My gardnerian 2nddegree initiation three hundred and sixtysix. Wicca is a neo pagan religion that was created by the new forest coven, gerald gardner, and to a lesser extent doreen valiente. Second degree high priest ess led covens are under the supervision and authority of the hps and hp of the mother coven until they are deemed ready to take the third degree. Each coven member is a priestess or priest and witch who has undergone initiation into the mysteries following at least a year and a day of studying the craft intensively. Initiations in the gardnerian and alexandrian traditions. Only a second or third degree witch can initiate another into witchcraft, and only a third degree witch can initiate another to third degree.
Self initiation is not practiced and the solitary practice is extremely rare, except for high rank gardnerians that are retired from public life. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the. The firstdegree initiation gardnerian book of shadows. A third degree initiate is referred to as a high priestess or high priest. The first degree initiation the second degree initiation the third degree initiation the witches chant or runeconsecrating toolsthe old lawsthe verse chargecasting and chargingforming the circle we hope youll enjoy the contents of this book of shadows app. The initiation 1949 second degree second degree magus binds witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and circumambulates with her, proclaims to the four quarters, hear, ye mighty ones, name, a duly consecrated priestess and witch, is now properly prepared to be made a high priestess and witch queen. The seconddegree initiation 1957 form circle in usual manner, invoking the mighty ones at the four quarters. Feb 16, 2017 the second degree is all about dealing with your own shadow self and underworld issues things you dont want to see. In gardnerian wicca, there are three grades of initiation. The initiation is conducted by gardners book of shadows. This is the book of shadows by gerald gardner and is considered the crntral text of wicca. Whether in the third degree initiation practiced by the wider community, or in the single initiation of the church of wicca, it is. It wasnt until 1959, with the publication of gerald gardners book the meaning of.
The gardnerian book of shadows was attributed by gardner to an ancient. Jul 06, 2006 m ost wiccan traditions have three levels of initiation. Second degree magus binds witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and circumambulates with her, proclaims to the four quarters, hear, ye mighty ones, name, a duly consecrated priestess and witch, is now properly prepared to be made a high priestess and. In modern the book of shadows is a collection of magical and religious texts of wicca and other neopagan witchcraft. Magus binds witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and circumambulates with her, proclaims to the four quarters, hear, ye mighty ones. French version thanks to tof spanish version thanks to francis. For gardnerians, the authority to initiate starts after second degree. The gardnerian tradition is where the wiccan rede comes from and one of the tenants is harm none. Typically each coven has a handwritten copy of a book of shadows, sometimes in cypher or code, which reflects its own practices and knowledge.
Gardner attributed his book to an ancient, clandestine cult in which he claims to have been initiated. Gardnerian wicca and other forms of british traditional wicca operate as an initiatory mystery cult. Weve done it robed, sky clad, and some interesting combinations. The initiation into second degree wicca learn spells. This served to impress on initiates that wicca was a serious secret society. The gardnerian book of shadows, by gerald gardner, at initiation.
In a broad sense, first degree initiation is open to all witches but the second and third degree are only for those who seek and respond to an inner call. The gardnerian book of shadows contents casting the circle drawing down the moon the charge initiation. However, it is important to point out that there is no official book of shadows. Alexandrian wicca is similar in many ways to gardnerian wicca, and receives regular mention. Casting the circle drawing down the moon the charge initiation. The twelve lessons of the witch schools second degree, designed to be completed in the traditional year and a day format, build on the skills and knowledge you gained in the first degree. Typically each coven has a handwritten copy of a book of shadows, sometimes in. In wicca, it is normally copied by hand from the book of ones initiating high priestess or priest, who copied theirs from their initiator. About coven members coven oldenwilde wiccan website.
The term gardnerian was probably coined by the founder of cochranian witchcraft, robert cochrane in the 1950s or 60s, who. Group for people interested in gardnerian wicca, sometimes known in the us as british traditional wicca. When he first started promoting the religion of wicca he included oaths of secrecy as part of the first degree initiation rite. The text shows influences from celtic folklore, the enochian system, thelema, the golden dawn, italian witchcraft stregaria, tantric yoga and more. Gardnerian wicca an unofficial and informative website. Learn traditional wiccan witchcraft the gardnerian book of. Return to index gardnerian book of shadows 1957 the firstdegree initiation.
Alexandrian wicca or alexandrian witchcraft is a tradition of the neopagan religion of wicca, founded by alex sanders also known as king of the witches who, with his wife maxine sanders, established the tradition in the united kingdom in the 1960s. Any valid line of initiatory descent can be traced all the way back to gerald gardner. M ost wiccan traditions have three levels of initiation. Only a second or third degree witch can initiate another into witchcraft, and only a third degree witch.
Alexs work on his book of shadows continued up until his death resulting, like the gardnerian in several different versions. Theres one school of thought that says absolutely, you must be initiated into a lineaged coven, descended from one of the original gardnerian or alexandrian groups, or youre not truly wiccan. In its original form in the new forest coven, the word wica was a plural term that applied to the members of the coven, and was not a term used to denote the religion or practices. Lessons in the correllian tradition set foot on the witchs path and embark on a journey that will transform you at the deepest levels of your being. Gardner, the english witch for whom the gardnerian tradition is named, the measure serves as a sort of insurance policy that the oath will be kept. The initiation 1949 first degree magus leaves circle by the doorway, goes to postulant, and. Alexs work on his book of shadows continued up until his death resulting.
Gardners usage of wica versus wicca i have looked at the usage of wica and wicca in gardners writings and it is clear that gardner mainly use d one c wica. As in gardnerian wicca, there are three levels, or degrees, of initiation. Only a second or third degree witch can initiate another into witchcraft, and. This is the text of the gardnerian book of shadows. Ones first degree is initiation, or becoming one of the wicca. Gardnerian was a never a term used by gardner himself. It was, however, a perfectly valid california gardnerian rite. If youre not sure exactly what gardnerian witchcraft is, you. Gardnerian wicca, or gardnerian witchcraft, is a tradition in the neopagan religion of wicca.
Many occult and pagan groups work on the model that it takes one to make one. Sean belachta is an initiate of both, the alexandrian and gardnerian tradition. It all started many years ago, from a chance remark from sekhet sophia, a second degree gardnerian who was a member of our coven at the time. Nov 04, 2014 ones first degree is initiation, or becoming one of the wicca. Follow the links below to find the traditional text and method for wiccan ritual and ceremony. Selfinitiation is not practiced and the solitary practice is extremely rare, except for high rank gardnerians that are retired from public life. Initiation into the second degree follows a similar procedure with the person selecting a new craft name. Go round circle with magic sword or athame, saying, i conjure thee, o circle of power, that thou beest as a boundary and a protection to contain the magic power which i will raise within thy. In a broad sense, first degree initiation is open to all witches but the second and third degree.
The gardnerian book of shadows for android apk download. The traditional british wicca, and many traditions that share the same values, have a system with three degrees of initiation. Gardnerian wicca is based solely on conciliar activities and initiations. The third degree is generally regarded as a personal step in british gardnerian wicca, not something that is required in order to be able to run a coven. Its a common misconception that attaining a degree. Expand your understanding of wicca and witchcraft, gain greater spiritual insight, and explore ways to boost your magical potential with this stepbystep guide to the second degree. The initiation is conducted by gardner s book of shadows. Dec 03, 2007 in wicca, it is normally copied by hand from the book of ones initiating high priestess or priest, who copied theirs from their initiator.
The inverted pentagram, symbol of second degree initiation, has more sinister connotations for many, particularly in the. I agree with seahawk about the sometimes arbitrary forces at work in initiation. The twelve lessons of the witch schools second degree, designed to be completed in the traditional year and a day format, build on the skills and knowledge you gained in the first degree training program. In modern the book of shadows is a collection of magical and religious texts of wicca and other neopagan witchcraft traditions, containing the core rituals, magical practices, ethics and philosophy of a. The northwind second degree training is designed to produce coven and ritual leaders hpses in the usual sense. Why is the symbol of the second degree in wicca a reversed. It is based on first degree initiations, although in some cases a different person may have given a second or third degree initiation. The term gardnerian was probably coined by the founder of cochranian. Consequently, i prefer to use the term the wica when talking about gardnerian crafters. The initiate should be properly prepared and bound with the cords. The second is that the advice to harm none stands at equal weight with the advice to. The seconddegree initiation gardnerian book of shadows.
In neo pagan witchcraft, the initiation marks the entrance of the initiate into a closed and traditionally secret society. Some of these are indicated by intermediate yellow boxes. The second degree initiation 1957 form circle in usual manner, invoking the mighty ones at the four quarters. The farrars published the rituals for the three ceremonies of initiation in eight sabbats for witches. Return to index gardnerian book of shadows 1957 the second degree initiation. The first degree confers initiation into the craft. Gardnerian wicca book of shadows wicca and witchcraft etsy. In wicca there are usually three rarely four degrees of dedication. There is the gardnerian book of shadows which is popular.
The first degree initiation the second degree initiation the third degree initiation the witches chant or runeconsecrating toolsthe old lawsthe verse chargecasting and chargingforming the circle we hope youll enjoy the contents of this book. Nov 10, 2012 initiation into the second degree follows a similar procedure with the person selecting a new craft name. Second degree initiation ritual legend of the descent of the. The twelve lessons of the witch schools first degree, designed to be completed in the traditional year and a day format, introduce wicca as a spiritual path and teach you the essentials of. Modern initiatory wicca has many variants gardnerian, alexandrian, and offshoots of these but all share an adherence to a similar ritual structure and the practice of initiation. Gardnerian wicca, or gardnerian witchcraft, is a tradition in the neopagan religion of wicca, whose members can trace initiatory descent from gerald gardner. Gardner compiled a volume of spells, rituals and magical lore that he called the book of shadows. History of wicca, the priesthood, the book of shadows, the circle. Initiation for second degree wicca black witch coven. In the pentagram, the top point on an upright pentagram stands for spirit.
However, not all branches of wicca follow the gardnerian book. Second and third degree initiates are acknowledged to be more experienced initiates of progressively greater skill, talent, or. At this point they are also willed the power of the initiator. Chapter ii second degree initiation a b stewart, farrar. Second degree magus binds witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and circumambulates with her, proclaims to the four quarters, hear, ye mighty ones, name, a duly consecrated priestess and witch, is now properly prepared to be made a high priestess and witch queen. Goddess third degree initiation ritualgreat rite verse version of priests declamation in great. Second degree this requires that the candidate knows how to cast and to sanctify dedicate a circle, and that she understands the meaning of a pseudo great rite. Alexandrian wicca or alexandrian witchcraft is a tradition of the neopagan religion of wicca. Deborah snavely has been a gardnerian initiate since 1995, and became an elder in the craft in 2001. In gardnerian and alexandrian craft, the first degree initiate is known as a witch and priest or witch and priestess, and the second and third degree initiate as high priest or high priestess. The gardnerian book of shadows contents start reading this is the text of the gardnerian book of shadows.
However, not all branches of wicca follow the gardnerian book of shadows. A degree shows that the student has spent time learning, studying and practicing. When you join a coven and complete their training and membership requirements, the initiation is when they mark your admission. Mar 21, 2017 the initiation into second degree wicca by edwin mar 21, 2017 blog, gerald gardner, wiica, witchcraft learn traditional wiccan witchcraft the gardnerian book of shadows, by gerald gardner. The gardnerian book of shadows the gardnerian book of shadows by gerald b. He circumambulates, proclaiming to the four quarters, hear, ye mighty ones, the twice consecrate and holy name, high priestess and witch. Gardnerian book of shadows initiation third degree. Typically each coven has a handwritten copy of a book. In the church of wicca we call this stage dedication. The witchs journey venture further on your journey into the magical life of a witch. The first degree initiation the second degree initiation the third degree initiation the witches chant or rune consecrating tools the old laws the verse charge casting and charging forming the circle.
Alexandrian wicca is similar in many ways to gardnerian wicca, and receives regular mention in books on wicca as one of the religions most. Wicca is a neopagan religion that was created by the new forest coven, gerald gardner, and to a lesser extent doreen valiente. The higher the magical degree first, second, or third, the longer the person has studied, and thereby mastered deeper magical skills. The initiation first degree 1949 magus leaves circle by the doorway, goes to postulant, and says, since there is no other brother here, i must be thy sponsor, as well as priest. In one sense, this is the central sacred text of the wicca religion. The initiation 1949second degree second degree magus binds witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and circumambulates with her, proclaims to the four quarters, hear, ye mighty ones, name, a duly consecrated priestess and witch, is now properly prepared to be made a high priestess and witch queen. This is a ceremony we have used a couple of times with variations to suit the candidate for the second degree initiation. This edition was created and published by global grey globalgrey 2019. Is initiation really necessary for me to be wiccan. First and foremost, seconddegree elevation connects an initiate to. On this page are symbols more specific to wicca and wiccan initiation. This experience, and a year of service to tobar bhride, are the requirements for third degree. I know that some people think of traditional wicca as a race to get your third degree.
Magus binds witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and circumambulates with her, proclaims to the four quarters, hear. Magus binds witch as before, but does not blindfold her, and circumambulates with her, proclaims to the. There are three degrees of initiation into this tradition. Initiation for first degree wicca black witch coven. Learn traditional wiccan witchcraft the gardnerian book of shadows, by gerald gardner. You will then need to go through the wiccan initiation ritual. The key understanding we need to take away here is that an initiation is something thats done to you, by someone who belongs to a specific group, bringing you into that specific groupin wicca, that would be a coven. The tradition is itself named after gardner 18841964, a british civil servant and amateur scholar of magic. In the second degree initiation, the witch is blindfolded and bound, and renews the oath that it is necessary to suffer to learn and be purified. The first degree is a beginner, the newlymade witch that needs to learn and learn. It wasnt until 1959, with the publication of gerald gardners book.
In many traditions of wicca, as well as some other pagan religions, ones studies are marked by degrees. Whether an initiate has been once or thrice round the wheel of the year and its sabbat cycle, elevation to the second degree brings many responsibilities. However, there are other specializations available, such as administrators, bards, healers, diviners, etc. The coven leaders handbook lessons in gardnerian and. A second degree initiate can hive, form a new coven, and may initiate up to his or her own degree in most lines, with the permission of their elders. Well, depending on which books you read, youve probably heard some mixed messages about the necessity of initiation in the wiccan religion. Gardnerian wicca project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. After the first degree initiation, the initiate is responsible for their own spiritual. Typically each coven has a handwritten copy of a book of shadows. Third degree initiation in the gardnerian and alexandrian tradition involves a great rite which includes a performance of a sexual ritual either actually or symbolically. Jan 19, 20 in the church of wicca we combined the second and third degrees because we work by correspondence, and bringing people in from distant places twice seemed to us to be too much of a burden for a single initiation. Form circle in usual manner, invoking the mighty ones at the four quarters.
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