Regula Nigredi – Rule of the Ordo Nigredo

Regula Nigredi: The path of the Ordo Nigredo leads through the darkness of matter to clarity of spirit. Those who enter leave the turmoil of the world and seek inner peace through order, work, and contemplation. Man is a trinity: spirit, soul, and body – the work consists in purifying, uniting, and harmonizing them. Therefore, those who enter the Ordo Nigredo commit themselves to constancy, discipline, piety, chastity, and inner transformation. In recognizing their own opposites – male and female, light and shadow – the person matures into wholeness.

Chapter 1 – The Community and Its Hierarchy

The Ordo Nigredo lives in a stable monastic order under a strict hierarchy.
The Abbot is at the head of the Order. All spiritual, moral, and organizational activities are subordinate to him.
Below him are:

• The Prior – the Abbot's deputy and guardian of order in daily life.
• The Subprior – Guardian of discipline and overseer of silence, prayer, and work.
• The Cellarer – Manager of material goods, responsible for food, tools, and clothing.
• The Master of Novitiorum – Teacher and spiritual director of the novices.
• The Deans – Supervisors of small groups, responsible for obedience, order, and mutual support.
• The Professed – fully integrated brothers and sisters who have taken vows.
• The Novices – examinees who practice obedience, silence, and work.
• The Postulants – seekers who learn about the Order and persevere in silence and observation.

No member exceeds their rank without the examination and approval of the Abbot.
Orders are carried out without hesitation; disobedience is considered a disruption of the work.
The rank of each reflects their degree of inner maturity – the higher the rank, the greater the responsibility for the whole.

Chapter 2 – The Abbot

The Abbot is the father, teacher, and judge of the community. He rules not by harshness, but by example, clarity, and incorruptibility. His word is law, his silence a command. He ensures the purity of doctrine and the preservation of the hierarchy. In spiritual matters, he decides alone; in material matters, with the advice of the offices.

Chapter 3 – The Council of the Monastery

On important matters, the abbot convenes the council of offices and deans. Younger members may be heard, but the judgment lies with the abbot. Disagreement is only presented humbly and solely for the purpose of clarifying the work.

Chapter 4 – Tools of the Inner and Outer Path

• Silence – to sanctify the word.
• Obedience – to purify one's own will.
• Humility – to receive the truth.
• Piety – to perform the work in God's presence.
• Chastity – as purity of intention, gaze, and deed.
• Work – as visible prayer.
• Moderation – as protection against debauchery and excess.
• Truthfulness – as a mirror of inner balance.
• Recognizing the shadow – to transform it.
• Union of masculine and feminine – to achieve wholeness.
• Gratitude – as a daily offering.

Chapter 5 – On Obedience

Obedience is the bond that sustains the community. The brother obeys the abbot. Whoever hesitates, contradicts, or grumbles demonstrates the immaturity of the heart. Perfect obedience is silent, joyful, and complete.

Chapter 6 – On Silence

Silence is the protection of the holy. No word should be spoken that is not necessary, true, or useful. After the evening prayer time, there is silence until morning.

Chapter 7 – On Humility

Humility is the highest virtue. He who rules, let him serve; he who serves, let him rule himself. Humility is revealed in silence, work, and obedience.

Chapter 8 – On the Daily Rhythm

The day is divided into prayer, work, and contemplation. No brother remains idle. Everything that happens should be done in accordance with order – this is how the work will be pure.

Chapter 9 – On the Cellarer and the Services

The cellarer manages all goods with rigor and moderation. Wastefulness is considered a disrespect for the work. He ensures the distribution of tasks and watches over justice in all things.

Chapter 10 – On the Admission of New Members

Those who join renounce all worldly things. The novice is tested for patience, humility, obedience, and constancy. Only after one year may they take their vows.
The vows include: obedience, chastity, piety, constancy, and devotion to the work.

Chapter 11 – On True Masculinity and Femininity

Every person carries the masculine and feminine within them. True masculinity manifests itself in clarity, energy, and protection. True femininity manifests itself in devotion, intuition, and creative depth. Those who reconcile these forces within themselves achieve the balance of the inner kingdom. In the Ordo Nigredo, only those who recognize both principles can complete the work.

Chapter 12 – On Piety

Piety is the constant presence God in action. It requires not contemplation, but simplicity and mindfulness. The pious person recognizes the holy in every action.

Chapter 13 – On Chastity

Chastity means purity of intention, not alienation from life. It preserves the fire instead of dissipating it. Moderation and respect should prevail in thought, speech, and action.

Chapter 14 – On Matter and the Spirit

Everything material serves to purify the spiritual. Working on matter is simultaneously a prayer to God. Whoever works with clean hands also works on their own heart.

Chapter 15 – On Punishment and Discipline

Disobedience, laziness, or arrogance are rebuked. Rebuke occurs first in secret, then before witnesses, and finally before the community. Anyone who does not improve is temporarily excluded. Exclusion serves not as punishment, but as purification. Chapter 16 – On the Goal of the Work The goal is the balance of mind, soul, and body. Wholeness arises through obedience, piety, chastity, and the union of opposites. The perfected one is not without faults, but at peace with them.

Chapter 17 – Conclusion

This rule is both law and path.
It shapes the external to purify the internal.
It demands rigor to enable freedom.
For in darkness lies the beginning of light.
“Nigredo – Initium Lucis.”