Jim Garrison, copyright 1999
Note: I thought I’d stuff this in here for use by both beginners and those who are further along in the craft and losing purpose. I don’t agree with all of it (being solitary myself) but I feel it raises some good points and is worth a read no matter where you are in your journey.
You've crossed the threshold and been brought into the circle. You've been initiated, or you've initiated yourself. Congratulations; you're a Witch--so now what do you do? In some ways it's a matter of dabbling versus depth. Entering into the Craft is a spiritual odyssey, a journey of self-realization, and a commitment to the gods and ancestors. It will have repercussions all through your life, and beyond. Most Witches believe or feel that they have experienced reincarnation, and that initiation into the Craft will affect all future incarnations. Once a Witch, always a Witch, they say.
But what does it mean to be a Witch? There are hundreds of books on how to become a Witch, but very few sources for guidance once you've gotten past the beginner stage. To be a Witch, one of the "wise ones," is to commit yourself to the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual growth. Learning never ends. With each degree the obligations increase as you become more and more involved in teaching, service, and leadership roles--a Witches' work is never done. It is not enough to simply become wise or expert in some arcane field of study. We are very much part of the world, not ascetics seeking to escape from the realities of life. Witches revel in life, and through the celebrations of the Wheel of the Year, we attune ourselves to the ebb and flow of the cycles of the Sun, Moon, and planets. Witches are the ones who pay attention to the seasons, who work with the forces of Nature. Witches seek to learn the subtle ways of wisdom. However, wisdom needs to be acted upon to be worthwhile. We are not mere observers, but rather, we are joyful participants in the dance of life.
The Mysteries
At the center of the Craft are the Mysteries. Traditionalists take oaths to protect and guard the Mysteries. If you are not a part of a tradition, what oaths have you taken? What Mysteries do you guard? Is there a place for such stuff in your style of practice? If you haven't been initiated into the Mysteries, what have you been initiated into? Can you describe it? Is this something you can share?
Practice
Practice what you've learned. Perform the rituals and rites. Experience the Mysteries and magic of your path. Look to the gods and ancestors. Look to your Book of Shadows. Do you have a copy of the Laws of the Craft, the Charge of the Goddess, or the Witches' Rede? Meditating upon these teachings can be rewarding. If you're solitary, you might consider drawing up a set of your own versions of these bits of modern Witch-lore, or you could research the various versions of each that have been published. What do the Sabbats, Esbats, and other rituals mean to you? How do these things affect your daily life? If you are self-initiated, look into the heart of nature for your inspiration and guidance. You have the wonderful gift to pick and choose any direction you wish to go in terms of further study and experimentation. This is incredible freedom. Make the most of it. All that has gone before is fertile soil in which your own ideas can take root.
Appreciate The Experience
Take time to appreciate the experience. While many people have rocketed through the three degrees to become high priestesses or Witch queens in under a year, what good does that do anybody? Initiation is not intended to facilitate ego trips. It takes time to develop the resources you will need to continue on the path, such as maturity, tolerance, understanding, compassion, and fortitude. These rarely come overnight. Many of us can spend most of our lives in pursuit of one or more of these virtues, and that's the point--initiation is the first step along a path that will take the rest of your life to follow.
Live!
Sing, dance, make music and love, for this is how we praise our gods and honor our Craft-kin. The Craft is an experiential path; you need to experience it over the course of your life as you celebrate and assimilate the lessons of the Wheel of the Year. Birth, death, and rebirth--we will know each, in our time. Don't be in a hurry for what awaits you beyond the veil; it is eternal and timeless and will wait. The life you have now is a precious gift, unique and special. Witches respect and revere life because they follow a life-affirming path. How do you observe the turning of the Wheel? What do you do to make life better for your fellows?
Who Do You Serve?
Who do you serve--Spirit or ego? The one you don't serve you'll end up fighting, one way or another. If you choose to serve ego, you probably won't be reading this. Instead of selfishly spending all your time preening your magical powers, get out into the world and see what sort of a difference you can make. Volunteer at a food shelf, a homeless shelter, or some other worthwhile service. Try visiting nursing homes, hospices, or inmates--especially if you intend to acquire or already possess ministerial credentials. There are hundreds of little ways to squeeze in a bit of service to your fellow neighbors or passersby, from shoveling snow in the winter to picking up litter or helping elderly folks rake their leaves. It's a good way to create some good will and to make the world a better place. Another good way to learn about serving others is by raising a small child. Two-year-olds can teach you a lot about serving, and test your resolve. Parenthood is an initiatory process all to itself. If this sounds like a lot of work to you, then why did you get initiated? You've entered the priesthood; there's a lot more work ahead, if you're up for it.
Get Involved!
Join a political party, an environmental organization, the PTA, or something else that reflects your personal interests and the issues that are a part of your life or that are a passion for you. You are one of the blessed children of the gods, a priest or priestess--that means you have a bigger share of responsibility than someone who has not sought out this path. Remember, you chose to be initiated. It's not an easy path, and if you don't want to do the work, don't seek initiation. Build Your Community Don't assume that "community" will just happen in the future like in some mythic Pagan utopia. Community comes from hard work, and by doing, not just talking. Instead of whining about being oppressed, direct your efforts into creating positive changes and connections to the neighbors and non-Pagans who live in your area. Make a good impression on people. They will judge your religion by the way you demonstrate its values in your actions, choices, and words. Instead of collecting fancy-sounding titles, joining umpteen traditions, or engaging in internecine politics with Lord Whatshisface or Lady Whoever, get off your butt and join the local block club. If there isn't one, start one. Find out what's going on around you, and start paying attention to what's happening in your own neighborhood. You're not just a Witch, you're a person. Your efforts can make the place where you live a nice place to stay. Your involvement can help allay fears about Witches and you'll find yourself faced with lots of opportunities to show people that real Witches are decent people who do good things.
Do The Work
How have you chosen to serve your calling? Repeatedly and often the four-lettered name of Spirit gets invoked: work. Walking the path of a priestess or priest of the old ways, or even one of the new strains of Wicca, is not always easy. Too often good people get entangled in politics and lose sight of the work at hand. Remember your highest ideals. Listen to the voice of Spirit that comes from the heart of silence. Look to the Charge of the Goddess, the Witches' Rede, and any other guidelines you have discovered or received when you feel that you might have gotten distracted. What vision guides your heart, head, and hands? What purpose have you given to your life? Action follows intention--we are building the future every day.
Me again… The thing about magic and following a pagan path (as with many other paths, of course) is that the further along you get and the deeper in you get, the more interesting it is. Of course, the more "interesting" things are, the more the need for caution and meditation on purpose. It’s good to explore and adventure but always make sure you have enough information and ask all the questions you have before jumping in with both feet.
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