An Initiation Of Tradition
An initiation of faith is not something to enter into lightly. It is method of acknowledging your seriousness or honest devotion to your chosen spiritual path and an acceptance of others into the family of a particular tradition.
It is important to note here that an initiation is not the same thing as a dedication. A dedication is a statement of faith, an initiation is an acceptance or invitation into a particular form of that faith. The pagan community often refers to a particular form as a tradition, coven, or spiritual sect. An initiation must be performed by the tradition's spiritual leader, often a Shaman or High Priest/Priestess.
Traditionally a person is not considered to be a true member of the craft without a formal initiation. However, modern paganism does not always carry out this view. Today a dedication of faith is often all that is needed to declare oneself a member of the pagan community.
That isn't to say that an initiation is no longer important. It is just as important today as an acknowledgement and dedication within a particular tradition as it was hundreds of years past. In order to be considered for initiation, a person must practice and participate (as allowed) within a particular tradition for one year and a day.
This year is designed for a person to learn the ways of the tradition. The final day is often designated as a day of consideration. Consideration by the person, to determine if they truly wish to be initiated into this particular tradition, coven or Coven. As well as, consideration by the coven or Coven's leadership, to determine if this person is truly ready for their initiation.
In family traditions, a mother often initiates her daughter and a father initiates his son. In a formal coven, the invitation for initiation is presented to the apprentice in front of the entire membership. If the apprentice accepts, an initiation ritual can follow, or be organized for a later time. In many formal Covens and sometimes a coven, a formal invitation is elaborately written by the Shaman or Shamanka and personally delivered to an initiate. The messenger then returns to the Coven leadership with the initiates answer. If the invitation to join is accepted, a date and time is arranged for the ceremony.
Levels Of Initiation
In most formal organizations, especially in Gardner Ian and Alexandria traditions, an initiation is based on levels of knowledge and experience. Advancement through the levels (or degrees) is a progression of study, performance of knowledge and acknowledgement of wisdom and experience. There are varying practices for the levels of initiation.
Here's an example -
A Dedication of Faith or a Coming Of Age rite are both considered the first levels of initiation. But only if these ceremonies are conducted by the Coven leadership. An initiate takes an oath of dedication and adopts a creed of faith. They declare their medicine name and if guided to do so, declare their spiritual mission.
The second level of initiation is by invitation only and occurs as a recognition of graduation so to speak. This occurs when an initiate has completed several required courses of study and has demonstrated their knowledge of spirituality and experience of Coven laws and principles. A rededication of their oath and creed is stated and several tests are given by Coven leadership to validate the initiates knowledge. The third level of initiation is also by invitation only and occurs when an initiate has declared them self for service to the community. Service as a healer, teacher, counselor, a community leadership role, or all of these. This level of initiation can be the equivalent to graduate studies in a formal college curriculum. Typically these invitations come from and are conducted by the Coven's leader for that particular area of service. For instance, a Coven's chief Healer can initiate a person who has taken on the mission to be a healer within the community. A new dedication of faith and mission is declared, and a new medicine name is adopted. The name can also be a rededication of the initiate's original name, but some new element is added to signify the new level of knowledge. Again, a test is administered by the Coven leadership to valid both knowledge and wisdom of the chosen service. The final level of initiation is also by invitation only and occurs after 3 years of internship for positions of service to the community. Only the Coven Shaman or Shamanka can perform this ceremony. But the invitation usually comes from the Coven's leader for that particular area of service. This final level is equivalent to initiation as a Coven Shaman/Shamanka. The evening before the initiation ritual, the initiate begins a Shamanistic journey. The journey begins just before sunset with a single piece of fruit and water. As the sun sets, a fast begins and the initiate takes a vow of silence. A ritualistic cleansing bath is taken in private after which, the initiate wears a cloak made of natural fibers in a color that signifies his or her spiritual mission. A healer might wear a green cotton robe, a spiritual counselor might wear a blue cotton gown, a spiritual teacher or leader might wear a purple silk hooded cloak.
The initiate then prepares an outside circle, somewhere safe and where they will not be disturbed during the night. Here they embark on an evening of meditation, and spiritual journeys. The initiate keeps a log of their experiences and messages during the evening hours. The day is often spent in reflection and review until sunset when the formal initiation ritual begins.
During the initiation ritual, a new oath and creed of faith is declared to signify the responsibility, accountability and reverence of this level of service. Only one question is asked of the initiate by the Coven Shaman/Shamanka to express the students knowledge and wisdom. A declaration of title and medicine name is made to the circle and the initiate is anointed as a Shaman/Shamanka of their chosen path of service.
All initiation rituals conclude with a ceremony of honoring the Great Spirits, followed by a celebration feast.
In Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions, there are some differences to the varying levels or degrees of initiation. However the basics are very similar. A First degree initiate is blindfolded and bound with cords outside the magic circle. They are challenged as to their courage to enter. The respondent typically replies "with perfect love and perfect trust" to suffer to be purified and to learn. The initiate is then guided into the circle. Once there, they are take an oath, are anointed, presented with their first magikal tools and the initiate adopts a craft name.
A second degree initiation begins the same way, only this time inside the circle. The initiate renews their oath to suffer, to learn and to be purified. A ritual scourging is conducted and the initiate assumes a new craft name and is willed the magikal "power" of the initiator.
The third degree initiation is performed through the Great Rite ceremony. This is a consummation of the magikal knowledge of the coven. An initiate may take on a new craft name to signify their status as a Priest or Priestess. All initiations conclude with a celebration of food and drink.
Some European traditions, follow a similar generic procedure or flow, but each adds it's own detail to signify something unique to the coven or Coven. In these traditions, a ritualistic bath is given to the initiate by the High Priest or Priestess to signify spiritual cleansing. This can be a symbolic bathing (such as an anointing) or a full immersion in water.
A pledge to serve the Goddess and use the magik of the divine spirits for positive intent is taken and a magikal name known only inside the circle is declared.
A Native American Indian tradition includes a vision quest and many neo-Pagan traditions have adopted similar rituals. These vision quests include fasting and an all-night, solitary outdoor vigil. During the vigil, the initiate meditates and interacts with the God/Goddess to learn about their own personal "medicine power" or "spiritual mission". They meet both their animal and spirit guides who will guide them and lead the way to spiritual growth. This information was written by: Lance Legena
