The Sabaean Religious Order
The following is a reply to a request for information
The root word for it is 'Saba' meaning point of light, or star. Originally the name of a village in what is now Iraq, but at the time called Yemen. Just to give you a time frame, this was about 10,000 years ago. There was a another village very close that you might recognize, named Magi. Where the word 'magic' comes from. Also the new testament, the 'Three Wisemen from Magi'. There is also the story of Salomon and Queen of Sheba. The name Sheba was slang, for the Yiddish pronounced Saba as Sheba. Her real name is in speculation, but the story goes that she brought three Genie's before Salomon as a gift to test his wisdom. She would give him the power of only one of those Genie's. The first one said I have the power of light, I can move at the speed of light, the second the speed of sound, and the third the speed of thought. After thinking for a moment, he chose the third. After which he could know, what everyone in the world was thinking, at the time they were thinking it, and absorbed the wisdom of all men.
Anyway, the original Sabaean's were star worshipers. Today we're not so easily definable. Simply because one of the philosophies is metamorphosis. A constant evolution of ideas, as well as living, but without loosing touch with our past, our ancestors who gave us what we have today, as well as watching over us in our trials in this life. It is a philosophy of life. Living it to the fullest, while learning what life has to teach. Being good to yourself is all about health, your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. But enough of the philosophy, I'm sure your question was really about the mythology, the Gods. What rituals are performed, what spells do I have to offer. Well, as far as that goes, I can talk about the Gods, but since this is a mystery religion, I really can't give out the spells. Simply, if you were to use them and get in trouble, I would bear the responsibility. Even if you didn't Pursue me in a court sort of way, (which I wouldn't expect you to anyway) The Gods themselves would make me bear the responsibility for being so arrogant as to think that I could hand out the 'mysteries.' I know your probably chuckling right now, but understand that this is not just my words, this is taken very seriously. It's akin to 'hazing' or Fraternal orders. Some things are just not given out. Which I'm sure you understand. This much I can say: the rituals are VERY similar to those of the Lucume tribes of West Africa. That's because those tribes are the direct descendants of the Ancient Egyptians. The rituals that are performed use the same Gods as the Yoruba, simply out of respect for the ancestors. (That term is generic, I'm of Aryan & Native American blood) I say that, because if you were to see what actually happened to those people, you would want to honor them too. The suffering unknown before that time, regardless of the term 'slave'. It changed meaning after the western slave trade was abolished. Just like the Swastika changed meaning from representing the cycle of the year, to Nazism. That is pretty much the only reason that the names of the West African Gods are used. If you wished though, you weren't bound by that. You actually can use the names of the deities that you would associate with. Where I would say Chango, you could say Thor. Same thing, just a different name. The rituals that are used would be in kind as well. We do hold Seances regularly, in honor of the Am'n, or Dead. The Word Am'n is defined as 'the unknown'. A power that is undefinable, without sexal orintation, the realm of the dead themselves.
In ancient Egypt the God Amon-Ra was the god of the dead and the most popular for the longest period of time. Budge often confused this with a monotheistic society, which was untrue. The Am'n have a simpathy that is unlike the Gods toward mankind, simply because the Am'n at one point were part of mankind, which the Gods were not. This is not to say that they don't do that every now and again, but for the most part, the Gods have never lived the life of a human. Actually, it is very common for a God to show up at your doorstep every now and again. In times of need, or to test you in your word. Lets say that you go to church and give large amounts of money, then brag that you are a charitable person. It isn't out of the realm of posiblilty that a god or goddess knock on your door dressed like a begger to ask for a bit of food, (not money) so they can feed their child. If you give them the food, they will kindly take it from you and leave, but grant you blessings beyond what you'd ever expect. On the other side of it, if you slam the door in their face, they will have you come to the door again later and reveal themselves to you, and usually allow you to see what it is, to live the life of a begger. This isn't just a story, or a metephore for something. It ACTUALLY happens, and has happened to friends of mine. To be a priest, you have to have to be impeccable. Your given the rights of a Saint, and the power of a Saint. With that comes tremendous responsiblity. The punishment for abuse is also very extreme, more so for me. If I were to do something that everyone does, but is unethical, I will bear the brunt of the punishment because I know better. There is no such thing as a little white lie. It's understood that ritual is not the end of the story, it's just the beginning. It's a way to communicate with the Gods.
Your mind is extremely complex in how it works, and the regular day in and day out of it can get quite tedious indeed. Sometimes we forget that we even have a spirit. What the purpose of ritual is, is to combine elements that make communication easier, combined with creating a mind set. Drugs are never used in this. I know that in some traditions, drugs are used to induce this mind set. I can honestly say that this doesn't occur in our tradition. The trick is only to get the right combinations of ritual and meditation in order to successfully complete the communication. I really hope that didn't sound contemptuous. I tried to re-write it better, but it keeps coming out that way. Forgive me if that's what it sounds like. When the Oracle is opened, the signs that are given are the lessons that you should pay attention to. Each of the signs gives a story, a sort of 'moral' (for lack of a better word) that gives an ultimate result for what is going to happen. Everyone has free will, as you know, and you can use that to judge if you want to follow the advise or not. Although, I've found that the accuracy is far to close to chance it. I've been in some pretty hot water for not listening when I should have. Anyway, I'm sure this is much more information than you really wanted to hear. Since I can only give out limited information to begin with. If there is something specific that you would like to know, just ask and I can will do my best to answer it for you.
Peace and Light.