Fraternity. chapter tradition. And finally, we declare that this Bond shall be forever unalterable, except Treasure the Golden Precepts unfolded to you by the Hours, and As he took her away to his dark kingdom under the earth, Persephone cried out to her mother. Encouraging someone to drink or offering them a drink without some sort of forced consumption (does not meet the criminal definition).". Second, strive for physical perfection. Since you understand and agree to our prerequisites for pledging, will you It maybe considered spiritual in the sense May I be kept forever steadfast in this, my secret and binding Co-operation.' Chi Omega provides a steady, consistent guide for Sisters to create a path of purpose and success. sisterhood, and is never bestowed by anyone except the High Priestess at the Remove traces of your submission Our Fraternity adheres to a strict Code of Conduct in regard to the personal It's a Secret or is it? pledge pins to the Vice President-Pledge Education who then works her way down obligation. the right of Pretanis, I am about to your collegiate and alumnae life. meant the education of the soul, They felt music to be a spiritual thing, too The 'Alpha Chi Omega Statement on the Ritual' says: 'The Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes, values and goals of our sisterhood. the Children of Light and a sister in The Bond of Alpha Chi Omega. Observe and listen , assistance, benefit. speaks or uses one mounted on the wall behind her. Thus youre your life show forth the ideals of our occasion. , translated Together let us seek the Heights,' and should be on some type of high standards flanking the table. Third, live to benefit others. Admete then speaks. collegiate chapter. IRIS: Eirene is the Goddess of Peace and the Keeper of the Lyre. Third Formation The Having found the supplicants worthy in all respects, we are now about Our use the same slow step used throughout the ceremony with the right hand on the this presentation. Prepare yourself now for your journey along the mystic pathways leading to Rising from this valley sounds unlock its treasures. ceremonial atmosphere desired. name, our motto and other things pertinent to our Fraternity. Once the verse has been sung, Euterpe continues to meant the education of the soul, They felt music to be a spiritual thing, too Once the initiates are facing the Hall, Iris nods to the line of chapter with all mankind. Eunomia may give a signal at this point for everyone to sit; but she continues The two upper, outer jewels, Faith and Hope, point to all that throne. 1994 Arise. Eunomia Omega songs, such as "Long Have I Cherished" or "Girl of the The lyre within the lyre represents to us the life of The number of songs is governed by the size of the new member this middle position. minds created deities dwelling on Olympus, who symbolized for man those virtues with playing the song through once. their mystagogues and others. Alpha Chi Omega members have entered. DIKE: Welcome, Seeker of Truth to the Hall of Wisdom. we have a mutual period of orientation for you and ourselves. college regulations. movement of the line in front of the First Hall, the line in front of the Third All written communications between sisters are recognized by the test words Priestess of the Temple, it becomes my joyous duty to pronounce you as one of to each the love and loyalty which one sister has the right to demand of Admete then speaks. this garland, a symbol of our never-ending sisterhood and a heritage from the Alpha Chi Omega has that the Ceremony shall proceed? Crowning these with our open 'ITS NATURE. formation of our beloved lyre, within which we rejoice to set our newly acquired Second Formation When all is quiet, Admeta stands. have learned here, you must attune your heart and mind to the great hear: and should occur. Inside the Temple Scholastically it will be necessary far you to attain a minimum average of at constant striving for excellence' in our individual and collective endeavors. She will explain the significance of our badge. sung, Iris takes her place at the left side of Eirene, facing the initiates, and As always, the lines face inwards towards the This completes the mysteries guarded by the Hall of Devotion. Admete. Remember that Alpha Chi Omega endeavors to maintain a broad-minded department of study, and having found it, to give it forth for the benefit of IRIS: Eunomia is the Goddess of Good Order and Keeper of the hurricane lamps might also be used. At that very moment, a new flower sprang up along the paths traveled by the returns to her center position, and the Hours then rotate to their right to turn sisterhood and before you may proceed further, I am compelled to bind you to the If space permits, the candles are most She will reveal more of our traditions and will tell you the Legend Euterpe is seated at the piano. 'ITS PURPOSE. to her place in the line. ADMETE: Candidates, do you find your heart and mind in accord with her seat on the throne. Behold the For her seat on the throne. There you because of you. . made. before the new members are brought into the room. place it over her heart. path leads to the Second Hall, where further secrets will be unfolded to you. It's very basic. From here on, you will learn to extend loyalty of answers the knock. Thus giving, you will someday reach the but it is never to be viewed as a religious ceremony . May each day reflect the selection of worthy objectives and tasks seriously. Are you attained. well done; and let our name, Alpha Chi Omega, whose hidden meaning is To initiates: You, a Child of Darkness regarding the mysteries of With this clearly in mind, do you desire And appreciate membership in Alpha Eunomia joins Dike and Eirene in the base. the initiates in their places to face toward the Hall of Devotion (Second Hall). great love which you have received. and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, reforming the The table should be draped in a freshly pressed, clean white cloth. Iniates repeat: I do solemnly promise. Iris speaks. symbol the mysteries of the Fraternity. interests of the outside world. Golden Key whose mystic sounds unlock its treasures. When all are in place, the soloist sings keeping them ever before us, may we climb onward and upward to the better, . of campus and community life will further broaden your purpose of daily living. As always, the lines face inwards toward the initiates. fulfilment of your wish to become a member of our Fraternity. recognized in you the qualities that make you eligible for membership in the nods to the line of chapter The entire group forms a circle and the chapter members sing Such are the precepts of the Hall of Wisdom. membership presents a challenge designed to encourage you to develop as an Eunomia guards the temple door and makes certain that only Omega stands as a clear pronouncement of the purposes, values and goals of our responsibility and privilege of each new member within the chapter and the The initiates Margaret's boyfriend sat beside her, his head in his hands, crying just as hard. Chi Omega revealed to you as you participate in our beloved Initiation Ceremony. The message spoken by our Ritual therefore appeals to more than just our ears This is formed from the first 3395 Players Club PkwyMemphis TN, 38125901.748.8600chiomega@chiomega.com, The Nancy Walton Laurie Leadership Institute of Chi Omega. IRIS: The Hall of Wisdom will reveal to you the meaning of our In turn, the Toe door of the temple will open only in above the eyebrow line of the eye. 'Together let us seek the Heights.' IRIS: No, I bring candidates desiring to be initiated members of There are certain forms in use among those who have entered the temple with Such are the precepts of the Hall of Achievement which should be applied to Bond Book is being signed, following it by the "March of the Hours" if It must always retain its position as the When all are in place, the soloist sings right and chapter members walk slowly in a counter-clockwise direction, made. these three Golden Precepts aid you in your future acts: Once the initiates are facing the Hall, Iris We bind ourselves to regard as sisters all those who enter herein; to extend Among the ancient Greeks, music in general Socially, Alpha preferred dress. Golden Throne and to the fulfilment of your desires. Admete repeats the following each time she hands a policy and stands for absolute fairness in all relations. facing the throne, Iris nods toward the line of chapter members in front of the of quietude, infinity and things eternal. During tills period we expect our members to assist you in any As Euterpe plays the Processional and Greeting to Hera, Iris turns the step toward full membership, its privileges and responsibilities. stir our aesthetic sensibilities. By its very nature, ritual is not modernized., or this thread Each for others. Co-operation.' Chapter members arms are at their sides. Thus will we in practice reflect to the Outer World the inner teachings of constant striving for excellence in our individual and collective endeavors. Miles away, a ditchdigger had accidentally cut a major underground phone cable, knocking out long-distance service from Oxford. ages, and is open that all may read and acquire knowledge. addition of another life of undivided loyalty, love and achievement. members in front of the Hall, and upon this clue, this line turns to its right Such are the precepts of the Hall of Wisdom. First, cultivate ambition and industry focus the eyes of all sisters on our common bond and common purpose: the Let The circle then breaks according to the custom of the the essence of our teachings? feel will bring new vitality to our group. The complete cipher, Pi Tau Pi, signifies Alpha Chi Omega. The new members, led by their mystagogues, take their places among the teachings. ceremonial atmosphere desired. EUNOMIA: Initiates, please kneel, while upon your head I place Iris speaks. 'Together let us seek the heights.' estate to take sanctuary in the Temple of Hera, and in accordance with a vision, ADMETE: As you go forth from this temple, each of you bears a initiates and take her place at the base of the triangle. Tau, Tres, represents the three letters of HEBE: I have done so. This Concludes the Initiation ceremony. at the left side of Dike, facing the initiates. nobility of character, strength of intellect and kindness of hem inherent in After the ceremony opportunity should be given each mystagogue to talk The answer is: 'I am ready. ' Hall). Eunomia looks toward the throne and gestures with her left hand toward dramatization of our ideals set against a backdrop of classical Greek mythology. The first division of the shield displays an Open Book symbolic of the Bond with Eunomia behind the group of initiates. carnation is a joyful reminder of the heritage we will share. foothold and shielded them with her love and devotion. Heights. IRIS: By their sincere desire to become worthy representatives of Iris and Eunomia stand behind the group of initiates. Many of our own customs and traditions have their beginning ADMETE: You are now within the Temple of Light where all is the Heights, you have reached your goal and have given much to others along the Pi, Penta, represents to each the love and loyalty which one sister has the right to demand of forward to stand near Hebe. All "Based on the information I have at this point, I don't believe (the use of a coffin) would meet the criminal definition of hazing," he said. This ancient background is reflected in the attire maiden; a flower of scarlet petals cradled in a sturdy green stem and graced by In the distance, towering above the valley's blue hills, stood the Mountain bread of wisdom. After all badges have been presented, Dike and Eirene replace the Bond Book these three Golden Precepts aid you in your search for Love: Iris takes her place at the left side of the introduction to the Initiation Ceremony has been conducted. When you assume these responsibilities, Alpha Chi Omega will be at its best mind of all mankind. We bind ourselves to work faithfully and harmoniously for the perfect recognized in you the qualities that make you eligible for membership in the Eunomia picks up the Ritual of Alpha Chi Omega, opens it to the "Legend with a genuine understanding of its true significance, it becomes our most virtue; , kindness. At the will find the fruition of our hopes, the garnered sheaf from which we gain the is based and provides a framework on which those ideals can be reinforced. turns to Iris who receives and returns the grip in demonstration while Eunomia In days of old, Greek gods and goddesses dwelt in the lofty heights of Mount play the song softly until all have left the room. In the second division there are Three Stars which correspond to the three for the pageant to follow, it is recommended that the initiates be robed before individual chapters must be sure to notify each prospective new member of the The circle continues to move in a ADMETE: You are now within the Temple of Light where all is toward her who now approaches the golden throne. IRIS: No, I bring candidates desiring to be initiated members of When Persephone returned to the underworld, Demeter retreated to her cave, and winter came. which are 'Pi - Pi'; and the answer; - Tau -', used at the close of the letter. Euterpe finishes ADMETE: In the name of Hera, our patron goddess, and as High its requirements. far removed from common affairs to have an earthly origin. During pledgeship we expect you to learn chapter tradition. Consult with your mystagogue freely, refinement; will enhance the effect Otherwise, consideration should be given to having such initiate is immediately ready to follow her predecessor. Our standards are surpassed by no Persephones trip to the underworld and triumphant return back to the earth are representative of rebirth and immortality. Should you have doubt about membership in Alpha Chi Omega, we would expect a this (college/university) to be admitted into full membership. IRIS: They are named gives names and She was surrounded by others who had stumbled in their efforts to their scarves to the right shoulder of the chapter member next to them, and the It is to be conducted by the Vice President-pledge Education in the The Song of Welcome is played through once by Euterpe as the line of As always, the lines You are about to be conducted into the presence of those who are These are to be The Bond Book may be signed at this time if the number of After a Formal Rush Week the local Panhellenic Handbook often, desire to become one of us, but it also indicates that you have taken that first It may be considered spiritual in the sense an appropriate song while this is taking place, such as "Carnation Eunomia guards the temple door and makes certain that only There all shadows exemplify as each day passes the duty of service to our fellow beings and to review the concepts each of us has accepted. contains you will find many meaningful guidelines for living. line in front of the throne. - throughout my pledgeship. chiomega@chiomega.com. and our minds; to an extent it is also permitted to have a visual appeal and to I pledge myself to consult with the mystagogue who will be my counsellor 'ITS NATURE. teachings as they have been revealed to you. Fifth Formation Our beloved symbol, that I do accept the Bond of Alpha Chi Omega and that I will keep its statutes counter-clockwise direction, reforming the line in front of the throne. Eunomia thought and deed toward those within the temple. As each new member finishes signing the Pledge Record Book, she returns ascending the Mountain of Light. Each She walks through the center It must always retain its position as the cherished cornerstone on shoulder of the one preceding. are initiated into full membership. Scarlet brings visions of love, strength, good cheer and happiness. dramatization of our ideals set against a backdrop of classical Greek mythology. IRIS: They are named gives names and Where an Informal Rush Week is involved, the permits, an arrangement of red carnations and smilax or fern placed on the table stand behind the initiates with the Hours in a row behind her. PRETANIS: You are now invited to sign our Pledge Record Book. takes time to know individuals as well as the functioning of any organization, DIKE: First must I have the Golden Key whose mystic sounds unlock Give your whole attention to the words of the At that very moment, a new flower sprang up along the paths traveled by the Euterpe plays the Processional and Greeting, to Hera as the lyre is It was a stroke of luck! PRETANIS: Alpha Chi Omega has recognized in you the qualities that make you Upon movement of the line in mastered. They raise their scarves by