Holidays
The A.O.A. has four high holidays that it recognizes throughout the year that is symbolic of the four stages of alkemy: nigredo, abedo, citrinitas, and rubedo.
Funeral of the Black Sun
The Funeral of the Black Sun symbolizes the undivided state of chaos, representing ignorance and the starting material of the Great Work. It marks the death of the old self, allowing for rebirth and the beginning of one’s path to enlightenment.
Day:
Winter Solstice
Ceremony:
On this day, a symbolic funeral is held to represent the death of the old self and the dissolution of the soul. This ritual signifies the first step in the Great Work, as the "Black Sun of Ignorance" is buried in a symbolic coffin.
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The Coffin: A box or container is used to represent the coffin. It should ideally be buried in the same location each year, such as a backyard, garden, or planting pot. If burial in the earth is not possible, the coffin can be placed in a secure, dark location, like a closet or under a bed. The burial site can be marked with symbols such as a skull, tombstone, or tree.
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What to Place Inside: Participants place items representing their old selves or the past year. Examples include outgrown items (like baby clothes or toys), photos of loved ones who have passed, letters, or symbolic objects such as old journals. These items signify what the participant is ready to release or transform. Each year, the container can either be emptied or added to, depending on individual preference.
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Family and Individual Practices: Families may use a shared coffin, while temples can have a ceremonial communal coffin. Individuals may choose to have private coffins buried in secret or left undisturbed by others.
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Attire and Atmosphere: Participants dress entirely in black, often with a veil to symbolize ignorance. The ceremony may include moments of silence or personal eulogies, allowing practitioners to say goodbye to their old selves and mourn aspects of the past. This could include one’s youth, relationships, or opportunities that no longer exist.
Meal of Celebration
Following the funeral, participants gather for a joyful meal to celebrate life and growth.
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The Table Centerpiece: A skull or similar symbol of death can serve as a centerpiece, reminding participants of mortality while celebrating life.
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Presents: Wrapped gifts can be exchanged to represent ignorance, with the act of unwrapping symbolizing new beginnings.
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Traditional Foods: Blackened meats (such as fish or steak), blackberries, dark drinks (like wine or coffee), and chocolates are commonly enjoyed. Dark and salted chocolates, caramels, and other rich flavors enhance the theme.
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Decorations: Black-themed decorations can include ravens, bats, skeletons, and soft lighting. For a Western setting, a tree adorned with black ornaments and topped with a black sun or star adds a festive touch.
Reflections
During and after the Meal of Celebrations, participants share memories, engage in nostalgic activities, and recognize their personal growth over the past year.
Birth of Piercing Light
The Birth of Piercing Light represents the division of chaos and order, light emerging from darkness, and the cleansing of the soul. It symbolizes being born anew through purification.
Day:
Spring Equinox
Candle Lighting
At nightfall, two candles—one white and one red (or black)—are lit simultaneously. Each is lit by a participant embodying masculine or feminine energies. The candles are then placed in a central location and kept visible throughout the evening. Participants should remain silent during this ritual.​​
Communal Cleansing
A cleansing ritual follows the candle lighting. In temples, this can take the form of a hands-and-feet washing ceremony. At home, families may opt for a shared bath or shower by candlelight. Participants wash each other, symbolizing purification and renewal. Groups can be divided into men and women for cleansing, retaining the symbolism of division. After the washing, participants should wear all white. Temples can provide white ceremonial robes to wear either during or after the washing ceremony.
Activities & Decore
Activities are performed in symbolic divisions, such as light versus dark or sun versus moon. These divisions need not align with gender roles but should reflect balance and contrast. White décor with themes of purity, including doves, swans, eggs, and flowers like white roses or lilies, adorn the space.
The Coming of Aion
The Coming of Aion symbolises the attainment of wisdom, understanding, and enlightenment. This holiday celebrates coming of age and the transition toward unity.
Day:
Summer Solstice
Ceremony:
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Role of Aion: The youngest capable participant is chosen as Aion for the day and wears a golden ring, wristband, or crown. Aion is granted decision-making powers for the household, such as choosing meals or activities.
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Reflection: At the end of the day, Aion sits alone either in their room or in a designated spot such as at the altar to reflect on their responsibilities and shares a lesson learned to the others. They then willingly surrender the ring to who they chooose to be the next Aion, symbolizing maturity and readiness for the next stage of life.
Meal of Celebration
Following the funeral, participants gather for a joyful meal to celebrate life and growth.
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The Table Centerpiece: A skull or similar symbol of death can serve as a centerpiece, reminding participants of mortality while celebrating life.
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Presents: Wrapped gifts can be exchanged to represent ignorance, with the act of unwrapping symbolizing new beginnings.
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Traditional Foods: Blackened meats (such as fish or steak), blackberries, dark drinks (like wine or coffee), and chocolates are commonly enjoyed. Dark and salted chocolates, caramels, and other rich flavors enhance the theme.
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Decorations: Black-themed decorations can include ravens, bats, skeletons, and soft lighting. For a Western setting, a tree adorned with black ornaments and topped with a black sun or star adds a festive touch.
Activities & Decor
Rings, loops, and circles are central themes, representing cycles and unity. Participants can create circular crafts or engage in activities emphasizing cooperation. Gold and yellow tones dominate, with solar motifs such as spirals, suns, and circular patterns.
The Red Wedding
The Red Wedding symbolizes the union of opposites and the attainment of enlightenment, marking the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone.
Day:
Fall Equinox
Ceremony:
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Symbolic Wedding: Two participants embody the White Bride (represents the feminine) and Red Groom (represents the masculine). Their attire should be based off of the theme but both must wear a mask that represents what they embody. For example, if the theme is Sun & Moon then the Bride can wear a lunar mask and the Groom can wear a solar mask and their clothes can match this theme. The genders of the Bride and Groom do not matter as it is entirely symbolic Mercury, symbolizing the mediator who is androgynous, officiates the ceremony and provides red strings for the knot-tying ritual. After tying the knot, theyremove their masks, signifying the lifting of illusions and the attainment of truth.
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Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: The attendants symbolize the four alchemical elements: with the two Bridesmaids representing Water and Earth and the two Groomsmen representing fire and air. Their attire reflects their element, such as wave patterns for Water or feathers for Air. During the knot-tying ritual, the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen swap places representing the union of opposites and the process and transfiguration.
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Guest Attire: All other participants wear clothing opposite to their usual style, encouraging reflection on duality. For example, men can wear women's clothing and those who normally wear dark clothes can wear bright clothes. It can alternatively match the theme. For example, if the theme is Young & Old then children could wear suites and traditionally business like attire and adults could wear traditionally young styled clothing such as clothes they wore as a teenager or that are traditionally childish in color theme and design.
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Wedding Theme: The theme of the wedding can be any two opposites that the White Bride and Red Groom embody. This can include Masculine & Feminine, Young & Old, Natural & Artificial, Light & Darkness, Sun & Moon, Heavens & Earth, Life & Death, and so on. Colors and themes should always incorporate White for the Bride and Red for the Groom but otherwise, complementing colors and clothing aesthetics can entirely reflect the chosen theme of opposites.
The Feast
After the Wedding, a Feast is held that all attendants join in symbolizing that the unity of opposites is complete. The red knot that was tied should be placed within view while eating,.
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Seating: The Bride and Groom should sit opposite of each other either at the heads of a rectangular table or opposite each other at a round table. Mercury should be space in-between them equally. All other participants may sit wherever they please.
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Foods: The centerpiece is a red wedding cake, cut only after the ceremony. Mercury distributes the first slices to the Bride and Groom. The meal includes red wine or juice (symbolizing alkemical mercury), salty foods (symbolizing alkemical salt), and spicy dishes (symbolizing alkemical sulfur).
Reflections
Rings, loops, and circles are central themes, representing cycles and unity. Participants can create circular crafts or engage in activities emphasizing cooperation. Gold and yellow tones dominate, with solar motifs such as spirals, suns, and circular patterns.