Initiation of the Second Degree
High Priestess casts Circle as usual. Esbat rite is followed to end of Invocation of the Horned God.
Candidate, properly prepared (in centre of Circle), is bound and blindfolded as in the First Degree, but with the addition of a blue cord bound about the knees. Hierophant leads Candidate to each Quarter in turn, proclaiming:
High Priestess:
| Hear ye O Mighty Ones of the East [S, W, N], N...., a duly consecrated Priest(ess) and Witch is now properly prepared to be made a High Priest and Magus (High Priestess and Witch Queen). |
Candidate is returned to center, facing altar. Coven links hands and thrice circle C.
Candidate is now assisted to kneel and rebound securely, facing altar. Hierophant says:
High Priestess:
| To attain to this sublime degree, it is necessary to suffer and be purified. Art thou willing to suffer to learn? |
Candidate:
High Priestess
| I purify thee to take this great Oath rightly. |
The bell is rung thrice and purification follows: 3, 7, 9, 21 (=40) strokes. Scourge and bell are returned to the altar as Hierophant says:
High Priestess:
| I now give thee a new name, N.... What is thy name?(giving light smack or push) |
Candidate:
| My name is N.... (giving light smack or push) |
Each member of the Coven in turn gives Candidate a light swat or push, asking:
Each Covener:
| What is thy name?(giving light smack or push) |
Candidate responds to each with his (her) new name. When all have put the question, all return to their places and
H. administers the Oath saying:
High Priestess:
| Repeat thy new name after me: I, N...., swear upon my mother's womb, and by mine honour among men and my Brothers and Sisters of the Art, that I will never reveal, to any at all, any of the secrets of the Art, except it be to a worthy person, properly prepared, in the center of a Magic Circle such as I am now in; and that I will never deny the secrets to such a person, if he or she has been properly vouched for by a Brother or Sister of the Art. All this I swear by my hopes of salvation, my past lives and my hopes of future ones to come; and I devote myself and my measure to utter destruction if I break this my solemn oath. |
Kneeling, H. places left hand under Candidate's knee and right hand upon his (her) head to form the Magical Link and concentrates long enough to fully charge
C, saying:
High Priestess:
| I will all my power into thee. |
Candidate's knees and ankles are now unbound, and he/she is assisted to rise. Hierophant takes up oil and anoints
C. at pubes, right breast, left hip, right hip, left breast, and above pubic hair again, saying:
High Priestess:
| I consecrate thee with oil. |
And again with wine, saying:
High Priestess:
| I consecrate thee with wine.,?TD> |
And lastly kisses Candidate in the same pattern:
High Priestess:
| I consecrate thee with my lips, High Priest(ess) and Magus (Witch Queen). |
The blindfold and cable-tow are now removed and the Initiate is congratulated by coveners.
H. takes up Magic Sword from altar, saying:
High Priestess:
| You will now show the use of each of the Working Tools in turn. First the Magic Sword. (S) |
(Initiate silently redraws Circle and returns Sword with a S.)
High Priestess:
(Initiate silently redraws Circle and returns Sword with a S.)
(Initiate again recasts Circle in silence. (S)
&nbps;
High Priestess:
| Third, the White-Hilted Knife. (S) |
(Initiate inscribes pentagram in new white candle. S)
High Priestess:
(Initiate circumambulates presenting Wand to each Quarter. S)
High Priestess:
(Initiate consecrates wine; may be assisted by H. S)
High Priestess:
(Initiate consecrates cakes; may be assisted by H. S)
High Priestess:
(Initiate, with help from Partner, binds
H. as s/he was bound to take this degree. S)
High Priestess:
| Eighth, the Scourge. For learn, in Witchcraft you must ever give as you receive, but ever triple. So where I gave thee three, return nine; where I gave thee seven, return twenty-one; where I gave thee nine, return twenty-seven; where I gave thee twenty-one, return sixty-three. |
(Initiate gives 9, 21, 27, 63 = 120 strokes with Scourge.)
High Priestess:
| Though hast obeyed the Law. But mark well, when thou receivest good, so equally art thou bound to return good threefold. |
The High Priestess is unbound and assisted to rise, then leads Initiate to wach Quarter in turn, saying:
High Priestess:
| Hear ye, Mighty Ones of the East [S. W. N.]: N.... has been duly consecrated High Priest(ess) and Magus (Witch Queen)., | |
H. leads Initiate back to center of Circle, saying:
High Priestess:
| Having learned this far, you must know why the Wicca are called the Hidden Children of the Goddess. |
Proceed with the Legend of the Descent of the Goddess. Generally Initiate and Hierophant act the appropriate parts.
H. appoints Narrator and Guardian.
NOTES
- published in Janet and Stewart Farrar's The Witches' Way
- lots of other published sources too.
