Initiation Ritual

Purpose of This Initiation Ritual

This initiation ritual is meant as a means for you to express your intent to be a part of the Lunar Order of Gaia.  The ritual is based on the Self Dedication ritual from Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft.  

Though it is written for a group you can perform this ritual individually by putting yourself in the role of priestess/priest.

Preparation

This initiation ritual should be performed during the waxing of the moon as close to the full moon as possible, but not at the full moon.

Altar Tools and Supplies

  • Six colored candles
    • Green for North
    • Yellow for East
    • Red for South
    • Blue for West
    • Black and White for the Altar
  • Incense Burner capable of holding a charcoal tablet
    This can be made of brass, shell, or even wood.  If you use something that could catch fire you can place a pile of sand or salt where the charcoal will sit to prevent too much heat transfer.
  • One dish of salt
  • One dish of water
  • Figurine depicting the form of Gaia, Earth, or some other symbolism that will help you visualize your connection to Gaia
  • Goblet with wine, or non-alcoholic beverage of choice
  • Anointing Oil (recipe will be available soon)
  • Incense sticks
    The number of sticks should equal the number of participants in the ritual

Initiate Tools and Supplies

  • Robe
    This should be loosely fitting but not so much that you are swimming in it and can be either store-bought or hand-made.  Preferably this robe will be a solid color of white but minimal patterns are also acceptable as long as they have significance to Gaia and the Earth.
  • Athame
    This is a ritual knife with a black handle and a double-edged blade.
  • Wand
  • Goblet
    This should preferably be made of metal but ceramic or glass can be used
  • Offering Bowl
    Made from metal, ceramic, or wood

Altar and Circle Setup

Preferably you will be able to perform this ritual outside in a place with a lot of privacy.  As this ritual does use candles, fire safety is an absolute must so please bring a fire extinguisher or have buckets of sand and water at the ready.  Another way to be safe would be to perform the ritual at a beach, river, or quarry.

Start by laying out a circle using fallen leaves and other natural items in the area.  Be careful to not disturb natural habitats and never take limbs from a living tree or plant for your circle.  If there is not enough material around then drawing a circle in the dirt or sand is also sufficient.  The circle should be large enough to contain yourself, all participants, the altar, and tools.

Place your altar at the center of the circle with all of the altar tools set so all attendees will be facing east. 

The four directional candles are to be placed at their cardinal points.  If it is safe they can be placed on the ground, otherwise, they should be placed in the proper location on the altar.  The black and white altar candles should be placed in their holders in the center of the altar, use your intuition to determine which should be to the right or left.

Personal Preperation for Initiation

Before starting the initiation ritual all participants must first prepare themselves both physically and mentally. 

Start by cleansing your physical body.  If you are near a stream you can use that water for your physical cleansing but be sure to not use any soaps or other items that could cause damage to anything living in the water.  Otherwise, be sure to have water and a washcloth on hand so you can clean your body before entering the circle.

Cleanse Your Physical Body

Start by cleansing your physical body.  If you are near a stream you can use that water for your physical cleansing but be sure to not use any soaps or other items that could cause damage to anything living in the water.  Otherwise, be sure to have water and a washcloth on hand so you can clean your body before entering the circle.

Be sure to perform any other bodily functions prior to moving forward.  Once the circle is closed it can be opened to allow someone through but this is a great disruption and should be avoided when possible.

Cleanse Your Mind and Spirit

With your physical body ready, now we must prepare the mind and spirit.  Take a few moments to meditate on the ritual you are about to perform and what it means to you.  Focus on Gaia and your love for her and your willingness to use your energy to protect and preserve her and all living beings.

During this meditation do not suppress any emotional outbursts or needs to expound in any way.  This is your physical body’s way of assisting with your spiritual cleansing and it is totally normal, even as odd as some of the sounds you may make are to you.

Let's Begin the Initiation Ritual

Again, if you are performing this ritual by yourself you can put yourself in the place of the Priestess and ignore parts that address people who would not be there.

Entering and Closing the Circle

All attendees enter the circle led by the Priestess and make one circle around the Altar deosil.  As the Priestess takes her place at the Altar the others take places behind her and kneel or sit as they are able, be sure that you are comfortable as shifting around can cause disruption to the energies that are about to be worked.

The Priestess will lead the group in a meditation to help keep everyone’s minds cleared and prepare for the initiation ritual.

The Priestess now walks the circle deosil with their projection finger pointed down and letting energy flow to the circle.  When she returns to the Altar, each attendee will do the same one at a time in turn.

When all have finished their projection to the circle the Priestess will light the Altar candles and incense.  Taking the white Altar candle she will light the other candles in the order of East, South, West, and North then walk back to the East facing the front of the Altar and replace the Altar candle in its holder.

The Priestess will now announce to the attendees and all spiritual beings that the Circle is now closed and that no mortal shall break it until the ritual is complete.

Erecting the Temple

The Priestess then takes a scoop of salt from the Altar container and places it in her bowl.  She then places the forefinger of her projection hand into the salt and while directing energy to the salt says:

Salt is the symbol of Earth and purity.  Let this salt be pure and thus purify my life as I use it in this rite dedicated to Gaia in whom I believe.

The Priestess adds a scoop of water to the bowl and stirs the water three times around deosil while saying:

Let the sacred salt purify this water so that together they may be used in the service of Gaia

The Priestess takes her bowl to the Eastern border of the Circle and walking deosil sprinkles water on the line of the Circle.

Upon returning to the Altar the bowl is replaced in its position and one incense stick is retrieved.  Making another deosil circuit around the circle the Priestess will cast smoke from her incense towards the border of the Circle.  Upon completion of a circuit she will return to the Altar and say:

The Sacred Circle is about me.
I am here of my own free will and accord, in peace, love, and harmony.

The Priestess then dips her projection hand forefinger in the salted water and marks a cross in a circle at the third eye and a pentagram over her heart and says:

Blessed Gaia I ask that you witness this rite that I hold in your honor

The Priestess holds her projection hand with finger pointing up in a high salute and says:

Blessed Lady Gaia, Mother and creator of all life,
I ask that you guard an guide me within this Circle and without it, in all things.

So mote it be.

The Priestess then kisses her hand to Gaia, takes up the goblet, and spills a little of the wine on the ground as an offering while saying:

The Blessed Lady Gaia

She then takes a small drink of the wine and replaces the goblet on the Altar saying:

Now is the temple erected.
I shall not leave it but with good reason.

So be it.

Now she sits or kneels before the Altar, head bowed and meditates on Gaia, the Earth, and the personal meaning of them.

Dedication of Self to Gaia and Initiation to the Lunar Order of Gaia

The Priestess stands with both hands lifted high above the Altar and says:

Blessed Gaia her me now!
I am here, a simple Pagan holding thee in honor.
Far have I journeyed and long have I searched,
seeking that which I desire above all things.
I am of the trees and fields.
I am of the woods and springs;
the streams and the hills.
I am of thee and thee of me.

She lowers her arms and says:

I beseech you, Gaia, that you grant me that which I desire.
Permit me to worship the Gods, Goddesses, and all that they represent.
Make of me a lover of life in all things.
Well do I know the creed:

If I do not have the spark of love within me,
never will I find it without me.
Love is the law,
Love is the bond.
All this I honor above aught else.

She then kisses her projection hand and holding it high says:

Blessed Gaia, here do I stand before you to dedicate myself to thine honor.
Ever will I protect you and that which is yours.
Let none speak ill of you, forever will I defend you.
You are my life and I am yours, from this day forth.
I accept and will ever abide by the Wiccan Rede:

‘An it harm none, do what thou will’

So be it.

She now takes up the goblet and slowly pours the remainder of the wine on the ground saying:

As this wine drains from the goblet, so let the blood drain from my body should I ever do aught to harm the gods and goddesses, or those in kinship with their love.

So mote it be!

After dipping her forefinger on the projection hand in the anointing oil, she makes the sign of the cross in a circle over the third eye, and a pentagram over her heart.  Then she also touches the oil to her genitals, right nipple, left nipple, and genitals again (this forms the Sacred Triangle symbolizing the drawing of power up from the root of that power).  Then she says:

As a sign of my rebirth I take unto myself a new name.
Henceforth I shall be known as
(State your new name)
for my life within the Craft.

So Mote it be!

The Priestess will now lead each attendee through the dedication she just performed, initiating them into the Lunar Order of Gaia.

Ending Meditation and Closing of the Temple

All in attendance sit with eyes closed and meditate on the initiation they just took part in, what Gaia means to them, and how they can use the Craft to benefit her and all life.
When finished take a moment to release any feelings and emotions by singing, dancing, or other celebration.

When finished all stand and raise both hands high and say:

Blessed Gaia, thanks be to you and the other gods and goddesses for your attendance.
As I come here in love of them, I now go my way.
Love is the law, and love is the bond.
So be it!
The temple is now closed.

All in attendance of the initiation ritual should say fond farewells to each other. 

The Priestess will extinguish the candles and put the Altar tools away.

As this initiation rite can take some time and the energies worked will be exhausting it is always recommended to have a small feast afterward.  This also allows those in attendance to share their own experiences of the night and get to know each other better.