Initiation into Wicca   

First one becomes a witch by self or group dedication after a period of study into the ways of Paganism and how important this is for you personally?

But people become Wiccan’s only by Initiation, which is a process of contacting and forming a good relationship with the Gods and Goddesses of Wicca. Initiation is preceded by at least a year and a day of preparation and study, and must be performed by a qualified Wiccan High Priestess and High Priest. ROBES ARE WORN NORMALLY. The central event of Initiation is between you and your Gods, but the High Priest/ess are necessary to make the Initiation a Wiccan one, to pass some of their power onto you as a new-made Priestess or Priest and most importantly to connect you to the Wiccan Tradition you're joining.

Women hold the central place in Wicca. A Traditional Coven is normally headed by a High Priestess, a Third Degree Witch with at least three years and three days of specific training. Women are primary in Wicca for many reasons, one of which is that the Goddess is central to our religion. Covens are degreed, incorporating 3 degrees of learning to aim for (if desired).  The year and a day rule applies in most case's (but this may be flexible depending on each individual case.) After the first year and a day if the student is ready they may take their first degree in front of the whole coven. Members are awarded degrees when elders agree they are ready.  The award is for level of study and not necessarily Magick competence. Verbal test on degree material qualifies one for degree consideration.

One becomes a High Priest/ess only after the second degree has been taken, below is part of that initiation Rite:

Initiation to the second degree " Great Oath "

"I swear upon my mother's womb and by my honor among men and my brothers and sisters of the art, that I will never reveal to any at all any of the secrets of the Art, except it be to a worthy person, properly prepared, in the centre of a circle, such as I am now in. This I swear by my hopes of salvation, my past lives and my hope of future ones to come, and I devote myself to utter destruction if I break my solemn oath."

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A 3rd degree exists, and the initiation to this may include a sex Rite. Some covens say they consider this level unnecessary and do not use it. In others that do, according to Justine Glass, the Rite "must be carried out only by two people who love one another." The perfect situation is for both people to be a couple who will at some stage form a new coven. To misuse the Rite is rated a sin which could carry the death penalty in the world and oblivion in the next." From other accounts, however, it would seem that the word "love" is interpreted freely.

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Covens assembly on a Saturday evening normally to celebrate the Sabbat/Esbats or New Moon? In addition to these weekly gatherings, most covens meet for the eight Sabbats during the year. The four lesser Sabbats are held on the days that mark the four seasonal changes ( Solstices ). The four Great Sabbats Halloween/Candlemass/May Eve/Lammas. In ideal circumstances a coven would meet outdoors, but indoors is more normal. Sabbat Rituals are secret of course, but made up of four parts followed by a symbolic meal and chat. First comes the blessing of the coven; then the Ritual dance; then the initiation of new members if any; finally the invocations and requests to the Goddess. The main purpose of being a witch is: In return for worship of the Goddess the participants hope for supernatural aid for cures of illness or may be, help with a project?

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