INITIATION
INITIATION
The why's and wherefores, and the benefits it brings
There are three possible components to any initiation-
Within the BTW tradition all three of these possibilities are present. Within newer, eclectic traditions or groups also they are all present, and for Solitary Witches or those initiated by self-initiates, just the third- Initiation as a Witch is possible.
Initiation into a Coven provides a test for new candidates, a barrier they must pass and therefore demonstrate their willingness to learn and grow, and which also precipitates a new sense of being within the candidate, and which then helps to bring them into alignment with the Coven as a group of people, and as a collective group mind.
Initiation into a specific tradition such as Alexandrian/Gardnerian, makes the individual into a member of a far larger family of Witches united through that commonly held tradition, and who is then accepted as a 'family member' within that tradition and its circles wherever they are in the world.
Initiation as a Witch is rather different:
All Wiccan rituals, ceremonies and festival celebrations are Outer plane activities designed to activate Inner plane resonance's.
Let me explain:-
Witchcraft works around a general principle that there are two planes or levels of 'reality'. There is the Outer plane/level where we physically act within the world, and there is the Inner plane/level through which magick works. All our rituals and ceremonies are specifically designed to cause a resonance on the Inner Planes which then works back into the outer planes to manifestation.
The major point of initiation in regard to this is that those who are Initiated are then 'plugged in' to Inner plane powers and resonance's that already exist so that they can work with that from the very beginning and while they are developing their own Inner plane contacts and power connections.
If this Initiation occurs within an ongoing tradition it is akin to providing the new Initiate with a well trodden path through the Inner planes to connect with power- a path that is clearly marked and can therefore be more easily followed. If someone uses a rite of self-initiation, or is initiated by someone who was themselves self-initiated outside of a Tradition, then the new Initiate has the task of creating their own paths through and connections into the Inner Planes.
Which is not impossible, and many Solitary Witches make very effective Inner Plane connections, and forge powerful Inner Plane contacts, but quite simply within this I would say to anyone who walks the path of Witchcraft- Why "re-invent the wheel" if you don't have to?
Self-initiation, or initiation by another self-initiate or someone who doesn't work within an established Tradition, will take you to the door- but it won't always open it for you, and you will generally be on your own and unsupported when you first step through it. Initiation into an established, ongoing Tradition will take you to the door, provide you with the key, and support you when you step through it.
From this article you should clearly see the benefits of Initiations of all kinds and at all levels.
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