Dedications and Initiations

Although we prefer a self-dedication rite in UEW, because the dedication into a new faith should be between each person and their relationship with the divine, part of being Wiccan Clergy involves being asked to perform initiations and dedications.
This section deals with the ethical constraints of initiating people. The actual initiatory rite, or dedication, will vary from group to group, and person to person.

Before the rite occurs, the Clergy person's job is to prepare the dedicant to become a part of his/her new faith. This involves several steps:

* Make peace with one's former self
* If one has a former religion, have an exit interview.
* Discuss the reasons WHY a new faith is desired.
* Set the dedicant straight on any myths and confusions they have about Wicca.
* Discuss the potential ramifications of the new faith.
* Discuss Free Will, and leaving the faith.
* discuss the differences between UEW and others forms of Wicca.
* If preferable, help the dedicant make peace with their former faith, even if this means they don't become Wiccan.

It is vital that the person entering Wicca knows what Wicca is. If the person is interested in superpowers, or thinks that Wicca is devil worship, or is interested in Wicca because it will bug their parents, it is YOUR job to set the person straight.
A dedication ritual should recognise a person as a member of the greater community of Wicca.

An initiation ritual should recognise a person's rebirth into a new self. initiation should not be done lightly, or for those that aren't really "leaving" anything behind to become a part of the community. Dedication rituals should be celebratory in nature, often a part of great feasting. Initiations should be more solemnity in nature, and, depending on your ethnic, hereditary or sept beliefs, will feature a mystery element: a ritualized "birth" or a descent into the underworld and birth,and the like.

Back To Handbook Index