(Original Issue: March 3, 1992 Compiled By: Durwydd MacTara Updated: Vernal Equinox, 1992; July 5,1998)
(the circle is cast, watchtowers invoked and Drawing Down is done first, with Summoner outside of the circle, accompanying Dedicant to be Initiated.)
I: "Who comes here?"
D (mundane Name ), a cowan, who seeks admission to this Circle of the Craft of the Wise.
I: Is (s)he Worthy to enter this Hallowed Ground?
S: (S)he is.
I: By what Standard is (s)he Worthy?
S: By being a proper person, of good report and good standing in BOTH communities, Sacred and Profane, and by honoring and respecting our ways.
I: Is (s)he Well Qualified to be admitted to this place between the worlds of pattern and expression?
S: (S)he is.
I: How qualified?
S: (s)he has successfully completed a course of training in our teachings, ethics and ways, and swears by the Rede.
I: Repeat the Rede.
C: "An Ye Harm None, do what you Will".
I: Truly an Ethical Core. Are there any exceptions to this principle?
C: One
I: What might that be?
C: "Except in self defense it be, then ever mind the rule of three!"
I: Is (s)he Duly and Truly Prepared?
S: (s)he is.
I: How prepared?
S: By being neither Naked nor Clad, Barefooted nor Shod, and neither free nor bound, and by only having a part of the Law.
I: You will await a time with patience whilst the Lord and Lady and the Coveners present are informed of your request and their answers returned.
I: (goes to the Altar and addresses Coven):
"Fellows of the Craft, we have without the Circle a cowan, one (mundane name) who prays entry into our Circle and confirmation of their initiation as Priest(ess) and Witch by being fully initiated into our Coven. How vote you? (all present vote by displaying thumbs up or down) P then turns and kneels before the Altar and consults with Lord and Lady in meditation for a moment before returning to Candidate.
I: By what further Right or Privilege do you expect to gain entrance to this Circle and receive the honor of our company?
S: by Right of the Password.
I: Has (s)he the password?
S: (s)he has it not, I have it for him(her).
I: Give it or them.
S: There are two, Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
I: Enter in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos!
S & D take one step forward, and are stopped by a Sword placed to D's breast.
I: `O thou who standest on the threshold of the pleasant world of men and the dread domains of the Lords of the outer Spaces, hast thou the courage to make the assay? For I say verily, it were better to rush on my blade and have thy body Perish, than to enter with fear in your heart, for then you risk your very being.
D: I have two passwords. Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
I: All who have such are doubly welcome. I give thee a third to pass this dread door.
(hands sword to partner and kisses D.) Partner seals doorway and returns Sword to altar, and waits there.
INTRODUCTION TO THE QUARTERS
I: (leads candidate to E, S, W, & N.)
I: "Take heed ye Lords of the East (or whichever direction is being saluted) (mundane name) is properly prepared and vouched for to be initiated a Priest(ess) and Witch." (P & C finish up before the Altar.)
(I): "In other religions the postulant kneels while the Priest towers over him. But in our art magickal we are taught to be humble, and we kneel to him [her] and we say:"
I: (Kneels and kisses feet) "Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways" (Kisses knees) "Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel before this Altar." (Kissing just above pubic area) "Blessed Be thy organs of generation, without which we would not be" (Kissing Breast[s]) Blessed Be thy Breast(s), formed in strength(beauty)." (Kissing Lips) "Blessed Be thy lips, that shall oft utter the sacred names".
TAKING OF THE MEASURE
The partner now hands the length of ribbon to the Initiator.
I: "We are now going to take your measure."
The initiator, with the help of another Witch of the same sex, stretches the ribbon from the crown of the postulants head to the ground at his/her feet and cuts the ribbon to length with the white handled knife (fetched by the assistant). Initiator measures circumference of head at forehead and ties a knot in the ribbon to mark it, then the repeats same (from same end) around chest at heart level and ties knot and repeats the process at the level of the genitals. Initiator then pricks postulants finger and "seals" measure before rolling it up and laying it on the Altar.
BINDING AND SCOURGING
I: "Before thou art sworn, art thou ready to pass the ordeal and be purified?
D: "I am."
The Initiator and other Witch of the same sex help the candidate to kneel and bow his/her head and shoulders forward. the unwind the loose ends of the ankle and knee cords and use them to bind the ankles and knees together. The initiator fetches the scourge from the Altar.
I: "Art thou willing to suffer to learn?
D: "I am"
A: "Three" (rings bell 3 times)
The initiator administers 3 light strokes
I: "Art thou willing to suffer to grow"?
D: "I am"
A: "Seven" (does not ring bell)
Initiator administers seven light strokes
I: Art thou willing to suffer to serve?
D: "I am"
A: "Nine"
Initiator administers nine light strokes
I: "Art thou willing to suffer for perfection in the Craft"?
D: "I am"
A: "Twenty-One"
Initiator administers twenty light strokes and one more vigorous final stroke.
I: "Thou hast bravely passed the test. Art thou ready to swear that thou wilt be always true to the Art"?
D: "I am"
I: "Art thou always ready to help, protect and defend thy brothers and sisters of the art"?
D: "I am"
TAKING OF THE OATH
Then repeat after me: I ______________ ____________ In the presence of Cernunnos and Aradia, The Guardians of the Portals, and the worshipful members of this Circle do of my own free will and accord solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will always Hele, forever conceal, and never reveal any of the Arts, Parts, or Points of the Sacred Core of the Art Magickal which have been, may now, or at any future time come to my knowledge as such except it be to a brother or sister of the craft, properly prepared in a Circle such as the one we are now in; and only to him/her/them after due trial, strict examination, or lawful investigation, I have determined him/her/them to be as justly entitled to the same as I; and that I will never deny the secrets to such a person if he or she be vouched for by a brother or sister of the Craft. I furthermore promise and swear to uphold the Rede to the best of my ability, to keep the secrets of a brother or sister of the craft they being given into my keeping and accepted by me as such, Murder and Treason alone excepted, and these at my discretion; I furthermore promise and swear to neither deliberately wrong, cheat, nor defraud either any brother or sister of the Craft, nor any Coven of such; I furthermore promise and swear that I will never sell my services , or accept coin of the realm for them, while acting as a representative of Lord or Lady; I furthermore Promise and Swear that I will not denigrate the Name by which another knows their Deity, nor slander their worship of the same; I furthermore Promise and Swear that I will always endeavor to act within our Craft, both as a person and Priest(ess), with Love, Trust, Honesty, and Integrity, for the furtherance of the Free Will and benefit of all of the craft, insofar as my abilities so to act permit. All of this I solemnly and sincerely promise and swear with no mental reservation or secret evasion of any kind, binding myself under no less a penalty than that of forfeiting any hopes of a future life in the Craft of the Wise; And my weapons turn against me if I break this my solemn oath and obligation before the Gods and my Coven.
Initiator and assistant help postulant to his/her feet.
I: "Upon completion of your taking this solemn and Holy vow before the Lord and Lady, what is it you now desire most"?
D: "Light"
I: "So mote it be!" (assistant removes blindfold)
I: "Remove the restraints, Brother/Sister __________ is now bound by the more complete and thorough bond of his obligation, for a Witches word is their bond. Know this ______________, if your word ceases to be your bond, then your magick will also start to fail you!"
ANOINTING
Partner brings forward the anointing oil and the Chalice with wine.
Initiator moistens finger tip with oil and says:
I: "Place your feet apart, and extend your arms parallel with the floor."
(Postulant does so)
Initiator then places oiled fingertip on each shoulder, both knees, and lips, Deosil (for postulant) tracing a the five points of a pentagram, while saying:
"I hereby sign and anoint thee with oil, setting the Holy Sign of the Pentagram, and establish your power links with the Universe!"
Initiator repeats the above with wine, saying:
"I hereby sign and anoint the with wine sealing the five points of the Holy Pentagram and energizing your power links with the Universe!"
I: "And finally I consecrate thee with my lips" (Kisses postulant on five points) Priest/ess and witch!"
PRESENTATION OF WORKING TOOLS
I: "I now present the with the magickal working tools of a Witch."
Sword:
I: "The first tool is the magickal sword. With this tool, as with the Athame, thou canst form all Magickal Circles, dominate, subdue,and punish all rebellious spirits and demons, and even persuade angels and good spirits. For with this in thy hand, though art the ruler of the Circle."
Athame:
I: "Next I present the Athame. This is the true witch's weapon, and has all the powers of the Magick Sword."
White Handled Knife:
I: "Next I present the White-hilted Knife. Its use to form all instruments of the Art. Its only use outside of the Circle is to prepare materials for use within the Circle, and then only when necessary."
Wand:
I: "Next I present the Wand. Its use is as a gentler instrument of compulsion and persuasion than the Sword or Athame, and is to be used where the other two might be inappropriate."
Cup or Chalice:
I: "Next I present the Cup (or Chalice). This is the vessel of the Goddess, the Cauldron of Cerridwen, the Holy Grail of Immortality. From this we drink in comradeship, and in Honor of the Goddess."
Pentacle:
I: "Next I present the Pentacle. This is used for calling up appropriate Spirits, and is inscribed with the Holy Pentagram or PentAlpha, representing the 5 elements of Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Spirit."
Censer or Thurible:
I: "Next I present the Censer of Incense, called by some a Thurible. This is used to welcome good Spirits and to Banish bad Spirits."
Scourge:
I: "Next I present the Scourge. This is a symbol of power and domination. Its use is to cause purification and enlightenment. For it is written 'You must be willing to suffer to learn and be purified'. Art tho willing to suffer to learn?"
D: "I am"
I: "It is well, and you have demonstrated such."
The Cords: (Candidates own)
I: "Lastly I present the cords they are used to bind the sigils in the Art; also the material basis; also they are necessary to the Oath."
Presentation of New Witch to The Quarters
I: "I now Salute thee in the name of Aradia, Newly made Priest(ess) and Witch." (Initiator then kisses Initiate.)
Initiator now takes new witch around the circle and personally introduces to everyone as "_____________ Priest/ess and Witch!" Initiator then returns with new witch to Altar and pauses briefly. Then Initiator leads Dedicant to each of the cardinal points in turn, saying:
"Hear ye Mighty Ones of the East (South, West, North); ____________ has been consecrated Priest(ess) and Witch. She is entitled to all the respect, rights, and privileges due to a True and Upright Son (Daughter) of the Goddess!"
Consecration of Personal Tools By New Witch
I: "Now as a newly Initiated Witch, fully Consecrated to the Goddess, it is time to perform your first Magickal Acts as a Priestess in a Consecrated Circle."
New witch performs re-consecration rituals of personal tools (s)he has been using as a dedicant, using ritual ceremony (s)he has written for this purpose.
Cakes and Wine
Dismiss Quarters and Open the Circle
PARTY TIME!!!
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