great news - I found a ritual outline from 1994 in a digital archive of TransSisters recreating the rites of Cybele and Attis
since there seemed to be some interest
transcript to follow in a reblog
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE ritual transcribed below. I have corrected typos and modified formatting slightly for readability but left all original language intact. some terminology is obviously dated, but if you're reading my blog I'm going to assume you're an adult and can opt in or out of reading that in a mature and deliberate manner. (if you were not born when this magazine came out, I don't want to hear it.)
Cover, text from top to bottom of page: $3 - TransSisters - The Journal of Transsexual Feminism Issue #4, Spring 1994 [Cover photo, as described in the journal: "Relief of an Archigalla, transsexual High Priestess of Cybele, wearing her ceremonial robes and flanked by the implements of her profession in the Captioline Museum, Rome." Photo is bordered by two curling leafy columns on right and left.]
THE RITES OF CYBELE AND ATTIS Also: Sex-Changes of the Gods - An Interview with James Green - Pride and Privacy: Synonyms or Contradictions? - 13th. International Symposium of the Harry Benjamin Association - Full Circle of Women Conference - Michigan Womyn's Music Festival Update - and more!
Ritual text:
THE RITES OF CYBELE AND ATTIS (The following is a highly condensed version of the entire Rites consolidated into a single ritual that can be performed alone or by a group of people.)
Material Requirements: Figure of Magna Mater (several statues are currently available form various Pagan sources, the original form unearthed from Catal Huyuk and a Classical Roman version. Barring a statue, a laminated photocopy of the Mother will suffice.) Reeds Tympanum Cymbals Pipes, horns, flutes Image of the Magna Mater Pine tree or branch decorated with strips of blue-colored woolen cloth Violets Image of Attis Bowl of soil in which to bury Attis (if held indoors) Whips Pin, tack or other sharp object with which to draw blood (Potshards are best if you're really courageous and desire authenticity; but hypodermic needles & syringes are the most efficient and least messy way to draw blood. Use only sterilized needles and never share needles with anyone else.) Two candles (tapers) to bless throats with (held cross-wise in one hand, placing the throat between the long ends -- and u n l i t , of course) Bread and wine Party favors (like the kind you blow into to unfurl, or the kind with a string to pull to explode and throw confetti - anything to symbolize a carnival-like atmosphere) Large bowl of water in which to rinse the image of the Magna Mater Flowers to decorate Her and Her method of conveyance (child's wagon, wheelbarrow, ox-cart -- or whatever's handy) A bowl of pine cones
Galla should wear: An image of Cybele and one of Attis slung from a cord around the neck, scapular fashion A whip over the left shoulder Long dangling earrings A headdress made of laurel leaves and three images, one of the river god Sangrios in front and one each of Attis on either side. A tambourine (tympanum) Finger cymbals (zils) A heavily-draped gown with long sleeves (white, yellow or streaked with purple) Ivy leaf tattoos (Ivy leaves painted on with body paint will suffice. Ivy was symbolic of the Gallae, perhaps because at maturation ivy ceases to bear three lobed leaves as it trails and climbs and develops leaves of a rounded shape, becoming an upright, shrubby bush -- the only plant which undergoes such a transformation upon flowering.)
The Ritual
Introit Galla proclaims: From the Earth everything raises, To the Earth everything returns. Hail, great mistress, Mother of Olympus.
Processional Galla continues: Let the sky revolve thrice on its never-resting axis; Let Titan thrice yoke and thrice unyoke his steeds. Straightway the Berechnthian pipe will blow a blast on its bent horn, And the festival of the Idaean Mother will have come. Gallae will march and thump their hollow drums, And cymbals clashed on cymbals will give out their tinkling notes; Seated on the necks of her attendants, The Goddess Herself will be borne with howls Through the streets in the city's midst . . . To your places!
The figure of Magna Mater is carried in; Galla continues: The Virgin in her heavenly place rides upon the Lion; Barar of corn, inventor of law, founder of cities, By whose gifts it is man's good lot to know the Gods: Therefore She is the Mother of the Gods, Peace Virtue; Cybele, the Goddess, weighing life and laws in her balance.
Arbor Intrat Cannophori carry in pine tree; Galla recites: Of Attis I will sing, Of Rhea's son, Not sounding His praises with rolling drums, Nor on the reed, Nor with the road, Of Ida's Curetes, But as the Muse Of Phoebus on the lyre I will blend the strains. Euhoi, Euhan, he is Pan, he is Bacchus. He is the shepherd of the white constellation.
Mourning Galla buries image of Attis in soil, then recites: Of the Mother of all the Gods and all men Sing me, Muse, with a clear voice, Thou, mighty Zeus's daughter, She is well pleased with the lamentations of castanets, Of kettle-drums and flutes, of the howling of wolves and Sparkle-eyed lions, resounding mountains And the woody high-lands
From the Earth everything raises, To the Earth everything returns. Hail, great mistress, Mother of Olympus.
Sanguinus Procession with beating drums, flagellation. Gallae draws blood from her arm and sprinkles on pine tree or branch and on the image of the Magna Mater
Anointment Galla removes image of Attis from soil; mourning ceases abruptly, Galla anoints throats, saying quietly to each: Be of good cheer, initiate, seeing that the God is saved; For we, too, after our toils, shall find salvation!
Hilaria All rejoice, beat on drums, play musical instruments, use party favors; Galla distributes bread and wine, reciting: Nature's Mother, who bringeth all to life, And revives all from day to day. The food of life Thou grantetst in eternal fidelity. And when the soul hath retired we take refuge in Thee. All that Thou grantest falls back to Thy womb. Rightly Thou art called the Mother of the Gods Because by Thy loyalty Thou hast conquered the power of the Gods. Verily Thou art also the Mother Of the peoples and the Gods, Without Thee nothing can thrive nor be; Thou art powerful, of the Gods Thou art The Queen and also the Goddess. Thee, Goddess and Thy power I now invoke, Thou can'st easily grant me all that I ask, And in exchange I will give Thee, Goddess, sincere thanks.
Repose All take time to make requests silently; Galla recites: O happy to whom is the blessedness given To be taught in the Mysteries sent from heaven, Who is pure in her life, Through whose soul the unsleeping Revel goes sweeping!
Lavatio Galla washes figure of Magna Mater, reciting: Mother of the immortal Gods; She prepares a fast-riding chariot, Drawn by bull-killing lions, She who wields the scepter over the renowned pole, She of the many names, the honored one.
Thou occupiest the central throne of the cosoms, And thus of the Earth, while thou providest soft food; By thee there was brought forth the race of immortal and mortal beings; By Thee the rivers and the entire sea are rules . . . Go to the feast, O lofty one! delighting in drums, Tamer of all, savior of the Phrygians, Bed-fellow of Kronos, child of Uranos, the old one. Life-giving, frenzy-loving, joyful one, gratified with acts of piety.
Lavatio Finis Galla recites: Generous Goddess of Ida, you, Mother of Gods, Who take delight in Dindyma and towered towns and lions yoked in pairs, Now guide me in the coming years; Goddess make this sign favorable, Stride me with your gracious step.
All repeat: I have eaten from the drum I have drunk from the cymbal I have carried the sacred dish I have stolen into the inner chamber
From the Earth everything raises, To thee Earth everything returns. Hail, great mistress, Mother of Olympus.
(Ritual is followed by feasting, singing, dancing, revelry, etc.)
End transcription.
