~*Gardnerian Initiations*~
Initiation of the First Degree
First Degree Initiation
The Initiator casts the Circle as per Clearing instructions, however, immediately after summoning of the Watchtowers, before the Witch's Runes, she says:
The Charge:
"Listen to my words, the words of the Great Mother; She who of old was also called among men by the holy names Artemis, Astarte, Aradia, Athene, Dana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride, and by many other names, which are lost in time."
"Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better if it be when the moon is full, then shall you assemble in some secret place and worship the spirits of me, who is Queen of all Witches and Wise Woman. Then shall you assemble, you who art fain to learn all sorcery, yet who have not won its greatest secrets. To these I will teach things that are yet unknown. And you shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you shall be truly free, you shall be joyous in your rites, both free in body and in spirit. And you shall dance, and sing, and feast, and make merry music, all for praise of me. For mine is the ecstasy of the Spirit, and mine also is the Joy on Earth, for my law is love unto all beings."
"Keep pure your highest ideals, strive ever towards them and let naught stop you or even turn you from your chosen path. For my way is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth and my cup is the cup of the Wine of Life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwyn, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality."
"I am the gracious Goddess, who giveth the gift of joy unto the heart of woman and man. Upon Earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; beyond death, I give peace and freedom and reunion with those who have gone before. Sacrifice is abomination to me; I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured in liberation over all the Earth."
"All of you hear the words of the Star Goddess. In the dust of her feet dwell the Hosts of heavens, and her body encircles the universe."
"I am the beauty of the green Earth, and the white moon among the stars. I am the mystery of the waters, and the desires of the heart of man. Call me unto thy soul. Arise, and come to me. I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe. ALl things proceed from me, and unto me all things must return. Before my face, which is beloved by Gods and men alike, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite."
"Let my worship be within the rejoycing heart. Let beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and seriousness dwell within you. You who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning will avail you not unless you knowest the mystery,, for if you seek that wich cannot be found within thee, then you will never find it without thee. Behold! I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire."
The Casting is here completed.
The Postulant is standing outside the Circle at the northeast quadrant, blindfolded and with one ritual cord binding in her hands and another tied about her right ankle. The Circle is cast as noted before, with the Quabbalistic Cross after the Charge.
(Initiator to Postulant)
"O you who stands on the threshold between the pleasant world of men and the Dread Domains of the Lords of the Outer Spaces, do you have the courage to come within?"
"Truly, it would be better to rush upon my blade and perish than to make the attempt with fear in your heart."
(Postulant)
"I have two passowrds: Perfect Love and Perfect Trust."
(Initiator)
"All those who have such are doubly welcome. I give thee a third to pass through this dread door."
The Initiator "throws" the Postulant into the Circle.
The Initiator then takes the Postulant to each of the cardinal points, saying:
"Take heed, Lords of the East (South, North, West) that {name of Postulant} is properly prepared to be initiated into the mysteries."
With the Postulant at the center, the Initator and the coven dance around her deosil, chanting:
"Eko, Eko, Azarack, Eko Eko Zamilak, Eko Eko Cernunnos, Eko Eko Aradia,..."
(...until deemed sufficient)
The Postulant faces the altar, and the Initiator says:
"In other crafts, the Postulant kneels while the Priest towers above her. But in the Magickal Art, we are taught to be humble, and we kneel to welcome her, and we say..."
(Initiator kneels)
The Five Fold Kiss
(Initiator)
"Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways."
(kissing the right foot and then the left)
"Blessed be thy knees, which shall kneel at the sacred altar."
(kissing the right knee and then the left)
"Blessed be thy abdomen, without which we should not be."
(kissing the abdomen)
"Blessed be thy chest, formed in beauty (strength for a man)."
(kissing the right upper part of the chest and then the left)
"Blessed be thy lips, that shall speak the sacred names."
(kissing lips)
"Now I take your measure."
Initiator here measures the Postulants' height, head, chest and hips, then asks:
"Before you are sworn, are you ready to pass the ordeal and be purified?"
Postulant answers, kneels with head and shoulders bowed. A bell is run three times.
Initiator says:
"Three" (Postulant is lightly scourged three times)
"Seven" (Postulant is lightly scourged seven times)
"Nine" (Postulant is lightly scourged nine times)
"Twenty-one" (Postulant is lightly scourged twenty one times)
"You have bravely passed the test. Are y ou now ready to swear that you will always be true to the Art?"
Postulant answers.
(Initiator)
"Are you always ready to help, protect, and defend your brothers and sisters in the Art?"
Postulant answers.
(Initiator)
"Then say after me...I, {postulants name}, in the presence of the Mighty Ones, do of my own free will and accord most solemnly swear that I will keep secret and never reveal the secrets of the Art, except be in to a proper audience, properly prepared within a Circle such as I am now in, and that I will never deny the secrets to such a person if she be properly vouched for by a brother or sister of the Art. All this I swear by my hope of a future life, mindful that my measure has been taken. May my weapons turn against me if I break this solemn oath."
"I hearby sign thee with the Triple Sign."
"I consecrate the with oil."
(abdomen, right chest then left chest, then top of head)
"I anoint thee with wine."
"I consecrate thee with my lips."
"Witch."
"Now I present you to the Working Tools."
"First, the Magick Sword. With this, as with the Athame, you can form all magick circles, dominate, subdue, and punish all rebellious spirits and demons, and even persuade angels and good spirits. With this in your hand, you ar the ruler of the Circle."
"Next, I present the Athame. This is the true Witch's weapon, and has all the powers of the Magick Sword."
"Next, the White-Hilted Knife. Its use is to form all instruments used in the Art. It can only be used in the Circle."
"Next the Wand. Its use is to call up and control certain angels and genil to whom it would not be proper to use the Magick Sword."
"Next the Cup. This is the Vessel of the Goddess, the Cauldron of Cerridwyn, the Holy Grail of Immortality. From this we drink in comradeship and in honor of the Goddess."
"Next the Pentacle. This is for the purpose of calling appropriate spirits."
"Next the Censer of Incense. This is used to encourage and welcome good spirits and to banish evil spirits."
"Next I present the Scourge. This is the Sign of Power and Domination. It is also used to cause purification and enlightenment,. For it is written that ot learn, one must suffer and be purified. Are you willing to suffer for learning?"
Postulant answers.
(Initiator)
"Next and last are the Cords. They are of use to bind the Sigils of the Art. They are also necessary in the Oath."
"I now salute thee in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia, newly-made Witch!"
The Initiate is led to each Quadrant.
"Hear, Ye Mighty Ones of the East (North, South, West), {name of Initiate}, has been consecrated as a Witch and hidden child of the Goddess."
Entire Covan says:
"So Mote it Be!"
The Postulate has gone through the entire first degree intiation and is now welcomed as a member of the Coven, and a Witch.
All information contained on this page are taken from my personal Book of Shadows
©2001NyWitch
