When you have fulfilled the requirements, and meditated on the matter, you may decide to perform the following Self-Initiation. It is best performed on a Sabbat, Imbolg being traditional. If this is not possible, then on the waxing or full moon. This ritual is to be inserted just before the Cakes and Wine section.
Prior to the initiation, it is appropriate to spend some time in seclusion, taking time to meditate on the step you are about to take. Unless medically unable, you should observe a fast consisting only of whole-grain breads, honey and herbal teas (for at least 24 hours, but not more than three days), and you should refrain from sexual activities for the same period. In the case of coven initiation, it is often customary to hold a large feast afterward, consisting of the initiate's favorite foods. You may wish to do the same.
The step that you are about to take is a serious one. This is a commitment to the gods for your lifetime. Although this is a religion of freedom and you may leave Wicca at any time, you will be promising to remain "ever true to the gods". Meditate on what this means to you.
Just prior to the ritual, take a ritual bath. Charge the water with a handful of sea salt, sending white light into the water as you stir it in. During the bath, you should mentally clean yourself. This can be done by performing a cleansing meditation, and employing the water.
SELF INITIATION
-You will need one nine-foot white cord, a lenth of red yarn or thread, anointing oil, a necklace and a black shroud or scarf.
-If you are normally robed, disrobe at this time. You should be wearnign no jewelry, perfume, makeup, deoderant, etc.
-Recite, aloud. the charge of the Goddess:
"Listen to the words of the great Mother;
she who od the old was also called among men
Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite,
Cerridwen, Dana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride,
and by many other names."
"Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month,
and better it be when the moon is full,
then shall ye assemble in some secrete place and adore
the spirit of She,
who is queen of all witches. The shall ye assemble,
ye who are fain to lean all sorcery,
yet have not won its deepest secrets;
to these will she teach things that are yet unknown.
and ye shall be free from slavery;
and as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall be nakes in your rites;
and ye shall dance, sing make music and love, all in her praise.
For hers is the ecstasy of the spirit,
and hers is also the joy on Earth; for her law is love unto all beings.
Keep pure your highest ideall strive ever towards it;
let naught stop you or turn you aside.
for hers is the secret door which opens upon the land of youth,
and hers is the cup of the wine of life,
and the cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the holy grail
of immortality. She is the gracious Goddess,
Who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man.
Upon Earth, she give the knowledge of the spirit eternal;
and beyond death, she gives peace, and freedom,
and reunion with those who haave gone before.
Nor does she demand sacrifice;
for behold, she is the mother fo all living,
and her love is poured out upon the Earth."
"Hear ye the words of the star Goddess; she in the dust of whose
feet are the host of Heaven, and whose body encircles the universe."
"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 man, calls unti thy soul. Aruse, 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 gods and of men, ket thine innermost
Devine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let her worship
be withing 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, honor 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 though seekest
though findest not within thee, though wilt never find it without thee.
for behold, she has been with thee form the beginning;
and she is that which is attained at the end of desire."
-Go to each quater in turn, beginign with the East, raising your want at each quater and saying:
"Guardians of the East "South, West, North",
I, __________ (your name), present myself
for initiation."
-Stnad before the altar and say:
"Lord and Lady,
I come before thee,
humble but without fear.
I have studied thy ways
and sought long after thee.
please, aid me and bless me
on this quest."
-Perform the forefold blessing. Annoint slef with consecrated water at each point:
Feet
"Blessed be my feet, which shall tred the hidden path."
Knees
"Blessed be my knees, which shall kneel at the sacred altar."
Womb/Phallus
"Blessed be my womb (phallus), the seat of my power."
Breasts
"Blessed be my breast, erect in beauty and strength."
Lips
"Blessed be my lips, which shall utter the sacred names."
-Kneel and cover your head with a shroud/scarf so that you cannot see. Spend this time in meditation. It is at this time that you mae be given a sign, or you may recievea vision or message.
-When you are ready, remove the shroud/scarf and stand
-Go to eacht quater in turn (beginning in the East), to meditate and recieve the message. (if you do not with to do this free-form, feel free to follow the elemental meditations.)
-As you have recieved each message, go on to the next quater, until you have been to each.
-Take the red thred and take your measure (put the end of the thread under your toe and measure to the top of your head. Cut the thred. Measure around the head, chest and genitals, each time making a knot. The coil the thread up.)
-Hold the thread up above the altar, saying:
"Lord and Lady,
I present my measure,
a symbol of all that I am,
in token of my dedication.
in perfect love
and in perfect trust."
-Place the thread on the pentacle and your right habd over the thread, taking the oath:
"I, ________ (wiccan name), swear ever to cherish and never reveal the secrets which Gods may reveal to me, Except it be to a worthy person in the centre of a consecrated cirlcle, such as I am now in. And I will ever remain true to the gods and to the art, and I shall help ,y true brothers and sisters of the art. This is my solemn vow. So mote it be!"
-Say:
"Nnow I take the whitch's mark."
-Anoint self with oil (such as olive) in the sign of a curcles cross on the forehead, then the heart, and then the genitals:
"Lord and Lady,
I consecrate myself unto thee
as thy witch
and true priest.ess."
-Take the white cord, double it if necessary and tie it around your waist. This is a sumbol of your oath.
-You may now with to consecrate your necklace and wear it.
-Afterward, go to each quater in turn, raise the wand to each direction, saying:
"guardians of the East (South, West, North),
behold, I am _______ (wiccan name),
a witch and true priest/ess
of the Lord and Lady."
-Keep measure in a safe/special place. You may wish to keep it in a special pouch. (some witches birn their measure, in token of giving to the gods.)
