Oath of Service
from the traditions of Asphodel
This Oath was created for those individuals who feel that their spiritual path is one of full-time service, and who wish to channel that path in service to another, assumedly worthy, human being. Understanding that to give such a gift does put someone in a vulnerable position, we have written the Oath so that it stresses not only the obligations of the server, but of the served. This is a bond that can only be undertaken with honor, care, and integrity on both sides.
Servant:
By this oath, I swear to abide in the service of my Lord/Lady ______________.
I hereby give into his/her hands this Word of my Oath and Breath, and all my words and thoughts hereafter. I swear that I will place my trust in my Lord's/Lady's judgment regarding all things, but that I will not also abandon my own.
I hereby give into his/her hands my will and spirit, to burn for him/her alone. I swear always to be honest with him/her, and to behave honorably in all my dealings with him/her. I understand that should I act in a dishonorable manner, my Lord/Lady has the right to dismiss me from service.
I hereby give into his/her hands my heart and all my needs, flowing forth without walls or defenses. I swear to value the well-being of my Lord/Lady ________ above all others on this Earth, and to show this value with respect, obedience, and devotion to his/her happiness and ease of living.
I hereby give into his/her hands my flesh, my blood, and the work of my hands at his/her disposal. I swear that I shall strive always for excellence in my service to him/her. I shall perform whatever commands he/she wishes with alacrity and obedience, so long as these commands do not place me in physical, legal, or ethical jeopardy, or conflict with the edicts of my Gods.
I hereby give into his/her hands the responsibility and fulfillment for my own sacred path of service. I swear to honor my Lord/Lady _________ as the living sacred embodiment of He/She That Receives All Sacrifice, and my service to him/her as a manifestation of the Will of the Gods. I will aid him/her on his/her path of Sacred Mastery in any way that I can.
I swear that I will abide by this oath until my Lord/Lady chooses to release me from it, or I die, or the world ends. May all the Gods witness my oath.
Lord/Lady:
By this oath, I accept the gift of ___________, and accept him/her into my service.
I honor his/her gift of rulership over Mind and Breath. I swear to always use my best judgment regarding my treatment of him/her and his/her needs, and to listen as well as command. I will strive for insight into that which beats like caged wings in my hands.
I honor his/her gift of rulership over Will and Spirit. I swear always to be honest with him/her, to behave honorably in all my dealings with him/her, and to be a model of that honor. I understand that should I act in a dishonorable manner, he/she has the right to leave my service, for one cannot honorably serve a dishonorable master. I will strive to be worthy of that which burns in my hands.
I honor his/her gift of Heart and Need. I swear to make this path of service a tool with which he/she can perfect himself/herself and not a weapon to beat him/her down with. I will be gentle with that which lies vulnerable in my hands.
I honor his/her gift of flesh, blood, and all abilities that go with them. I swear to reward excellence with appreciation, loyalty with love, and failure with useful response. I will never give any command which places him (her) in physical, legal, or ethical jeopardy, or stands between him/her and the edicts of his/her gods. I will honor with meaningful work that which is to be the extension of my hands.
I honor his/her gift of his/her path of sacred service. I swear to honor him/her as the living sacred embodiment of All That Is Willingly Sacrificed In The Service Of The Life Force, and his/her service to me as an embodiment of the Will of the Gods. I will strive always to rule with justice and mercy, and to make that which is placed into my hands a tool for my own betterment, on my own path of Sacred Mastery and Rulership.
I swear that I will abide by this oath until my servant chooses to ask for his/her release, or until I die, or until the world ends. May all the Gods witness my oath.
© Raven Kaldera. Do not post or reprint without permission. cauldronfarm@hotmail.com