure, that they do not wish you to suffer - they simply wish you to learn and advance to one day rise above the need for the state of being what you are at present - bound within a limiting fleshly body for this cycle and for each you have and will have given to you until you have learned all this existance can teach and advance to a level where you may enjoin with the gods and see beyond our present.

Your life is precious, it is a gift of the gods, do not give it up needlessly or for another person or cause unless you truly believe that they are deservant of the sacrifice. To take it if you are obviously going to die (for instance if you contract a terminal wasting disease of some sort) is a personal choice and one we shall not judge you upon. To take it without reason or achievement otherwise is wasteful and best avoided. Not matter what it is your choice and we cannot and will not judge such.

To take the life of another is a matter of circumstance and choice. We cannot condone nor condemn it, but never shall it be done in sacred space. Do not do so without truly being sure you have the right to judge another's existance; do not do it by the command of anyone mindlessly, the following of orders is not an excuse - you are still responsible. To take the life of one of the Laos is to choose to remove yourself from the Laos and to remove yourself from us (this does not, of course, apply to an obvious accident). If doing this violates the laws of the land you are in then be warned that the Laos cannot aid nor protect you if you are guilty of the action.

If you commit a crime, such as theft, for survival of yourself or another you have decided is worth such for, we shall not judge you. If you commit a crime from want, not need, then you have chosen to take the risk and we cannot aid you against the full repercussions of the Law and of the balance kept by the Fates. If you commit a crime against a member of the Laos then you have broken the trust of the Laos, and should seek judgement by the Laos or remove yourself from the Laos. We live by trust and by Love, to breach the trust is to breach your standing.

If a member of the Laos has chosen to be secretive in their belonging to avoid persecution from those outside the Laos, then you will respect this and keep their secrecy intact. You do not have the right to breach this, even if you leave the Laos.

When speaking in public, to media or non-Laos, about the Myceneaen beliefs and the organizations, you must always state if you are speaking for yourself, for your Damos (if a Wanax) or for the Laos (if stating from these or other authorized writings or in the position of Basileus). This is so that they will know what is the source of your words and to keep all info clear to them.

No one may offer initiation into a Damos for money, nor shall the positions within the Laos at any level be purchased with any funds or barter. A Wanax shall decide who shall enter a specific Damos, based on the persons ability to work harmoniously with the members of the Damos - the Wanax may choose to place such candidates for initiation or joining in the hands of the members of the Damos as a matter of secret vote of stones (each member is given a black and white stone, marble or chit and places one in a box marked 'accept' and the other 'declined' and places one in each box. If there be any black markers in the accept box then the candidate is refused without any offense taken. This system is based on the judgement system mentioned in myths of Hermes, and is said to be used by some Masonic groups). Initiates, those who have not yet been trained in the path, should be taught by the Wanax before they are initiated into the path.

You shall remember, when dealing with another Damos or Wanax, that no one within the Laos is held as inferior to another, the Wanax hold their position from the trust of their Damos to do the tasks required to maintain the strength of the Damos and hold the reins of the office only while their Damos deems it so. Show each Member of the Laos the respect, trust and love that you yourself would wish to receive. Only by this shall we survive as a people.

Race, bloodline, sex, age, nationality, finances, sexual orientation or training outside the Laos are invalid reasons to discriminate against anyone,of the Laos or outside it. We are not better than any other Neo-Pagan belief system, only different. We accept people for what they are, and so long as they treat us with Trust and respect they shall receive the same from us. If someone does not treat you with trust or respect then you must do what you feel best in the situation doing for your own personal safety and peace of mind. We accept people as individuals and shall not just stereotype them for any reason.

Within one's Damos, neither the members nor the office holders shall charge money to each other for services rendered or to attend rituals or activities. If expenses are incurred,the reimbursement of such is acceptable to ask of the members, each to the best of their ability to pay. Volunteerism and working together in not just spiritual matters but personal lives is an important part of the concept of the Damos. In Myceneae each Damos was a commune, there was very little in the way of personal property or possessions - everyone shared what they had and helped each other through the tougher times without question. When one profited, all profited; when one suffered all suffered. If one became ill all rushed to their aid. This is how a Damos should be working, be it two people or twenty.

Outside the Damos, the charging of funds or barter for the services one gives is acceptable, so long as such is reasonable and does not reflect badly upon the Laos in general (EX: selling incense is fine, selling your personal advice as a Tarot reader is fine, selling a 'spell' or the casting of one for money that is demanded is not fine - accepting a donation after completing a task is fine). We cannot sell the gifts of the gods and goddesses any more than we shall sell the knowledge of the Myceneaen beliefs for a profit.

If a Damos is in hardship and asks for help from the Laos in general, then such help will be given as best can be afforded by those Damosi who are not suffering hardship. The decision of how much can be afforded is up to the members of the Damos and their Wanax, dependant on their group decision and the power they have entrusted to their office holder(s).

A member of the Laos may belong to more than one Damos, if they accept their membership, but no Wanax shall be Wanax of more than one Damos so that none shall have more than a single voice in any matter needing the judgement of the Wanaxi as a whole. The Basileus shall be the sole decider if a matter is needed to be judged by the Wanaxi as a whole, unless the Wanaxi decide as a whole that they shall bear a decision that the Basileus has not chosen to act on. The Basileus may be a Wanax, but cannot vote as one if a call for the whole of the Wanax to vote is called, unless there is need for tie-breaking vote.

We shall hold in respect members of the Neo-Pagan community, as they are our kin in concept and many beliefs. We are but one facet of the community of the greater whole and shall try not to bring disgrace upon them any more than they should do so to us. We shall hold in them in trust as individuals, unless they breach otherwise this trust. THis also extends to true Pagans, those who follow their ancient belief systems, like the American Indian Tribes I have mentioned before. They are also akin to us and are deserving of our trust as individuals unless they choose to breach such trust. We shall share with them our ways, knowledge and opinions as equals, no matter their chosen path. If they chose to hold their status as secret then we shall hold as such as if they were of the Laos.

We are not the enemies of Christianity or other non-pagan faiths, except those who choose thru their leaders to make us the subject of their persecutions, libel or hatred. We recognize their personal beliefs as being such, and so long as they do not try to bind us, harm us, slander us or convert us mindlessly then we shall offer them the olive branch of peace and the acceptance of their importance to others. If they attempt to harm us we will not simply 'turn the other cheek' but shall defend ourselves with whatever means is needed to prevent such harm from occuring. We will not make the mistake of the original Myceneaens when it comes to protecting ourselves.

If persecution or slander against the Laos occur, wether by a religious group, a financial organization (businesses of any kind) or a government agency on any level, then the member or Damos that is being so affected may ask for and expect the help of the Laos in protecting their legal rights. No Laos member, save one who is still in secret, may refuse the request of another member of the Laos to bear true legal witness for them. If the Basileus asks, in such a case as such a thing going into the legal courts, Each Wanax may be asked to ask of their Damos to contribute to a fund to help cover legal costs. A Wanax may choose to do so themself as well without asking such of the Basileus, so long as it is still recorded in the book of records, and a Wanax may ask for such aid from Neighboring Damosi thru their Wanax if they so choose. We are a support group for each other, spiritually, emotionally, legally, and financially.

The Laos shall try to take care of their own - if one is in some way suffering hardship and asks help of their Wanax or of neighboring Damos or from the laos as a whole we shall try to provide for them to the best of our ability without causing harm to ourselves. It costs little to offer a homeless member a space on your floor for a night, or a hungry one a meal (if you have some to spare). We have all probably at one time or will be at one time, in a condition of needing help from the rest, and we should not be cruel to our people (but if to do so is a burden, then you are not asked to do such and will not be judged if you decide it is a burden). It is not a disgrace to ask for help, it does not make you a lesser person - it is a learning experience in itself, for it helps you to improve your concepts of love and of trust. Equally, for those who help there is a learning experience, that of how to give of ones own love to another without price or expectation of anything in return. Both learn of the importance of community in this way, which cannot be expressed enough in words.

The Laos should also try to help their fellow Neo-pagans in time of hardship or distress, but this is a personal choice in the circumstances involved and not a matter of judgement by any for such action or inaction. You retain free will, as always, on this and other matters of choice. The lessons and concepts behind this is the same as with the Laos, but working with the wider Neo-Pagan community; this too can be applied to the community of sentient life upon this planet if you choose to do so.

Principles of Myceneaen Belief

This section may have been better titled something like, 'Our Myceneaen Philosophy 101' or 'What we Are and Aren't'. Still I think the chosen, like the principles often quoted by Wiccans or Druids is suitable enough.

1. We Are Part of A Greater Whole.
   Stated simply, we are part of a very intricate world and are responsible for our actions that may harm or help it. We are on a path of hopefully repair the damage that mankind has done while we learn from our own lives and those of others around us. We shall do all that we can to preserve the Earth as a living bio-sphere, if we don't we won't have an existance later in this life or the next.
2. Reincarnation Is Our Future.
   The body you posses today is not immortal, indestructible or even maintainable indefinitely. We are all subject to age, disease and eventual death, but we are also possessed of a Life force which we shall call our personal SPirit that is an energy form that cannot die, but may be transferred or transformed (as most energy is) from one locale to another or from one state to another. This Spirit includes most of our personal essence, memories and potential and actually grows in strength and ability thru our lives. When we die we will be reborn again within a child's body, losing much of our conscious memory but retaining the subconsciousness that can be tapped into with training and concentration. It is by tapping into this that we produce the effects that come from ourselves and that we call magic. The gods and goddesses are beings who have long ago passed beyond this stage of physical recycling, and who have raised their subconsciousness to a point of easy access and equality with their conscious minds. They are our parents, and we their children, and we seek to learn their lessons and emulate them so that one day we may reach their level of advancement. Until then they nurture us and allow us our lessons in our cyclic lives, but they will help us at times when asked and give advice to us if we wish it one how to deal with our problems in life (they will not necessarily solve our problems for us - but will show us the ways that we might solve them ourselves).
3. Magic is an Exercise in Will and Love.
   Magic as we practice it is a matter of personal will, working thru visualization and foci, and controled by our own sense of love. It is power, and exists independent of our ideas of good or evil, its attachment to such terms comes from its intents attached by mankind. It can help or harm, and not all of it is in the hands of human control. Do not use it without thought of the repercussions, for it works like the laws of physics - for each and every action there is an equal and oppositely directed reaction. If you use it to harm someone, there will be an equal harm or feedback upon you, if you use it to help another than it may feedback help to you as well.
4. Polytheism is part of the Natural Order.
   Because we believe in Reincarnation, the existance of the spirit and a cycle of (hopefully) improving ones spirit, we must assume that there are those who exist on various stages of advancement both above and below us. The Gods and Goddesses we recognize as 'Universal' were also among the earliest such known and thus surely rose up first from among us (wether there are beings beyond them in scope I cannot begin to fully perceive at this point), and there are probably others who are equal to them that are not of our official pantheon of belief. Beneath them are 'local' spirits, Deities and local creatures of advanced spirit that have not yet reached a Universal level or who have decided to stay at that level (who are we to judge which) and whose power to effect the world is within a certain localized area. Thus we must recognize the gods of any indigenous people as being at least a local deity, and pay them homage on occasion as we do our own. This too should be done when dealing with the spirits of a just slightly higher level, such as Nymphs, Satyrs, Pooka, etc. Always respect them when encountered, and do not seek to demean their status, for they are still not on the same level as yourself.
5. Without Learning You Are Not Achieving.
   It was said, a long time ago by a Greek Philosopher of the Democratic period of Greece that we must all "Retain the eagerness of children long after you have acquired the wisdom and intellectual energy that comes with age." In other words, we are all engaged in this existance with two important tasks, we are all students of reality and we are all teachers to our fellow students. It is this duality, and our need to experience life and learning as much as possible, that is most important. If you stagnate or become like the Hanged man in a standard Tarot deck (life in Suspension) then you are not changing, and without change you cannot move past the level of existance you are on towards higher states. Don't let your life become a dull rut - there are experiences awaiting you and learning to do and to give! Enjoy life to its fullest - live its full width and breadth when possible! Do not let fear enter your heart (but do not mistake logical caution for fear), it is a false emotion.
6. Trust, Love and Community are the Keys to Power.
   Without these three factors we are but unjointed individuals with only a small ability to effect our lives and the world in general. Together, with these three elements we can not only survive, but grow and prosper. Knowledge, resources and efforts shared shall forge for us a path that is one of change, and so long as we hold these keys we shall have a working path. Do not betray trust, abuse love or betray community and you will find that you can grow and understand the path of Myceneae, and reap the benefits this understanding and growth have to offer.

Understanding the Pantheon of Myceneae

What follows is glimpse of the concepts of the gods and goddesses of our pantheon. Some may be familiar, yet changed, others may be new to you, some few may be well known and unchanged in these few words. I cannot fully explain the divine, their natures or their ways - the following is a guide for beginning, and from here, thru your encounters and activities you shall grow to add to these notes in both worded and unworded ways.

Aphrodite

Sister of Apollo, Aphrodite is the highest example of feminine beauty, poise, passion and her power is that of seduction and love. All acts of love and physical union are rights unto her. She was not originally Myceneaen, but came with migrants across many lands - as such her names are several : Ashtoreth, Astarte and Ishtar. She is the protector of lovers and of prostitutes, patron of the dance.

Apollo

Brother of Aphrodite, son of Themis. Apollo is the highest example of masculine beauty and grace. Like his Sister his is linked with fertility, but his realms of power are those of the warmth of sunlight, Prophecy thru any form of divination, the insight of logic, the skills of animal husbandry, and a love for the skill of any artisan. Like his sister he has had many lovers, both male and female and thus is often invoked in rites of fertility. He is also sometimes referred to as the protector of the world from the pollutions that man may place upon it.

Artemis

Sister of Zeus, Huntress of the wild, Artemis is femininity unrestrained in ferocity and passion for the plants, animals and survival of natural wildlife. She is patron of archers (her ritual tool is the bow & arrows), leader of the woodland nymphs (and prone to their nature not the chastity that Homer thought was hers). She often takes the forms of Lioness, Bear or hawk. She guards the wild places and their inhabitants.

Athena

Daughter of Zeus, Athena is the protector of the Damos, and thus the protector of the young. Her ritual tools are spear and figure 8 shield it is to her that oaths of community are sworn and from her whom shall come justice for breach of such oaths. She is said to be virginal and protects such from those who would commit rape. Her ritual beast is the snake, for houses in ancient Myceneae all had a protective snake to prevent rodents and other such pests from causing harm, spreading disease and from consuming precious food stores during the winter.

Demeter

Daughter of Gaia, Sister of Zeus. Goddess of the fruitful earth, Mother of Persephone and Dionyseus. Her realm is that of plant life, she is the protector of farmers and their crops. Her symbol is a stalk of barley or wheat. She is the giver of immortality - she is the giver of the cycle of reincarnation and the opportunity to advance to a higher plain to humanity (the gods had not originally wished to share this gift with their otherwise mortal children for fear that man would upsurp them, Demeter was the one who convinced them that they would not be truly worthy of their own immortality given to them by Gaia if they blocked humanity's chance to learn and improve itself). Her rituals and celebrations call for the gathering of flowers and other growing things growing within the area of use.

Dionyseus

(Also known as Zagreus) Son of Zeus and Demeter, he is the god of wine, the vineyards, and celebration. He is the youngest of the gods, and often companion to Pan or Apollo in travels. His symbol and ritual tool is a staff or wand with one end carved like a phallus. His sacrament is that of the wine, and so he is the first named in the libations to any gods or goddesses. He is the god of the Orgy and thus shares Aphrodite's importance in such. His rituals (those directed towards him) and celebrations are marked by the wearing of masks and body paints. Unlike most of the other gods and goddesses (except Persephone) Dionyseus suffers the fate of dying each year at the start of Winter - going forth to the Blessed Lands until the coming of spring when he is reborn. At Delphi, in ancient times, the shrine of Apollo would be vacated from its use and became a place of winter-long revelry in symbolic representation of what must indeed occur in the Blessed Lands (the realm between Life and Death where Spirits await rebirth) when Dionyseus entered them for the winter. [Even in death Dionyseus could find pleasure!]

Eris

Sister of Zeus, Eris is the goddess of anarchy and chaos for the pleasure of it - nonconformity and rapid change (and the doing of the impossible) are signs of her hand in matters. Her ritual tool is the apple. Invoking her is a choice to be considered carefully - for if anything can go weird she will see to it. It is said that Laughter and satire are the true means of homage to Eris.

Gaia

(Also known as Rhea,Ge,Gaea) Mother goddess of the primary Pantheon, Gaia is the Earth Mother from whom all else did rise. All are her children, both mortal and immortal, and all hold her as sacred. Her worship is best carried out in caves, the wombs of the Earth. Ancient, older than the world itself, she is usually referred to as the Elder Goddess and is thought by many to be a grandmotherly figure (or what Wiccans call 'The crone').

Hecate

(Also known as Selene) Daughter of Gaia, she is the giver of magic to humanity, her symbol is the moon in all its phases - and thus she is the protector of women during the time of childbirth. She too, like Demeter, Themis and Phersephone is a bearer of power over the Earth, but also bears power over water and sea (she is said to be highly respected by Zeus and Poseidon because of this aspect of power). Like all the Direct line children of Gaia she is a fertility goddess.

Hera

Sister and Wife of Zeus, often given the title of merely 'Potnia' (The Lady). Hera is guardian of the rights of Women, married and unmarried. Her confidant and often companion is Aphrodite, and she is often pictured as being just slightly less beautiful than her. Hera is outspoken, and she is aid to women who have experienced violation by rape.

Hermes

Son of Zeus and messenger of the gods in general, Hermes is the mischievous rogue, inventor of the lyre and thus patron of music, he is also patron of athletes (mainly track and decathlon). Like Apollo he is considered a romantic lover, and his mythology includes many tales center on this including his involvement with Aphrodite herself. He is the protector of thieves of a Roguish persuasion, and of travellers upon the roads. He carries the Kerykeion - the baton of ambassadorship, and thus has a form of 'diplomatic immunity. Hermes also has the task of escorting the spirits of the dead to the Ferry of Charon to the blessed Isles to await their next incarnation, and to guide the spirit into the realm and prescence of the Gods when needed. He is known as the god the cairn, the traditional way for the burial of the dead, both for the task of being a spiritual guide and because he himself in mythology was tried by the gods for a crime where the gods thru their voting stones at his feet (he was acquitted by one vote and later proved his innocence).

Hestia

Sister of Zeus, guardian of the hearth and the home. Hestia is the keeper of the cooking fires, virgin and proud. She must be invoked at any ritual where a fire is built (bonfire, cookfire,etc) to ensure safety from the destructive powers of flame and useage of its full benefits. She is also the patron of those who make pottery, both their teacher and protector.

Pan

Son of Gaea, companion of Hermes and Eris in travel, wild master of the woods, consort of Artemis, Pan is the leader of the Satyrs and companion to Dionyseus. Music from any wind instrument is his inspiration, and his ritual tool are his pipes. Pan loves music, dance, and like many of the gods is a fertility deity. He is also one of the pair of truly prankster gods in this pantheon and so must be watched carefully. His pranks and arguments with and on Apollo are famous thru mythology.

Persephone

(Also known as Kore) Daughter of Demeter and her brother Zeus, Persephone is the maiden of the growing year, who frolics from spring to fall and dies thru the Winter months (entering like Dionyseus into the Blessed Lands of the spirit) and is then again reborn. Her symbols are many, dependant on locale, but most common are the Ear of corn, the Pomegranate (which is the fruit of the Blessed Isles) and even more so The Beautiful Butterfly, which itself is a creature of life-transition in appearance.

Poseidon

Brother of Zeus, Son of Gaia. Master of the seas and wide Oceans, protector of fishermen and sailers, creator of the storm and provider of the bounty of the sea. Poseidon's domain in ancient Myceneae was vital for the survival of the people, since it was half of the existing food supply and all the available trading routes. His ritual tool is that of the trident.

Themis

Mother of Apollo, a daughter of Gaia and a consort to Zeus (second to Hera). Like most of the children of direct birth from Gaia she has some sway over the element of the Earth itself, and is often invoked at fertility rites. She is the guardian of oaths and law, ensuring the speakers of such bind themselves to their words faithfully.

Zeus

Son of Gaia, Zeus is the master of the Mountains, bringer of the fertile rains that help the crops grow upon the land. He is not, as Homers age claimed, the King of gods, for no god alone has power over any other god. Often he has held the position of Wanax of the gods, and this is where the people of Homers era made the misconception of his position (He has not been their only Wanax, nor is he always such, for the gods trade this title often in our eyes and thus part of our reasoning in the construction of our system of structure within the Myceneaen Mysteries). Zeus has had many consorts and is also said to dally with females and males among mortals, a practice that Hera was most jealous of as she did believe it wrong to be involved outside the Damos of the gods. Zeus is also one of the two bearers of Lightning, the other being his brother Poseidon.

Other Beings of Importance in Myceneaen Belief

Charon

(Also known as Execant) Immortal Ferryman who travels from the realm of the world thru the astral realms to the Isles of the Blessed. The dead and living both were expected to pay their way to cross, the price being a silver coin, and from this came the practice of burying the dead with a coin within their mouth. The dead who could not pay their way found themselves unable to cross, left to wander as ghostly spirits for the three months until their reincarnation. Beyond this we do not yet know Charon's mythology.

Prometheus

Last of the Titans, the first born of Gaia who were then replaced by the existing pantheon of Zeus and his brothers and sisters (There are two concepts of belief, one that the Titans somehow failed their divinity and were cast back into mortality from the beginning to relearn all the lessons and without memory of their past existance and thus for all intensive purposes 'destroyed' by the new Gods, the second is that the Titans advanced above to a level we cannot yet perceive and which even the Gods cannot perceive until they have passed into it, and thus vanished from existance as we can perceive) and the only Titan still present. Prometheus was the establisher of the giving to the gods in sacrifice the Fat and bones, and the meat to be consumed by the people present (when meat is served as a meal within a ritual or celebration), and the giver of fire to mankind (stealing it from Hestia hidden in a fennel stalk). He is the source of teachings in metalcrafts, Astronomy for ship Navigation and the use of healing herbs. Thus Prometheus was the first 'Champion' or 'hero' for humanity.

Magic, Ritual & Celebration - The Linking of Concepts

Magic in Myceneaen Belief is not always attached with Ritual or celebration, but it is found that the more difficult the task the more one needs the force of a Damosa's combined efforts to achieve it, and the more you will need the aid of the gods and goddesses to achieve the goal you have set. In order to best achieve success the Damosa must be well versed at working together, fully trusting of each other and also knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each other in functioning and in self. The closer a Damosa is, the better they shall know each other and the more fluidly their craft can be wielded. It is also believed that the Deities shall listen better to a multitude of voices raised to a single cause then one speaking alone.

The simple magics are those of Herbs, incenses, prophecy/scrying and earth stone workings. THese do not require the hand of a god or goddess, nor do they demand many hands to achieve. We shall not go into these here at the moment, for they are common to all Neo-Pagan religions and much has been written on each. Perhaps in the final form we will gather some of this together for specifics, but not at this writing.

Beyond these are the works of ritual, the channeling of the energy of many people and what the gods give in aide towards a single chosen goal. These must be crafted based on the Damos itself, and the true organization and recognition of a need for ritual are the responsibility of the Waxan. These may include Initiations, Dreamwalking, learnings, Group healings, and the circle of power. Examples (but not strict formalized ways) of these will be written and included with the whole of this work. More will be written by each Damos to suit itself, and these should be shared when possible between The Laos so as to help expand the possibilities for all.

Celebrations are gatherings for holiday merriment, often in the name of a diety or several deities, to thank them for the bounty they give us in life and to otherwise have a fun time. These are most common, least structured and most attended. The Wanax and/or Host should strictly enforce the rules of Hospitality at these, since it is for such that guests are commonly welcomed. Again some basics for these will presented in the accompanying pages, but the format, except for those that are obvious carried out in each, is up to the Damos involved.

An important concept, when dealing with a true Ritual, is that you are opening mental and magical gateways into the higher realms of reality. The Blessed Lands are not a physical place, for that would be an erroneous concept for beings in energy form, but a dimensional level above the physical concepts of our reality. There are many such places, beyond the void that is the river of Charon's ferry. The void is a barrier against the untrained and unperceiving to prevent the more powerful magics from being misused and to ensure balance between the realms. The gods and goddesses may receive and send power or information easily across this space - it is only a barrier against matter, not energy. Indeed the edges of this void may be skirted by man when sleeping, entering into the dreamwalk realms upon its edges to our concept of reality and thus allowing us to tap our collective unconsciousness and that of our past lives. Much work must be done as yet for us to better perceive this -but it is difficult to simply explain it in words and far easier for you to experience it...this is much of the Mystery of Myceneae - not that we have secrets on the plane of material mortals but that we cannot explain exactly what lies beyond in words, only experience it and learn thru experience. It is this level of growth that is hardest to understand or explain, and it is difficult to use this to assist ourselves on the material plane and lives we live. I will attempt to present some meditations with the project to further your quests on such - but remember that such explorations are personal and difficult to share.

Standard Procedures in Rituals & Ritual Design

To perform Ritual (not basic magic) there are certain procedures that are needed to be included within the design in order to appease the gods and goddesses and to aid in developing ones mind set when approaching the process of opening a gate.

First you must have a reasonably size area to work in - preferably one that can hold the entire Damos comfortably in a prone position without touching. This does not mean all your work will be done in this form, only that the need for such does occur on occasion and it is best to be prepared for the future.

A note about choice of locale - beyond the above, be sure that the locale has not been struck by lightning within the past year, and that it is not a burial ground or site of a violent murder or similar crime as these three things make a site unacceptable as far as the deities are concerned. The locale will need to be cleansed and consecrated anyway, but if any of these three factors have occurred then choose another site as you will the task far too laborious to bother with. [A ritual for cleansing, consecration etc will be done up as example and made available for you to build on].

The four compass points should be visibly marked, outside this can be done with stones, cairns, trees planted at the spot or ground stakes. This is for identification of such and to aid in the groups visualization of the boundaries of the wards they will erect against outside interference. Statuary suitable for the Damos and its members are acceptable (But may Eris make a personal appearance at your locale if you go so far as to use those irritable pink lawn flamingos!).

An altar needs to be set up, preferably just inside of the North boundary marker. It should be a flat surface raised above the ground, and either rectangular or in the shape of the infinity shield (8 set sideways). Upon the surface should be a carved or painted or nicely embroidered (if an altar cloth is used) five pointed star within a circle, with the single point facing to the north marker. The circle represents Rhea, the mother goddess of us all, the star represents many things, including the five elemental forces - more will be discussed of this symbol later. Upon this are placed some of the consecrated tools, and possibly a light source such as candles.

Since most ritual will occur at night, the setting and proper preparation of lighting sources is important - unless you can afford and can properly set up solar-powered lighter you will need to place candles, oil lamps or a bonfire ahead of time, and fuel to feed them. (we have no complaints about using solar powered light sources, but the use of standard electric lights is frowned upon, as the concept is to separate us from our technology and into our mind set and out of the destructive forces of technology - the use of solar is okay as this is a non-destructive source, but is expensive).

Safety too should be considered, the ground or room should be cleaned of anything that might be physically damaging or harmful, comfortable seating or at least reasonably comfortable ground that is not muddy or wet/snow covered.

Before entering the locale for ritual all members should have, if possible, have bathed or showered and should be attired in clean clothes, if attired at all (Skyclad is not mandatory, but neither do we frown on it. It is a choice of the Damos on how and when it is to be part of activities). [Ritual clothing is a nice touch, as would be Traditional dress, but not mandatory. A separate few pages will cover traditional clothing, just a separate one will cover traditional food recipes. Neither of these are mandatory.] Before the entrance to the area there should be set up a bowl, pitcher, small basin or similar such holding device filled with fresh water. All those who are entering must wash their hands symbolically within it before they enter the place of worship, for you do not go to the gods and the goddesses dirtied by the mundane madness of humanity.

Music within ceremony is also important, wether provided by the musicians of the Damos or by a cassette/CD player. It should be appropriate to the working and the mood you wish to set, and not overpowering in and of itself (a list of viable pieces will be generated later - but as a rule of thumb, avoid Heavy Metal/Thrash music and music that projects in its lyrics obvious obscenities against nature and life or the riding of hate or bigotry within its concepts).

Each officiary should know what part they shall play in the proceedings, and should know such without using a script or crib notes - if you cannot memorize lines then simply say what you feel is appropriate for the activity within its bounds so that you get the point across - some of the best ritual wordings come from the heart spontaneously instead of a written script. We are not here as actors, we are here as feeling folk who believe in what we do. The feeling and meaning behind the words are more important than the words! [Note that this is one of the features that make us different from many of the Neo-pagan groups who insist that one cannot improvise in ritual - improvisation and originality are vital to keeping us alive as a working belief].

Remember that once all have entered the working area and the circle of power is closed to the outside world's interference, that the attendees and officiaries cannot leave the circle until the ritual is over. Be sure that all tools, firewood, and supplies (such as food, libations) are within the area of the working. If an emergency occurs then you should have a bridge or emergency closing system to shut the ritual down without harm to the activity or those present. (A bridge is a means of opening a passage back to the outside of the circle without shutting down the entire circle or stopping the main ritual in total).

As the officiaries are first into the working area, so too will they be the last to leave, making sure to extinguish the burnables and ensuring that if it is outside that all valuables are gathered and brought back in.

Much more will be visible in the actual rituals than can be explained here, please be sure to look them over. Any additions or comments will be welcome if sent to the Basileus so they can be shared.

Tools & Supplies that should be Gathered

Each member of the Damos should have certain items for their own use, even if they are not planning in being involved in the officiary positions of ritual. These items are:

Voting stones - these consist of a pair of small, marble sized stones, one of white (marble works well) and one of black colors. These are used in voting and not much else, and are basically to be stored by the Wanax until a vote is needed. These are not so much personal as that it helps remove part of the efforts of the Wanax's position if the Wanax does not have to keep track of being sure there are enough such supplies on hand, and these are a reuseable tool.

Chalice - this is a drinking vessel, and may be of glass, pewter, ceramic or even bronze. When libations are shared in the circle each person is expected to have their own with them for this, and thus having one that is unique is useful. Libation is poured from pitchers, wineskins or Jars by an officiary during the ritual, this reduces the spread of transmittable diseases if guests and non-Damos personnel are present, and follows the way that tradition says the Myceneae did such. These may either be held until needed or placed on a sidetable or surface together to be filled and retrieved when needed (the main reason for the individuality in choice).

Personal Mask - This is worn for rituals and celebrations of Dionyseus and should be actually a half-mask, so that the lower half of the face is left uncovered for speaking, eating etc. These will not be needed right away, but will be by the time you get to such in practice.

Beyond this a variety of tools will be needed at various times by officiarys and members, often these will be identified within the context of ritual useage before its application (consider it the recipe ingredients list). Some of the standards for any Damos to have amongst them are:

• Spear (tool of Athene based rituals)
• Shield, figure 8 (tool again of Athena)
• Libation Jars/Wineskins or Pitcher(s)
• Dagger or Large Knife, for the cutting of foods, meats, symbolic cords, etc. It should be kept clean and sharp. It is possible that each member may be expected to have one of their own, and definitely each officiary handling such tasks should have one.
• Serving Platter(s) for foods to be consumed in circle.
• Candleholders (of sort) and candles or oil lamps & oil
• Matches (please avoid lighters)
• Silver coins (these should not be modern ones which are not pure silver but ones dated pre 1965.)
• Serving Bowls (wood, ceramic preferred; for soups)
• Olive Bough : used for spring thru harvest, hung with fruits freshly before each ritual for the local wildlife if outside. Not needed inside, except for the harvest. If olive branch not available any fruit-bearing tree wood will work if it is native to the area.
• Trident (tool of Poseidon based workings)
• Incense Burner (s) these are useful, and are best if they are designed for cone, stick and block incenses.
• Musical instruments (see pages on Costumes & cultural traditions)
• Fireplace matches : these are great for lighting a large number of candles at once, and for lighting a bonfire if used.
• Incense : a useful tool, look for separate writeups dealing with this, its choice for purpose and concepts of making your own for ritual use.
• Smudge sticks : these are made of dried sage, and can be easily bought (or made if sage grows near your area). Although smudging ritual is used primarily in American Indian rituals, because we will honor their gods in some of our ceremonies and rituals it would be a good idea to have some and an understanding of its properties.
• Tape Deck/Sound system : this is for your music, if you do not have enough musicians among you. A good library of tapes or CDs is also appropriate.
• Blankets : these could be towels, the concept is to have a surface that will remain reasonably dry if outside, or reasonably soft if indoors. Indian blankets are good for this, or beach towels, depending where you are working and the surface they are to go on - having members of the Damos each provide their own is a possibility the Wanaxi might want to consider.
• Scying Tools : These may be crystals or Tarot, primarily, as these are most portable and easiest for people to acquire. It is not necessary for all members to have these for use, only those who are learning their use or are trained in their use (again the Wanax shall decide the persons who will perform such activities in ritual based on their skill with such according to the Wanax's evaluation as the teacher of the group).

These are basic, and can be built upon based on ritual, personal concepts and the choices of the Damos as a group. Remember that the tools are designed to help you visualize better and in some cases to make you more physically comfortable so that your level of concentration can be maintained easily.