Initiation anybody?

[Anonymous]

I was just wondering, what are your beliefs regarding initiation?

Thanks,
Twistedfeather

[RedRonin]

For the most part, it's over-emphasized.

Being initiated into a group has meaning to the individuals of said group.  Say Joey gets initiated into the Alabaster Aster Coven of Northeastern South Dakota.....Western Branch.  They have a very extensive curriculum and strict requirements as to membership and degrees.

Now say Joey moves to Bumfuzzle, Missouri where they've never heard of the Alabaster Aster Coven, much less any of their regional subsidiaries.  Joey's initiation into the AACNSD...WB doesn't mean jack to the people in Bumfuzzle.  They have their own ideas and ways of doing things.  

The importance is relative to where you are and who you're with at any given moment.

[Zenon]

The importance is relative to where you are and who you're with at any given moment.

Yes.  For some people it means they've done a lot of work and so they receive a sort of recognition by being initiated into degrees.  For others it's simply being admitted into a group.  For some it means power (over others).  However if the initiation doesn't mean anything to the person next to you, then it simply doesn't mean anything... except what you believe yourself.

[RedRonin]

For some people it means they've done a lot of work and so they receive a sort of recognition by being initiated into degrees

AND................. simply walking around saying oneself is initiated in and of itself can mean a lot or mean nothing.

I've studied my martial arts system for over 30 years.  I come across black belts, masters, supreme masters, supreme grandmaster, sokes, shidoshis, sifus and so on and so forth that couldn't stand long against one of my green belts in terms of technique, balance or endurance.

Are their titles legitimate?  Were they conferred on these individuals by someone of respectable lineage and training or did they see a neat name they liked in a bad movie and adopt the handle for themselves?  Are they otherwise serious students that have had the misfortune of getting scammed by some miscreant that is interested in the money rather than putting out quality instruction?

Initiated?  By whom?  Who instructed them?  Who instructed their instructor's instructor?  Is the coven recognized by anyone but themselves?  Are they willing and able to provide some verification of their claims?  Legit questions that any legit person would not hesitate to answer.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everything thats been said here so far.    
I was initiated into a coven here in England about 12 years ago, everyones has moved to different areas and no one bothered to stay in touch with anyone else.....strange.    However, I have been practising and learning on my own for 10 years and I'm happier this way.

I feel that your beliefs and intentions are vastly more important than whether or not you have been initiated.  

With every religion or belief system it is more important what you feel inside than whether or not you attend church on Sundays, the Mosque each day or follow to the letter every ritual and Sabbat celebration.
The Christian who attends church and / or preaches the Bible to anyone and everyone and yet beats their children, has an affair with their neighbours wife etc etc does not live their religion on the inside.        In the same way, saying you have been initiated, and attending every meeting and celebration doesn't make you a witch.

[Sewa Yoleme]

In the same way, saying you have been initiated, and attending every meeting and celebration doesn't make you a witch.

As the old saying goes, "Just because there's a mouse in the cookie jar, it doesn't make him a cookie!"

.:. Sewa Yoleme

[Anonymous]

I like Ellen Cannon Reed's philosophy on initiation.  She said that there are two types of initiation: spirit Initiation (big I), and group initiation (little i).  "Big I" Initiation is typically more of a process, rather than a single event or ritual.  It can take years to complete, and it is truly life changing in every sense of the word.  The Initiatory process begins at the point when the individual first becomes aware of the Mysteries, and then follows with a series of Ordeals.  It's certainly not an easy road, but after going through these Ordeals, you emerge a changed person, and your attitude, worldview, actions, heart and soul all reflect that inner change. I  think it's important for every serious Witch to go through the spiritual transformation of Initiation.  As they say, it separates the Witches from the wannabes.

"Little i" initiation occurs when an individual has completed the requirements for joining a group, and is formally inducted into that group.  It's assumed that the individual has had the above Initiation, but it's not always so.

In my opinion, "big I" Initiations make one a witch, while "little i" initiations make one a member of a particular group, like Wicca.

[Anonymous]

i like the previous definition.when i say i am self initiated, i mean with a big I.the God's initiated me into this Path.i have not yet been accepted into a wiccan community (largely cuz i can't find one) so im still awaiting my initiation with a little i.