Self Dedication

Dedicating oneself to the Old Ones is the first step on a long spiritual journey, one that leads to a magickal life of prosperity, knowledge, and enlightenment. It is very important to let go of past ingrained beliefs, most of which we had no choices in. Self dedication is a ritualistic way of saying: I want to follow the path of the Old Ones.

self dedication ritual
written by Draguntine & Oceanwhispers & Indigo 2/01

you should bath, and have an alter or an area ready for your self dedication. the alter should consist of god and goddess candles, a candle for each of the quarters, small dish of water , small dish of salt, and any offerings. you will also need your athame, if you don't have one you can cast the circle with your forefinger of your dominant hand. the rite is done skyclad, but you can do it robed if preferred.

meditate at alter

bless salt and water
the dishes of salt and water are blessed and dedicated to Hecate and Cernunnos using an invoking pentagram

cast circle
the circle is cast starting in East, moving deosil , end in East,
This is the boundary of the Circle of Power. Only love and Peace shall enter and leave. In the sacred names of Hecate and Cernunnos,
so mote it be

call quarters:
always moving in deosil direction, calling the quarters with an invoking pentagram after candle is lit

East: (say as lighting candle) I call upon the Light and Air at the East to illuminate and strengthen this circle. (draw pentagram): I call upon you, Guardian of the East, keeper of Air, to attend this rite, and guard this circle, for as I breathe, we are kith and kin.

South: (say as lighting candle) I call upon the Light and Fire at the South to illuminate and warm this circle. (draw pentagram): I call upon you, Guardian of the South, keeper of Fire, to attend this rite, and guard this circle, for as I consume Life to live, we are kith and kin.

West: (say as lighting candle) I call upon the Light and Water at the West to illuminate and cleanse this circle .(draw pentagram): I call upon you, Guardian of the West, keeper of Water, to attend this rite and guard this circle, for as I feel and my heart beats, we are kith and kin.

North: (say as lighting candle) I call upon the Light and Earth at the North to illuminate and strengthen this circle. (draw pentagram) I call upon you, Guardian of the North, keeper of Earth, to attend this rite, and guard this circle, for as I have a body and strength, we are kith and kin.

Invoke Hecate and Cernunnos
this is done by simply meditating on each of the deities, and connecting and aligning oneself to them. A call that is spontaneous and from the heart is best.

draw in the air an 8 on it's side (the symbol for infinity) and say:
Hail to the Guardians at the quarters, Welcome Lord and Lady to this rite. I stand here between the worlds, here of my own free will, in perfect love and perfect trust. God and Goddess, Lord and Lady, Father and Mother of all life, guard me and guide me within this circle and without it, and in all things I do.

anoint self with blessed water and say:
draw a pentagram over your heart, and a solar cross over your third eye
Lord and Lady I stand before you, seeking your guidance as I prepare to dedicate myself and my life to you. I vow to forever protect you and that which is yours. Let no one speak ill of you, for I will forever defend you. You are Life, and I am yours from this day forth.

continue anointing appropriate parts w/salt water:

Blessed be my feet, that will walk the path
Blessed be my knees, that will kneel at the sacred alters
Blessed be my loins, that will create, as You have created all of life
Blessed be my heart, that I remain faithful to You
Blessed be my mouth, that I will speak of truth
Blessed be my eyes, that I will see Your beauty
Blessed be my body, that will be a temple for You

Bless me Hecate and Cernunnos, for I am your hidden child, a follower of the Old Ways.

meditate on your new path, and what it means to you, think of how the Goddess and the God are in everything, and you are a part of it all.

Thank the Goddess and the God
this can be done with an offering to each, again, spontaneous
words from the heart are best.

Thank and release the Guardians
this is done by drawing a banishing pentagram in each quarter after saying:

Thank You, Guardian of the ______,keeper of the _____ for attending this rite, and guarding this circle. I bid you love, as you go in peace and power. Hail and farewell.

Take up the magick circle
this is done in a widdershins direction, from east to east.

the rite is ended