Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com
Subject: Articles - (BOS section) Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 03:57:50 -0700 (PDT) From: Vitriol LondonTo: postmaster@sacred-texts.com Hi there, I thought you might be interested in the following articles for your Book of Shadows section on Sacred texts. Self Dedication explained Article by David Rankine & Sorita =================================================== For more information on the authors please visit - www.avalonia.co.uk or if you wish to contact them please write to: BM Avalonia, London, WC1N 3XX, United Kingdom. (Please include a SAE) © David Rankine & Sorita 2000 =================================================== Initiation is a process of "death and rebirth" - the old self dies, and the new and magickal self is born. A rite of self-dedication marks a serious commitment and dedication to the path, and should not be taken lightly. Having followed your path this far, you will have noticed subtle (or not so subtle) changes in your self, and you may wish to mark this, and affirm your commitment to the path with a self-dedication ritual. Initiation is a process which happens over time, and the rite itself will benefit from being preceded by a daily practice, building up in intensity as you approach the day of the rite, with the dedication rite being the culmination of this ritual practice. As the rite marks a rebirth, into your witch self or magickal self, you may wish to obtain a new magickal item or items for it. This could be a piece of ritual jewellery, such as a pentagram pendant, or amber and jet necklace (the traditional witches necklace), or a cord you wear around your waist. Some people choose to mark their dedications by having a tattoo in a magickal design, personal to themselves. It is also good to have a magickal weapon which you will consecrate at the end of the dedication rite. A ritual dagger, or athame is the general tool chosen. Self-dedication can be very empowering, and can produce a feeling of "walking on clouds", and it is very important to earth oneself afterwards, and then to have a rest from magickal work for a period of between a week and a month. Simple daily meditation may be practised during this period, but avoid intense magickal work. Time is needed to assimilate the experience, and the dedication process should be undertaken at a time when you do not have too much outside stress, and are able to take time for yourself. It should be stressed that self-dedication is not the same as initiation into a coven, and should you wish to join a coven at a later date, you would still have to go through a probationary period and coven initiation, if accepted.