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°◦. Self-Initiation Ritual .◦°
[Remember, these are suggestions. These are not the only way to perform a self-initiation. You are quite welcome to add or subtract as you see necessary!]
~ Best done on full or waxing moon, or on a Sabbat.
~ Prepare yourself mentally for your initiation.
~ Wear special clothing (ritual garments or just something you want to wear especially for the occasion) or go skyclad.
~ Choose your working name beforehand! (also called magickal name or craft name). In some traditions, you are allowed to change your working name as you grow, without much fanfare. In others, you must be re-initiated into your new name. Take this into consideration when choosing yours. It should be something you will stick with for a very long time, perhaps even permanently.
~ Prior to initiation, spend some time by yourself, taking time to meditate on the step you are about to take.
~ You may fast if you wish, eating only whole grain foods, honey, and herbal teas for 24 hours, and abstain from sexual activity for the same period. It is often customary to hold a large feast afterwards, consisting of your favourite foods.
Do Not perform a self initiation if you are not certain that this is the path you wish to follow. This is an enormous step into your beliefs, and your dedication to the Goddess. You should have studied Wicca for a long time, and feel that you are ready to dedicate yourself to it (traditional length of time is a year and a day). Take your time and never rush into this.
Prior to the ritual, take a ritual bath. Charge the water with a handful of salt, sending white light and good thoughts into the water as you stir it. During your bath, mentally cleanse yourself as well.
Supplies:
[if you do not have all of the supplies listed, or you feel a pull to perform your initiation/dedication at a certain time when you are without a way to get to your tools, feel free to substitute where necessary.]
›› athame
›› chalice (filled with wine)
›› salt
›› incense and burner
›› white taper candle in cauldron
›› consecrated water OR oil (scented or unscented as per preference)
›› your pentacle
›› 4 element candles
›› a piece of string that is your exact height
›› token of your initiation (this can be a piece of jewelry you will wear every day, or a gift to yourself that is associated with Wicca. Example: I have a very nice set of tarot cards that I bought and used for my gift of initiation.)
Cast a circle with yourself and all of your supplies inside it. Light the candle and incense. For the ritual itself, you may stand or kneel; whatever you feel comfortable doing.
Aloud, recite the Charge of the Goddess (you may choose to recite all of it, though what is written here is only a part):
“She who is the beauty of the green Earth, and the white Moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of human, calls unto thy soul. Arise, and come unto her. For she is the soul of nature, who gives life to the Universe. From her all things proceed, and unto her all things must return; and before her face, beloved of gods and of human, thy innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let her worship be within the heart that rejoices; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are her rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you. And thou who thinkest to seek for her, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not, unless thou knowest the mystery; that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never find it without thee. For behold, she has been with thee form from the beginning; and she is that which is attained at the end of desire.”
Put a pinch of the salt on your tongue and say:
I am mortal, cared for and loved by the Great Goddess. Through the Great Mother, all things are born. To Her, all things must in their season return. Through her sacred cauldron, I enter and leave this physical world until my actions no longer require that I return to be taught.
Set the scented oil on your pentacle and say:
I, [working name], come into this sacred place willingly. I have come to dedicate my life to the Wiccan way, to the Goddess in all Her forms, whose power is still strong and vital. Here, I give my word to follow the ancient paths that lead to true wisdom and knowledge. I will serve and give reverence to the Great Goddess. I am a witch, a stone of the ancient circle, standing firmly balanced upon the earth, yet still open to the winds of the heavens, and enduring throughout time. May the Goddess witness my words!
Make sure that when you are going to the quarters, you take your time and feel the elements’ presence where you are.
Go to the Eastern quarter and say:
Behold, O powers of air. I, [working name], am a follower of the Great Goddess!
Go to the Southern quarter and say:
Behold, O powers of fire. I, [working name], am a follower of the Great Goddess!
Go to the Western quarter and say:
Behold, O powers of water. I [working name], am a follower of the Great Goddess!
Go to the Northern quarter and say:
Behold, O powers of earth. I [working name], am a follower of the Great Goddess!
Return to the centre and say:
Mother Goddess, I come before thee, Humble, but without fear. I have studied thy ways And sought long after thee.
Take the consecrated water or oil, and with a drop on the forefinger of your power hand (dominant hand), anoint your feet and say:
Blessed be my feet, which shall always walk your sacred paths.
Anoint your knees and say:
Blessed be my knees, which shall kneel at your sacred altar.
Anoint your womb and say:
Blessed by my womb, the seat of my power.
Anoint your breasts and say:
Blessed be my breasts, erect in beauty and strength.
Anoint your lips and say:
Blessed be my lips, which shall utter thy sacred name.
Stand in silence, to receive your blessing. Then lay your jewelry or token on top of the pentacle and say:
This emblem shall I wear (or use) always, especially for all things magickal. Bless this [name of item], O Great Mother, that I may be blessed and protected in all ways.
Measure the string against your height, placing one end under your toe, and stretching it up to your head. Measure the thread around your womb area, your breasts, and your head. With each measurement, tie a knot at the length. Wind the string around the fingers of your power hand, then place the string on your pentacle and say:
Mother Goddess, I present to thee my measure. It is a symbol of all that I am, In symbolism of my dedication to thee, In perfect love and perfect trust. I consecrate myself to thee, As thy witch and thy true priestess.
(Keep the string, your measure, in a safe place such as a special box or bag. You may also wish to burn it, as a symbol of giving it to the Goddess.)
Place the wine chalice on the pentacle for a few moments, then lift it high, saying:
To the Goddess! Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again!
Drink the wine, saving a bit to put out for simulated sacrifice.
Meditate upon your initiation, upon the good you will do, and on the Goddess. This is the time to relax and stabilise your mind within the circle. After you are finished meditating, dismiss the elements and deities you called upon, and close the circle.