Self-Dedication Ritual
Basic Wiccan FAQ Sabbats 13 Goals of a Witch Wiccan Ethics Witches Creed Meaning behind the Pentacle Divination Glossary Dictionary of Pagan Paths, Traditions and Organizations Pagan Dictionary Meditation Astrological Compatability Feather Magick Charge of the Goddess Charge of the Horned God Totem ~ Power Animal Qualities UsArmy Chaplains Handbook Excerpt on Wicca Outline of a Ritual for the Solitary Practitioner Self-Dedication Ritual Finding a Teacher Altars for the Frugal Witch The New Psalms 23		Being a self-decicated practioner myself, I understand how hard it sometimes is to find guidance as you begin your journey, so I've put together a small self-dedication ritual. (This is very basic, but I feel it's very practical for the purpose at hand.) This ritual should be performed during the New Moon (or at least when the moon is waxing) , but it is not limited to that phase. Your needs, not the season, are what is most important. The purpose of the ritual is to bring you into closer contact with the Higher powers. (The Goddess/God) It can also be used as a minor dedication, when someone who desires a dedication has no one who can dedicate him/her. This self-dedication ritual may also be used as a minor exorcism, to banish any negative influences which may have formed around the person. It may be performed by any person upon himself, and at any time he feels the need. Perform this ritual in a quiet place, free from distraction (And if possible, skyclad - nude) You will need the following: 1. Salt, about one quarter teaspon 2. Wine, about an ounce. 3. Water, about 1/2 ounce. 4. Candle (in a holder) When you are ready to begin, sprinkle the salt on the floor and stand on it while lighting the candle. Let the warmth of the candle be absorbed into your body. Slowly pour the water into the wine, concentrating on your reasons for performing the self-dedication ritual. Read the following aloud: Bless me, mother, for I am your child. Dip your fingers of your right hand into the mixed water and wine and annoint your eyes, Blessed be my eyes, that I may see your path. Annoint your nose, Blessed be my nose, that I may breathe your essence. Annoint your mouth, Blessed be my mouth, that I may speak of you. Annoint your breasts, Blessed be my breast, that I may be faithful in my work. Annoint your loins, Blessed be my loins, which bring forth the life of men and women as you have brought forth all creation. Annoint your feet, Blessed be my feet, that I may always walk in your ways The result of the ritual is a feeling of peace and wholeness. Bask in the afterglow, meditate. Know that you have called upon the attention of the Goddess/God so that you may be closer to them and more intune with yourself. ~ Blessings MaryE Here's a more indepth self-dedication ritual. I. Preparation You must first make your plans at least 1 month ahead, starting on the day of of the New Moon. Choosing a suitable time in accordance of astrological tables or by the phase of the moon. Waxing moon or full moon is the best. Be sure you have the day off work if it is necessary. You must have already choosen your Witch Name... if you have not done so, take this month for this through meditation and pathworking in daily ritual leading up to the Dedication. Start preparation with DAILY rituals, creating a sacred space. Start creating this with the sprinkling of salt water and burning insense. Visualize a circle around you by calling upon the powers of the 4 quarters visualizing the elemental landscapes. (.i.e. cast a circle.) II. The Ritual Day Spend the day in serious meditation, fasting and drinking only purified water. (If you really CAN'T do just water allow yourself Natural grape juice or apple juice in small quantities.) NO SMOKING, NO DRINKING OF ALCOHOL, NO DRUGS. If on short term medication it is best to to plan Ritual after the medicine is finished. If on continual medication, please consult your Doctor before not doing your medication for that day, if it is IMPARATIVE to your health the answer should be obvious.... you can't risk your heath. Prepare your altar in your sacred space you have been working in. Cover altar with a cloth, a chalice of wine, a piece of bread or cake on a dish, a censer, two altar candles, some annointing oil, your athame or wand, two small dishes , one with sea salt in it , the other with water from a spring or sacred well if possible, your ritual jewelry , which will be put on at the end of Ritual. You may also want statues or images of the Goddess and God. Spend a great part of the rest of the day in the wild if at all possible. Attune yourself with nature. Speak with the nature spirits and ask them for their blessings. Think of your vows you are to make in your Initiation. You will make one to yourself, one to the God and Goddess, and one to the earth. Before the Ritual you should take a purifying bath. Use essential oils of your choice, sea salts or herbs. While in the bath meditate on your aura. Start by seeing it a dull and grey... keep meditating until you see it become glowing and pure and white. When you emerge fom the bath DO NOT DRY YOURSELF. Use no towels, blow dryers etc. Rub yourself with oil. Grapeseed, oliveoil or vegetable - scented with an aroma of your choice. III. The Ritual Performing the Ritual skyclad is the best. Light the candles and inscense and purify your ritual space. Hold your hands over the dish of water and say: "I purify you, Oh Water, in the Blessed and Mighty names of the Goddess and God" visualize the water glowing with a pure, white light. Do the same with dish of salt, saying the same. Then tip some of the salt into the water and mix it with your forefinger. Sprinkle the salt water around your ritual space, visualizing a circle around you. (Or just cast your circle in your usual way) Call then upon the elements and then on the Goddess and God. You now declare your intent. Fashion this in your own way but the things you need to declare are something like this: "I (ordinary name) am now prepared for Dedication. I have followd the path and have fulfilled my vows. I now call upon the Goddess and God to confer on me wisdom and integrity. I ask the blessings of air, fire, water and earth." At this point spend time gathering energy from around you and achieving a higher state of consciousness by meditation and controlled breathing. You may even have a mantra or a chant that is perfectly alright to utilize for this. Do not rush, take all the time you need to find the stillness inside yourself. When you are there, stand in front of the altar and annoint yourself on your chakras (using a circle, pentagram or a personal motion) with the oil,then the salt then the water and lastly the wine. At this time you say: "I am reborn into my true magickal self, I now take on the name of (witch name). I now ask for the Blessings of the Goddess and God on my endeavors and unto to them i make these vows (make your vows you have prepared.)" Now present yourself to the quarters, stating something to the effect of: "I am now dedicated to the solitary path." Now you are to consecrate your jewelry with the four elements; incense, water, salt, the candle flame and annoint it with the oil before putting it on. You then consecrate your athame or any other tools in the same manner, holding each article to your heart, filling it with your energy, linking it to your very being. Say now: " I am a child of the earth and of the heavens." Hold it then up to the moon and stars and ask for the blessings of the universe on it, then touch it to the ground and ask for the blessings of our Great Mother Earth. Lastly, consecrate the wine and cake by touching your athame to them. Channeling your energies through it. Then you drink an eat, earthing yourself . Once you are centered thank the Goddess, God and the elements and close your circle properly. IV. Suggestions It is a good idea to write your vows in a magickal diary and sign them with your Magickal name. I also recommend that you write your experiences of your Dedication in this diary too. It is important to refrain from any ritual for at least seven days, giving your energies and blessings time to integrate.