Note: Read the entire initiation ritual through and become familiar with it before you perform it. Make sure you have gathered all of the required items; the oil, and candles, and such, and that you feel prepared to step across the threshold of this mundane world.

Items needed:
1. Loose fitting robe
2. Silver pendent, usually a pentacle
3. White pillar initiation candle
4. Witches’ oil
5. Incense
The time has come, the day is here, to cement your devotion and commitment to the path of witch. You will have prepared the area of your sacred space for this ritual the day before, not only cleansing it mundanely, but reiving it of negative energy. You will decorate the altar and this space with those flowers, herbs, stones, statuary, and articles that ring with your vibrations and your personal inspirations.
The morning of your special day you will bathe with intent, cleansing not only your body, but your mind and your spirit as well; paving the way for purity of intent and application of personal power.
You will wear a long loose robe, one that can be easily shifted aside to expose those areas of the body to be anointed; or you will perform this ritual skyclad (naked). You will have purchased a silver pendent necklace as a symbol of your new position in life. This pendent may be a pentacle, or it may be a symbol that resonates more closely with your own energy.
When you have bathed and dressed yourself, and after you have taken some time to ground and center yourself, you will begin.
  • 1. Cast your circle.
  • 2. Call the Quarters.
  • 3. Light the tall white pillar candle upon your altar. This candle is representative of the Goddess, often called ‘The Mother Candle’. Light your incense as well, representing the God. Your initiation pendent will lay upon the altar until you’re ready for it.
  • 4. Light the special candle that you’ve chosen as your initiation candle, saying:
“I, (name), have entered this circle in perfect love and perfect trust. I am ready to commit myself to the way of witch. I place myself now before the altar of the Goddess and the God, before the altar of the Ancient Ones, before the altar of the Powers that Be.”
  • 5. Stand before the altar now and prepare to anoint yourself. Taking the bottle of oil from the altar, put some oil on your fingers and touch them to the tops of your feet, saying:
“Bless these feet,
created to walk the way of witch.”
  • Apply the oil to your knees, saying:
“Bless these knees,
created to kneel before the altar of the Goddess.”
  • Apply the oil to your genitals, saying:
“Bless this womb, the gateway to life.”
(Note: If the initiate is a male, say:
“Bless this phallus,
Creator of life.”)
  • Apply the oil to your breasts, saying:
“Bless these breasts and the heart beneath,
that my motives be pure
and my will be strong.”
  • Touch the oil to your forehead, tracing a pentagram upon it, and set the bottle of oil back upon your altar.
  • 6. Take up your initiation pendent, holding it aloft, stand before the altar, saying:
“I, (name), do solemnly swear upon the blood of my ancestors to devote the rest of my days to living the way of witch.
I swear loyalty to the Ancient Ones, the gods and goddesses who always were, are now, and shall forever be.

I swear loyalty to my fellow witches; my sister-witches of the past, as well as those who touch my life today, and those I have yet to meet. I vow to keep their secrets, to learn from them as well as teach, to respect our differences, and to celebrate our journey together upon this sacred path.

I freely take upon myself the life of witch. As I turn the corner to live my destiny, I declare to the Powers present here that my magical name is (craft name).”
  • 7. With your pendent in your hands, go now and stand before the gate of Earth. Raise your pendent aloft, saying:
“By the powers of Earth,
May I flourish in the physical realm.
Guardians of the Gateway of Earth,
know me,
I am (craft name)!”
  • Go now and stand before the gate of Air. Raise your pendent aloft, saying:
“By the powers of Air,
May I grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Guardians of the Gateway of Air,
know me,
I am (craft name)!”
  • Go now and stand before the gate of Fire. Raise your pendent aloft, saying:
“By the powers of Fire,
May I grow in passion and strength of will.
Guardians of the Gateway of Fire,
know me,
I am (craft name)!”

  • Go now and stand before the gate of Water. Raise your pendent aloft, saying:
“By the powers of Water,
May I grow in intuition and second sight.
Guardians of the Gateway of Water,
know me,
I am (craft name)!”

  • 8. Return now to the altar. Hold aloft your pendent, saying:
”By Earth and Air, Fire and Water,
Rejoice!
Upon this day, a witch is born–
(craft name)!
So Mote It Be.”

  • 9. Put on your pendent necklace.

 

  • 10. The ritual is finished. Take your time within the circle to ground and center, to reflect, to absorb the experience. When you are ready, dismiss the quarters, dismantle the circle. Go and eat something to replenish your energy. And celebrate.