The new woman is to be blindfolded, and led around in such a way as not to know where she is going.
Leader says:You have set your feet upon the path to a future you cannot know. You must walk this way without looking back to your childhood, trusting the wisdom of those who have gone before to show you the way. Do you understand?
The leader brings the new woman to the line of women, and instructs the girl to crawl through the outspread legs of the women.
Priestess says: You came into this life between the legs of your mother, you now come into womanhood through the legs of all women, representing your new birth. Through this tunnel you are born into the circle of women. Through this passage you will enter a new world.
Speaker: You have come into the temple of the Great Goddess. Know that She wears as many forms as womankind, and yet She is singular and supreme. She is eternal and unchanging, and yet She shows Herself to us in a differnt guise with each season. She is Maiden, forever untouched and pure. She is Mother, the Source of All. And She is ancient Wisdom that endures beyond the grave.__________ daughter of __________,are you willing to accept Her in all Her guises?
New woman answers.
Priestess:Lady, we come here to welcome _____ daughter of _____ into our circle, and to instruct her in the mysteries of womanhood. Holy One, hear us now! May our words express Thy will as our bodies show the form of Thy divinity, for we eat and drink and breathe and love in Thee...
All Women: So mote it be.
Three women, dressed in white, for Maiden, red for Mother, and black for Crone, are seated and representing the Goddess in all Her forms.
Leader of new woman brings the new one to the seated reps of the Goddess and instructs her to kneel in front of the one in white. "Daughter of the Goddess, you have left childhood behind. Learn now what the seasons of your life shall be."
Maiden: I am the flower that blooms on the bough, I am the crescent that crowns the sky. I am the sunlight that glitters on the wave and the breeze that bends the new grass. No man has ever possessed Me, and yet I am the end of all desire. Huntress and Holy Wisdom am I, Spirit of Inspiration and Lady of Flowers. Look into the water and you will see My face mirrored there, for you belong to me. (waits for a short time, approx. 30 seconds) There is Another whom you must hear...
Leader turns the new one to face the one in red.
Mother: I am the fruit that swells on the branches. I am the full moon that rules the sky. I am the sun in her splendor, and the warm wind that ripens the grain. I give Myself in My own times and seasons, and bring forth abundance. I am Mistress and Mother, I give birth and I devour. I am the lover and the beloved, and you will one day belong to Me.(pauses for about 30 seconds) There is yet Another whom you must hear..."
Leader turns the new one to face the one in black.
I am the nut that clings to the leafless bough. I am the waning moon whose sickle harvests the stars. I am the setting sun and the cool wind that heralds the darkness. I am ripe with years and with wisdom:I see all the secrets beyond the Veil. I am the Hag and Harvest Queen, Witch and Wisewoman, and you will one day belong to me. Do not ask for compassion, for I have none--only Necessity. You cannot escape Me for I am your destiny...
Speaker: You have heard the words of the Goddess in all her Guises. Do you accept your destiny?
New woman answers.
Priestess: (annoints the Third Eye with oil) Arise and take your place among the women, for you are now one of us. Welcome my daughter. Welcome to the family of Women.
All: Welcome my sister, welcome.
All women retire to a place where there will be cakes and juice, and presents representing the womanhood of the new one are given. Presents may consist of make-up, perfumes, amulets, jewelry, and any other thing that the mother of the new one thinks appropriate.
Later the new one will be introduced to the whole circle.