Initiation
What is Initiation?
Do not assume the title of a witch lightly.
Some traditions believe that you can not be a witch unless you have been initiated by a high priest/ess. This is a little impractical as there just aren’t enough high priest/esses to train and initiate newcomers. Wicca is growing at a tremendous rate again and is even establishing itself into new countries and cultures.
If you feel entitled to call yourself a witch, then do so, unless you would prefer to mark this transition in your life by a ceremony within a coven. Being initiated within a coven is usual after successfully completing study and demonstrating the understanding of Wicca. It will often take 1 year and 1 day before initiation.
Being a solitary practitioner, it is often difficult to know when you will be ready to call yourself a witch. The best way is to read and practice what you read. Read 10 serious books about Wicca and/or mythology.
Some excellent books are:
- The Wicca Handbook by Eileen Holland
The Wicca Handbook is a tutorial for new witches and an excellent reference book. Includes the first steps to becoming a witch, explores Wiccan traditions, rituals and ceremonies and spell casting.
- Wicca – A Guide For The Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham
One of the most widely recommended books for anybody walking these paths. It is a positive introduction to Wicca and designed so that you can learn and practice alone. Other books by Scott Cunningham include Earth, Fire & Water, Earth Power, Magical Aromatherapy, Magical Herbalism and Living Wicca.
- The Earth Path by Starhawk
- The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
America’s favorite Witch shows how to tap into the forces of Mother Nature.
- The Witches’ Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar
Includes two books, Eight Sabbats for Witches and The Witches Way. Comprehensive and revealing work on the principles, rituals and beliefs of modern witchcraft. Janet and Stewart Farrar are well known and respected, currently residing in Ireland and regularly tour the US giving lectures and workshops.
Teach yourself and set a period of time and some tasks to do. Learn how to make incense or candles or even wands. Anything that you feel you need to know. Study herbalism is good practice. Always keep a diary and a notepad handy. When you feel you have learned enough are comfortable in calling yourself a “witch”, then do so. Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself “I am a witch!”
Some witches are born witches. Hereditary witches are raised in the family traditions.
Some people have a natural ability for magic. Some have natural psychic gifts. If you have always thought you were different to other people, maybe you should look at your family history. Maybe you are a natural witch by descent. If you suspect you are, you probably are.