THE RITE OF VENUS (version 3, updated 9 Sept 2002)

THE OFFICERS

Others

General Information

Set: Throne and temple of Venus.  The room is a large rectangle, divided by the Altar. Two 10 x 10 pavilions form "wings"  and a backstage area at one end. Venus's throne is set between these wings, and is an oyster shell, as in the picture by Botticelli. Behind it a Dark Blue Veil. There is an outer veil in front of this throne in the Prelude. The outer side of the Pavilions have hangings that indicate the God/Goddes in power. Forward of the pavilions  is a low altar. Before the altar are rugs, pillows, cushions, low benches, etc. Audience is seated on low benches, pillows, beanbag chairs, etc., close enough to one another to be a group, but separated enough for the food servers and actors to move among them. To one side is a screen/room divider with a low bench behind it, unlit in any special way. [Note -- this is for the trampling. It may be easier for Mercury & Venus to go into one of the wings and perform the shadow play there....]

On tables covered with white tablecloths, against the sides of the room, platters of finger food (chocolate, brownies, lemon bars, fruit (figs, peaches, apple slices),  divinity, etc.) are set, covered with white napkins. Also are pitchers of wine, plastic wine glasses, jugs of lemonade, etc. On the backs of those tables are incense burners and candles.

Charcoal for the altar should be lit backstage just before the ritual starts.

During the last 15 minutes before the Rite opens, the side table incense burners charcoal should be lit  The lights dim during the overture, and go out entirely with about 3 minutes left in the music. Ravel's Bolero should be playing, coming to it's crashing crescendo just before the lights come back up.

PRELUDE

VENUS. Blue with gold tiara/crown
TAURUS. Orange
LIBRA. Green
PISCES. Crimson
LUNA IN TAURUS. White (not silver)
SATURN IN LIBRA. Black

Setting: Full light. (Yellow light from above as it is noon, and Venus has just killed Sol in the Sol ritual). Lights come up, revealing VENUS,  seated in a royal-looking wooden chair before the altar, holding a staff with a solar disk on the top. LIBRA and TAURUS stand at the sides of the altar. On the sides of the pavilions are pale yellow hangings with Sun-faces in the center.  Altar is undressed; no candles are lit anywhere on the stage. Luna, Saturn, and Pisces stand at the back of the hall as in the diagram. The OFFICERS behave with great propriety to one another, and respect/reverence to the Lady Venus.  This is a stuffy, formal court. Probationers are scattered among the crowd, toward the front.

Music:  Something sprightly but not silly -- no "pomp & circumstance".  (Incidental music yet to be written.)

VENUS: (with the staff)  7777777.

LIBRA: (Taps rhythm sticks together)  7777777.

TAURUS:  (Taps rhythm sticks together) 7777777.

LUNA: (moving forward from the back of the hall toward Venus, kneeling stage right of Her.) Hail unto Thee who art Ahathoor in Thy triumphing, even unto Thee who art Ahathoor in Thy beauty, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Mid-course of the Sun.

SATURN: (moving forward from the back of the hall toward Venus, kneeling stage left of Her.) Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Morning!

PISCES: (moving forward from the back of the hall toward Venus, kneeling in front of Her.) Hail unto thee, Lady Triumphant, who art ascendant today!

VENUS:  Brother Libra, teach these assembled friends the Secret of Venus.
 
 

LIBRA:  (Pulls out a scroll, then steps toward the audience in a stance of formal instruction. Reads sonorously, a little pompously.)

Probationers (and some shills in the audience): As Libra recites, all yawn, stretch, recline and go to sleep one by one (piled innocently like a litter of puppies).

Officers, except Venus: Struggle to stay awake as you would during a boring class or lecture.

THOU art she who made heaven and earth, formed the mountains and created what is above.
THOU art she who made the waters and created the celestial waves..
THOU art she who made the bull for the cow.
THOU art she who made the sky and the mysteries of the two horizons,  and placed there the souls of the gods.
THOU art she who opens her eyes, thus the light comes forth.
THOU art she who closes her eyes, thus comes forth obscurity;
THOU are she on whose order the Nile's flood flows abroad,
THOU art she who made the hours, thus the days were born.
THOU art she who opened the New Year's festival, who created the river.
THOU art she who made the living fire.
THOU art  Khephr in the morning, Hathor at her noontide,  Atum in the evening.

Music: fades out by this point.

LIBRA: (stops reading as they fall asleep -- looks back to Venus a little helplessly.)

VENUS:   Have they not ears to hear, when truth is told unto them? My brothers and sisters, draw the veil and withdraw with me to meditate on how we might bring the truth unto our brethren.

OFFICERS: All follow Venus behind the outer veil. Exit backstage for costume change.

Music: Navajo evening [link removed: Medicine Dream MP3] traditional song by Medicine Dream,  calm and sensuous and languorous. (Runs 3:56. May need to loop.)

Effects: Light  dims to twilight/blue shadows, then goes dark (take about 10 seconds to black out, starting when Venus rises from her chair to leave.). Once it is black, probationers/stage hands move the chair to one side of the hall, take down the yellow-sun-face hangings to reveal the blue/purple/rose Venus hangings behind them, put roses/candles/etc on the altar, and other set changes.  Rose/Blue/Green sashes are on a corner of the altar behind the roses/candles. Music continues to play until the actors are ready with costume changes, settings, etc. A few moments of silence, then the lights and next music begin to come up.

PART 1

VENUS. Translucent blue and gold gown, wreath of roses in her hair
TAURUS. White loincloth or short Egyptian sarong; orange duster-like short-sleeved coat. Chest is oiled and gleaming. Armbands on upper arms
LIBRA. Short green chiton. Rings, Circlet in hair
PISCES. Crimson chiton — hair long and loose
LUNA IN TAURUS. silver-white dress, much jewelry.
SATURN IN LIBRA. Black and silver over-robe, black pants.
Probationers: White chiton(plain, with no trim and black cords) with yellow sashes (which will be exchanged for iridescent rose, blue, green ones.)

Setting: Twilight.  As the light slowly comes up from the west, the officers come into the room: SATURN and LUNA enter first, drawing the green outer veil, and standing next to the corners of the wings. Libra and Taurus next, and flank Venus's throne to welcome her. Pisces comes in and sits to the left of the throne, also waiting for Venus's entry. While they are entering, Venus enters from the back and chants.

Light should be that rich golden of twilight slanting from the west if at all possible.

Music: Navaho flute (Dreamer's Chant), the whole thing, very softly, under Venus' recitation of the Evening blessing.

As the lights & music come up, VENUS's voice is heard softly reciting:

In beauty, I walk.
To the direction of the rising sun
In beauty, I walk.
To the direction traveling with the sun
In beauty, I walk.
To the direction of the setting sun
In beauty, I walk.
All around me my land is beauty
In beauty, I walk.
It is begun in Beauty.

Then, we see:

LIBRA:  Hail unto Thee who art Tum in Thy setting, even unto Thee who art Tum in Thy joy, who travellest over the Heavens in Thy bark at the Down-going of the Sun. Tahuti standeth in His splendour at the prow, and Ra-Hoor abideth at the helm. Hail unto Thee from the Abodes of Day!

ALL: Hail unto Thee!

LIBRA returns to lean against VENUS's throne, much as Taurus is doing on the other side. They nibble on her fingers, stroke her arms, etc. Not too distracting, but very familiar.

VENUS: (with her staff) 7777777.

SATURN:  Amen.

VENUS: 333-1-333.

LUNA: Amen.

VENUS: 1-55555-1.

LIBRA and PISCES: Amen.

VENUS: (sensuously,  seductively) Saturn, my sweet, what is the hour?

SATURN: It is twilight, my Lady. (Bows to her, hand over heart.)

VENUS:  Pisces, little sister, from whose house are we departed?

PISCES: We are come out from the House of Death, my cousin. (Lounges indolently, looking up at Venus.)

VENUS:  Taurus, mighty one, what is stronger than death?

TAURUS:   Only Love, my Lady, is stronger than death. (Kisses her knuckles.)

VENUS: Libra, my hero, what is this place?

LIBRA:  Lady, you know that this is your own domain, the Mount of Venus, that depends from the navel of the Universe and holds sway over the Great Abyss. (Strokes his hands down her arms, kisses her palms in turn.)

VENUS:  Then, my friends, let us celebrate the Rite of Venus.

SATURN and LUNA move around the hall, lighting the candles on the side tables, putting incense in the burners, and lighting any other candles in other places in the hall. Note that their tapers should have been lit from the altar candle. PISCES helps VENUS primp, removing her crown and replacing it with a wreath of roses. PISCES places the crown on the altar.LIBRA and TAURUS go to the PROBATIONERS and exchange sashes. As each pair gets a new sash, the PROBATIONERS dance. If their tasks are accomplished before the next question, the officers should all dance, too. As the music gets more intense, Venus walks down from the altar and swirls in among the dancers.

Music Cue: Turns very lively at about 4:30. This should be Venus's cue to ask this question.

VENUS: (once all the sashes are distributed and they have been dancing enough) My children, what is the hour?

One of the probationers: (Joyfully) Lady, it is the hour of love.

VENUS: Let us begin the feast of love and beauty!

PROBATIONERS: Take dishes from the sideboards and  begin to move among the audience and serve them. Dishes should be finger food, chocolates, honeyed nuts, fruit confits, and so on. The probationers should actually feed the food to the audience by putting it in their mouths, and be very sensual, flirtatious, and physical. VENUS and the OFFICERS move among the audience. OFFICERS serve wine, juice, water, and flirt much as the probationers do. VENUS flirts familiarly with the audience, kissing those who will let her, being very chummy with everyone.

Music: Start with Moonlight Sonata on spanish guitar (cue as the probationers actually start circulating among the audience members).  Then move into something seductive and yet lively.

This should take about 10-15 minutes, more if the crowd really gets into the feel of things. At a signal from Venus, the Probationers, Officers, and Venus (and companions from the audience if they wish) return to the area in front of the altar, entwine in twos and threes, and sink down together. Despite moving from group to group, person to person, and being hugged and kissed, Libra is kindly rebuffed for anything more, and does not have a partner by the time this scene ends. [Note: We will stage some rejections so as to help cue the transition to the next act. Essentially, Libra will  circle around the officers, attempting to join in, ending with Venus, who rebuffs him as the others have.] This is a central point for the motivation of the next act. It must be obvious that he's getting nowhere, so his next behaviors make sense. He leans back against the side of Venus' throne and sulks. The lights go out.  Murmurs & sexy noises are heard. Then, a long pause and silence.

Notes: LUNA should take a place at the left front of the altar for her snuggle. Saturn should be on the right front of the altar.  Taurus and Pisces can be anywhere they want.

PART II

VENUS:  (Awakening, she looks around her indulgently and then moves to her throne.) 333-1-333.

Follow spot on VENUS so she is brilliantly illuminated; the rest remains dark.

VENUS: Little sister, what is the hour?

LUNA: (Awakening, yawning, stands.) The dawn is at hand.

VENUS: Little brother, what is the place?

SATURN: (Awakening, stretching, stands.)  It is the holy mountain of our Lady Venus.

VENUS: Children, awake and rejoice!

I am the heart of the heart of Horus!
Come thou divided, to love under will,
Come once in beauty and bliss.
And go forth now to come again,
Mistress of the Abyss.*

SATURN: (Echoing her words with gladness) Awake and rejoice!

PISCES: (Rises, confused, moves to sit at VENUS' feet.) But, how shall we rejoice?

TAURUS: (Rising, moves to the steps of VENUS' throne, bows to her.)  As our Lady hath appointed.

LIBRA: (Bitterly, interrupting Taurus.) As your will commands you.(

LUNA:  And wherein shall we rejoice?

TAURUS:  In our Lady Venus.

LIBRA:  (Again, bitterly, interrupting Taurus.) In nothing! Let there be no difference made among you between any one thing & any other thing.

TAURUS: (A bit fretful, turning to face VENUS) Thy will, our lady, and not ours be done!

PISCES: (Throwing herself at VENUS's knees)  Mistress, let the adorations be performed!

VENUS: (Laughing, delighted.) Children, array yourselves before me, and rejoice in the adorations of my beauty.

The Probationers stand and bow, each with his/her partner. Other OFFICERS do no move, but stand a little straighter. LIBRA, sulking, stomps down and sits with his back conspicuously  to them just in front of the audience. TAURUS recites invocation.

TAURUS:  (Moves to stand before the altar, facing the audience.)

Above the gemmèd azure is
The naked splendour of Nuit;
She bends in ecstasy to kiss
The secret ardours of Hadit.
The wingèd globe, the starry blue,
Are mine, O Ankh-af-na-khonsu!
Who am I, and what shall be the sign?

LUNA:  (Walking as she speaks, to stand before the altar, facing the audience.)

So she answered him, bending down,
a lambent flame of blue, all-touching, all penetrant,
her lovely hands upon the black earth,
her lithe body arched for love,
and her soft feet not hurting the little flowers:

They embrace, then return to their starting places. There is an awkward silence; VENUS inclines her head as if expecting LIBRA to speak.

VENUS: Brother Libra, art thou silent?

A pause. Then, impatiently:

Brother Libra, where art thou?

LIBRA (still turned away, sardonically)  But, Lady! Naught but love itself can explain love and lovers! None but the sun can display the sun, if you would see it displayed, turn not away from it. Shadows, indeed, may indicate the sun's presence, but only the sun displays the light of life.

LIBRA jumps up  and confronts her:  Are not thy lovers withering, as thy sweet self grows richer, sweeter, more lucious? We are enjoy'd no sooner but you despise us straight; Past reason hunted; and no sooner had than tossed aside.
(turns to the others, imploringly) O fear her, O thou minions of her pleasure!

VENUS: Nay, brother, thou art the chiefest of my chosen.

LIBRA: (Turns away in despair) Alas, but were it true. Thy thought is only to pleasure, and none to reason.

VENUS: (Rises, goes to him as if to comfort him — he will not be comforted and shakes her off. In their walking they move in front of the altar.) Yea, brother: in the end all turn to me, and all return to me. And so shall you if you follow out the ordeals of my knowledge! seek me only!

While Venus recites, PISCES rises and  performs a sleepy sinuous dance by herself, and returns to Venus' throne lapsed into herself, and as if exhausted. (ends about 30 seconds into "Might".)

Then the joys of my  love will redeem ye from all pain. This is so: I swear it by the vault of my body; by my sacred heart and tongue; by all I can give, by all I desire of ye. (Still imploring Libra) Rise, rise, my knight! My king! My love, arise!

VENUS  is interrupted by a an unutterable melody

Music: "Might of Rome" main theme from Gladiator crashes in.

PISCES manifests distress.

VENUS:  Brother Libra, what is this song?

LIBRA:  (in despair) It is the sound of chaos; it is the wind of change; it is the breaking of our hearts with none to rescue us.

VENUS manifests distress.  PISCES furtively slips away to sit at the feet of LUNA, picks up a shawl and covers herself.

VENUS: (in despair, weeping) Oh! Oh!

LIBRA: Holier than pleasure is pain; nobler is abstinence than indulgence; from sloth and faith we turn to toil and science; from the tame victories of the body to the wild triumphs of the mind.

VENUS: (flinching, as if she cannot believe what she hears) It is the ruin of My temple.

LIBRA: (Continuing to abuse her with words.) For from thee cometh the Utterance of the Present; but of the Future no word.

VENUS: And thou wilt?

LIBRA: The Word.

SATURN comes out and dances his dance, and falls, clasping the hem of LIBRA'S robe.

VENUS: Who is this? These are not my dances; these footsteps tread not my measures; not me he worships by the paces and pauses of his feet!

SATURN drags LIBRA backwards into the dusk (and offstage). The PROBATIONERS group in same-sex pairs and kneel  before the altar, heads bowed sadly.

Music: Might of Rome, 4:30 seconds, crescendo for trampling/murder

VENUS: (Turning to Taurus, who has come up behind her and is supporting her. Clings to him.) Brother Taurus, art thou faithful, thou alone?

TAURUS: (Seductively yet ironically.) Knowest thou not me?

VENUS: (With relief, leaning on his chest.) Yea, my beloved, Lord of all my doves.

TAURUS: (Pats her head, strokes her back. His face is hard and bitter.) Venus, our Lady!

VENUS: (Leaning away from him, taking his hand and pulling him toward a couch on the side of the stage behind a screen. Enticingly...) Come unto me!

TAURUS: (Gestures toward the rear of the stage.) Within the veil?

VENUS: (Seductively, throatily, letting her shawl fall from her shoulders.) There is no veil before my shrine!

She unfastens his robe and they vanish behind the screen. Actors pantomime Taurus "trampling" her -- sex with no respect for her. At the end, she lies dead or unconscious behind the screen.  Officers React according to their own natures.

Taurus/Mercury returns and stands in triumph before the throne.

Music: very softly at this point. let it run into "Honor Him"

TAURUS/MERCURY: (Triumphantly) In the Beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God; and the Word was God!

Music: Pause, then "Honor Him" from Gladiator. (Rising quietly, whisper-like through this next scene. Loop if necessary.)

All OFFICERS come forward; SATURN & LIBRA arm in arm; LUNA and PISCES hand-in-hand.

SATURN:  (With LIBRA, vests TAURUS/MERCURY in an orange robe with a gold belt.) The Treason is accomplished.

LIBRA:  The mind is nobler than the body

LUNA: (takes the tiara from the altar and crowns MERCURY) Friendship is holier than love.

PISCES: (PISCES hands him the Scepter) Nature is overcome by wit.

Music: Let "Honor Him" and "Now we are free" blend into one another as they do on the CD -- just let them run. After the little ceremony in the next section, where they change the sashes,  blend back into "Honor" and fade out by the Salute (i.e., don't overrun the lines).

MERCURY: (Triumphantly)

I am Ra in his rising,
I am Atum in his setting,
I am Osiris Foremost of the West at night.
I am the ibis, black-headed, white-bodied, blue-backed.
I am he before whom the decree is issued at Iunnu,
for his voice to be heard in the place Secret of Plans.
Turn to me, O doorkeepers of the West,
O Guardians of the Underworld, let me come and go.

[NOTE: We moved this section before the raising of the probationers, 'cause it makes more sense this way!]

PISCES: But....how shall we adore thee?

MERCURY: My adepts stand upright; their head above the heavens, their feet below the hells.

MERCURY steps down from the dias, raises them one by one. SATURN and  LUNA follow, giving each an orange sash and taking from them the old ones. MERCURY then stands sidewise to the audience.

SATURN: What shall we sacrifice?

MERCURY:  Sacrifice unto Me the kisses of  thy mistress, and the murmur of her mouth, and all the trembling of her firm young breast; so that you may be rolled a flame in My fiery embrace, and be consumed in the unutterable joy of My everlasting rapture.

ALL, salute MERCURY with heads upright and fists over their hearts. <Music fades out entirely by this point.>

LIBRA: Sister, what is the hour?

LUNA: It is Dawn.

LIBRA: Let us depart unto the work of the day.

ALL: Stay in Tableau, sing Old One Hundred (Doxology)

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and Will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.

ALL: Fall into single file. Walk around the audience and out side door.

Music: Begin whistling "Heigh Ho" while circling the set. Lights fade as whistling melds into next song. Exit to the sound of Tom Wait's version of "Heigh-Ho [The Dwarf's Chorus")

Setting/Effects: Full Dark for about the last 10 seconds, then go to house lights.

Cast should go out for applause (if they get any), in this order:

• Probationers
• Saturn & Luna
• Pisces & Libra
• Mercury & Venus

——————————————-
*Taken from the he Nativities of Isis, Nephthys, and Hathor (script version 2001 e.v.), Soul of the Desert Camp, Ordo Templi Orientis, Santa Fe, New Mexico USA,  http://www.star418.com/nativities.html

Doxology: This is, actually, the text of the song most of us only know four lines to. It was called "Awake, my soul, and with the sun," and was written by Thomas Kent in 1674.  for more info, see: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/w/awakemys.htm

Proposed "Trampling" Choreography: Mercury and Venus go behind the stage, pantomime a brief embrace.  Then he grabs her hair, pushing her down on hands and knees ahead of him (still holding her hair, because that is one of the classic "images" of rough sex), lift enough of her dress to form a shield-shadow for the actual body actions, bump her bottom a few times, then push her flat on her face. He then stand up, "arranges" himself, and walks out triumphantly (and there should be triumph in his body language and voice). Venus just lies there on the bench, dead or dazed,  afterward through the rest of the scene.
———————————————————-

Props

Basic Set:

Set:    ...Throne and temple of Venus. Two "pop-up pavilions" form the wings for the stage. Venus's throne is an oyster shell, as in the picture by Botticelli. Outside this  veil is a low, white altar. (Simple Plinth style) Before the altar are rugs, pillows, cushions, low benches, etc.  Behind the throne, another veil (dark blue or blue-green,  hiding the backstage area on the half-sides and rear). Audience is seated on low benches, pillows, beanbag chairs, etc., close enough to one another to be a group, but separated enough for the food servers and actors to move among them and interact with them. On tables covered with white tablecloths, against the sides of the room, platters of finger food (chocolate, brownies, lemon bars, dried fruit, divinity, etc.) are set, covered with white napkins. Also are pitchers of wine, plastic wine glasses, jugs of lemonade, etc.

Prelude:

• Staff of SOL: at least 5' high, gilt with a solar disk on top.
• "Royal" Chair in which Venus can sit to open the play.
• Probationer Sashes: Gold

Part 1:

• Staff of VENUS: at least 5' high, gilt, with jasmine and roses entwined upon the whole length and rose, blue, and green ribbons fluttering from the top.
• Altar Dressing: Rose and Green runner across altar (shortwise).Rose, blue, or green pillar candles. Incense bowls with charcoal; myrtle & amber incense; roses in vases.
• Probationer Sashes: Rose, blue, and green
• Food and drink to serve

Part 2:

• Staff of VENUS: at least 5' high, gilt, with jasmine and roses entwined upon the whole length and rose, blue, and green ribbons fluttering from the top.
• Staff of TAURUS/MERCURY: at least 5' high, Caduceus at top.
• Probationer Sashes: Orange; in a tidy pile behind Venus' throne to be handed out later.

Music (in order of play - indicates clickable music clip)

• Ravel:  Bolero: Tempo Di Bolero Moderato Assai 

• Something Sprightly (not chosen or written yet) 
• Medicine Dream: "Medicine Dream" from the album Medicine Dream 

• Carlos Nakai: "Dreamer's Chant" from the album Emergence 
• Main theme from Crocodile Dundee  (Actually, this isn't the actual theme, but the opening credit music. It's close enough to give you the idea, tho. )
• Moonlight Sonata  (I'm using a classical guitar version)
• Orgy Music: [Perhaps this (Impulse) or  this (Dangerous Passions), or this (Dripping wet, has orgasmic vocals), or  this (Bliss) or something off Nuit's album or some new Elton thing?] These samples are from Nightingale Music, "Sexy, Smooth & Seductive"  What I like best about the first two pieces are their insistent rhythms.

• Part 2 Opener: Not chosen yet 
• From the Gladiator Soundtrack:
• The Emperor is Dead
• Might of Rome 
• Honor Him 
• Now we are all free 
• Old One Hundred (Doxology  ) -- Cast should sing a capella
• Tom Wait's version of "Heigh-Ho [The Dwarf's Chorus]" on Stay Awake 

Costume

Should emphasize the change from the last Rite (Sol) to this one, and then to Mercury. Colors are the primary way of doing this, altho in the first costume change from Sol to Venus the costumes become more sensual, romantic, floaty, revealing. Hair should be bound in the Prelude, free and floaty in the first act. Women bind their hair while changing in the last act.

Generally, costume is Greco-Roman-Fantasy.