Wait to do real Magick?

[Amita Sheera]

You see, for almost a year now, I've been studying Paganism/Wicca/Witchcraft (I‘m 16). I won't lie, I'm a slow learner, but I love to learn regardless. It really calls out to me, and I am beyond happy to belong to such a beautiful religion (or way of life). However, I haven't done any initiation to declare myself a real Pagan or a Witch. I do plan to, because I know for certain that this is the path I want to walk. So my question is: do I have to wait to have the real ceremony by a coven or something before I can do major magic, Spirit guide work, or Past Life work?  

[Violet Song jat Shariff]

Witches don't really need a special dedication ritual. You can do one if you would like, but not doing one doesn't make you any less of a witch. If you want to do a dedication ritual, I would wait until you feel fully capable and ready to do one. Don't rush yourself; witchcraft isn't going anywhere wink  

[Korealia]

Amita Sheera

You see, for almost a year now, I've been studying Paganism/Wicca/Witchcraft (I‘m 16). I won't lie, I'm a slow learner, but I love to learn regardless. It really calls out to me, and I am beyond happy to belong to such a beautiful religion (or way of life). However, I haven't done any initiation to declare myself a real Pagan or a Witch. I do plan to, because I know for certain that this is the path I want to walk. So my question is: do I have to wait to have the real ceremony by a coven or something before I can do major magic, Spirit guide work, or Past Life work?

i started reading at about 13. at 15 i did a dedication. at 19 i did my first 'spellwork'.

now, i won't say that it was me that flooded that girl's house, but i did a spell of justice in regards to her and well, all the stuff that was stolen kind of got ruined. sweatdrop so, anyway, you're going to do what you're going to do regardless, just make sure that you think through what you're going to do and you're able to accept the consequences, regardless of what they are. twisted  

[too2sweet]

Never feel like you have to rush into anything. You will know when you feel ready to do a dedication ceremony. If you are interested in Trad Wicca, then you do have to be initiated by a lineaged coven - which can't happen until you are at least 18 (or older, depending on the coven). For neo/eclectic Wicca you can choose to do a self-dedication ceremony, but again there is no big rush. I have been practicing for about 10 years and still have never done one. The Goddess knows how I feel...I may do one eventually, but the timing just hasn't been right yet.

As Vi said...witchcraft (and simply being a witch) doesn't require a dedication ceremony. Magic and spell work is something that you can do whenever you feel like you are ready to try it. Again never feel you have to rush into it. Always think first before you are going to do a spell - be clear in your intent/focus, think though all the possible consequences of your actions, and be sure that you are ready to accept any repercussions that may occur as a result of any spell that you might cast.  

[Amita Sheera]

Thank you, but, what I'm trying to say is: Can I still do magick without having done a dedication yet? Can I do spells and such without declaring that I am a Witch, or Pagan for that matter?  

[Violet Song jat Shariff]

Amita Sheera

Thank you, but, what I'm trying to say is: Can I still do magick without having done a dedication yet? Can I do spells and such without declaring that I am a Witch, or Pagan for that matter?

Of course! It's not like the energies you work with for spellwork are going to ignore you until you do a dedication or anything wink  

[Korealia]

Amita Sheera

Thank you, but, what I'm trying to say is: Can I still do magick without having done a dedication yet? Can I do spells and such without declaring that I am a Witch, or Pagan for that matter?

Dedication is declaring before your gods that you are promising to study and DEVOTE time and efforts into your path. If you don't have the time to give of yourself and put it first, then don't dedicate - you're not ready.

Just because you're not 'dedicated' doesn't mean you can't have ritual or spellwork.

HOWEVER

if you don't dedicate the time and effort to learn your path, you might have something blow up in your face.  

[Amita Sheera]

Ooh, I see. Thank you very much, this has helped me a lot. 3nodding  

[doistu]

I've been studying/practicing wicca for nigh on 6 years and I still have yet to do a dedication! But I'm getting closer to the time now when it'll feel natural to do so.

I intend to make a big fuss of it lol. Am going to do the year and a day wait and prep before the actual ceremony.

Prep is going to include: writing my ritual, painting my room, baking, blessing, collecting necessary tools.

So no rush at all  

[Arc En Licorne]

u dont need a big group initiation to be an initiated witch because some are solitary like me. but i do think u should wait till u are initiated coven or solitary because i just got initiated last samhain(halloween) and i still havent done any major magick  

[Sanguina Cruenta]

xXOnYx MoOnXx

u dont need a big group initiation to be an initiated witch because some are solitary like me. but i do think u should wait till u are initiated coven or solitary because i just got initiated last samhain(halloween) and i still havent done any major magick

Initiation does require a group. Dedication doesn't.  

[Lucas Moonrose]

Dedicating yourself to something does not need a Ritual, Though I do have to say that they're fun to plan out.

I've been calling myself a Witch for almost a year now and I know I'm still not perfect. Then again... No one really is. I've shown my dedication to the craft by researching as much as I can, While still doing my spell work.

If you don't feel ready to do spell work until After you've done your Dedication ceremony then wait on it. This is your choice to make, No one else can really say you're wrong in waiting or not.

Good luck =D

 

[rmcdra]

As everyone else has stated, magic and witchcraft does not require initiation, dedication, or religion of any kind for that matter. Witchcraft is not a religion, it is a craft. And there's no need to rush, witchcraft is not disappearing anytime soon. And yeah... it looks like too2sweet has already stated the big things to consider before casting spells.  

[Arcaniss Vivian]

Um...can someone explain exactly what "Dedication" involves? I would like to plan long in advance so that I have plenty of time to make it mean exactly what I want it to.  

[surukio]

dedication is the act of dedicating ones self to the God/dess

it varies person by person, group by group, and as to what pantheon you follow.

I'll post(with all referances i have) to what is prehaps a good explaination by people who have more eloquancy then me (and i hope there is no ummm.... character limit here)

____________________________________________________________

Self Dedication explained
Article by David Rankine & Sorita
===================================================
For more information on the authors please visit -
www.avalonia.co.uk or if you wish to contact them
please write to: BM Avalonia, London, WC1N 3XX, United
Kingdom. (Please include a SAE)
© David Rankine & Sorita 2000
===================================================

Initiation is a process of "death and rebirth" - the
old self dies, and the new and magickal self is born.
A rite of self-dedication marks a serious commitment
and dedication to the path, and should not be taken
lightly.

Having followed your path this far, you will have
noticed subtle (or not so subtle) changes in your
self, and you may wish to mark this, and affirm your
commitment to the path with a self-dedication ritual.
Initiation is a process which happens over time, and
the rite itself will benefit from being preceded by a
daily practice, building up in intensity as you
approach the day of the rite, with the dedication rite
being the culmination of this ritual practice.

As the rite marks a rebirth, into your witch self or
magickal self, you may wish to obtain a new magickal
item or items for it. This could be a piece of ritual
jewellery, such as a pentagram pendant, or amber and
jet necklace (the traditional witches necklace), or a
cord you wear around your waist. Some people choose to
mark their dedications by having a tattoo in a
magickal design, personal to themselves.

It is also good to have a magickal weapon which you
will consecrate at the end of the dedication rite. A
ritual dagger, or athame is the general tool chosen.
Self-dedication can be very empowering, and can
produce a feeling of "walking on clouds", and it is
very important to earth oneself afterwards, and then
to have a rest from magickal work for a period of
between a week and a month.

Simple daily meditation may be practised during this
period, but avoid intense magickal work. Time is
needed to assimilate the experience, and the
dedication process should be undertaken at a time when
you do not have too much outside stress, and are able
to take time for yourself.

It should be stressed that self-dedication is not the
same as initiation into a coven, and should you wish
to join a coven at a later date, you would still have
to go through a probationary period and coven
initiation, if accepted

Preparation

When you decide that you want to do a self-dedication,
plan the date of the ritual at least a month in
advance, choosing a suitable time, perhaps consulting
astrological tables, or at least the phases of the
moon. It is best done on a waxing or full moon.

Start your preparation at the new moon. Make sure that
you have a day off work for the initiation itself. You
may already have decided on a magickal or witch name.
If you haven't yet decided on your witch name, find
one through meditation and pathworking in the daily
ritual leading up to the rite of self-initiation.

Begin preparing for the self-initiation by performing
a daily ritual. Start by creating a sacred space.
Purify the area with incense and sprinkling salt
water. Visualize a sphere around yourself, and call on
the powers of the four quarters, visualizing the
elemental landscapes. (more...circle casting)

Call on the Goddess and the God, by whatever names you
prefer to call them. Declare to the Elements, the
Goddess and the God that you are embarking on the path
of dedication, and ask for their help in preparing
you.

Spend some time in meditation on the meaning of
dedication, and opening yourself up for any messages
from the Goddess and God. Thank and say farewell to
the Goddess, God, and Elements, and close the circle.

Closer to the time

Try and spend time every day in the week leading up to
the self-dedication rite working out your vows and
meditating. Make sure that the vows you make are
realistic! It is better to make less demanding vows
than to make highly demanding vows and not live up to
them.

The Ritual

Spend the day in quiet meditation and fasting. Drink
only pure water, or if you really cannot do this,
allow yourself a small quantity of apple or grape
juice. Do not smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs! If
you are on prescribed medication, consult your doctor.
If the medication is short term, wait until you have
finished the course of medication before doing the
ritual.

If possible, go to a sacred site or wild place and
attune yourself with nature. Communicate with the
nature spirits, and ask for their blessings.

Think about the vows that you wish to make in your
initiation. Think of a vow to yourself, one to the
Goddess and God, and one to the Earth.

Before you start the ritual, have a purification bath.
You may put essential oils, herbs or sea salt in the
bath. Whilst in the bath, meditate on purifying your
aura. See your aura as grey and dirty, but gradually
becoming lighter and cleaner, until it is brilliant.

When you emerge from the bath, allow yourself to dry
naturally. Do not use a hair dryer, or rub yourself
with towels. Rub your entire body with oil. This may
be olive oil, grapeseed oil, or other vegetable oil,
scented with pure essential oils of your choice.
Perform the ritual skyclad if possible.

Have an altar set up, with an altar cloth on it, with
a chalice of wine, a piece of bread or cake on a
platter, a censer, two altar candles, some anointing
oil, your athame or other tool, any ritual jewellery
which will be put on at the end of the ritual to mark
your dedication, and two small dishes containing sea
salt and water (from a spring or sacred well if
possible). You may also wish to have images or statues
of the Goddess and God on the altar.

Light the candles and the incense, and purify your
ritual space. Hold your hands over the water dish and
say:
"I purify you, Oh water, in the blessed and mighty
names of the Goddess and God",
visualizing it glowing with white light. Do likewise
with the salt, then tip some of the salt into the
water, and mix it in with your forefinger.

Sprinkle the salt water around your ritual space.
Visualize a circle around you. (or cast a circle in
your usual way) Call on the elements, then on the
Goddess and God.

Declare your intent, saying something like: "I
(ordinary name) am prepared for dedication. I have
followed the path and fulfilled my vows, and I now
call upon the Goddess and the God to confer on me
wisdom and integrity. I ask for the blessings of air,
fire, water and earth".

Spend some time in meditation, and controlled
breathing to gather energy and achieve an altered
state of consciousness. You may also wish to use a
mantra or chant.

Meditate for a while on finding the stillness inside
yourself. When you are ready, stand before the altar,
and anoint yourself first with oil, then with salt
water and lastly wine, saying:
"I am reborn into my true and magickal self, and I
take on the name of (Witch name). I ask for the
blessings of the Goddess and God on my endeavours, and
I vow (make your vows)".

When anointing yourself you may wish to anoint your
chakras, or anoint yourself with a circle, pentagram,
or personal symbol. It is good to write down your vows
in your magickal diary, and sign the entry with your
witch name.

Present yourself to the quarters, stating that you are
now dedicated to the solitary path. Consecrate your
ritual jewellery with the four elements (incense,
water, salt and candle flame), and anoint it with oil
for spirit before putting it on.

Consecrate your athame or other tool in the same
manner, then hold it to your heart, feeling a link
with it, and filling it with your energy. Say
"I am a child of earth and starry heaven."

Hold it up to the moon and stars, and ask for the
blessings of the cosmos on it, then touch it to the
ground, and ask for the blessings of mother earth.

Lastly, consecrate the wine and cake by touching your
athame to them, and channelling energy through it.
Drink and eat, earthing yourself, then thank the
Goddess, God and Elements, and close the circle.

Remember: Write up your experiences in your magickal
diary. Refrain from ritual for at least the next week,
whilst you integrate the work.
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