This was an excellent question I received, and I felt that it would be best shared as it could be helpful for others.
Q: I have a question regarding offerings. While I’ve been exposed to this concept for many years now, I’ve never fully understood its purpose. I was hoping you could shed some light on it so I can develop a deeper understanding as I dive further into this work.
First, what is the purpose of making an offering? Why is it most often represented by a physical object? Can a prayer, song, or blessing also be considered an offering? How does Spirit actually benefit from a physical object? And why is making an offering such an important element of ritual work?
I’d really appreciate your perspective on this. I feel like understanding the “why” behind it would help me connect more deeply with the practice, and appease the analytical side of my mind, as this often tends to create resistance to certain rituals/practices. Thank you again for your help and guidance in the Great Work.
A:
Placing offerings upon the altar are a part of the weekly convergence of the Arboretum Mysticum. Traditional offerings are things that come from trees: fruit, nuts, flowers, seeds, and when we meet in person in the Lodge, these things are then shared afterwards with the other people present.
The practice of offerings goes back to the most ancient expressions of temple worship, with offerings of food, minerals, livestock, textiles, truly any objects of value being brought to the temple to be offered to the Gods. The ancient Egyptians depicted this upon the walls of the temples with specific calendars showing which offerings and in what quantity, and upon which days and times they were to be given. Rooms surround the main chambers of the Egyptian temples which served as repositories for these offerings.
In many traditions both Eastern and Western, candles, incense, water and food are all offerings that are made to Spirit. This is done as an act of communion. This represents the idea of giving first, before the prayer, before requests are made.
In the AM Lodge, in the tradition of 22 Teachings, giving is done first with this same consideration. The act of offering preceding prayer sets up the flow of energy just like the magician’s figure 8 sigil which is one of communion. When we give an offering, it is not because we expect something in return, or even because we are formally in worship. It is an act of grace and giving, an act of presence.
In biblical times, scripture spoke of burnt offerings. This has history in Greek antiquity as well. These offerings were made to appease the Gods and win their favor. Sacrifice is another word for offering. Both primitive cultures and modern religions engage in animal sacrifice. This is not a part of our work, nor the mentality which we give with, however the offering of incense and the lightning of candles are both types of sacrifice. In the Western mysteries, sacrifice is an alchemical act: the transmutation of something from a lower form into a higher one. The wax and wick are transformed into light. The resin is transformed into aromatic smoke. One radiates, one rises. These are transmuted energies. This is symbolic of the ceremonial magician or alchemist’s willingness to shed or sacrifice lower parts of ones self (materialism, insecurity, fear, possessiveness, outdated patterns) in favor of lighter, more conscientious characteristics.
The physical change of something turning from matter into light or smoke, also seen in the giving of food which when eaten and its form breaking to become energy, is the reason why offerings are often made in a physical form.
Different traditions have rules about whether or not food may be consumed once given as an offering, and the rule of thumb of our tradition is that which is offered at the Lodge is shared, but this is not cooked food but raw like fruits or nuts. Cooked meals are appropriate as offerings on ancestral altars, but this food is later discarded and not eaten. Raw natural foods offered on the altar are said to be blessed by Spirit and the blessings is multiplied when this is then shared.
Beyond physical offerings, prayer, song or blessings can absolutely be offerings. You can give an offering of breath, your presence can be an offering. However it is given, there should be thoughtfulness. I often find that when I feel I need to give a physical offering, the right thing happens to be at hand.
Giving offerings is a beautiful way to show thankfulness and be in energetic exchange with source.
Offerings, altars, and creating sacred space are topics that are covered deeply in the 10-week Magic School Course, available HERE once students have completed the Magic Fundamentals Intensive Prerequisite
