How to Become a Witch, Amber K. [new books to read .txt] 📗

God of the wilderness, Divine Male Principle of many names and faces, Pan, Woden, Ra, Tammuz, Bel—join this rite.”

“Come to me, Great Goddess, thou who art Moon Lady, Earth Mother, Sovereign Queen, Divine Female Principle of many names and faces, Diana, Gaia, Freya, Brigit, Isis—join this rite.”

(Goddess only) “Lady of a Thousand Names, Maiden Huntress, Earth Mother, Lady of Forest and Field, Shining Moon, Sovereign of the Seas, Queen of the Dark Underworld, Starry Goddess of the Night, Mistress of Magick, come to me now and witness this, my rite of dedication.”

7—Pledges: Make your pledges to the gods and the elemental powers:

“I have come to this circle to dedicate myself to the study of the Craft of the Wise.”

“From this moment forward, among the Craft community and the world of spirit, I shall be known as __________. I have chosen this name because __________.”

“I know that the hand of the Goddess will be upon me, and that she changes everything she touches. And I am ready to begin the transformation.”

“As I begin this journey, I do promise and swear to live my life by the Wiccan Rede, ‘An ye harm none, do as ye will,’ and to use the Craft only when it harms none.”

“Further do I promise and swear to keep the secrets of the circle. Never shall I reveal or speak of any personal information about Craft sisters and brothers outside the circle without their express permission. And never shall I reveal or teach the secrets of the Craft except to those who have made these same promises.”

“And more, I do commit myself to work diligently at the study of the Craft for as long as I choose to be a dedicant.”

8—Presentation to the Elemental Powers: Present yourself to each quarter, saying at each:

“Spirits of air, guardians of the watchtowers of the east,

I, (name), have come to this circle to learn the Craft of the Wise.

I have promised to live by the Wiccan Rede and to keep the secrets.

May you recognize me within this circle and guard me well,

and may your intellect and imagination be mine.”

“Spirits of fire, guardians of the watchtowers of the south,

I, (name), have come to this circle to learn the Craft of the Wise.

I have promised to live by the Wiccan Rede and to keep the secrets.

May you recognize me within this circle and guard me well,

and may your will and energy be mine.”

“Spirits of water, guardians of the watchtowers of the west,

I, (name), have come to this circle to learn the Craft of the Wise.

I have promised to live by the Wiccan Rede and to keep the secrets.

May you recognize me within this circle and guard me well,

and may your depth of feeling and love be mine.”

“Spirits of earth, guardians of the watchtowers of the north,

I, (name), have come to this circle to learn the Craft of the Wise.

I have promised to live by the Wiccan Rede and to keep the secrets.

May you recognize me within this circle and guard me well,

and may your strength and endurance be mine.”

9—Presentation to the God: Stand before the altar and present yourself to the God in the person of his statue or symbol (unless the ritual is focused only on the Goddess), saying:

“My Lord, I, (name), have been presented to the spirits of the four directions. Now I present myself before you, all ye gods of nature! I have come to this circle to learn the Craft of the Wise. May you recognize me within this circle and guide me to share your wisdom, love, and power.”

10—Presentation to the Goddess: Stand before the altar and present yourself to the Goddess in the person of her statue or symbol, saying:

“My Lady, I, (name), have been presented to the spirits of the four directions and all the gods of nature. Now I present myself before you, all ye goddesses of nature! I have come to this circle to learn the Craft of the Wise. May you recognize me within this circle and touch my life to change me according to your wisdom.”

11—Accepting the Cord: Next you may take up the white cord. Place it around your waist and tie it, saying: “A white cord is the sign of a dedicant within many traditions. Whenever I wear this cord, I shall remember this night and the promises I have made.”

12—The First Lessons: “I have dedicated myself to the study of the Craft. Let my study begin this evening with three pieces of wisdom:

The first is the Rede:

Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,

In perfect love, in perfect trust,

Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:

An ye harm none, do as ye will.

And ever mind the Rule of Three:

What you send out returns to thee.

Follow this with mind and heart,

And merry ye meet, and merry ye part.

The second enjoins me to silence and discretion. Knowledge and magick and power may I learn within this circle, and all the skills of the Craft of the Wise. In like manner, when I have mastered the arts, shall I pass them on, and so our circle grows. But I must remember well that I may only teach those who have sworn to keep the secrets and to follow the Wiccan Rede.

The third explains the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Within this circle, love is the law and love is the bond. To fulfill love, I must be reborn in the same time and place, and remember and find those I have loved before. To be reborn, I must first die. To die, I must first be born. To be born, there must be love. And that is all the magick.”

13—Divination: Perform a short divination; for example, with one tarot card or rune. Ask the question, “What are the energies that should guide my studies for the coming months?” Meditate on the card or rune until your general direction or approach becomes clear.

14—Self-Blessing: Perform a self-blessing. Take a chalice of water mixed with a few drops of wine. Touch your feet with a dab of the