Praxis

Osireion exists to serve the needs of those who seek, or who already recognize, their eternal, creative nature, and wish to respond. Responses include: a) Continually learning; b) Developing our inherent abilities; c) Serving those around us; and d) Celebrating the joy of existence.

a) Learning includes private study, contemplation and meditation, engaging with others in class or workshop settings, and seeking life experiences which widen our understanding (e.g., visiting the faith services of other groups, spending time in a national forest, viewing a museum exhibit, trying a new art or craft, attending cultural events, community volunteering, spiritual retreat.)

b) Developing our inherent abilities includes meditation, specific meditation techniques to train the mind, and may also include learning particular skills, e.g., reiki or other healing modalities, divination methods, dream work, ritual skills, or other areas, depending on the interest of the individual.

c) Serving those around us includes developing and performing ritual, offering assistance with our healing and intuitive abilities, charitable giving to community causes, volunteer work in our communities, support and assistance to other spiritual groups, and both ritual and external work to improve the world we live in.

d) Celebrating the joy of existence includes ritual, song, dance, and all the arts, both in solitude and in community.

Individual Daily Practice

Osireion recommends the following:

a) A daily practice of meditation. We will teach you about this personally if it is a new practice for you. Meditation is most effective if done first thing upon rising (morning, for most of us). We recommend you take at least five minutes for meditation daily, and spend at least 30 minutes in meditation at least once a week.

b) Ongoing year-round personal study of subjects which enhance your understanding of metaphysics, religion and philosophy (including the occult), personal development, healing and intuitive methods. Additional subjects we have found enriching include study of history, anthropology, archaeology, the arts, topics related to building community and social-justice, and natural science.

c) Regular participation in an Osireion class, both to learn, and to give the gift of your own knowledge and ideas to other participants in the class.

d) Regular participation in Osireion bimonthly meetings, quarterly drum circle-covered dish events, and any other activities the group plans.

Group Practice

a) Osireion members meet privately on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, from 7:00 until 9:00 PM. While flexible, our meeting order generally proceeds in this manner:

1. Start music, set altar, light candles, ground and center, arm and body gestures
2. Call quarters, set sacred space
3. Music, etc., as long as people feel like it
4. Meditation
5. Sharing/mini-teaching by one person and group discussion
6. Healing and sharing as needed
7. Closing song
8. Declare space open, return to mundane world

b) At the time of this writing, Osireion hosts a covered-dish supper and drum circle, on or around each solstice and equinox. The event is by invitation only since it is currently being held at a private home, but is a good opportunity to strengthen the bonds of community for non-members taking Osireion classes, interested seekers, and friends who support Osireion.

c) Periodically, Osireion creates and presents ritual which is either public or open to others by invitation. These may be in observance of a holiday, a festival such as Pagan Unity Day, as participation in an interfaith event, etc.

As we develop favorite or original rituals, music, and other materials, these are archived for ongoing use and to give the group historical perspective.

Membership

Osireion offers simple guidance for ongoing engagement for the individual who wishes to join the Osireion community. Members need not conform to a belief orthodoxy, or be completely uniform in personal practice. Those who find themselves in harmony with Osireion belief, and who find fulfillment in our community practices may apply for membership.

A member is accepted conditionally as a “Seeker” until completion of the Year of Spiritual Exploration class. Upon completion of the 12-month class, a Seeker may apply for full membership. A membership ceremony (or initiation) is planned by the new member and the group and held at the next private meeting or a date agreed upon by all who will take part.

Membership categories

• Circle Member (Inner Court) – Some of our activity is private, in order to nurture and care for ourselves and maintain our foundation, and allow time for reflection, counsel, decision-making, etc. This activity includes shared meals, check-in time, music and ritual, and group energy/healing work, usually once or twice monthly.
• Seeker (Outer Court) - Much of our activity is open to genuine seekers who we have invited to be with us. This may include shared meals, music and ritual, and teaching/learning, usually once or twice monthly.
• Osireion Council - this guiding body is comprised of a leader from each Osireion circle. Meetings are held quarterly in Columbia, S.C., and include the same activities as circles, with the addition of time to discuss circle matters, solve problems, and plan.

In addition, while not a membership category, we note an additional “stakeholder” here:

• Public - Some of our activity is public in order to provide opportunities for public education, community-building, and discovery of seekers. This may include ritual in a public location, workshops, music-drumming-dance, teaching, picnics, advocacy work, presentations to civic groups, or other creative endeavor. Some Outer Court activities may be opened to the public when the group desires, for a special occasion. We recommend at least a quarterly public event of some kind.

Communication, Dues & Removal

Membership in Osireion is a privilege and responsibility. Members rely on one another for mutual support, learning, and activities. Irregular attendance and poor communication disrupt the spiritual fabric we are weaving. Both seekers and initiates are expected to attend most events held by the circle they attend, and to practice responsible communication by reading and responding to both phone calls and electronic messages promptly. Failure to meet these qualifications may result in a decision by the group to end a membership. If extenuating circumstances lead to such lapses through no fault of the member, s/he should meet with the circle leader to discuss the situation and come to agreement about either a leave of absence or other measure which supports the entire group’s best interest.

Members pay $5 monthly dues to the circle to which they belong. Circles pay monthly dues to the Osireion organization of $1 for each member of the circle. Funds should be held in trust by the circle leader, and witnessed/accounted for by a second member of the circle. Dues are to pay for the expenses of running the circle. Circle leaders, upon joining the Osireion Council, will receive brief training in the ethics of handling public funds.

Any member may be removed from a circle by vote of the circle members. Any circle may be removed from the organization by vote of the Osireion Council. Once removed, a member or circle may apply for readmission after one year, though readmission is not guaranteed.

Osireion Circles

Osireion recognizes the limited availability of community groups in many parts of this region. Anticipating the potential desire of some individuals to affiliate with Osireion, we have created a process for the formation of such affiliates as Osireion circles.

Any group of two or more individuals may apply to Osireion to become a new Osireion circle. Members of a new circle should carefully read this foundational document and discuss its principles among themselves and with Osireion Council members before making the decision to form a circle. New circles comprised of Seekers will be accepted on a conditional basis for the first year. At the end of the first year, Seeker circles will be part of a special ritual with Osireion Council members to bless and charge the new circle.

Individuals who have previously joined an Osireion circle, and participated as a full member for at least one year, may start their own circle. If the circle is comprised of other individuals meeting these same qualifications, the circle may apply immediately to the Osireion Council for full circle membership, rather than Seeker circle status.

We expect Osireion circles to flourish and grow. We also know that growth will occasionally mean change, “death” (e.g., a member leaves, or we discover the fit no longer works), or careful examination, as well as times of new and renewed growth.

Assuming that we trust the decisions of our personal circle members, any circle member may invite someone to attend an outer court activity. After a genuine seeker has attended enough activities that the entire group has had the opportunity to get to know her/him, that person may request initiation into the circle. Normally, we recommend a waiting period of at least nine months before requesting initiation.

Decision-making

Osireion strives for consensus in all decisions made by the group. After a reasonable period of discussion, any member of the circle (or Council) may call for a “round.” Whoever calls the round begins by sharing her/his personal desire or thoughts first. Each person present takes a turn doing the same. The circle leader then summarizes the consensus, or the lack of consensus.

If consensus has not been reached, those disagreeing must disclose their reasons for disagreement, and/or suggest an alternative decision. After another period of discussion, there is another call for a round. If there is still no consensus after the second round, the circle leader will facilitate a vote. A three-fourths majority of the active circle members is necessary to carry the motion.

Trademark

The name, “Osireion,” as used for this religious and educational group, is the property of founder, Holli S. Emore (aka “Sekhmet”). No group may claim to be an Osireion circle without the express permission of the Osireion Council. If a time comes when the organization wishes to end its relationship with the founder, she retains full rights to the name, domain name, and any other property, intellectual or real, that she has personally created. If a time comes that the group (including the founder) decides to become a public entity (e.g., incorporates and files with IRS to become a nonprofit), then all laws and ethical codes governing nonprofits in the United States will apply.

Organization

Osireion hopes to incorporate in 2010 and apply for both charitable status as an IRS 501(c)3, and as a religious organization (formerly called “church” status) under the name “Temple Osireion.” Thereafter, gifts to Osireion may be tax-deductible, to the extent of the law.