I IS FOR INTITIATION

This article is a bit out of order, but I felt deeply moved to write and post it today:

Probably no other subject in pagan circles incites so many feelings as “Initiation”.  I discovered this after my 2^nd degree initiation into a very established Tradition that hails back to the beginning of modern Wicca.  So caught up was I in the process that it wasn’t until almost a year after that I realized exactly what it was I was making vows to/about.

I am no longer part of that Tradition, but am practicing a far more eclectic form of paganism.  Nevertheless, I am a High Priestess – nothing can take that away from me but the Gods!  As such, I have come to realize that there was a huge need to re-define Initiations for people who feel drawn to serve the Gods in a more formal way, but do not belong to any formal Traditions.  These needs and desires need to be recognized and acknowledged.

In doing so, I do not wish to disrespect what Traditions have established.  And in doing so, I  have, as Priestess, come to the conclusion that Initiations are necessary regardless of lack of formal Traditional training.   Something happens during this Ritual, something deep and alchemical that opens the Spirit and Heart to the Divine Godhead.  And I for one do not wish to see so many deserving people struggling for internal acceptance for the lack of external acceptance, and will, whenever needed, assist them in reaching their goals and potential.  It may not be seen as “official” by some people but what matters here is that the Initiates will move forward.

Lack of such eclectic elevations means that more of these people resort to doing a self-dedication and self-initiation.  In my eyes, they are no less serving the Gods than ones that have undergone full coven training in established Traditions.  In my experience, this amounts to putting down as unworthy those whose hearts are deemed worthy in the sight of the God and Goddess.

Initiations are, as I said before, very important ceremonies.  All over the world, in all sorts of cultures, initiations at all levels are being performed.  These ceremonies bring young people into adulthood, couples into marriage, acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments through education and employment.  Lack of such ceremonies creates girls who are very scared of their own powers and left with painful self-images; boys who really don’t know how to be men; women who fear their cronehood and men who are unsure of their place in the world.  Some tribal initiations may seem cruel and frightening by today’s standards.  Children are made to endure pain, solitary quests, or public displays that may seem humiliating, such as young girls undergoing puberty walking through the centre of the village bare-breasted, but in each of those cases, the adults have undergone the same procedures and are there to train and prepare the young ones.  It is true that even in some cases, initiations may have even killed – if one survives the test, one is then worthy of initiation.  Each culture developed these ceremonies and they all have strong significance in the collective consciousness of the people.  It is not up to us to judge them as “wrong” or “cruel”.

Nevertheless and fortunately, in our society today, we do not have such drastic trials.  In fact, perhaps we have gone too far the opposite way, saying that none of these are important.  Or there is a notion that if one has been trained in a certain Tradition, that is the only way for initiations to be done.  Here I am speaking only for myself with all due respect – others may not feel comfortable in a Circle setting, but are just as worthy of being brought into Priesthood because of their love for the Goddess and God, and their willingness and desire to serve Them.

In a day, I shall be elevating a friend to the status of Priestess.  It will be an eclectic ceremony that’s designed especially for her.  I have worked with her at length, listened to her, corresponded with her, watched her create the most amazing tools of devotion, and judge her worthy of such Initiation ritual.  Her heart has been ready, and it is my deepest and humblest privilege in bringing her to the thrones of her Gods.  She may not be recognized as a Priestess by the Traditional Wiccans, and so be it.  I for one would rather be guilty of doing this and be found out wrong, than not proceeding with the ceremony and be guilty of holding a very worthy person back.  I feel it is my duty, as much as it will be hers some day.  It will not be an initiation into any Tradition, but one that directly links her to the Gods. 

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity the Gods have placed before me.  Tomorrow, another Priestess will walk among us, and my heart will rejoice at her strength and service.