First Degree Initiation

First Degree Initiation

People:

* Hierophant (H) (Initiator)
* Candidate (C)
* Hierophant's Working Partner (P)
* Summoner (S) (Hierophant does his part if S unavailable)
* High Priestess (HPS) (actually H or P, depending on gender)

Needs:

* blindfold
* nine foot red cord
* short white cord
* oil
* scourge
* all ordinary esbat requirements

Preparation:

C stands outside Circle to NE, blindfolded and bound by members of the oppositegender.
Wrists are bound together in back by middle of a nine-foot red cord, knotted infront at throat with ends hanging down front as cable-tow.

A short white cord is fastened to the right ankle with ends tucked in so as notto trip C up, saying:
"Feet neither bound nor free"
HPS casts Circle. Opening ritual is followed to the end of Drawing Down The Moon, but the Charge is not yet declaimed.

S fetches Sword (or Athame) from the altar, and opens a gate in NE.
S, H and P face C, and S issues the Challenge:

S: "O thou who stand on the threshold between the pleasant world of menand the dread domains of the Lords of the Outer Spaces, hast thou the courage to make the assay?"

Placing point of blade against C's heart, S continues:
S: "For I say verily, it were better to rush on my blade and perish, than make the attempt with fear in thy heart."
C: "I have two passwords; Perfect Love and Perfect Trust"
S: "All who have such are doubly welcome"

H: "I give thee a third to pass thee through this dread door."
H grasps C above waist with H's left arm, kisses C on the lips, and swings Cinto the Circle with H's body, from behind.

S (or P if no S) closes the gate.

H leads C to each Quarter in turn, saying:
H: "Take heed, ye Lords of the East (South/West/North) that N... is properly prepared to be initiated a priest[ess] and witch."
H leads C back to centre of Circle (via East) while coven dances around singing:
"Eko, eko Azrak, (etc)..."
...over and over, meanwhile pushing C back and forth among them, until H callsa halt.

P then rings bell three times as H turns to C to stand before the altar, withC's back to the altar (i.e. facing South if altar is in North).

H stands in centre of Circle, facing C (and altar). H says:
H: "In other religions, the postulant kneels, while the priest towersabove. But in the Art Magical we are taught to be humble, and we kneel towelcome her/him and we say:[kneels]
'Blessed be thy feet, which have brought thee in these ways;' [kiss right foot,then left foot]
'Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar;' [kiss right knee,then left knee]
'Blessed be thy womb/phallus, without which we would not be;' [kiss abovepubes]
'Blessed be thy breasts/breast, erected in beauty/formed in strength;' [kissright breast, then left breast]
'Blesses be thy lips, that shall utter the sacred names.' [kiss on lips][rises]
'Now we are going to take your measure.

H, aided by another witch of the same gender, stretches a button thread from the ground by C's foot to the crown of C's head and cuts it there with Athame or bolline.

Measure C once about the forehead with the cut thread and knot at the point o foverlap, again about the heart starting from the same end [knot], and lastlyabout the hips across the genitals knot]. The measure is wound and placed upon the altar.

H asks:
H: 'Before thou art sworn, art thou ready to pass the ordeal and be purified?'
C: 'I am.
H, aided by another witch of the same gender, helps C to kneel, head andshoulders bowed forward. The loose ends of the short cord are unwounded and C'sankles bound securely. The cable tow is fastened to the altar. H fetchesscourge from altar as P rings bell three times, saying:
P: 'Three'
H: scourges C firmly, but tenderly, thrice.
P says, but doesn't ring bell:
P: 'Seven...Nine...Twenty-one'

And each time H scourges C with the number of strokes P has names, and allshould be light, yet firm, save only the very last which may sting somewhat asa reminder that H has been deliberately restrained. H then says:
H: 'Bravely thou hast passed the test. Art thou ready to swear that thou wiltalways be true to the Art?'
C: 'I am.'
H: 'Art thou ever ready to help, protect and defend thy brothers and sisters ofthe Art, even though it should cost thee thy life?'
C: 'I am.'

H: 'Then say after me: I, N..., in the presence of the Mighty Ones, do of myown free will and accord, most solemnly swear, without any reservation in mewhatever, that I will ever keep a secret, and never reveal, the secrets of the Art, except it be to a proper person, properly prepared within a Circle such as I am now in. This I swear by my hopes of a future life, mindful that my measurehas been taken; and may my weapons turn against me if I break this my solemn oath.'
H and other witch of same gender help C to feet. P fetches anointing oil and chalice of wine. H moistens fingertip with oil saying:
H: 'I hereby sign thee with the Triple Sign. I consecrate thee with oil...'

H touches moistened finger to just above pubes, right breast, left breast, and above pubes again. H moistens fingertip with wine and anoints the same threeplaces, saying:
H: 'I consecrate thee with wine...'
H: 'I consecrate thee with my lips... [kiss as above]
Priest[ess] and witch.'

C is now unbound and the blindfold removed by H and assistant of same gender. The New Initiate is welcomed by coven, then presented with the Working Tools. As each tool is names, H takes it from the altar and passes it to the Initiate with a kiss. As each tool is finished with, the assistant takes it from the Initiate with a kiss and replaces it upon the altar.

H says:
H: 'Now I present to thee the Working Tools.

First, the Magic Sword. With this, as with the Athame, thou canst form all Magic Circles, dominate, subdue and punish all rebellious spirits and daemons,and even persuade angels and good spirits. With this in thy hand, thou artruler of the Circle.

Next I present the Athame. This is the true witch's weapon and has all thepowers of the Magic Sword.

Next I present the White-hilted knife. Its use it to form all instruments usedin the Art. It can only be used in a Magic Circle.

Next I present the Wand. Its use is to call up and control certain angels andgenii to whom it would not be meet to use the Magic Sword.

Next I present the Cup. This is the vessel of the Goddess, the Cauldron of Cerridwen, the Holy Grail of Immortality. From this we drink in comradeship,and in honour of the Goddess.

Next I present the Pentacle. This is for the purpose of calling up appropriatespirits.

Next I present the Scourge. This is the sign of power and domination. It is also used to cause purification and enlightenment. For it is written: "To learn you must suffer and be purified." Art thou willing to suffer tol earn?'
C: 'I am.'

H: 'Next and lastly I present the Cords. They are of use to bind the sigils of the Art; also the material basis; also they are necessary in the Oath.
I now salute thee in the name of Aradia, newly made priest[ess] and witch." [kiss]

H and P now face the new Initiate and deliver the Charge.

The Initiate may consecrate her/his Athame here; [s]he must consecrate itbefore using it.

Cakes and wine.

The Initiate is now presented to each Quarter in turn by the H, saying:
H: 'Hear ye Mighty Ones of the East [South/West/North]; N... has been consecrated priest[ess], witch and hidden child of the Goddess.'
[to north declaim: 'Hear ye Mighty Ones of the North; Boreas, thou guardian ofthe Northern portals; thou powerful God, thou gentle Goddess; N...(etc)]

Close Circle.

A 'graduation' party should follow.

Invocation to Cernunnos

Invocation to Cernunnos

HPS and HP turn to salute altar with the Horned God's salute as HP says:
HP: "Great God Cernunnos, return to earth again!
Come at my call and show thyself to men.
Shepherd of Goats, upon the wild hill's way,
Lead thy lost flock from darkness into day.
Forgotten are the ways of sleep and night -
Men seek for them whose eyes have lost the light.
Open the door, the door which hath no key,
The door of dreams, whereby men come to thee.
O Mighty Stag, O answer to me!"

Both: "Akhera goiti - akhera beiti!" (lowering their hands)

The Descent of the Goddess

The Descent of the Goddess

Roles:
* Narrator (N)
* Goddess
* Lord of Death (D)
* Guardians

Needs:
* Veils, jewellery
* Horned Crown
* Sword
* Scourge

She who will portray the Goddess removes her necklace and places it upon the altar, donning veils and jewellery in its stead.

He who will portray the God dons the Horned Crown and stands before the altar with scourge and blade in the God position.

(S)he who portrays the Guardians bears the Sword.

Each will act out their parts as the Narrator reads:

N: "In Ancient times, our Lord, the Horned One, was as he still is, theConsoler, the Comforter, but men knew him as the dread Lord of Shadows -lonely, stern and just.
Now our Lady the Goddess had never loved, but she would solve all theMysteries, even the mystery of Death; and so she journeyed to the Underworld.

The Guardians of the Portal challenged her:
"Strip off thy garments, lay aside thy jewels;
for naught mayest thou bring with thee into this our land."

So she laid down her garments and her jewels, and was bound, as are all who enter the Realms of Death, the Mighty One.

Such was her beauty, that Death himself knelt and kissed her feet, saying:
"Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways.
Abide with me; but let me place my cold hand on thy heart."

She replied:
"I love thee not. Why dost thou cause all things that I love and takedelight in to fade and die?"

Death replied:
"Lady 'tis age and fate, against which I am helpless.
Age causes all things to wither; but when men die at the end of time, I givethem rest and peace, and strength so that they may return. But thou! Thou artlovely. Return not; abide with me!"

But she answered:
"I love thee not!"

Then said Death:
"An thou receives not my hand upon thy heart, thou must kneel to Death's scourge."
"It is fate - better so,"
She said. And she knelt, and Death scourged her tenderly.
And she cried:
"I feel the pangs of love."

And Death raised her, and said:
Blessed be!"

And he gave her the Five-fold kiss, saying:
"Thus only mayest thou attain to joy and knowledge."
And he taught her all his Mysteries, and they loved and were one.
And she taught him her mystery of the sacred cup which is the cauldron ofrebirth.
And he gave her the necklace which is the circle of rebirth, and taught her all the magic’s.
For there are three great events in the life of man: Love, Death and Resurrection in the new body; and Magic controls them all.
For to fulfill love you must return again at the same time and place as the loved one, and you must meet, and know, and remember, and love them again. Butto be reborn, you must die and be made ready for a new body; and to die, you must be born; and without love, you may not be born; and this is all the Magic’s."

it may be prudent to understand the legend of Persephone

The Witches Rune

The Witches Rune

Darksome night and shining moon,
Hearken to the witches' rune.
East, then south, west then north,
Here I to call them forth.
Earth and water, air and fire,
Work ye unto my desire.
Wand and Pentacle and Sword,
Hearken ye unto my word
Cords and Censer, Scourge and Knife,
Waken all ye into life.
Powers of the Witches' Blade,
Come ye as the charm is made
Queen of Heaven, Queen of Hell,
Lend your aid unto the spell.
Horned Hunter of the Night,
Work my will by magic rite.
By all the power of land and sea,
As I do will, so mote it be.
By all the might of moon and sun,
Chant the spell and be it done.

Casting a very basic circle

Casting a Circle Basic Witchcraft

You will need:
* Altar
* 2 x Altar candles
* Water bowl
* Salt dish
* Pentacle
* Censer
* Athame
* Bell
* Presence Lamp
* 4 x Quarter candles
* Sword (optional)
* Candle snuffer (optional)
Additionally, you will all need to be fit to enter into the presence of the Gods; you will need to start in the dark.
The Ritual Leader (RL) will wait until it feels like time to begin, then rises:

i. Lighting of the Candle
RL: "I light this Candle (lights Presence Lamp)
in the name of that ancient presence,
which is, was, and ever shall be
male, female, all-knowing, all-powerful
and present everywhere.
And in the names of the four Mighty Ones,
the rulers of the elements,
may power and blessing descend
in this hour upon this place
and those gathered here."
RL lights the two altar candles, the charcoal, and the four quarter candlesfrom the Presence Lamp.

ii. Exorcism of the Water
RL kneels before the altar and places the Water bowl upon the Pentacle.
RL purifies the water by plunging the tip of his/her Athame into the water,saying:
RL: "I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water, that thou cast out from
thee all the impurity and uncleanliness of the world of phantasm.
In the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen"

note that salt is not consecrated or exorcised as it is already a consecrated creature

iii. Blessing of the Salt
RL sets the Water bowl aside and in its place sets the Salt dish upon the Pentacle.
RL touches salt with tip of Athame, saying:
RL: "Blessings be upon thee, O Creature of Salt; let all malignity and
hindrance be cast forth from thee, and let all good enter within.
Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee, that thou mayest aid me.
In the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."
Using the tip of the Athame, RL takes three measures of salt and puts them into the water, then stirs deosil three times with the Athame, saying:
RL: "But ever mind that as water and salt purifies the body,
so the scourge purifies the soul. So mote it be!"

iv. Casting the Circle
RL draws a circle, continuous from north deosil unto north with the Sword (orAthame), saying:
RL: "I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou be
a boundary between the world of men and the realms of the Mighty Ones;
a meeting place of love and joy and truth;
a shield against all wickedness and evil;
a rampart and protection that shall preserve and contain
the power that we raise within thee.
Wherefore do I bless thee, and consecrate thee,
in the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."
(If others are without, a gate is opened, and they are now brought into theCircle with a kiss, and the Circle is resealed.)

v. Consecration of the Circle with the Four Elements
RL takes up the consecrated water and asperses the Circle with his/herfingertips, from north deosil unto north; and then touches each person withinwith the water, being touched in turn by his/her working partner (or another ofthe opposite sex to RL, if available). Water bowl is returned to altar.
RL Then takes up the censer, and likewise censes the Circle from north unto north.
Lastly, RL takes around the Presence Lamp (or a candle lit from the Presence Lamp and returned to it).

vi. Calling the Mighty Ones
All stand and salute the East. RL stands in front of group facing East. Maiden(M) stands at back of group with the Bell. M rings Bell.
With Athame, RL draws three deosil circles and then an invoking earth pentagram, saying:
RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, ye Lords of Air;
I, N..., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our rites and guard theCircle!"
All turn and face South. RL and M move to corresponding positions; others just turn in place. M rings bell.
With Athame, RL draws three deosil circles and then an invoking earth pentagram, saying:
RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, ye Lords of Fire;
I, N..., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our
rites and guard the Circle!"
Similarly, in West:
RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, ye Lords of Water;
Lords of Death and Initiation;
I, N..., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our
rites and guard the Circle!"
And in North:
RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, ye Lords of Earth;
Boreas, thou Guardian of the Northern Portals;
I, N..., do summon, stir and call you up, to witness our
rites and guard the Circle!"
All turn back to the East and salute.
Now all turn to North again. M rings Bell.

RL says:
RL: "Ye Mighty Ones,
Lords of the Watchtowers of the Universe,
Dread Lords of the outer spaces,
Thou powerful God, thou gentle Goddess,
We invite you to our meeting.
(pause)
O thou Loving Cerridwen,
O thou Mighty Cernunnos,
we gather (or 'I stand') before you
to ..." (state intent)
The Circle is now cast and Perfect.

Closing the Circle Basic Wicca

When the Circle's work is done, the Ritual Leader (RL) goes to the East, Athame in hand, salutes, and draws a banishing earth pentagram, saying:
RL: "Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, ye Lords of Air, we thankyou for attending our rites; and ere ye depart to your beauteous realms, we bidthee Hail and Farewell..."
All: "Hail and Farewell!" (RL extinguishes Quarter Candle)
Repeat for the remaining Quarters, addressing each with the titles by which itwas invoked.
RL thanks and says goodbye to the God and Goddess (Words to be Decided, andextinguishes the altar candles.
RL then thanks and dismisses any spirits who have gathered.
RL: "The Circle is open but unbroken. Merry meet, merry part and merrymeet again."
RL extinguishes the Presence Lamp, saying:
RL: "This rite is ended!"
All: "So mote it be!"

Charge of the Goddess and God

The Charge of the Goddess

High Priest (HP) stands to High Priestess' (HPS) left; both face Coven.

HP: "Listen to the words of the Great Mother; she who of old was also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite,Cerridwen, Cybele, Arianrhod, Isis, Dana, Bride and by many other names. At her altars the youth of Lacedaemon in Sparta made due sacrifice."

HPS: "Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month, and better itbe when the moon is full, then shall ye assemble in some secret place and adorethe spirit of me, who am Queen of all the witcheries. There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets; to these will I 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 naked in your rites; and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise. For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and mind also is joy on earth; for my law is love unto all beings. Keep pure you highest ideal; strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside.

"For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth, and mine is the cup of the wine of life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of immortality. I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man. Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal;and beyond death, I give peace and freedom and reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand aught in sacrifice; for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the earth."

HP: "Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess; she in the dust of whose feetare the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the Universe."

HPS: "I who am 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, call unto thy soul. Arise, and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature, who giveslife to the universe. From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return; and before my face, beloved of Gods and of men, let thine inner most divine self be enfolded within the rapture of the infinite.
"Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my 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 me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knows the mystery; that if that which thou seek theefind not within thee, thou wilt never find it without thee. For behold, I havebeen with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire."

The Charge of the God

HPS: "Listen to the words of the of the Great Father, who of old was called Osiris, Adonis, Zeus, Thor, Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Lugh and by many other names."

HP: "My Law is Harmony with all things.
Mine is the secret that opens the gates of life and mine is the dish of salt of the earth that is the body of Cernunnos that is the eternal circle of rebirth.I give the knowledge of life everlasting, and beyond death I give the promise of regeneration and renewal.
I am the sacrifice, the father of all things, and my protection blankets the earth."

HPS: "Hear the words of the dancing God, the music of whose laughter stirsthe winds, whose voice calls the seasons:"

HP: "I who am the Lord of the Hunt and the Power of the Light, sun amongthe clouds and the secret of the flame
I call upon your bodies to arise and come unto me
For I am the flesh of the earth and all its beings.
Through me all things must die and with me are reborn.
Let my worship be in the body that sings, for behold all acts of willing sacrifice are my rituals.
Let there be desire and fear, anger and weakness, joy and peace, awe and longing within you.
For these too are part of the mysteries found within yourself, within me, all beginnings have endings, and all endings have beginnings."

The Rede

Bide the Witches Redes ye must,
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust;
Live ye must and let to live,
Fairly take and fairly give;
Form the Circle thrice about,
To keep unwelcome spirits out;
Bind fast the spell every time,
Let the words be spoke in rhyme.

Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak ye little, listen much;
Deosil go by waxing moon,
Sing and dance the Witches' Rune;
Widdershins go by waning moon,
Chant ye then a baleful tune;
When the Lady's moon is new,
Kiss hand to her times two;
When the moon rides at peak,
Herat's desire then ye seek.

Heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door and trim the sail;
When the wind comes from the South,
Love will kiss them on the mouth;
When the wend blows from the West,
Departed souls have no rest;
When the wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.

Nine woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them quick, burn them slow;
Elder be the Lady's tree,
Burn it not or cursed you’ll be;
When the wind begins to turn,
Soon Beltane fires will burn;
When the wheel has turned to Yule,
Light the log, the Horned One rules.

Heed the flower, bush or tree,
By the Lady blessed be,
When the rippling waters floe,
Cast a stone - the truth you'll know;
When ye have & hold a need,
Hearken not to others' greed;
With a fool no seasons spend,
Or be counted as his friend.

Merry meet and merry part,
Bright the cheeks, warm the heart;
Mind the threefold law ye should,
Three times bad and three times good;
Whenever misfortune is endows,
Wear the star upon your brow;
True in troth ever ye be.

Left they love prove false to thee.
'Tis by the sun that life be won,
And by the moon that change be done;
if ye would clear the path to will,
Make certain the mind be still;
what good be tools without Inner Light?
What good be magic without wisdom-sight?
Eight words the Witches Rede fulfill -
An it harm none, do what ye will

Many a witch subscribe to the threefold law of return, this is most wise.
It should be noted that I personally will deal out with a return of sevens for those who trangress this mage.