Liber XV

II

Of the Officers of the Mass

The priest. Bears the Sacred Lance, and is clothed at first in a plain white robe.

The priestess. Should be actually Virgo Intacta[1] or specially dedicated to the service of the Great Order. She is clothed in white, blue and gold. She bears the sword from a red girdle, and the Paten and Hosts, or Cakes of Light.

The deacon. He is clothed in white and yellow. He bears the Book of the Law.

Two Children. They are clothed in white and black. One bears a pitcher of water and a cellar of salt, the other a censer of fire and a casket of perfume.

Notes:

[1] Note 1, p. 423:
In Crowley's own copy of this work, he has written in the margin opposite the Priestess, 'i.e. a sworn whore'. The expression Virgo Intacta in this context is misleading. It means, in fact, that the woman who performs the function of the Priestess should be dedicated solely to the Great Work, like Artemis to Pan. 'A sworn whore' would therefore be a suitable candidate for the office, not a virgin in the ordinary sense.

[white and black] This fails to say whether one is in white and the other in black, or both wear white and black. This is subject to interpretation. Most, however, seem to assume that the Child bearing the censer and perfume wears white, while the other wears black.

[salt] Water and earth are the negative, passive elements. They will be placed at Yesod, the Moon, represented by the font.

[perfume] Fire and air are the positive, active elements. They will be placed at Tiphareth, the Sun, represented by the small altar.