Initiation in Wicca

When discussing the nature of initiation, it is important to recognize that there are two types of initiations. The most recognized is the acceptance of a Wiccan into an established group, recognition of training received, and a dedication to the Goddess and the God. In some group initiation ceremonies, power is passed to the new member, or blessings are received from the group.

Wiccan Group Initiation

Many groups have three or five initiation rites, each marking a different level of training and responsibility. It is true that anyone wishing to enter into group practice should undergo an initiation, since part of an initiation ceremony is to attune with the other members of the group. However, this is not the only form of initiation, nor is it the most important.

Personal Initiation in Wicca

There are many, many people out there who are convinced that individuals who do not receive a Wiccan initiation cannot practice Wicca. Most agree that this is simply not the case, though many traditions have 'secret' rites that are not shared. There are a vast array of published texts, so virtually anyone can go to a decent bookstore to obtain a book filled with rituals. Many Wiccans write their own initiation rites.

The essence of Wicca, the beliefs and practices that are associated with Wicca, are readily available for anyone who can read. It's believed that the Goddess and the God accept all who choose to follow Their path, not simply the ones who have received group initiation, regardless of some practitioners may say.

For many, personal initiation is more appropriate. This type of initiation is the process of the individual's attunement with the divine, with the Goddess and the God. It can be gradual, taking years in some cases, or it can be immediate and spontaneous. Today, many groups will not perform a ritual initiation unless and until this personal initiation has occurred.

Recognizing Personal Initiation

The personal initiation may take place months or years before the individual finds a coven or teacher. This form of initiation is by far the most important. One can practice Wicca fully and joyfully without ever contacting another person involved in the religion. The form a personal initiation takes varies from person to person. But most people who have experienced this will say that they just knew when it had happened.

Many Wiccan will say that they knew when they had received this personal initiation when they found themselves and their personal energies beginning to ebb and flow with the natural world, when the ways of old had become a part of their life, and when their relationship with the Goddess and the God is strong and unquestioned. Some choose to mark this occasion with a ritual, others do not.

Many Wiccans are content with this personal initiation. Some wish to expand themselves as Wiccans further, and continue their search for a group or instructor. Another benefit of having this personal initiation occur first is that if you do find a coven or instructor, they will almost certainly find that you are ready for instruction.

It is usually recommended that eventually, all those wishing to study Wicca locate a group or instructor. Not necessarily for coven initiation, but having a group of like-minded individuals can give a much needed sense of community.

Ultimately, how each Wiccan approaches the idea of initiation is an individual decision. Some feel the need for a group initiation, and they should definitely pursue the idea. For those that do not feel the need, personal initiation is just as valid.

Traditions and Paths of Wicca

One of the benefits of Wicca, and one of its problems, is that there is no 'right way.' There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of different denominations of Wicca, usually referred to as traditions. In addition, even if one is a member of a tradition, there are usually variations on exactly how the individuals involved actually practice.

Traditions of Wicca

The term 'tradition' means that it is a practice handed down from person to person. In Wicca, it means a way of celebrating the Goddess and the God, a loose set of guidelines for ritual practices. Below is an attempt to categorize the various traditions, but keep in mind that this is hardly an extensive list. Instead, it only addresses the most common traditions.

The Alexandrian Tradition was founded by Alex Sanders in the 1960s; this tradition is mostly modified Gardnerian, and is fairly structured.

The Ashling Tradition is loosely based on Irish practices, but is easily adapted for other pantheons as well. There are elements of Ceremonial Magick, and much Celtic Witchcraft involved. This is one of the few traditions which employs a five-degree system, instead of the classical three-degree.

British Traditional Wicca is a mixture of Celtic and Gardnerian practices, based mostly on the teachings of the Farrar husband and wife team. This tradition has become fairly accessible in recent years.

Celtic Wicca is a mixture of Celtic and Druidic practices, with a little Gardnerian thrown in for good measure. Stressing the elements and nature, and a strong connection with the Ancient Ones, this tradition stresses a vast knowledge of plants and herbs, and a connection to the fairy realm.

Ceremonial Witchcraft is essentially Ceremonial Magick, with Wiccan beliefs and practices. Often, the magick used has a distinct Egyptian or Kabalistic flavor.

The Correllian Nativist Tradition is fairly structured. A blend of Celtic Wicca, Aradian Wicca, and Native American spiritual practices, Correllian Wicca is very suited to North American practice, though it is now found worldwide.

Eclectic Wicca isn't really a tradition at all, but rather refers to those people who learn from various traditions and apply what works best for them. This is by far the most common tradition in recent years.

The Gardnerian Tradition is what most people mean when they say 'traditional Wicca.' Organized by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s, Gardnerian Wicca adheres to very structured practices. Gardnerians are not very vocal about their practice, and Gardnerian Wicca is almost always an initiatory tradition.

Seax Wicca was founded by Raymond Buckland back in the 1970s. This is an interesting tradition, since Raymond Buckland created it without breaking his original Gardnerian oath. This tradition is very popular in Europe, and is gaining strength in North America. For the Wiccan who isn't sure about which path they'd like, this is a good place to start.

Other Common Terms and Their Relation to Wiccan Traditions

Family traditions, also called 'fam trads,' are actually quite rare in Wiccan communities. One can say that they practice a family tradition if they can trace the practice of Witchcraft through their family tree, in addition to being taught by a living relative. Channeling their spirit or otherwise contacting them once they've passed on does not "count."

There is some debate about how far back one must be able to trace the Craft, but usually two generations is enough. Sometimes, a family tradition will adopt an individual to carry on their tradition, but this is seldom done, and only if the individual is held in the highest esteem. The ceremony is intricate and important, and a symbol of the great respect the family in question has for the candidate.

The term ‘natural Witch’ has cropped up with increasing frequency in recent years. This fairly commonplace term is often misunderstood. Some people will say they were born with great gifts, and that makes them a natural Witch. This is not the case. It's believed that everyone is born with gifts, and some choose to use them. In reality, the term 'natural Witch' simply means that a woman was a practitioner of some type of magickal system (not necessarily Wicca) while she was pregnant with her child.

There is a school of thought that says these children have more of an inclination to follow a more magickal religion than others; there is not much evidence to support this. It certainly does not mean that these children are more 'powerful.'

There are, of course, many other traditions out there. Then there are those people who combine different traditions. Someone might be a Seax-Gardnerian, a Correllian-Alexandrian, or any number of combinations. Some Wiccans will even combine Wicca with other spiritual paths, such as Druidism, Asatru, or many other paths. Since Wicca is an inclusive tradition rather than an exclusive one.

A final note about traditions: there is no such thing as a Satanic Wiccan, since Wiccans do not believe in Satan.

Reincarnation and Rebirth in Wicca

Reincarnation is a very popular topic. There is a great deal of debate surrounding the concept of rebirth, and sometimes it seems as if the Western world has only just discovered the very idea of being reborn into another body. The study of reincarnation is one of the greatest lessons Wicca can teach. Thinking about reincarnation raises questions which require a great deal of study to answer.

Wiccan Beliefs on Reincarnation – Why Are Beings Reincarnated?

Wicca teaches that reincarnation is the process through which souls attain perfection. Most would agree that one lifetime is obviously not enough to attain this goal. Instead, it takes several lifetimes, each one teaching a different set of lessons, until perfection is attained.

No one can say for sure how long this process takes; it’s said to be different for each person. There are many factors that can pull people into behavior that will inhibit spiritual growth. Though one may seek to live a productive, full life, sometimes, it seems, life just gets in the way.

Souls are ageless, non-physical, and have no inherent gender. The gender, race, and even place of birth is determined only by which lessons the current incarnation will need to learn. It is important to understand that the soul itself makes this decision, not some outside force seeking to punish the previous incarnation. This is central to Wiccan theology, since it reinforces the idea of personal responsibility.

Wiccan Views on What Happens When a Person Dies

There are an array of Wiccan views surrounding death. It's believed that body is the only thing that dies; it's believed that the soul continues to live. Some say that the soul then journeys to a realm known as the Shining Land, the Land of Eternal Youth or the Summerland, among other names. This isn't heaven, or a version of the underworld. It exists outside this view, and is sometimes seen as co-existing with reality, but less dense, and far from the physical realm. Some Wiccan traditions state that this is a land of eternal summer, while others see it as a vague realm without forms at all.

The most popular belief is that this realm takes on the form that best allows the own souls to rest and review the life just past. It is during this rest that the lessons learned in that incarnation are evaluated. When the time is right, the soul will be reincarnated, and the cycle of life continues.

What Happens After the Last Incarnation?

The answer to the question of what occurs after the final incarnation is very elusive. Wiccan theology states that after souls have attained perfection, they break away from the cycle of reincarnation and rebirth. Instead, it's said that they return to the Goddess and the God, the energy of the soul reunited with Theirs forever. Nothing is ever lost, and so the souls are returned to where they originally began. Everything is viewed as a circle.

An acceptance of reincarnation and rebirth serves a very important function for Wiccans — it alleviates the fear of death. Death is simply one more part of the journey. Though it's important to note that no one should be forced to believe in reincarnation or any other religious notion. The idea of reincarnation should be studied, meditated upon and contemplated until it can be accepted as fact by the individual. It is not the way of Wicca to force the belief of any doctrine, but rather to enlighten, so that doctrine instead becomes fact for the practitioner.

The Altar and Its Place in Wiccan Ritual

One of the most important ritual items in Wiccan practice is the altar, upon which ritual tools are placed. The altar is a place of power, and it serves as a powerful focusing tool. It is also often the centre of Wiccan worship. It can either be set up permanently, or dismantled after each use.

The Appearance of the Wiccan Altar

The altar can be made of almost anything, though wood is preferred. Stone is also common, metal a little less so. In general, plastic is the only material that should absolutely be avoided for use as an altar.

The altar can be any shape. Round altars are common, as are square and rectangular altars. Many practitioners use actual tables, bought specifically for use as an altar. Others opt for something much simpler, like a cardboard box covered with a cloth. Many practitioners even construct their altars on the ground. There are not firm rules here.

The Tools on the Altar

The arrangement of the tools on the altar can follow a particular pattern, but many practitioners simply place the tools where they feel they belong. For those who follow a particular tradition, there is usually a prescribed set up. If not, then there are many altar set ups to choose from.

In Wicca, the left half of the altar is reserved for the Goddess, and often the chalice or cauldron will be found here, along with a bowl of water, and something representing the Goddess Herself. This could be a statue, or simply a candle, or maybe a seashell. A bell may be found in this position as well.

The right half of the altar represents the God. Here, incense is placed, along with the wand, athame, and other items like a feather or candle, which is usually red in color. Usually, either a God statue or a candle for the God would be found, but other items, like a pine cone, can work well.

The centre of the altar is considered neutral ground. Here, the pentacle often resides, since it is usually considered to be representative of both the Goddess and the God. Many practitioners also want a small vase of flowers, to bring an element of nature to the altar, particularly if it is indoors. When outdoors, nature is all around, and so it is not necessary to add flowers to the altar.

Virtually every Wiccan has a personal altar, though the precise appearance and form will vary. The altar, in addition to being a center of worship, provides a place for all necessary tools to rest. This places them within easy reach during spells and rituals.

The best Wiccan altars are a perfect union of form and function, combining beauty with a practical place to worship and honor the Goddess and the God.