Cult of Ecstacy

The Cult of Ecstasy is a Tradition of mages in the Mage: The Ascension role-playing game game from White Wolf Game Studio.

Out of music, dance and passion, the Cult of Ecstasy creates the magic of entrancement and exhilaration. Pushing past the boundaries and comfort zones of humanity, they seek the ultimate experience. They're the descendants of ancient ascetists - although now they use drugs, sex, piercing in metropolis instead of meditating alone in the desert (Though Cultists pursue sex, drugs, meditation, holistic living, music, and vision quests as focusing tools, serious Ecstatics consider these to be sacraments, not hobbies).

The Ecstatics are visionaries, shamans, and adventurers of the senses. Their Arts are as old as time, and Time itself is their toy. While they might -appear- stoned and irresponsible, it's because so few outsiders see things their way. Simply because the mage is a part of the Cult of Ecstasy, by no means, does it classify that member as a worthless hippie, addict, sex maniac, dopehead, or dropout.

Early Cultists realized how important structure was; no group built on total hedonism could survive for long. As societies became more repressed, Ecstatics rebelled and threw ALL the rules, including their own, out the window. In the '60's, a great revolution took place, and the Ecstatics led the charge. Sadly, the greatest of their kind fell to drugs, and following generations learned all the wrong lessons from their example. The Cult, and the world at large, lost a lot of ground because people lost sight of the consequences of their actions. Modern Ecstatics are trying to learn from their mistakes and have resurrected the old ways. The Code of Ananda is but one example of the way in which Cultists recognize the responsiblities their awesome powers confer.

The Code of Ananda: Called by some "The Ten Commandments of Ecstasy," these proverbs were collected by Sh'zar (the founder of the modern day Cult) and his companion Divyas (Divya: A Master mage, one who has accomplished the highest understandings. In practical Mage: The Ascension terms, a Master mage is one who has 5 dots in one or more spheres). No one knows which mages originated or collected the sayings, but Ecstatics agree that the observations are, if nothing else, good advice for an anarchistic sect like theirs. Ananda refers to bliss, joy and sacred transcendence. The Code also carries a strong connotation of righteousness. The founding Seers knew all too well the dark side of freedom, and didn't want to found a Tradition of psychopaths. In the early days, those who violated the Code were punished severely. Respect for others, awareness of consequences, and continual wonder at Earth's living miracle are central to the Code. A good Ecstatic, it assumes, does not make his joy others' problem. The inital proverbs were written in Greek and Sanskrit. Even translated, the Code seems formal to the modern ear; some modern Cultists simply sum all 10 proverbs up in two simple words: "Be Cool."

The Code of Ananda:

1. Thou art miraculous: So are we all.
2. He who spits upon his good right hand shall find the left one fails him in need.
3. Each gold coin yields two like it: Each stalk given creates a bundle. Yet, each coin taken turns the rest to dross. And one bundle gone creates a famine. Thus shall a Seer account his deeds.
4. Some minds rest best asleep. Stir not those who would not awaken otherwise.
5. Truths foreseen are not always truths.
6. If a man (or woman) would rend another's passions, let him be as one torn by wild dogs. For passions are the seat of the self, and if they bleed, so too does the soul.
7. Let each Seer account for his own deeds. And if those deeds should want for wisdom or kindness, let him be put forth to weep alone.
8. Humor cooleth the blood; wrath spilleth it.
9. Even trees rent by lightning may grow new fruit.
10. A fool feels no fear; a Sleeper remains shackled by it; a Master transcends it, yet recalls it's wisdom. It is good to be afraid; it is folly to bow to terror.

Time is a human constructed idea and all limitations are self imposed. No boundary is a permanent one, and once you surpass your own limitations, you are a step towards Ascension, following the path of Ananda (Sanskrit: The sacred state of bliss and transcendence).