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Dedication
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If you're lucky enough to be working with a coven (which is completely unnecessary, especially for the College Wiccan) those you have been studying with may have their own dedication ritual for you to go through. It may be as simple as a party...it is a good reason to celebrate, you know! (A word of wisdom, though...be aware of the use of alcohol, especially with underage drinking laws. The idea is to celebrate your choice of path, not just an excuse to get wasted. Substance-free parties can be just as fun. Try choosing a theme for the party, such as making it like a medieval knighting ceremony with costume and everything. It's more fun that way!) However, I suggest holding that off until initiation for the simple reason of making the initiation that much more special.
However, for those of us who do not have people to celebrate with them, you could do your own thing. I took a long nap during the day, and then stayed up all night, first with a ritual, then just meditation, food, tarot, reading "The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and all other things that seemed appropriate. I had a LOT of time to stare at the moon. I felt filled with the moonlight, and it was a very spiritual experience! It reassured me that my choice was correct for me. The next day, a weekend, I took the opportunity to sleep for as long as I wanted. *grin*
Some people may want to skip the Dedication and go directly to the Initiation, but I felt it was pretty important to take this step. This was the time in which I firmly stated that I wanted to be a Wiccan and that I was devoted to the God and the Goddess. This is the "affirmation" step before confirming your path with Initiation. I separate these steps because, although it's possible to turn around and decide against being Wiccan once you are initiated, this is the point where you stand on the threshold...where you can later decide to serve the Goddess and the God in another religion. In other words, instead of researching every religion with an emphasis on Wicca, you are now devoted to Wicca and claiming any other information you possibly can before Initiation.
The time period between Dedication and Initiation doesn't have to be another year and a day. You will always be learning, no matter where you stand in Wicca. Initiation will come when you feel ready. In the meantime, I think this is a good time period to fashion and consecrate your tools. One good way to consecrate your tools is to pass them through the elements (incense smoke for fire and air (or if it's not flammable, separate the two by using incense smoke for air and a candle flame for fire), water, and salt for earth) and then leave them out in the moonlight of a full moon (or even better, for a full turn of the moon, from new, to full, and back to new again), outside or on your windowsill. This is not an easy way out! You can't just leave them there and forget about them...you have to put full intention into your tools. Really concentrate on their purpose. Chant if you feel you must, but make sure you're putting positive thinking into your tools. Don't make your tools if you are in a bad mood. Save them for when you are feeling good about everything so the energies you get back through them are good. Touch them whenever possible. Thy should be ready for your initiation.
Another good thing to do is to search for a nice piece of jewelry for your initiation. A new pentacle or a moonphase necklace may feel appropriate. Just make sure it's not too gaudy. I bought my pentacle at Spencer's Gifts, and it's simply beautiful, however, I had to go through pentacles with skeletons crucified on them in order to find mine. Remember, we're not devil-worshippers! You want to keep that image if you choose to go public. It will be hard for others to believe it if you wear something that raises too many eyebrows! A simple pentagram will make enough people stare, if that's what you want...trust me! *grin*
Once you feel you are ready, remember, tools are not *necessary* but this is as good a time as ever to obtain them, it's time to move on to Initiation. I will tell about self-initiations, but do what you think is best for yourself. That's the only way your path can be correct...if it suits you.
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LIFE
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Dedication in a nutshell - You've decided this is the path for you and you're going to study as much as you can about it before you are initiated. Here are some more books that may be a help:
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