From an old Necromancy scroll (author unknown)   "For a period of nine days prior to the operation you will eat only unleavened bread and drink only wine without spirit. Your attire should be gray in color and this time is to be spent in solitude. "   The Path of a Necromancer The beginning of everything must start with purification of the space and then of the self. Cleaning the area involves your senses and engages your will to banish all that might interfere with your will dominating the space. The rites must be enacted away from the work-a-day world. You must retreat to the forests, wastelands, ruins and hill tops. Hill tops are the most potent as they are the abode of the owners of the land. Eldritch caretakers that must be addressed before preceding. Lost and lonely forces dwell in lost and lonely places. I speak of forces rather than spirits for spirit by it's nature is breath, is air, is living. Forces draw no breath, nor do they have a beating heart. In the quiet places, in the secret places, in the dark. This is where the forces abide. Seek them In the water canyons and in the forest and along rivers. All places with natural boundaries are gateways. Fasting is also a powerful tool. It empties you and makes you ready for something new. Poises you to leap when the time to do so arrives. It quickens your pace. The center of the circle is force, it touches all, force of air, force of fire, force of earth and force of water. Force is either growing or diminishing and moving against you or with you. The First Rite The first Rite is that of self interment. This is a long process, or a short one, depending on the initiate. One should conclude all their worldly business and dispense with ones property, as though one were dead. Sequestering oneself in the quiet places, in the secret places, withdrawing for a time from all you know. Prepare a secluded place for your grave, someplace you find yourself drawn to. Invite the forces of this place to help guide you. However you choose to do this is up to you, though it must be earnest or it will be for naught. Begin digging your grave at dusk as no sunlight can shine in your grave. It need not be deep, no more than three and a half feet or so. Difficulty in carrying out this task may be considered ill omen. If thwarted one may try at another time or forsake the venture entirely. As to time of months or year to perform this rite, your guides know what is right for you and will give you a sign. Once the Grave is dug, you must lay in it silent as though you are dead and wait for the visions that will come, as they will decide your fate. It is the forces that watch over the dead that you will first attract. You will see and hear many strange things, often beyond your imagination, but you must be vigilant, and remain still as the dead until morning. Morning, when you will arise reborn, knowing something, that perhaps you wish you didn't.