Second Degree Initiate

Self Growth / Psychological Profile for Second Degree Initiate
In psychological terms the Second Degree initiation follows a meeting between the 2 halves of our personality, the bright Ego and the darker Subconscious. In some senses these can be seen as Good and Bad, Male and Female, Death and Life, Light and Dark, Impulses to selfishness and altruism. To attain the Second Degree the student must begin to know their self better than they had ever thought possible! They need to gain knowledge of their darker side, what Jung described as the Shadow, the anti-ego (that which is composed of all the traits and flaws we wish not to acknowledge within ourselves) and to then allow these two aspects to merge into becoming the complete and balanced seat of the consciousness. We also need to allow the contra-sexual side of our nature, what Jung termed the Anima / Animus to integrate, allowing those character attributes that are usually seen as the opposite of our Gender to be integrated into the whole. This process can be psychologically painful, and difficult to attain, but with time and patience a state of Inner balance can be attained, making us then ready to move forwards to the Third Degree. Traditionally the Second Degree takes at least a year and a day, but in reality it can take many years (and in some cases, it never transpires, the student not being able to allow themselves to grow to the point that they are then ready to progress further) for the individual to reach the point where they really have integrated all the aspects of their consciousness to the point where they are ready to then further move forwards. This can be sunned up by the second command of the Mysteries, 'To Dare' Many Covens will allow those of the Second Degree to Initiate others into the First Degree, but this does vary from Tradition to Tradition and Coven to Coven.
Typical Second Degree YAAD Knowledge Requirements
This is by no means an exhaustive list, nor is it meant to be, just one of the formats and syllabus that I've personally come across during my research. Other will no doubt have many different interpretations, which is how it should be, as every Practitioners Path is ,out of necessity, different!
Drawing down the moon
Full Knowledge of the Ritual of Drawing Down the Moon, including how tis performed, the Charge of the Goddess, visualization exercises and it's timings.
Able to write complete rituals and workings
Thorough knowledge of the basic format of a Ritual, how to write complete Rituals for any purpose and ability to lead in group Rituals.
History and philosophy of witchcraft
Understanding of the modern philosophy and history of Wicca and knowledge of the beliefs and philosophy of those more Ancient Pagan religions upon which our Craft is based.
Basic healing
Knowledge of and some ability in the basic forms of healing, both herbal and energy based.
Adept at one form of divination and knowledge of another
Evidence of much deeper understanding of Divination, including the study of differing form of Divination.
Basic counselling
Basic Counselling skills, helping others in dealing with the problems of both the Pagan and non-Pagan alike in a friendly manner. Listening skills, creative problem solving and a helpful attitude to others.
Basic teaching
Basic Teaching Skills, including taking part in helping to teach others to First Degree Equivalent, using a set syllabus, adapting the teaching style to the needs of the individual and providing honest feedback.

Notes
The symbol for Second Degree Initiate is that of an inverted Pentacle, meaning that the Ego must descend into the subconscious, the darker unknown side for the True Self to emerge whole and balanced, as it does at Third Degree Level. The symbolism shows that Spirit is now below the physical, the subconscious is now being explored to later allow the whole to emerge as the True Self.
    Those whom have attained Second Degree will often find that they now begin to discover the foibles of their Teachers, finding that the pedestal they psychologically put them on as newcomers and First Degree Initiates begins to wobble, as they find out that their Teachers are human after all, no more perfect than themselves! This can lead to some problems within the Coven, and may lead to an over-inflation of the new Second Degree Initiates Ego, which must be faced and overcome are they to then move on towards the Third Degree. Not all those whom attain Second Degree will manage to face their inner-self sufficiently for them to grow to the level necessary for Third Degree, but only the Initiate themselves can really choose whether they will continue to move forwards. 
    These are the course requirements of the Second Degree YAAD classes that the Virtual Coven uses for it's Second Degree equivalent courses. This is by no means a full list of all that is covered within the course, nor is it indicative of the syllabus that other Covens and Organisations may choose to use for their own YAAD Courses. A Virtual Coven is affiliated with Coven of the Oak Moon (previously White Dragon - incorporating the Association of Online Covens), and the Online YAAD is based upon the same syllabus that Coven of the Oak Moon use for their First Degree Students. All classes are taught in a similar way to those of a real-life Coven, with monthly assignments and Student Chat Sessions being held regularly. Membership of AVC is not a guarantee to be accepted for one of the YAAD courses that are run once each year, though a place will never be refused for those that meet the entry criteria and will truly benefit from taking the course.
    The psychological profile is taken from Vivianne Crowley's 'Wicca, A Guide to the Old Religion in the New Millennium', which discusses the subject in much greater depth than I am able here
For further details of the Jungian Psychological viewpoint, please visit the CG Jung Page.

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