The healing liturgy of Asklepios

A few months ago I began working with Asclepius, the Greek God of healing, on behalf of a family member who was experiencing a particular ill-boding symptom, nearly always suggestive of a very grave illness. I was already working with a Decan for another serious affliction this person suffers from, with some mitigating success.

Since the symptom was indicatory of a more generalized condition, and the Decans are ascribed specific body parts, I decided to attack it through another method. I thus chose Asclepius, the supreme healer, to assist in this endeavour. My family member underwent tests on these symptoms, and thankfully they came back negative. I am eternally grateful to Asclepius for this turn of events.

During the initial ritual, I made a vow to the God to publish an expanded form of that rite as a liturgy (which is posted here as promised to Him), and make a donation to a hospital in His name should the desired result be accomplished.

There are conflicting avenues to ensuring Gods and spirits accomplish what they are asked. The more devotional approach involves giving offerings in hopes that the entity will reciprocate. At the other end of the spectrum, there are the well known coercive methods, where even Gods are threatened and compelled to obey (qv. several ancient Egyptian and PGM rites).

Neither way is entirely misguided: it goes without saying that developing a relationship with the Gods is highly beneficial, especially using theurgic methods (as opposed to watered down, exoteric worship). However, deities are also capricious and sometimes require a push to get things done. The reconciler between the two extremes, and most effective method so far for me, has been to give a little to the deity during the rite, some basic offerings, while promising something greater only if they fulfill their part of the agreement (public praise, donations or volunteer service to appropriate charities in their name, greater offerings, &c, in addition to a repetition of the rite for thanksgiving purposes).

Take care that you do not renege on your end of the bargain, for the God or spirit may take away whatever favour they bestowed, or even have it backfire terribly.

This rite uses tested Hoodoo techniques, combined with parts of the Asclepius revelation rite from PGM VII, 628. It should be performed in the hour of Jupiter, and should be preceded by appropriate preparation and preliminary work.

Asclepius Healing Liturgy

Required: Altar with four tealights, three (1, 2, 3) in an upward-pointing triangle with a fourth one (4) in the center. Under central candle, have person’s name written on a piece of brown paper, a disk magnet on top of it, and Asclepius’ name written in Greek (ΑΣΚΛΗΠΙΟΣ) on another piece of brown paper - if you are using this as a thanksgiving rite, simply have the central candle with nothing beneath it. Have also a bowl of food (5), and another one with alcohol (6) as offerings, within the lower sides of the triangle. A censer just above the central candle (7). 

Remain chaste for a minimum of 24 hours prior to the ritual.

Rub the central candle with amber oil or other Jupiterian or Asclepian essence; alternatively, use oil of lilies, or olive oil wherein lily petals have been steeped for sufficient time. A few online retailers, such as the reputable Sphere and Sundry, sell Asclepius magical materia that you can use as well.

Just above the central candle, behind the censer, have an image or statuette of Asclepius (8).

Stand facing north or the Pole star, burning frankincense which you hold aloft, and say 7 times: “MENÔPHRI, who sittest upon the Kerubim, send me the true Asklêpios, Him alone, and not a deceitful daimon in His stead”

Sit at the table facing East and say: “Let the earth be still, let the air be still, let the sea be still, let the winds also be still and hinder not this sacred rite! No sound, no loud cry, no disturbance of any kind. For I am a priest\priestess, and I am about to call the great God Asklêpios, the venerable healer of all mortal ills, physician of Gods and men. Hail Imouthês, awaken, awaken venerable son of Apollon, awaken to this sacred rite”

Sprinkle statue with natron water. Light the 3 surrounding candles and the incense. Vibrate KHAUAPS ÔAEIAPS ÔAIS LUSIPHTHA, 136 times. You can use prayer beads to help with the count.

Light the central candle, pour alcohol libation and say: I pour this libation that Thy great powers may be manifest (if this is a thanksgiving rite, say ‘in recompense of Thy mighty deeds...)

Present food and say: I offer Thee this food, O high-skilled one, eat and be sated.

Be Thou honoured by these offerings I have brought before Thee.

Burn some more incense and recite this variant of the Asclepius Orphic hymn thrice:

Asklêpios, lord Paian, healer of all, who routest the suffering of men in pain.

Come, mighty and soothing, bring health,

And put an end to sickness and the harsh fate of death.

Helper, blessed spirit of growth and blossoming, Thou wardest off evil,

Honoured and mighty scion of Phoibos Apollon.

Peerless foe of disease, whose blameless consort is Hygeia,

Come, O blessed one, as saviour and (state petition and vows, or thanksgiving).

Let the candles burn out on their own.