Dedication has the result of impressing on the newcomer the seriousness of his undertaking the study of the Craft. Dedication of a candidate on his first inquiry into the Craft is unusual, and should not be undertaken foolishly. Usually it is better to see a candidate for a few times before the Rite of Dedication is performed. The conditions for dedication are not restrictive. The Candidate should read through the Dedication completely before the ritual begins.

Ritual

Candle and candle-holder are at hand. They are placed on a low table at which the Candidate may kneel. Copy of the Rite is also placed on the table so that the Candidate may read from them.

High Priest(ess)

'Do you wish to be dedicated
To the Gods of the Craft
That you may learn of them
And that you may join the Craft of the Wise
When you are ready?'

Candidate

'I do
Blessed be my eyes
That have seen this day.'

High Priest(ess)

'Blessed be thine eyes.'

Candidate

'Blessed be my ears
That hear thy voice.'

High Priest(ess)

'Blessed be thine ears.'

Candidate

'Blessed be my mouth
That it may speak of thy blessings.'

High Priest(ess)

'Blessed be thy mouth.'

Candidate

'Blessed be my feet
That have led me in these ways.'

High Priest(ess)

'Blessed be thy feet.'

The Candidate kneels in front of the table and lights the candle.

Candidate

'O Mother of all
Creatress of all living
O Father of the woodlands
Will you teach (name of candidate).
That I may learn of Thee
And become wise in the love of the Gods
Strong in the aid of man
Learned in Thine Arts
And skillful in Thy ways.'

High Priest(ess)

'Beloved
Do you pledge yourself to the Goddess,
To love her
And to the Horned God,
To honour him?'

Candidate

'Gladly do I pledge myselfTo the Goddess, to love her
And to the Horned God
To honour him.'

High Priest(ess)

'Beloved
Do you pledge yourself to keep silent
Of what you shall learn
And to respect that which is taught you?'

Candidate

'Gladly do I so pledge myself:
To the Goddess to love her,
And to the Horned God to honour him;
To keep silent of what I shall learn
And to respect that which is taught me.'

High Priest(ess)

'Then hear the Charge of the Great Mother,
Called by all names of power among men;
Before whose altars all the world
Has approached in reverence:
I am the Eternal Goddess
Yet I demand no sacrifice
Rather I give to those who honour me.
Yet I charge you, that if you would be mine
You shall gather yourselves
Once at each full moon
And give worship to me your Queen.
Each of you must recognise me
And look at me
Lest you forget from whom you come
And to whom you are called.
If you would be mine you must honour
My charge
For these things which I have made law
May be dissolved by no man.
Shall you obey this charge?'

Candidate

'Gladly shall I obey
The Charge of the Goddess.
I pledge myself to the Goddess, to love her
And to the Horned God, to honour him.
To keep silent of what s hall learn
And to respect that which is taught me.'

High Priest(ess)

'Then shall you be taught to be wise
That in fullness of time
You shall count yourself
Among those who serve the Gods;
Among those who belong to the Craft;
Among those who are called the Mighty Dead.
Let thy life and the life to come
Be in the service
Of our Noble lady.'

Candidate

'Blessed be this time that marks my life
That I shall ever after be a child of
The Gods,
That I shall learn of them
And embrace them as my own.'

High Priest(ess)

Makes the sign of the Pentacle in blessing the Candidate and says:

'May the blessing of the gracious Lady
And of her hearty Consort
Go ever with thee.'

The Candidate rises and is ususally kissed and congratulated by the High Priest(ess)
And then by the other initiates in attendance.