I think it's an excellent idea but would recommend the
without Crowley's Egyptian trappings.
There have been numerous discussions who exactly the Headless One is. Some think it's the Egyptian god Bes because he's sometimes shown as beheaded with his head between his feet (
"I am the Headless One with sight in the feet!") but he's a minor deity, not the mythological creator of the universe. Other say it's the Gnostic demiurge but I see him more as a generic godform - he has no human head because he can turn into any (Egyptian) god; just add the head of a jackal, for example, and you get Anubis, just add an ibis' head, and it's Thot you're looking at.
However, two principles should be heeded when modifiying the Headless Rite (not that it needs any modification, in my opinion):
- "Change not the barbarous names of evocation, for they are Names Divine, having in the Sacred Rites a power ineffable." (Chaldean Oracles). This is where Crowley went wrong, he should have left the barbarous names alone. I've performed the (PGM) ritual many times, and no matter how you decide to pronounce them, these voces magicae will have a powerful effect on you (). It might be a sign of habituation but I just adore the way they roll off my tongue.
- My reading of the ritual is that it's a rite of empowerment. It's original purpose was exorcism, so first you summon a god in all his might, power and glory, then you establish your own authority ("I am Moses thy prophet to whom thou hast transmitted thy mysteries celebrated by Israel", i.e. a powerful sorcerer, a messenger of the pharao, etc.), and as a final step, you become the god ("I am the Headless One with sight in my feet, strong in the immortal fire!"). Now you're divine and able to do anything you like, be it an exorcism, perform other rituals from a position of strength (the GD and Crowley used the Headless Rite in its original form as a preparatory ritual for Goetic operations), call upon your HGA, Lucifer, etc.
You're entirely correct in assuming that this ritual makes you the highest-ranking being in the operation. The PGM don't mess about. Their approach is completely different from the Abrahmic-inspired grimoires. In this ritual you
become god, and nobody's screaming "Blasphemy!" In other PGM rituals, the gods are cajoled, coerced or even blackmailed, so yes, that ritual will put you on top of the heap. You won't even have to ask Lucifer for favors, you can
become him, or talk to him eye to eye, from one divine being to the other.
The way I perform it is to speak the main part in a lyrical voice, like reciting a poem, and then thundering out the glorious last lines (wording by Jason Miller in "Real Sorcery"):
I am the Headless One with sight in my feet, strong in the immortal fire!
I am the truth that hates that evil is wrought in the world!
I am the one that makes the lightening flash and the thunder roll!
I am the one whose sweat is heavy rain which falls upon the earth, making it fertile.
I am the one whose mouth is utterly aflame!
I am the destroyer and begetter!
I am the grace of the Aeon!
“HEART GIRT WITH A SERPENT” is my name!
Come forth and follow!
It can give you quite a rush once you lean into it.