A question and answer from the Circle of Elders mailing list.
Question:
Hi, Leonora,
I do not want to call myself a Witch. I am new on this path.
Going deeper, I feel necessity for
self-dedication ritual. Wherever I redid
about it, it is stated a dedication yourself as
Wiccan and Witch. I know I have
to find an answer for myself, what is my inspiration,
how I see myself- the
seeker, disciple,or something else, but maybe you
could give me advise, it seems
you are very experienced, thank you,
Answer:
Greetings, B*
For the Initiation - you can call yourself a 'Seeker' if you wish...
You don't have to call yourself a Witch or dedicate yourself
to any specific area of the Craft
at this stage - Self Initiation doesn't
require you to make promises or oaths
to any particular group or faction unless
you want to.
It is simply to allow your mind - to agree - to open to possibility...
There are three main things you need to do in order to 'Self Initiate':
1) Create a space removed from your 'normal' daily routine.
This can be as simple as imagining yourself in an unusual
place in your mind, or you
can trace or draw a circle in your living room or
bedroom, name it 'sacred', and
stand in it, or it can be a completely new area
indoors or outside.
You can make it as simple or ornate as you like, as long as
you have the intention
that it IS a separate space and different from what you
'normally' do during the day/night.
You can create an altar using candles,
incense and a mirror etc. if you wish...
2) Create a 'ritual', either long or short, which contains
ideas, feelings, actions and words indicating that
you NOW CHOOSE to OPEN the
DOOR to whatever aspect of the Craft you wish to study/experience.
You don't need to direct this Intent towards any God/dess
unless you want to,
but you DO need to perform this ritual inside your 'sacred'
space.
Make sure you repeat these ideas, feelings, actions or words
with ENERGY!
It doesn't have to be loud or highly active, but it does need to be
STRONG!
You must MEAN IT.
This ensures you have a firm grasp of your intent to
Change - to OPEN - to possibility...
When you have finished your ritual, step "Out" of
your sacred space, thank it, and close
it by saying words to the effect: "I
now close this space, or circle."
3) (And this is the MOST IMPORTANT) Except in a very few,
isolated and
special cases, there MUST be a WITNESS to your initiation!!!
Your witness MUST be human, and at least 13 years old.
They
don't have to take part in the ritual, or even believe in it, but they must be
present to observe that you are serious in your First Intention.
I know there are many who feel this last step isn't necessary,
and for those who are
only curious with no actual real desire to alter their
lives towards deep Craft Work, they
are correct: a non-witnessed initiation
works pretty well for first-level, Outer Circle practise.
But it WILL wear off
after a while, with the querent usually returning to general
Outer Circle ritual
as can be found in any religious practice.
However, if you really want to make that step from curious to
questing,
you MUST have a witness at your Initiation.
Their observance 'locks' your Intent into History.
That's the reason most Initiations, and other Rites of
Passage, take place
using rituals involving at least 2 or 3 people.
So, let me suggest, if you can't find a Witness, complete the
first 2 steps, then actively
seek out a group, or someone you can trust to
openly observe your Intent to Continue.
When you have found them - or they have found you - do the Initiation again to lock it in.
May your days and nights be blessed
Love
Leonora