Self dedication By; Dj Conway      The words dedication and initiation have different meanings. When you dedicate an object, you set it aside fro a sacred or special use. When you dedicate yourself, you promise yourself to a specific deity or religious path. An initiate is one who studies in a particular field, such as Wicca and or magic, in order to be initiated, or formally admitted to the group teaching the field of knowledge.      Some Wiccan groups perform dedication ceremonies for everyone who begin study with them, while others do not. Apprentices usually don't participate in group rituals after a dedication. Apprentices are not admitted to circle work until after they have completed their studies to the satisfaction of the teacher and are initiated before the entire group.All groups have formal initiations for the admittance of accepted development. It is a very moving internal process. On a rare occasion someone may experience an initiation in a dream or vision.      A dedication, whether done by the self or by a group, is only a promise by the apprentice to study the Wiccan path and follow the ancient ones. Usualy a year and a day is spent studying all phases of Wiccan beliefs, ethics and ritual practices before undergoing any initiation. If the student desires to become more deeply involved during this time, they should focus on positive candle spells as a way of gaining magical experience and confidence. Also, learning a divination skill can be benificial All these studies, combined with the basics of witchcraft, will prepare the student for solitary or group ritual work.        Some Wiccan groups and solitary Witches believe that it takes a Witch to make or initiate, another Witch. This is not necessary. It assumes that certain Witches and Wiccan groups have greater power than what resides within each individual. Also most people who want to become Witches have no access to group help and must study on their own. This situation does not invalidate their commitment, nor should it hinder them from self-initiation. On the other hand, some apprentices who study under a witch and are initiated formaly into a group should never have ben initiated in the first place.      Anyone who wants to study with a Wicaan group should be very cautious and ask penetrating questions before becoming involved with the group to determine the moral and ethical qualities of the group.      If you are very certain that Wicca is the spiritual path for you, it is time to perform a dedication. This short rite is an important step, as it formally announces to the Goddess and the God that you promise to learn all you can about their ancient worship in prepreation for the more serious rite of initiation or self - initiation. It is also a very serious step to take, so think long and hard before you commit yourself. The dedication is a vow and a vow is something that you do not make or break lightly.      You don't need to choose a craft at this point in your journey. That privilege only comes with the formal initiation later. Right now, you are promising the gods and yourself that you will study hard so that you become more knowlegeable about Wicca and can stand before the Goddess and the God with confidence and dignity.  you also do not need ritual tools now. The items you will use for htis rite can all be found among the ordinary impliments of any household. you will gather or make, and consecrate your ritual tools later in your studies.      If you are ready to dedicate yourself to Wicca, you will need the following items:       A Small Bow of water       A pinch of salt in a small saucer       A white candle       A incense burner and a cone or stick of frankincense or lotus incense;       A flat space to use as an altar.      Plan the cermony to take place at on a night of a full moon if possible, and make certain you will not be disturbed. Turn off or disconnecte the telephone. Hang a "do Not Disturb" sign on the door. If the neighborhood is noisy enough to interfere with your concentration, play a non-vocal tape of soft music to help muffle background noises.      Clean your temporary altar thoroughly before you place your needed items on it. Place the altar so that you face the east when standing before it. Put the white candle in a holder in the center of the altar with the incese to one side. The water and salt should be placed with in easy reach on the altar, but not directly in front of you. this will keep you from accidentlly spilling the salt or water. During the time you are settin gupi the altar, think about what you are doing and why you are doing it.        Place your copy of the dedication ceremony, either written or typed, before the candle. You can use the one in this article if you wish, howeverit is more difficult to handle a book thant a sheet of paper.      When you are ready to begin, light the candle and incense. Remove al your clothing. this symbolizes your intent to come before the ancient deities as your true self, shorn of material trappings and open for examination of your heart and conscience. Turn off the lights leaving only the candle for illumination.   Ceremony:            Kneel before the altar while you relax and prepare yourself for the             dedication. take several deep breaths to help with the relaxation  .           When you feel ready, stand facing the altar and the east. raise your arms               and say:                This is a time that is not a time, in aplace that is not a place, on a                 day that is not a day. I stand at the    threshold between the worlds,                 before the Veil of theMysteries. I ask that the Lord and the Lady be                  with me as   I take  my first steps on the ancient path.           Hold your hands above the bowl of water, saying;                 Bless this symbol of the great womb of the Goddess. May it be my               source of inspiration and continuous   blessings.            Hold your hands above the salt saying:                               Bless this symbol of earth that it may be my strength and protection.             Tip the salt into the water and the gently swirl the bowl. Hold up the bowl           over the altar saying;                 As this salt and water mingle and bless each other, may my inner                  and outer bodies be mingled and blessed.             Sprinkle the salt and water mix ture lightly in a circle around your altar           begining and ending in the east, and   moving in a clockwise direction. Put           the bowl back on the table. Kneel before the altar and say:                    As I ahve dedicated this sacred circle to the Goddess and the God,                 so do I dedicate my life to the spiritual   path of Wicca. I come here                 tonight  to make my pledge to the Ancient Onese. I promise to                      dedicat e myself to   the study of the Wiccan way for a year and a                  day, that in time i may be worthy of stepping with in the     greater                 sacred circle of worship.I rpomise to hold teh Goddess in revernce                 as the great Mother who created   everything in the universe. I                 promise to hold the God in revernce as her Co-creator and                 consort.Hear my   words, for they are True and from my heart.               Sit quietly for a time as you contemplate the step you have taken into your             new spiritual life. When ready, stand up   and raise your arms saying:                   May I be blessed with peace, protection, and prosperity in my life,               both physically and spiritually. May I   gain understanding of all that               I study. And may i be found worthy to call myself a Witch.          Symbolically cut the circle by waving your hand over it saying:                  The Circle is open but unbroken.             Turn on the lights, extinguished the candle, and clear away all that you used           on  the altar. You are now dedicated apprentice on the Wiccan Path.  Web Page Created for Witches Circle of Brew By Lady Middy Web Design By