Awakening

The awakening process is a ritual which gives practitioners the ability to see, use, and bargain with spirits and magic. It has been called the first step toward becoming an Other. Doing so binds a practitioner by the rules and contracts set forth by Suleiman bin Daoud, restricting their use of lies and making them a target for others.

Process

The person being awakened draws 3 concentric circles from chalk around them, each made of smaller circles. Five in the first, six in the second, and seven in the third.

In each of the circles in the inner ring are bowls with crystal, myrrh, oil, spice, and iron ore or possibly holly (see Trivia). In the second ring goes a dagger, a hourglass, a dreamcatcher, a skull, a coin, a rose, and something personal. In the outer ring goes food offerings for the witnessing Others - molasses, milk, vegetable ash, honey, meat, and alcohol. Candles are placed around the outside, and incense needs to be lit and metal ore heated. The person being awakened then strips naked, sits in the center, and reads a certain text. This triggers the awakening.

Trivia

Rose Thorburn Junior used holly instead of iron in her ritual, as instructed by her version of the text, but it didn't work. *Rose Thorburn Junior used holly instead of iron in her ritual, as instructed by her version of the text, but it didn't work.

References