1st Degree Initiation

The Initiate is normally skyclad for this ceremony. If the coven works robed, the Initiate may be either skyclad or wear a robe that can be opened down the middle. The part of the Squire is performed by the Initiate’s teacher. Females are initiated by the Priest, and males by the Priestess. In addition to the usual altar tools, there is a dish of anointing oil between the water and the salt and a red nine-foot length of cord and a blindfold on the altar. The Priestess’s Goddess Crown and the Priest’s Horned Helmet rest beside the altar. The Initiate wears no jewelry or make up and waits in a room outside of the Temple room. The Erecting the Temple is performed. The bell is rung three times.



Priestess Let there be none who suffer loneliness; none who are friendless and without brother or sister. For all may find love and peace within the Circle.

Priest With open arms, the Lord and Lady welcome all.

Squire I bring news of one who has traveled far, seeking that which we enjoy.

Maiden Long has been her journey, but now she feels an end is near.

Priest Of whom do you speak?

Squire Of she who, even now, waits outside our Temple, seeking entry.

Priestess Who caused her to come here?

Maiden She came herself of her own free will.

Priest What does she seek?

Maiden She seeks to become one with the Lord and the Lady. She seeks to join with us in our worship of them.

Priestess Who can vouch for this person?

Squire I can. As her teacher, I have shown her the ways; pointed her in the right direction and set her feet upon the path. But she has chosen to take this step and now bids you give her entrance.

Priest Can she be brought before us?

Squire Indeed she can.

Priestess Then let it be so.

The Squire takes the cord and his athame; the Maiden takes the blindfold and a candle. They go clockwise around the Circle to the east and exit the Circle by cutting a doorway. They go out of the Temple to the Initiate. The Maiden blindfolds her while the Squire binds* her. With the Initiate between them, they approach the door to the Temple room. The Squire bangs on the door with the handle of his athame.



Priest Who knocks?

Squire We return with one who would join our number.

Priestess What is her name?

Initiate My name is (Given Name) I beg entry.

Priestess Enter this our Temple.

The three enter the Temple room and stand outside the Circle in the east. The Maiden holds the candle; the Squire his athame. The bell is rung once.



Priest (Name)...why do you come here?

Initiate To worship the Gods in whom I believe and to become one with them and with my brothers and sisters in the Craft.

Priestess What do you bring with you?

Initiate I bring nothing but my True Self, naked and unadorned.

Priestess Then I bid you enter this our Circle of Worship and Magick.

The Squire admits them to the Circle. They stand just within, still in the east. The Priest and Priestess move around to them; the Priest carrying the censer and the Priestess carrying the salted water.



Priest To enter this our Sacred Circle, I here duly consecrate you in the names of the God and the Goddess.

If the Initiate is robed, the Priestess opens the robe while the Priest sprinkles and censes her, then closes it again. The Priest and Priestess return to the altar, followed by the Squire, Initiate and Maiden. The Priest and Priestess stand in front of the altar, while the Squire and Maiden move around to the far side, opposite, with the Initiate between them. The face the Priest and Priestess. The bell is rung twice.



Priestess I speak now for the Lady. Why are you here?

Initiate I am here to become one with the Lord and Lady; to join in worship of them.

Priest I am he who speaks for the Lord. Who made you come here?

Initiate None made me come, for I am here of my own choosing.

Priest

Do you wish an end to the life you have known so far?


Initiate

I do
.

Priest

Then so be it.


With his athame, the Squire cuts a lock of the Initiate’s hair and throws it on the censer. The Squire and Maiden lead the Initiate around the Circle to the east.




Maiden

Hearken all ye at the East Gate. Here is one who would join us. Welcome her and bring her joy.They move on to the south.


Squire

Hearken all ye at the South Gate. Here is one who would join us. Welcome her and bring her joy.


They move on to the west.




Maiden

Hearken all ye at the West Gate. Here is one who would join us. Welcome her and bring her joy.


They move on to the north.



Squire

Hearken all ye at the North Gate. Here is one who would join us. Welcome her and bring her joy.



The Squire and Maiden lead the Initiate back to stand behind the altar again, facing the Priest and Priestess. The Priest and Priestess place their crowns on their heads and taking up their athames, stand side by side with their right arms holding the knives high in salute. The Squire rings the bell three times.

Maiden

Now then must you face those whom you seek.


The Maiden removes the Initiate’s blindfold.

Maiden

Behold, in these two priests do we see the Gods and in that know that we and they are the same.


Squire

As we need the Gods, so do the Gods need us.


Priest

I am he who speaks for the God. Yet are you and I equal.


Priestess

I am she who speaks for the Goddess. Yet are you and I equal.



The Priest and Priestess lower their athames and present the blades to the Initiate who kisses the blades.

Initiate

I salute the Lord and the Lady, as I salute those who represent them. I pledge my love and support to them and to my brothers and sisters of the Craft.


Priest

Know you the Wiccan Rede?


Initiate

I do. An’ it harm none, do what thou wilt.


Priestess

And do you abide by that Rede?


Initiate

I do.


Priest

Well said. Let your bonds be loosed that ye may be reborn.


The Squire unties the cord. The Maiden leads the Initiate around to stand between the Priest and Priestess. The Maiden then returns to her place beside the Squire.




Priestess

That you may start life afresh it is only meet and right that you start with a name of your own choosing. Have you such a name?


Initiate

I have. It is (Craft Name).


Priest

Then shall you be known by that name henceforth by your brothers and sisters of the Craft.



The Priest takes up the anointing oil. If the Initiate is robed, the Priestess opens the robe. The Priest anoints* and says

Priest With this Sacred Oil I anoint and cleanse thee, giving new life to one of the Children of the Gods. From this day forth, you shall be known as (Craft Name), within this Circle and without it, to all your Brothers and Sisters of the Craft. So Mote It Be.

All

So mote it be!


Priestess

Now you are truly one of us. As one of us will you share our knowledge of the Gods and of the arts of healing, of divination, of magick and of all the mystic arts. These shall you learn as you progress.


Priest

But we caution you ever to remember the Wiccan Rede. An’ it harm none, do what thou wilt.


Priestess

An’ it harm none, do what thou wilt. Come now, (Name) and meet your kindred.


The Initiate salutes* the Priest and Priestess then moves around to salute and greet all the others in the Circle. If the initiation has taken place without the other coven members being present, they now return to the Circle to join the celebrants. If it is the coven custom to present a newcomer with any gift(s) this may be done at this time. The bell is rung three times.




Priest

Now is the truly a time for celebration.


Feasting and merriment follow until it is time for Cakes and Ale followed by the Clearing of the Temple.


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*Binding for an initiation is as follows

The cord is looped over the initiate’s left wrist behind her back. At the mid-point of the cord, a square knot is tied.
The initiate’s right arm is laid wrist over wrist, over the left arm and another knot is tied.
The two ends of the cord are wrapped around either side of the the initiate’s head, crossing in front.
Looping one end around the back of the head, the two ends are tied in a bow at the right shoulder.


*Anointing is done as follows A Keltic Cross in a circle is drawn on the forehead, in the position of the Third Eye. A pentagram is drawn over the heart, and an inverted triangle is marked by touching the genitals, right breast, left breast, then the genitals again.


*When one Witch salutes another, it is with an embrace and a kiss.

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