INITIATIONS AND COVENS
Initiations and Covens
Another week passes us by and as I sit here typing I wonder where it went!
First off, Kiddy pops is roaring around brilliantly after his upsets of last week, so that is great. He has become a little more snuggly and now prefers to sleep with his paw touching my hand during the night. So cute!
Yesterday we had two Witches who celebrated their second degree initiation after their training of another year and a day. We held this up at Hemlock House, the circle itself was made of oak, birch and hazel branches, altars were set up by each of the Witches symbolising their personal tastes along with symbols of the God and Goddess, their animal totems and the standard altar tools. Flowers were also placed on the altars along with other tokens of their dedication to the old ways.
An Initiation takes place after a year and a day’s training and learning in a Coven. After that time or sometimes longer, the student or Dedicant are given the choice as to whether we wish to carry on and of course this depends on how their training has gone throughout the time, how they work with others, are they responsible for their actions and most importantly do they work within the Witches Rede. There is a lot to consider and it should not be taken lightly. It is indeed a decision that is not to be made with a half heart. It is another step in the path of Witchcraft and of the old ways. They must also choose of your own free will to cross the threshold and further their studies and not be led through without understanding their commitment.
Covens
Just a note about Covens…
There are many Covens in and around the world. Many of these Covens do not include outsiders, their covens are based on family only, so to get into one of these, the Witch usually has to be married in, for all the right reasons of course. Some Covens are assessable online while others are practiced physically where one meets regularly at a given place and time.
Although some Covens advertise in spiritual and witchy magazines or notice boards for new coveners welcome, one is usually invited through ‘word and mouth,’ perhaps from a friend or a work colleague who already is in one. If you are wanting to join a coven, talk to people who are like minded, do some research and make sure you use your intuition when choosing a coven to join or even attending as a first meeting. Unfortunately not all covens are what they seem and/or on the same path as you. So I do mean it when I say, use you intuition!
If you do happen upon a coven that feels right for you, and a first meeting is set up so they can talk with you and vice versa, have a list of questions ready for them. If a coven has nothing to hide, and they have invited you in, then no questions should be left unanswered or side stepped. You should not go away feeling confused, uncomfortable or vulnerable.
Some covens may take you straight in and you will train and join in as you go attending both Esbats and Sabbats as well as all their meets. However some have a guideline that they follow with attendance for the new student only during Sabbats and certain other meets where they will be trained by another coven member in the arts of spells, herbs and traditions.
It may also depend on how many there are in the Coven. A smaller one will not have the resources to teach you solely so you may be thrown in at the deep end with ones who have been attending for years. If you would like more information regarding this you can contact us: info@wycksted.co.nz
Anointing Oil
A general all-purpose anointing oil. Add to 10mls of sweet Almond or Jojoba oils the following Essential oils. Ensure the oils are 100% pure and not those fragrant nasties!
1 drop lemon for the Goddess
1 drop orange for the God
1 drop lavender for blessings
3 drops frankincense for spirituality
3 drops sandalwood for protection and purification
Place on the lid and gently swirl oils to combine, then place away until needed. Use to anoint all candles and magickal objects on the altar as well as the body.
Celebration Cookies
is a standard recipe of cookies we use for offering to the God and Goddess as well as ourselves after any initiations, celebrations, spell crafting, circle casting and general witchery.
125g butter
1/2 c sugar
1 c flour
1/2 c cornflour
1/4 c coconut
1 tsp lemon rind
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Sift in flours and mix together. Stir in lemon rind and coconut, knead the dough until it comes together then place in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Take the dough out of the fridge and gently knead, don't worry if it is crumbly, it will come together. Roll the dough out to a ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured board. Cut into shapes such as rounds and crescents for moons or witches hats and so on. Place on a baking tray and refrigerate for another 30 minutes.
Bake cookies at 180˚C for approximately 12-15 minutes or until golden, depending on the cookie size. Leave to cool, these cookies can also be iced with symbols if you choose.