Healing from Asclepius

Ritual Asking for Healing from Asclepius
by Timotheos

(This is a ritual devised for moving the sacred altar during semester breaks or other long period stay.)

PREPARATION:

A bowl of water and a hand cloth should be placed away from the altar for the participants to purify themselves. A bowl of khernips is already sitting next to the Icon of Apollo.
Procession:

The participants process to the altar after washing their hands thoroughly, carrying the offerings. When the altar is reached, the sacred candle of Hestia is lit, while reciting the following hymn:

Hestia, you who tend the sacred dwelling
Of the far-shooting Lord, Apollon, at holy Pytho,
From your tresses flowing oil ever drips down.
Come to this house! Come in gentle spirit
With resourceful Zeus and grant grace to my song!
(Homeric Hymn #24)

Purification:

The priest dips the sacred knife into the khernips and sprinkles it around the altar while reciting:

Ekas, Ekas! este bebeloi!
Oh Great Lord Apollon the Purifier! Let your waters cleanse
And consecrate this sacred space, making it pure and free
Of all the profane!

Statement of Purpose:

I come now before the God Asklepius,
To sing praises to Him and ask for healing
I bring the tools that I shall ask him to bless
To aid in the recovery of my illness.

Hymnodia:

I begin to sing of Asklepios, healer of diseases
And son of Apollon. Noble Koronis, daughter of
King Phlegyas bore him on the plain of Dotion
To be a great joy for men and charm eavil pains away.
And so hail to you, O Lord! I pray to you in my song!

Prayers:

Great Lord Asklepios,
Once a great man of medicine, and now a God thereof,
I come to you now in a time of need
With implements I ask you to bless
That they will aide me in my healing and recovery from (state the ailment),
And in return, I shall give thee praises and a sacrifice.
o makar genoito! Let it be thus!

Thusia:

Priest unsheathes the sacred knife and points to the offerings.

Immortal One,
I bring you gifts!
See these things!
And Partake of them through me!

Participants prepare the food. It is left on the altar for the Immortals to have their fill, and then it is eaten after the ritual is proclaimed over. Or if other offerings, it is placed close to or on the sacred Icon of the Gods, Goddesses, and alike.

Libations:

Priest fills the libation cup with the libation water. Drinks half and then pours the rest into the main offering bowl. He/she does this six times, speaking the following things in order for each one.

With you, Lady Hestia, I share the first!
With you, Immortal ones of Olympos, I share the second!
With you, Lord Apollon and Lord Hermes, My patrons, I share the third!
With you, Immortal ones of Gaia, I share the fourth!
With you, Loving Ancestors and those who have departed, I share the fifth!
With you, Lady Hestia, first and last, I share the last!

Closing:

Holy Immortals, My Rite has ended. If it be your will, I shall come again
To your altars, bearing offerings, and singing hymns of praise and
Thanksgiving!
Khairete! I rejoice!