Preparing for a First Initiation*
(*Written late 1991, in an isolated area where there was not a strong existing Pagan network.)
You should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of relevant lore, basic magical proficiency, and a basic ability to minister to those who may call upon you as a priest(ess). The following questions are divided into those categories.
Basic, factual knowledge is gained primarily through listening to those who possess it, critically reading what others have written, and through firsthand experience and experimentation.
What kinds of things have you learned from people you’ve met?
How have you learned from people who have seemed to know less, not more,
than yourself?
How are you able to “read between the lines” and learn from observation
as well as from words?
Which books that you’ve read would you recommend to a person who
approached you for information about your religion?
Which books have you found that seemed to be “a bunch of bunk?” Why did
you form that opinion of them?
Who are your favorite Pagan authors? Describe them.
Have you reached understandings, through meditation, consideration, or
simple insight that you feel merit sharing with others?
What are your favored methods for meditation?
Briefly describe your experiences learning to perform contact rituals.
Are you confident in your ability to communicate in this fashion?
What lessons have you learned from your mistakes?
What is your favored method of divination?
* * *
At this point, you should have an understanding of the general mythologies of several different cultures, and of the people that were associated with them. You should know several deities personally, and feel comfortable working with them. You should understand the basic problems we face today as human beings. You should have personal insight into ethics, and be applying your understanding as a guide to your behavior.
Describe the general indigenous mythical approach, and the indigenous cultural structure, of the following regions: (no need for elaborate history, just generality): Celtic Europe, Scandinavia, Teutonc Europe, Pagan Rome, Greece, Egypt, Persia, Northern Asia, China, Japan, Nigeria (Yoruba), Polynesia, Australia, (any 3 regions of Native North America), Aztec Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula, Andes (Inca).
Which deities have you approached through contact rituals?
What did you learn from each experience?
What were you told by each of these, that you had not heard elsewhere?
Which deities are you most comfortable working with?
Do you feel drawn to become a priest(ess) of any single deity?
Elaborate.
Very briefly, offer your thoughts on each of the following current
social facts:
--the biases of our politico-economic system, and of alternatives to it
--the “Third World”...hunger, overpopulation, poverty, medicine,
international corporations
--threats to our environment, worldwide and local
--problems specific to urban areas
--Who are the poor in the United States? What factors contribute to
poverty? What are its effects?
--racial and ethnic inequality
--gender inequality
--age...options and customs regarding children and the elderly
--sexual orientation
--families, strength and structure
--education, including relation to a corporate society and socioeconomic
status
--health and health care delivery, including factors relating to race,
gender, ability to pay, and legal ramifications
--work, including working conditions, unions, discrimination, demography
--crime, including who defines it, and biases in the current system
--mental disorder, including how it is defined and how it is regarded
--drug abuse, including legal drugs, and the economic and psychological
pressures to sell or use them.
Summarize your personal code of ethics.
What specific behaviors evidence this code in your life?
Might your ethics ever conflict with what is legal? Explain. If so,
how would you handle this conflict?
What oaths are you willing to take at your intitiation to continue to
live up to your personal ethical standards?
Consider several situations that require ethical decision-making, and
describe your proposed responses to these. (Your teacher may suggest
these situations.)
What do you feel is the most difficult thing you have ever done because
your ethics required it?
Describe the significance, to you, of each of the major Wiccan Sabbats.
What symbolic actions associated with them are most meaningful to you?
Describe the significance, to you, of the lunar phases. How do you
acknowledge them in your own life?
Describe the intent behind each major Rite of Passage.
How can you structure a ritual to make it psychologically powerful?
What is the importance of tools in your practice?
Offer a quick response appropriate for the person who asks, “What is
‘Wicca,’ anyway?”
Describe at least three other religions or magical systems that
unknowledgeable people might confuse or associate with Wicca.
What
distinguishes them?
How do you tell who is “really” Wiccan?
How do Wiccans organize themselves?
Do Wiccans worship nature?
Why do Wiccans say they have no belief in Satan, when many also say they
recognize the gods of most other cultures?
How does Wicca grow, if it’ s not evangelistic?
How does a person become Wiccan?
Describe three Wiccan traditions, other than your own.
What important questions have been omitted from this consideration of lore and “mundane” learning?
You should, at this time, feel reasonably competent at divination, healing, and defense. You will be asked to demonstrate competence in these areas.
What do you do before performing any magic?
What resources do you draw on to perform magic?
Describe several methods of divination.
What factors can influence divination that might mislead your interpretation?
Describe a specific experience you have had in healing.
How would you suggest to a friend that she ward her home? Her car? Her
person?
How would you handle a psychic attack, if it were to occur?
Although a first-degree intiate is not expected to be fully competent as a minister, it is quite likely that you will at some time find yourself called upon to assist someone in need. Part of your responsibility as a priest(ess), to care for the world around you, involves caring for those people who are a part of that world.
At this stage, it is perhaps most important that you know when to call in someone more qualified.
Describe the facilities available in your area to assist those in need,
and what the requirements are to obtain their services.
What local counselors do you trust?
Name ten different ways in which a person might be in need when s/he
approaches you, and name an appropriate referral for each need.
It is also important that you attend to your own needs, as well.
How can you recognize when you are in danger of becoming a crutch,
rather than a healer?
What resources do you have available to fulfill your own needs?
What do you need mentally? spiritually? emotionally? physically?
How can you avoid draining your own resources when helping others?
What is meant by “empathic listening”? How is it different from other
forms of listening?
Describe the importance of word choice when functioning as a minister.
Describe the warning signs of several different crisis situations,
including potential suicide.
If someone confides that s/he is considering suicide, how should you
proceed?
What will you do, if you are told information after promising to keep it in confidence, but then realize that *not* revealing this information will directly and certainly cause harm?
OK . . . if you’re comfortable answering all of these questions, you should have no problems answering those questions that will be put to you before your initiation. If you can also demonstrate proficiency performing a simple ritual, and performing the magical skills mentioned previously, you’re all set. Relax, now, and be confident. Cleanse yourself, and begin to prepare for the exciting times ahead! Most of all, know that you’ve come this far, and I’m still helping you out-- I’M PROUD OF YOU!
May the blessing of Rhiannon and all the gods be upon you in your coming trials.
Weavre
1991