Wicca Self Dedication Ritual

“We take spiritual initiation when we become conscious of the Divine within us, and thereby contact the Divine without us.”
– Dion Fortune

After a time of research and introspection, you may come to the point that you know that Wicca and Witchcraft is your spiritual home. This is usually a time when many seekers want something a little more binding than just a personal acknowledgment of this change. Here you’ve discovered all this potential, and it seems kind of anti-climatic just to say, “yep, I’m a Witch.” That is where the idea of self-dedication or initiation comes into play.

Spiritual Dedication & Initiation

Only you can know if you want to take the step forward into self-dedication or initiation. These are two slightly different concepts. Dedicating means committing yourself to a specific purpose with due diligence and resolve. Initiation, by comparison, implies admittance into a specific group (often by means of ritual).

Private Wiccan Initiation?

There is some disagreement in the Wiccan community as to whether a person can initiate themselves to a specific type of magical tradition. Because magical beliefs vary from group to group, each organization has guidelines about how long a novice studies, their roles in the coven, and exactly how initiation takes place within the group.

Some feel that personal training followed by public acknowledgment really “seals the deal.” Others feel that there are times when the Gods themselves ordain a person to a specific path. The experience that produces this awareness is usually pretty earth-shattering. Some report intensely vivid dreams or astral travel. Others become Walkers between Realities and find themselves face-to-face with indescribable power.

If we think of some of the ancient seers, teachers and wise people – this is how many came into their practices. Others learned at the feet of their family shaman and carried that knowledge forward (no initiation required!).

One solution to this quandary is contacting a member of a well-respected coven who practices the tradition to which you feel called. Tell them your experience and see where the conversation takes you.

Solitary Dedication

Among Solitary Witches, self-dedication is far more common than self-initiation. This observance marks a line in your life where you make a promise to yourself and the Universe. Exactly what oaths you choose are pretty personal, but they should include something about giving time, attention and energy to your craft on a regular basis. You can enact a self-dedication alone or share the moment with a friend who understands your goals.

Needless to say, this should be a well-considered moment in your Magickal life. This is a “bare bones” sample ritual meant for fine-tuning, so it suits your vision and beliefs.

Personal Preparation and Creating the Sacred Space

You don’t just jump into a life-changing situation without a little planning and personal preparation. Getting ready for a Self-Dedication has 5 basic steps:

Take some time every day over a week and think about why you’re making this step.
Ask yourself: What does Magick mean to you? Why have you chosen Wicca as your spiritual path? The “whys” of your faith are more important than the “hows.”
On the day of the Dedication, take a ritual bath. This cleanses and balances your aura. Add one handful of Epsom salts to the bath water (purification) along with perhaps yellow rose petals (self-love) and lavender (for peace of mind and purpose).
Dress in something special afterward. Whatever puts you in the right mind for a spiritual effort.
Set up your altar and sacred space with 6 candles – one for each element (red, blue, green, yellow), one for the Universe/Divine (white) and one that represents you.

Invocation

As part of learning to trust yourself, you may want to seriously consider writing your own invocation for such a personal ritual. However, here’s one that you can adapt or use as a prototype. Light your candle first, then move to the East, lighting that candle while reciting that Quarter’s invitation to join and help you. Proceed around the space clockwise.

To the East/Air: Come to me, winds of change, come with the breath of life and Magick.
To the South/Fire: Come to me fires of transformation, come with the light of understanding and Magick.
To the West/Water: Come to me waves of inspiration, come with the waters of creativity and Magick.
To the North/Earth: Come to me earthen foundations, come with the rich soil of growth and Magick.
To the Center: Come, Ancient Ones. Come God/dess. Please witness my dedication as I take my first step today on the path of Magick.

Self Dedication – Meditation/Visualization

Once your sacred space is set, meditation and visualization help separate us from worldly thoughts. If you find that meditation is difficult for you, try other ways of helping to shift your awareness toward Magickal working (such as chanting, drumming, singing or dancing).

Self Dedication Mediation Process

Make yourself comfortable.
Breathe deeply and evenly.
Let go of any thoughts other than those about your dedication.
Close your eyes and see yourself in your mind’s eye even as you sit right now.
Notice how the edges of your body glow slightly. That’s your aura (your personal spiritual atmosphere).
Focus on your aura and let the light continue growing outward until it fills the area in which you’re doing your Magick. This not only protects you but brings more personal energy into this rite

You may notice the room feels slightly warmer or you get tingly; that means you’re doing it right.

Once you’ve got the visualization to the point where your aura is clear, vibrant, and extended, move on to other activities.

Self Dedication Ritual – Other Activities

If you choose a specific God or Goddess as part of your practices, now is a good time to pray and open yourself to that Divine energy. Take time to really commune and start the relationship building process. Speak the words on your heart and listen closely.

For those who do not have a specified Deity, you can move on to a letter of introduction (of sorts) to the Four Corners of Creation. As with the invocation, direct your words to each Quarter and then to the center point. Be honest and real, remembering that the commitment you’re making is not only to Self but to the Spirit in all things.

Self Dedication Ritual – Promises to the Four Quarters

Here’s a sample:

To the East/Air: Come to me, winds of change, come with the breath of life and Magick.
To the South/Fire: Come to me fires of transformation, come with the light of understanding and Magick.
To the West/Water: Come to me waves of inspiration, come with the waters of creativity and Magick.
To the North/Earth: Come to me earthen foundations, come with the rich soil of growth and Magick.
To the Center: Come, Ancient Ones, Masters and Guides. Come God/dess. Please witness my dedication as I take my first step today on the path of Magick.

Dedicating & Blessing Magical Tools

After the dedication, this is an excellent time to cleanse and bless your Magickal tools if you have not done so already. For cleansing, use some type of incense smoke (like cedar) or a sprinkling of lemon water. For blessing, you can simply place your hands palms down over each tool and ask the Divine to help you in learning to use that implement effectively.

To understand the importance of this extra step, think about a piano. It plays beautifully until it gets out of tune. Well, our tools can get out of tune too – just from regular handling and the energy within the space of your home. Dedicating a tool marks it for a specific intention. Blessing brings it back into harmony with your intentions.

Closing the Circle – Self Dedication

Opening a circle brings to bear all the sacred energies. Closing one thanks them for their time, releases those energies, and provides you with a sense of completion. It need not be overly complex. Here’s a suitable example for this ritual:

Earth, Air, Fire, Sea
Thank you for sharing this day with me
Now that Magick’s growing in my heart
Merry meet, and merry part.
Farewell.

Now is a good time to make notes about the way the ritual felt and anything special that happened during it in your Book of Shadows so you can look back on it again in the years ahead.

How To Become A Witch