The Good Witch

Page 63
Chapter IV

The step before initiation is protection and naming. There are two cases to be considered when examining the protection service. They are, first, the case for children of Wicca families and, second, the case for latecomers who are past pubery. The first service a Wicca child attends is one at which he is protected and named. The christening rite used in the established church is based on the Wicca protective service, but the significance of christening has been lost; the Wicca service still retains its full meaning.

Order of Service: Protection and Naming of a Wicca Child

The robed coven assembles for a closed meeting just prior to a standard weekly service, and the child is placed in a cradle near the fire at the center of a circle. Chairs are placed in a circle, and the outer single line of a full circle is completed with the usual protective blessing. The following prayer is repeated three times, first by the flamens, then by the coven, then by flamens and coven in unison.

We are gathered here to protect and name this child. Help us with our work, which is for your good. We pray you: Ward off mischevious spirits. We pray you, send this child a sensible guide. This child will then be brought up on the Path. Help us, oh God, to help you.

In the case of a male child, the flamenca now takes over the service. (For a female, the flamen conducts the service.)

F:	"Who is the mother of this child?"
Reply:	"It is I, ... (Wiccan name)." She stands.
F:	"Do you bring him freely to this place for this service?"
R:	"Yes, No one in body or spirit has made me do this thing."
F:	"After this service, do you swear by all you hold holy to aid this child in his development of Craft knowledge every possible evening before you sleep?"

The reply is left open to the mother. A typical reply might be as follows:

The mother advances to the cradle. Lifting her hands, she says,

"I swear that I will do the best within my powers to help my child develop into a happy and well-adjusted adult. I promise that every evening I am with him, I will direct his steps on the Path."

The mother lifts the naked child from the cradle and holds him so that the flamenca can perform the protective service.

F:	"What name do you wish for this child?"
R:	"..., which means... and whose hidden meaning is..."

The flamenca takes a phial of purified water and seals each orifice of the child's body with a Celtic equaiarmed cross. As each orifice is sealed, the coven says the following words:

"Oh, Guide of God, let no malicious spirit enter... .

Let the eye see only beauty; he will make the world more beautiful (repeated twice).

Let the ear hear only beauty; he will make the world more beautiful.

(repeated twice).

Let the nose smell only beauty; he will make the world more beautiful

Let the mouth taste only beauty; he will speak honestly.

Let the penis be controlled; he will bring forth beauty.

Let the anus be controlled; he will stay healthy."

(Female substitution)

"Let the vagina be controlled; she will bring forth beauty."

"Let the urethra be controlled; she will stay healthy.

We give most humble thanks."

F:	"Oh, Guide of God, we name this child... Let him be surrounded by the pure white light of the God and so remain until he is able to protect himself. Blessed be... (child)."

Reverently the mother replaces the child's robe and lays him again in the cradle.

F:	"I now break the circle, asking that the power retained herein be given to this child."

The flamenca brushes out the circle and places the broom under the cradle. The chairs are removed and the child remains alone for a few moments under spirit protection while the coven members refresh themselves and prepare for the normal service to follow. When power is raised, the first use is

F:	"We give power to... (child)."
R:	"Let... take the power he needs. We give it willingly and happily."

The normal service is then continued.

Protection and Naming of Latecomer

When the service is used for a latecomer, that is, one who is past puberty, who is not a child of Wicca, a sponsor replaces the mother. The sponsor is usually the least senior member of the coven (the most recent joiner). We usually arrange for a group of latecomers to be dedicated at the same service. They will be initiated at the next month's eshbat or sabbat.

When two adults wish to be protected and named but have no flamen to help, they perform the service on each other; when the group increases to eight members, the service should be repeated for these two so that the power can be reinforced.

Renewing Violated Protection

Wicca believe that the world understands the difference between pleasant and proper intake and output of the body and that which is abnormal and unpleasant. Thus, when a baby is born, it is a time of utmost joy. There is no need for special service to "church" the mother; she is not unclean. She has just performed one of the most sacred acts: she has reincarnated a spirit. There is no need to reprotect her. She has more protection at this time than at any other time of her life.

If one of the coven takes internally something dangerous, or is possessed, the orifice involved should be resealed because its protection was insufficient.

Preliminaries before Initiation Service

When a child develops to a stage where the physical attributes of reproduction are present, he can become a full member of the coven. This is a landmark in the child's life, when he is made to understand his new capabilities and responsibilities. Wicca do not threaten their children into submission or bring them up as suppressed perverts. The parents relinquish the spiritual guidance of the children to the coven, and warn them that temporal authority will also soon be outside the family.

The Wicca child enjoys bedtime because it is then that both parents take time to be with him and to mediate pleasantly on the day's happenings. If a member of the family - even a parent - has overstepped the mark, all is forgiven; an attempt is made to clarify in the delinquent's mind where he has erred. This quiet time thus becomes the family meditation period, and the Wicca child has his natural psychic capability developed rather than suppressed. The child is exposed to the basic precepts of Wicca from his first moments of understanding; hence, he has no requirement for the full development classes necessary for latecomers. The child must know the various phases of the services and one of the branches of healing and prediction, and he must have made his set of tools. Latecomers, known as novices, not having th benefit of the natural growth of Wicca beliefs within them, are required to attend a long development class and get to this stage in a minimum of six months hard work.

In the final weeks before initiation, the child meets the flamen, the other novices, and their sponsors. Through discussion the flamen decides whether the child needs special teaching before initiation. IF such teaching is required, it is usually very littel and is given by a chosen sponsor.

The sponsors for the child or novice are the most recent coven initiates, though if there is too large a differential in age or physique, the coven elects special sponsors. The sponsor is an outside friend, one on whom the child or novice can depend; not one of the family. Nor is the flamen of the coven a sponsor, for he is too awe-inspiring.

It is hoped by Wicca that the first full sexual experience will take place in the plesant surroundings of the coven and that the spiritual as well as the physical aspects of the experience will lead the child to a complete life.

The horror stories through which the Establishment attempts to downgrade this aspect of Wicca and the threatened terrible consequences of obeying natural instincts cause Wicca to more time and trouble in preparation for the sexual experience than of old. The physical attributes of male and female virginity are destroyed at the youngest possible age, either by the mother or by a doctor. In the female case, the hymen is painlessly broken surgically. In the male case, the mother makes absolutely sure that the foreskin can be drawn fully back by cutting the underside attachment membrane.

At the last sabbat or eshbat before the initiation, the female novice is given the sacred phallus and the instruction sheet in Table 5 so that she can learn to insert and remove the phallus quickly and comfortably. She is also taught how she should lie and what she should do during the initiation ceremony.

The male novice is instructed by his sponsor on his role and responsibilities in life. She reviews with him the functions of his various glands in fertilization; she also examines him to make certain that he knows precisely what he must and must not do during his initiation.

The final three days before the initiation are a time of fasting. Ideally, only honey, water, and homemade bread should be taken, Throughout the fast the novices are given a demonstration of introitus by a couple selected by the coven. The novice makes her own decision on contraception or lack of it. If she needs advice or help, the sponsor is the one to give it. (The IUD is the recommended Wicca preventive.) The novices are, therefore, completely prepared and the initiation holds no fear for them. There is no hazing, no secret, mysterious, and terrible ritual. Everything is made as comfortable and as matter-of-fact as possible.

Table 5. Use of the Phallus

(Instructions for Female Novice)

You have been entrusted with two phali; these are in your care until your initiation. We would like you to be initiated at the next coven meeting, which will take place on .... This means that, excluding your menstruation time, you have three weeks to prepare your muscles for introitus. Your father or your sponsor will help you if you have any difficulties or pain. You may have to delay your initiation, but there is plenty of time and no need to hurry. These are important development phases. Relax and take your time. You have no hymen; there is no restriction except the vaginal muscles.

After your evening discussion and meditation, and before you go to bed, take the smaller phallus and smear it with lubricating jelly. Either lie on your back with your knees up and legs slightly apart, or stand up and bend your knees. Spread the lips of the vagina and gently insert the phallus. Remember it must point toward the back, not up inside you. Push the phallus in until the vaginal entrance muscles close around the core. Wear it and the larger phallus in accordance with the following table, except during menstruation.

		Morning	Evening
	Day	(Minutes)	(Minutes)
Small Phallus	1 & 2		10
	3 & 4	10	20
	5 & 8		All Night

Large Phallus	9 - 12	10	10
	12 & on	10	20

The small phallus must be returned to the flamen when you are sure the large phallus is comfortable. He will destroy it and will know by its return that you will be ready for initiation on the above date.

Order of Service: Initiation of a Novice

The service takes place just prior to a standard sabbat or eshbat. The robed coven assembles, and the novices sit on the ground near the center fire. Chairs are placed in a circle, and the outer single line of a full circle is completed with the usual protective blessing. The following prayer is repeated three times, first by the flamens, then by the coven, then by all.

"We are gathered here to intiate these novices. Help us with our work, which is for your good. We pray you, ward off mischevious spirits. We pray you, help these novices. They will help you with your work. Help us, oh God, to help you"

No more than two novices are admitted at one time. There is no way of conducting a mass initiation. Each person is an individual and is important.

The flamenca works with the male, and the flamen with the female. The flamenca takes precedence.

Fca:	"My son..., how long have you studied Wicca?"
Novice:	" For..."
Fca:	"My son..., have you studied other religions?"
N:	"i have studied ... and reject it."
Fca:	"You understand that when you are initiated your mind and body will be used by the coven to help others?"
N:	"Yes. When it's in my power, I will obey the direction of the coven."
Fca:	"You understand what is required of you this night, and you freely undertake these responsibilities?"
N:	I understand my responsibilities, and I come freely to seek entrance to this coven."

The flamenca gives the novice a full glass of mead.

Fca:	"Drink then this mead, and tell us: what do you vow?"

There is no fixed answer to this question. A short speech is reqired which pledges allegiance to Wicca precepts and to the coven.

Fca:	"What method of healing are you going to attempt?"
N:	names herbal, spirit, or telepathic
Fca:	"Describe three requirements for a cure"
N:	Again there is no fixed reply, but a concise answer should be given.
Fca:	"What method of prediction are you going to attempt?"
N:	names scrying, tarot, palmistry, natural, numerology, or astrology.

The flamenca now asks a critical question on the method named, for example, tarot: "What means the Page of Wands reversed?"

N:	must give an appropriate answer.
Fca:	"Sponsor, come forth."

The sponsor (in this case a female) removes her robe and comes forward.

Fca:	"Show us your dance."

N rises, removes his robe, and with his sponsor dances once around the circle inside the chairs in imitation of the two modes of the coven dance. They stop before the flamenca.

Fca:	"Do you of the coven accept this applicant?"
Coven:	"Yes."

Fca (to Novice):

"Go now, and rest. If you are of the like mind when you return bringing the fruits of your body with you, you will be accepted. Blessed be... and... (sponsor)."

The couple leave the circle.

Questions and answers for a female candidate are identical to those for the male until the request from the flamen.

Fca:	"Sponsor, come forth."

The sponsor (in this case male) removes his robe and comes forward. The novice removes her robe and stands beside the sponsor in front of the flamen.

F:	"Do you now accept your sponsor?"
N:	"Yes."
F:	"What does the phallus symbolize?"
N:	"That my body is sacred."
F:	"What should happen to that phallus?"
N:	"It should be given back to the God through flame."

The novice casts the phallus into the fire. The previous order of service then resumes.

F:	"Show us your dance."

It continues through the couple's departure from the circle. (The wording is changed to, "Bring back the fruits of your sponsor's body.")

At this time the coven wait for the return of the first novice. The members meditate, raising power and sending the power into the new novices. When the male initiate and his sponsor return, the flamenca takes over.

Fca:	"Does the novice now understand the meaning of life?"
S:	"Yes"

The sponsor puts on her robe and sits down.

Fca:	"Do you still wish to be a member of this coven?"
N:	"Yes."
Fca:	"Do you have the fruits of your body (sponsors body)?"
N:	"Yes"
Fca:	"What symbolize these fruits?"
N:	"They symbolize the fact that seed is the sacred giver of life and must be given back to God through the flame."

Flamen and coven pray as she (flamenca) casts seeds into the fire.

	"Oh God, we give back these seeds. We preay you, make abundant the fertility of nature."
Fca:	"Make your vows."
N:	"I will gladly accept: the responsibility of my life's role; the guidance and help of this coven; the guidance and help of God's messengers. I swear that i will: help to prevent evil; obey the rules of the coven; follow God's guidance."
Fca:	"What means 'accept my life's role'?"
N:	"It means that: I will not irresponsibly fertilize; I will use my sex for good; I will not in lust release sperm without my partner's permission."
(Female substitution)
	"I will not irresponsibly conceive; I will use sex for good; I will not exchange my sex for anything else."
Fca:	"Give me your anthame."
The novice gives a new anthame to the flamenca.
Fca:	"What mean these symbols?"
The novice explains the engraved symbols.
Fca:	"Let this anthame serve you well; let this be the only blood it ever spills."
She pricks the novice's upper forearm with the anthame so that a drop of blood falls on the blade. She returns the anthame to the novice. He rerobes.
Fca:	"Have you other tools?"
N:	"I have my ankh."
He brings it forth from its wrappings. The flamenca measures the ankh.
Fca:	"It is well made."
She returns the ankh to the novice.
Fca:	"Abase yourself."

He falls to the ground before the flamenca. She symbolically whips him with his own whip. He kisses her foot, she helps him to rise. He points to his ankh (symbol of the God's authority) at her. She falls to the ground. He symbolically whips her. She kisses his foot; he helps her to rise. Flamenca and novice embrace.

The symbology of the meek overcoming the strong and the godhead overcoming all, even the flamenca, is easy to understand, but has been the cause of many attacks by the establishment, who freely change "foot" to "backside".

The second novice goes through the same ceremony with the flamen. When both ceremonies are complete, the following prayer is said by the flamens and the coven.

F & C:

"We accept you, ... (female) and ... (male). We pray that God also accepts you. Come to us in your hour of need. Be guided from above. May you take with you power and light."

As the last sentence is said, the flamens give the novice a glass of sacred water to drink.

Novices:	"We thank you and will do our part. We dedicate our bodies and our minds to God."
F & C:	"Blessed be... (female); blessed be... (male)."

The coven disperses for a few moments of relaxation before the meeting to follow. The novices are welcomed and congratulated by every member; the full sabbat or eshbat follows.

To be continued

Preliminaries to Marriage Services
Order of Service: Mixed or Non-Wicca Marriage
Order of Service: Wicca Marriage
Fertility Services
Order of service: Plant Fertility
Summary
Review Questions (Chapter IV)