Solitary Initiation 1999 CO1

Solitary Initiation 1999

Who comes to the Gate?  By what Magical name do you desire to be known before our Gracious Lady and Her powerful Consort?

 

Are you willing to suffer to learn?

 

With this name shall you be known in the Circle.  With this name shall you work the Magick of the Earth.  With this name shall you be sanctified.

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As a blue mist swirls about your body, you begin to float.  You feel yourself being lifted higher as the swirling blue mist becomes a globe around you.  It is taking you into the dream realm where you will begin your sacred journey.  The globe of blue mist begins to dissipate, revealing a midnight sky.  As the mist clears, you can see that you are in a rocky desert.  Brilliant white starlight plays against the black canopy of the desert sky;  on the horizon you can see spiny cactus and large boulders.  Starlight glitters around their silhouettes.  You can see one very bright star ahead of your, which seems to be guiding or watching over you.  This is the North Star, which lives in the place of great wisdom and silence.  You turn to your right - the East.  A great wind blows the desert sand up into a whirling dervish.  The dust devil approaches you and holds steady a few yards away.  Hold your spirit arms up and mentally greet the powers of the East:

 

Hail to thee, O mighty winds of the East!  Guardians of Air, keepers of the portals of the  future, grant us knowledge and understanding in this, our sacred quest.

 

The whirling dervish envelops you.  You are now in the center of the swirling Air.  Feel its power fill you.  The dust begins to settle, and the swirl diminishes as you are filled with the power of Air.  Turn now to face the South.  There, on the ground before you, is a burning stick.  The dancing flame is small at first, but then he flame catches onto other twigs and dried brush.  This continues until a ring of flame surrounds you.  Hold your spirit arms up and mentally greet the power of the South:

           

Hail to thee, O mighty flames of the South!  Guardians of the powers of Fire, keepers of the power to will, grant us strength of spirit in this, our sacred quest.

 

The flames rise higher; feel their life-giving heat and allow their power to fill you.  As you absorb the power of Fire, the flames die down and there is stillness once again.  Continuing your circle, face the West.  There, a few yards away, is a rushing brook.  Hear the soft sound of trickling Water rushing over stones.  Walk to it and see the stars reflected in its rushing waters.  You step into the brook and suddenly you are up to your waist in Water.  The Water is warm and comforting as it twirls around you.  the Water begins to rush faster, threatening to pull you under its dark currents.  Raise your spirit arms to greet the powers of the West;

           

Hail to Thee, O mighty torrents of the West!  Guardians of Water, Keepers of the portals to the past, grant us courage in this, our sacred quest.

 

Now is the time to absorb the power of Water.  As you do so, the level of the brook diminishes until it is only a trickle between your feet.  Step out of the stream bed and notice that your are not wet.  Continue your sacred circle;  face the North once more.  See the huge, dare stone boulders that lay in a grouping several yards away.  Go to them.  You notice that the boulders lay in a circular formation, close together.  The only entrance is from the South - a small crevice just big enough to squeeze through.  It is very cold within the towering walls of the stone circle.  Moss grows on the inner boulder walls.  Carved into the stones are the many faces of your ancient ancestors.  take a moment to look at the faces.  Etched in the Earth beneath your feet is a spiral, and at its center is a carving of your own face.  Hold your arms up, see the North Star, and greet the power of the North:

           

Hail to thee, O mighty stones of the North!  Guardians of the Earth, Keepers of the powers of silence, Grant us wisdom in this, our sacred quest.

 

The ancient wisdom of the North star is drawn down into your third eye at the center of your brow.  the surrounding boulders tremble, then slowly roll apart to allow you passage.  You have been anointed with the he elements of life, and are centered within your being.  You have passed the initiation of elemental alignment.  It is time to return to the physical world now, As you stand in the center of the spiral, allow the blue globe of mist to form and surround you.  It is bringing you back to your place of departure.  You are returning now. You are here.

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Mistress, Goddess, once more I seek your assistance.  Please hear my plea.  I ask you to be for me a link between the world of the mundane and the world of the spiritual.  It is said that only a Witch can initiate another Witch.  It is said that to be a Solitary is to be nothing more than a Self Proclaimed Witch, uninitiated.  How can this be so?  The Goddess chooses her own.  Who initiated the very first Witch?  Who better to initiate our Circle, to welcome these Solitary Witches than Aradia, Queen of all the Witches, The Sacred Child born of Diana and Lucifer.  Help us Mistress, to request Lady Aradia’s presence.

 

You have been there for us

             Since before time was.                   

There in the scents of the Earth

             in the whisper of the Wind

             in the warmth of the Sun

             in the refreshing coolness of a Mountain Stream.

 

You were always there for us

             Even before we understood.

There in the magick of Moonlight

             in the wonder of a Sunrise

             in the freedom of an Open Field

             in the comfort of a Sheltering Forest.

 

Please be here for us now.  Walk beside us as we take the first tentative steps along your path.  We accept you as you are, both the dark and the light, the good and the bad.  Two halves of a perfect whole.  Complete.

 

Aradia, I seek your presence tonight.  Hear my request.  Help to welcome these initiates, to bless this Circle of One.  Join with me now, guide my heart, my actions, my words this night.  Teach us, show us the way.

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I am here.  Once more it is as it should be.  As it has always been since the beginning of time itself.  I am the Teacher, you are my children.  Tonight we begin a journey together.  In the coming year much will be expected of you.  This is not an easy path.  You still have much to learn.  Know that whenever you have need of me, I will be there.  Whenever you have questions, call to me, and I will be there.  Whenever you have needs that go unmet do not be afraid to ask for me, I will be there.  You are my children, and I am the Teacher.  Learn from me.   I know all of you.  I know who you are, who you could be, and who you would wish to be.  There is nothing that you can think, do, want, or know, that I have not already experienced myself.  There is nothing to regret or forgive.  I have done it all.  Open yourselves up to me.  Learn from me.  Now, lets begin.  Know that once this circle has been opened what happens this night shall never be spoken of again.  Not among yourselves, not to anyone else. 

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Over the waves, behind the wind, beneath the mountains, within the sacred flame;  there do You live, and there do You breathe Life into us all!  Guardians of this Sacred Space, Blessed Energies great and small, strength and protection for this place and Blessings on us all!  As above, so it is below.  As without, so it is within.  Time once again will stand still!

 

North and South, East and West, Black spirits and White, Red spirits and Gray.  Heed my call, attend to me.  Around and around, throughout and about.  The good come in and the ill stay out.  Circle round, attend to me.  Witness these rites, welcome these initiates.  Bestow your Blessings on this Circle of One. 

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Much of what is expected of you this first year, you have already accomplished.  You have already designed, written, and performed rituals for both yourselves and a public group.  You have already begun to teach simple lessons to yourselves and to others.  Now you need to grow as solitaries.  For the next year you are expected to keep a daily or weekly journal of your experiences within the Craft.  Once a month you will continue to write and perform a ritual, however now you will begin to work with new moon and dark moon as well.  Next year as you prepare for this ritual you will read the journal you have kept.  One of you will hold this ceremony and know that you all will be held accountable for your lessons.  Perhaps there will be others sitting were you now sit.  And you will be responsible for helping them to grow as you have grown.

 

Now repeat after me:

I will serve the Great Goddess, and give reverence to the Great God

I am a Pagan, A stone in the ancient circle

Standing firmly, Balanced on the Earth

Yet open to the winds of heaven, and enduring through time

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Tonight we stand at the edge of the abyss, poised to make choices that may change the rest of your lives.  Do you spread your wings and take the step over the edge, risking the chance that you may fall crashing to the earth.  Many times in life the only thing that holds us on the edge of greatness is our own fears.  Fear of being the fool.  Fear of failing.  Fear of loss.  Even fear of success.  Only a fool goes through life without fear, but a witch moves on despite their fears.  Do you trust in yourselves?  Do you trust the Goddess?  Do you trust the God?  Then spread your wings and fly tonight. 

 

We begin in the North were we discover the knowledge of the ancients buried deep in our own hearts.  Do you willingly release your heart to the Lord and Lady.  To do with as they please, whether for good or ill as only they see fit.  (seeds & flower pot w/dirt)

 

All of our lives we take from the Earth.  She is our Mother, it is in Her nature to give.  There comes a time when we must learn to give back.  In the coming year you will each find some personal way to give back to the Earth, whether it be recycling, planting a garden, or performing a monthly healing ritual.

 

O beings of the Earth, the dragons, you of the fairy realm, Gods and Goddesses, come to us on the blur of a Hummingbirds wings.  See and know these witches... Each gives their new name.  Behold these Rites, receive these initiates.  Hearken unto their chants, Heed their calls, as you would serve our Lord and Lady. 

 

We move to the East where we walk with beauty along the path of the Visionary.  Do you willingly cast your soul to the winds.  To accept what comes, to learn and to grow. (small feathers)

 

We are the soul of our community.  We need to take care of each other, to learn to take care of those less fortunate.  In the coming year you will find a community service project that interests you and log at least 15 hours of your personal time. 

 

O beings of the Air, the dragons, you of the fairy realm, Gods and Goddesses, Come to us on the wings of Eagles.  See and know these witches... Each gives their new name.  Witness these Rites, welcome these initiates.  Hearken unto their chants, Attend to their calls, as you would serve our Lord and Lady. 

 

Now we move to the South, where we shed the past the way a serpent shed’s its skin, all at once, to be reborn once more, fresh and new.  Do you willingly walk into the fire, to sacrifice yourselves to the flames.  Do you accept the challenge to begin again, unfettered by the doubts and regrets of the past.  Free to forgive yourselves and begin anew. (candles)

 

As we learn to take care of others, we learn to take care of ourselves as well.  That means spending time within yourselves, getting in touch with your own spirituality.  You will design, from scratch, a simple altar devotional and perform it each week on a day of your choosing, alone. 

 

O beings of the Fire,  the dragons, you of the fairy realm, Gods and Goddesses, The great serpent that swims the seas, join us.  See and know these witches... Each gives their new name.  Observe these Rites, embrace these initiates.  Hearken unto their chants, Heed their calls, as you would serve  our Lord and Lady.

 

Lets now move to the West, where we leap into our new lives, into our destinies, by freeing ourselves from fears of the future and death so we may live fully in the present. Do you willingly cast yourselves into the waters of change, to accept that change is a necessary thing and to look forward to your futures with arms open wide. (water)

 

As we take care of ourselves, we understand that we must also take care of those closest to us.  You will choose some facet of the Craft that holds particular interest to you. You will research and  write a lesson of your choice and teach it  to your Circle Mates. 

 

O beings of the Water, the dragons, you of the fairy realm, Gods and Goddesses, come to us with the fluid grace of the Jaguar. See and know these witches... Each gives their new name.  Mark these Rites, usher in these initiates.  Hearken unto their chants, Attend to their calls, as you would serve our Lord and Lady.

 

We end as we have begun, in the North.  O Gracious and lovely Goddess of the wilds, O God who is the protector and bringer of joy, see before you thy friends and servants. Help us along the Way, to know the richness of Life. So Mote it be

 

Shall you have power and knowledge of Earth, of Air, of Fire, and Water, of the force of Life itself in the service of the Goddess and the reverence of the God.  Welcome, you are now a Natural Witch.  Neither bound by Tradition nor Degree, but by your own principles and deeds.  You are now one of the Shinning Ones, chosen and initiated by the Goddess Herself.  May you continue to walk wisely on the Path of Enlightenment. 

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Now before I leave you, do you wish to look upon the face of the Goddess??

 

Go Mbeannaigh

          (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

          (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl

          (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)