The Rites Of Passage
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
As a shamanic tradition witchcraft is steeped in ritual. The seasonal and moon rituals are also joined by rites of passage rituals. Because there is no authority setting doctrine for witchcraft, there are endless passage rituals possible. Some that are popular and even expected with some practitioners include: the blessingway, pre-birth gatherings, birth celebrations, magickal naming ceremonies, entry into puberty rituals, coming of age, handfasting, marriage, initiations, graduations, and passing over into Spirit.
Modern society is poor in terms of rituals of transformation. Witches are creating all of these rituals and more, depending entirely on the needs of those involved. The belief in living a balanced and centered life leads witches to value the psychological benefits of rituals of transformation. With clarity and perspective on life, with definitive transitions from one phase of life to another, one is able to grow healthfully throughout life, facilitating wellness.
A majority of modern witches undergo a series of ceremonies of initiation, generally named first, second, and third degree priestess/priesthood. One progresses from a beginner, or neophyte, into a priest/priestess-hood, as wisdom, maturity, ability, responsibility and service expand, then ascending towards High Priestess/Priest. The further along in the process a witch is, he or she is then considered capable and responsible to channel and direct increasingly larger amounts of magick energy. A neophyte may be welcomed to participate in the raising of energy for a magic working, while the priestess/priest are likely to be participating in the ritual at varying degrees. The High Priestess/Priest is responsible for directing the energy, and also embodying the Goddess/God through evocation.