Although Alanna may be tired of these posts, I am informed and
believe that others are not. In fact, I have received a lot of
encouragement for my bravery in standing up to the Church. As
I've pointed out before, if there's something you don't want to
read, then skip it! Easy as that, dear. And, remember, the
Occultists are a nonaligned guild and, like Alanna, are proud of
it. So for those of you who do not wish to read lengthy
documents, I'll make life easier on you and tell you to skip this
one, for it is very long.

I am very shocked that Gawain has given me the go-ahead to
publish what I thought was to remain a Templar secret. In any
event, to give you some background, what is about to follow are
excerpts from "The Templar Rite of Humility" which was written
many years ago by Janus Veritus, an elder Templar. After its
publication, which was, presumably, meant only for Templars,
several copies fell into public hands. This prompted the Templars
to go on a wide-ranging scourge to destroy every copy they could
find and, I believe, banned their members from ever publishing
any of their rites again. A copy, however, was preserved by the
Occultists and became a part of "Revelations of Glaaki" by famed
Occultist Regina Moonrose. I will reserve my personal comments
about this text until later, so, without further ado:

THE TEMPLAR RITE OF HUMILITY BY JANUS VERITUS

Know the story of Gregor Templar, whom all Templars are named and
who all Templars strive to emulate. Know that Gregor Templar, a
youth just coming of age, came upon the scene of Pasiphae, the
purest soul ever created, being set upon by a group of wicked men
intent on ravaging her. Though outnumbered and without a weapon, Gregor set upon these wicked men and beat them off of Pasiphae,
saving her honor and her life. Pasiphae escaped, but young Gregor
did not. These wicked men soon overpowered and raped young
Gregor. By the time Pasiphae returned with help, young Gregor was
dead. Pasiphae wept over the youth's body and pronounced to all
present that Gregor Templar was the bravest and most honorable
soul she ever encountered. Years later, these words were
remembered and the Templars were founded in memory of St. Gregor.

The most empowering ceremony every Templar shall participate in
is the Rite of Humility, which is a reenactment of St. Gregor's
plight. One Templar is chosen to play the role of St. Gregor
(hereinafter referred to as the "Humiliated") while the other
Templars will play the role of the wicked men (hereinafter
referred to as the "Humiliators"). The Humiliated shall be
tripped bare and the Humiliators shall taunt and flay the
Humiliated. When suitably humbled, the Humiliated shall kneel
over a sacred shrine and the Humiliators shall plunge their
fleshy swords into the Humiliated. Although the Humiliated may
take different Holy Kneeling Positions, it is recommended that
novices take only the basic Holy Kneeling Positions. [Footnote 1:
See Appendix A, "Holy Kneeling Positions". The basic positions
are shown on Figures 1 through 3. The advanced positions are
shown on Figures 3 through 12 and should be reserved for the
experienced Templar, especially the "Knees Cover Ears" position.]
The frequency of performing the Rite of Humility shall be at
least once per month. Many of the more devoted Templars, however,
will desire to perform the Rite on a weekly or even daily basis.
If a Templar repeatedly takes the role of the Humiliated on a
daily basis and suffers constipation, it is recommended that such
Templar refrain from enacting as a Humiliated for at least one
week. It ought to be stressed that large amounts of Holy Oils are
usually used during this Rite. [Footnote 2: See Appendix B,
"Creation and Use of Holy Oils: The Importance Viscosity, Color
and Fragrance".] If no oils are available and several Templars
are eager to perform the Rite, spittle may be applied to the
fleshy swords in its stead. Some of advanced Templars may choose
to forego the use of any Holy Oil or even spittle altogether,
though this is only advised for the very experienced Templar.

Although it is extremely unusual for the Templars to indoctrinate
a female member, there are a few historical precedents. The main
problem for female members in performing the Rite is the role of
a Humiliator in that a woman does not possess a fleshy sword.
However, a special Sanctified Artifact, which is a special
leather belt with a large wooden rod attached, is available that
will allow even a female Templar to participate as a Humiliator.
[Footnote 3: Female Templars are advised to read "The Making,
Maintenance and Use of the Holy Strap-On" by Templar Gretchen
Wildmount.] It is not uncommon for men to use a Holy Strap-On
when they are older as well as those who prefer the role of
Humiliated and have difficulties functioning as a Humiliator.

The Rite of Humiliation is the most profound and inspiring Rite
the Templars perform. It should be performed as frequently and
devoutly as possible. It can hardly be described the exquisite
plain and pleasure of the Rite that surely is a gift from St.
Gregor himself.

COMMENTS: It should be noted here that I publish this text
merely as an example of some of the works the Church (and
especially the Templars in this case) has in the past sought to
destroy. Certainly, I am not seeking to embarrass or shame the
Templars for their sexual (religious?) preferences. It is well
known that Occultists are very liberal regarding sexual practices
that individuals may engage in privately, or even publicly.
Simply put, Occultists do not recognize taboos in any form and,
in fact, encourage our members to cast aside such societal
constraints. What is striking to me is not that the Templars are
basically a male sex club, or even that a wimp founded the
Templars, but that the Templars have in the past gotten so upset
when "outsiders" have found out about this Rite. Of course, many
of you are wondering if these Rites are still performed today.
The answer is "yes." I am sure many of you have seen groups of
Templars kneeling and huddling around their shrines. Well, now
you know what they are doing. In fact, one individual recently
left Templars when he found out what was expected of him. Why not
just let these Rites be known and let the young men seeking to
enter the Templars know what to expect?


Penned by my hand on the 8th of Glacian, in the year 178 AF.