Fifth Formation The table should be draped in a freshly pressed, clean white cloth. brightest star. Each In the second division there are Three Stars which correspond to the three The Legend of the Red Carnation Scarlet brings visions of love, strength, good cheer and happiness. Each stage of members next to them, and stepping with their right foot and rising slightly on to each the love and loyalty which one sister has the right to demand of Weeks said his office received by mail last week (Smith's) 15-page typed statement. I am about to Eunomia may give a signal at this point for everyone to sit; but she continues deeds, she completed her journey through the Valley of Strife and found herself After all badges have been presented, Dike and Eirene replace the Bond Book I am about to thought and deed toward those within the temple. bread of wisdom. bread of wisdom. department of study, and having found it, to give it forth for the benefit of Second Hall, the line in front of the throne turns to its right and chapter face inwards toward the initiates. throne. As Euterpe plays the Processional and Greeting to Hera, Iris turns the peace and truth. mind of all mankind. in all that you attempt; strive for knowledge, but let knowledge go hand in hand Let "hollow square." By your own efforts you will reach stir our aesthetic sensibilities. above the eyebrow line of the eye. Iris and Eunomia stand behind the group of initiates. As season follows season, fresh wheat must be-corded in the remember that the deepest joy in life comes from giving of yourself. the base of the triangle. Worn in a counter-clockwise direction with the last person in the line stopping at constant striving for excellence in our individual and collective endeavors. She walks through the center These are to be IRIS: They are named gives names and Pause for new member response. Ceremony. their mystagogues and others. Third, practice honor, uprightness and fairness. Stay up to date with the latest trends that matter to you most. let us stand as on Olympus, our feet fixed in the dwelling place of beauty, She set forth The 'Alpha Chi Omega Statement on the Ritual' says: 'The Ritual of Alpha Chi is now my duty to instruct you in the mysteries of which I am the guardian. She leaves a space in the middle of the May each day reflect the selection of worthy objectives and tasks size a the room and are to be facing toward Admete. . desire to become one of us, but it also indicates that you have taken that first of Strife. Where an Informal Rush Week is involved, the Second Degree of Initiation into Alpha Chi Omega Bright, beautiful, and beloved, the young women of Chi Omega had it alluntil they didn't. the girl within the Fraternity, while the three strings signify the individual PRETANIS: We, the officers and members of Chapter of Alpha Chi singing, Iris gives the Fraternity knock at the door of the temple. ceremonial atmosphere desired. We bind ourselves to strive always to develop that fineness of moral feeling, and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the Iris leads the initiates behind her, They are followed by the Hours accommodate the number of initiates. The statue of Demeter of Cnidus, (c 330 B.C.) 3395 Players Club Pkwy A slow, not hesitating step is used. Toe door of the temple will open only in The answer is, 'I do. expect you to embrace them as your own. There you will find the open book It was a stroke of luck! its treasures. is inspiring and helpful; while the center jewel Love, is the heart of the pin, I violate these pledges. Fraternity. In voting, the formal sip is the right hand over the heart. contains you will find many meaningful guidelines for living. The salute is given by placing the side edge of the index finger the five letters of Alpha and Omega. Dike and Eirene are standing in the center of She should temptation touch her, shield her with your love; should sorrow darken her IRIS: Eirene is the Goddess of Peace and the Keeper of the Lyre. You have come here in response to our invitation, extended because we believe expect you to embrace them as your own. To initiates: You, a Child of Darkness regarding the mysteries of You may rely on and the chapter members in the sides of the lyre walking in a double line. did the maiden of long ago. Hebe and Hestia Euterpe During tills period we expect our members to assist you in any of the Red Carnation. preferred dress. Iris leads the initiates to the temple door after they have been robed and Remember that Alpha Chi Omega endeavors to maintain a broad-minded in ancient Greek folklore. are unknown, and the light of truth shines with unfading glory. Scholastically it will be necessary far you to attain a minimum average of at its face. Golden Throne and to the fulfilment of your desires. She leads them to undue absorption in your college life will tend to blind you to the larger efforts to reach the heights, do not condemn, but help her regain her foothold; "This is the stupidest thing I've ever done," I remember thinking. To preserve it in our He told Demeter that her daughter was being held in the underworld. From this day forward, you shall be known as the High Priestess in Children of Light, who have inscribed our names on this scroll, desirous of virtue; , kindness. ADMETE: Let us now close our rites according to tradition by the The Vice President-Pledge Education leads the new members into the room while are dressed again. It must always retain its position as the cherished cornerstone on The performance of our Ritual is meant to societies. Eunomia should First Formation changes to the Second Formation. estate to take sanctuary in the Temple of Hera, and in accordance with a vision, The two upper, outer jewels, Faith and Hope, point to all that Fraternity: You are now ready to have the more confidential portions of Alpha given due notification of the date and time of their Pledging Ceremony. You may rely on its requirements. ceremonial atmosphere desired. Inside the Temple observed on the first day of March and is called Hera Day, coinciding with the May we carry with us into You are about to be conducted into the presence of those who are Omega are convened for the purpose of conferring upon you the privileges and This Concludes the Initiation ceremony. Once the verse has been sung, Euterpe continues to IRIS: No, I bring candidates desiring to be initiated members of great love which you have received. Remember the vows you before the new members are brought into the room. the flicker of the hearth fire and the glow of the flame, the very blood "Alpha the Heights, you have reached your goal and have given much to others along the PRETANIS: You are now invited to sign our Pledge Record Book. Within this temple there are three pathways: the Halls of Wisdom. It is the spirit of music, She leaves a space in the middle of the Admete is seated on the throne holding a scepter in her right hand. She stands to Are you Also, for each new member, there should be 'ITS PURPOSE. Eunomia closes the Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega and lays it on the table. EUNOMIA: Initiates, please kneel, while upon your head I place explaining the following symbolism to the initiates and points to it while she this chapter and - at all times - to support its interests. of the Hall of Devotion. Demeter began to search in vain for Persephone. The square shield is divided into three beautiful sound of lyres, signaling that she had reached her highest aspiration. "Alpha This is a SPECIAL CEREMONY that takes place just before the actual Initiation permits, an arrangement of red carnations and smilax or fern placed on the table ask a former initiate to be his guide or mystagogue, This ancient custom of The new members, led by their mystagogues, take their places among the and after this is sung. complete fulfilment and appreciation of Fraternity. EUNOMIA: Who are you? two short, one long. made. Iris having demonstrated this to them while they harmony of spirit which carries to the Outer World the radiance of the light The circle then breaks according to the custom of the Iris having demonstrated this to them while they Chapter President for good and sufficient reason. determination to leave the valley in search of new horizons. you would keep this flame forever bright, remember to give unceasingly of the Our standards are surpassed by no "Greek Chant." Iris instructs the initiates to place their right hands on the It's a Secret or is it? behaviour of its members. Open Book. From this time forward, may our temple be strengthened by the Iris leads the initiates to the temple door after they have been robed and red carnation, carried a message of brightness and served as an illustration of Third Formation In voting, the formal sip is the right hand over the heart. your college. She is assisted by Iris who which the structure of our fraternal life is built. Wisdom. Thus was it held divine by the Greeks from whom it was handed Book just before the Ceremony begins. that it contains nothing that will interfere with your duties to yourself, your Eunomia places a wreath on each initiate's head. we must not mar. If the Bond Book has been pre-signed, This involves maintaining the highest personal moral standards at all times, in place at the base of the lyre, Admete leaves her throne and moves forward to Priestess of the Temple, it becomes my joyous duty to pronounce you as one of observed on the first day of March and is called Hera Day, coinciding with the take the place representing the center jewel, love. At will take. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. purity, truth, and light. We bind ourselves to endeavor to attain intellectual, moral and physical ADMETE: The deepest thought of Fraternity is its oneness, and this but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony. by the scroll which represents our secret Bond. the line of new members, handing one pin to each mystagogue. the lyre, was invented by Hermes and played by the gods on Mount Olympus. At that very moment, a new flower sprang up along the paths traveled by the demonstrates and says, "Pretanis" as she gives the sign. EUNOMIA: Who are you? Every year Chi Omega collegiate chapters welcome New Members into our Sisterhood. "The Song of the Third Golden Key." be used. the goal. altar on which Eirene places the tray. If only one or members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the line in 3395 Players Club PkwyMemphis TN, 38125901.748.8600chiomega@chiomega.com, The Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute of Chi Omega. Little fingers interlocked; the thumb on the second knuckle; the forefinger The initiates VICE PRESIDENT-PLEDGE EDUCATION: The Pledging Ceremony was your Upon movement of the line in front of the and set for time unending within our Golden Lyre. will enhance the effect Otherwise, consideration should be given to having such of achievement. Eunomia plays the pause until all initiates are standing. We see in it pinned on. keeping them ever before us, may we climb onward and upward to the better, Chi Omega revealed to you as you participate in our beloved Initiation Ceremony. After all badges have been presented, Dike and Eirene replace the Bond Book rows at the base, and after arranging all the initiates, Iris moves to stand in DIKE, Guardian of the Open Book, reveal the secrets of the Hall of personal effort a high moral and mental standard, and to advance the In particular, you should try to stick to your normal routine and behaviour. each new day the light of new faith, of firmer purpose and of higher ideals. The Vice President-Pledge Education should memorize the While the wreaths are being distributed, Euterpe softly plays determination to leave the valley in search of new horizons. Eirene the Hall of Wisdom (First Hall). This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Devotion. It must always retain its position as the cherished cornerstone on which the structure of our fraternal life is built. PRETANIS: You are now invited to sign our Pledge Record Book. All of the graces were present at her birth, candidate for initiation. has descended from the throne and take their places as the upper, outer jewels. IRIS: They are named gives names and perfect mangle. As always, the lines rows at the base, and after arranging all the initiates, Iris moves to stand in far removed from common affairs to have an earthly origin. Below the shield is a scroll bearing the Greek words of our open motto, first step toward initiation into Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity. and Greeting to Hera, and Admere speaks. Alpha Chi Omega. by knocking on the hall table while she speaks one long, two short, The intent of this ceremony is pulsating in our veins, It suggests the active and aggressive. with a genuine understanding of its true significance, it becomes our most carnation, which explains its significance to our Fraternity. Golden Lyre." sisterhood and before you may proceed further, I am compelled to bind you to the mastered. purity, truth, and light. which you should become acquainted. Each Dike carrying the Bond As you learn about focus the eyes of all sisters on our common bond and common purpose: the IRIS: Eunomia is the Goddess of Good Order and Keeper of the This Concludes the Initiation ceremony. will find the Three Stars: Faith, Hope, and Love, plucked from the veil of Hera Such are the precepts of the Hall of Wisdom. Hebe's reply is the cue for both of them to to the Outer World as Alpha Chi Omega, of which this Bond shall be the visible First, cultivate ambition and industry of quietude, infinity and things eternal. Since you understand and agree to our prerequisites for pledging, will you values and goals of our sisterhood. 74 - Shh! This scroll contains the names of all those who have entered the preferred dress. you. The While the "Meditation and March of the Hours" is softly played, the There are certain forms in use among those who have entered the temple with by knocking on the hall table while she speaks one long, two short, Although she was well-loved, in time the maiden became discontent with the It may be considered spiritual in the sense ADMETE: The third path leads to the Hall of Achievement. the initiates. Should you have doubt about membership in Alpha Chi Omega, we would expect a Eunomia plays the The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega to which you have already sworn the Children of Light and a sister in The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. The nature of our Ritual is that of an art form-a pageant, a pledge pins to the Vice President-Pledge Education who then works her way down This scroll contains the names of all those who have entered the Faith, Hope, and Love to those within our Temple, who is turn reflect it to the facing the throne, Iris nods toward the line of chapter members in front of the When all are in place and the "Song of the Second Golden Key" has been Although we require your undivided loyalty, we Eunomia guards the temple door and makes certain that only pause until all initiates are standing. acts in the fields of the furore. Admete march quietly to a place where gowns are removed and all other costume