The blessing of children in a marriage or
conjugal partnership is sometimes taken for granted, but for those to
whom it seems denied there can be a great sense of sorrow. In
earlier times infertility was seen as a curse. The members of the
ancient Gnostic sect known as the Mandaeans, which survives to this day
in southern Iraq, believes celibacy to be a sin and the procreation of
children a religious duty.
The Angel of Fertility, Samandiriel, was therefore regularly
invoked. Since Samandiriel is conditioned to Mandaen customs,
this ritual includes some of their practices. Eat no meat and
avoid addictive substances for at least 24 hours prior to the
invocation, which should be performed before sunrise, ideally on the
first day of a New Moon. Take a purifying bath and immerse your
head three times, face first, as in a ritual baptism. Dress in a
simple while silk robe and light three white candles. Sprinkle
some saltwater around the edges of the room and burn some
frankincense and myrrh. Address your invocation to the north only.
In the name of the Almighty Creator,
Who gives life to all things,
I invoke you Angel, Samandiriel,
With your power to bestow fertility,
To bless us/me with the gift of a child.
This we will raise in the ways of love and truth,
And forever treasure as proof of your great love
For us and for the One who made us all.
I/we honour and thank you for hearing this, our prayer,
In the name of the almighty.
