Question about Self Dedication rites..

[SFSLena]

New wiccan here! As i am on the solitary path..how do i know the right time to perform my self dedication rite? Is it just a feeling you get or do you just know that you are truly in tune with the Goddess and God? Or can you just do it at anytime? I have just started reading books on the Wiccan path and i really feel this is right for me, so how do i begin? Thank you for any thoughts on this!

[graveghoul]

Most people do a self dedication ritual after a year and a day of studying. I didn't wait that long. I waited a month. Now I regret it because I'm not wiccan. But either way, it's all depending on how you perceive it. This ritual is really, in my opinion, for your own personal fulfillment.

[Siona]

New wiccan here! As i am on the solitary path..how do i know the right time to perform my self dedication rite?

As was mentioned, it's traditional to have done at least a year and a day of study and practice before doing any sort of formal dedication - and as a solitary, some choose to wait even longer than that. Having a year and a day gives you one full turn of the seasons, time to know each holiday, time to learn the basics of Wicca, and time to try out different ideas, methods, etc, have some practice with ritual, to see if this is really something you want to dedicate yourself too.

Some solitaries never actually do a self-dedication, either. For them their continued practice and study is enough to show their dedication, and no specific ritual is needed beyond that. It's a pretty personal thing, of course, and you should do it (or not) when it feels right, but it's a good idea to really give yourself a good bit of time, let the "newness" wear off a bit, maybe explore what else is out there, before you make a more formal commitment.

[DPhoenix]

The way I was taught is that a dedication is when you dedicate yourself to a specific Goddess/God and initiation is when you are initiated into the craft. I haven't done a dedication since I consider myself "free lance". I guess I have commitment issues or something heehee. The initiation ritual is often represented as a 'rebirth', being born into the craft. It often involves a cauldron representing being reborn from the Goddess's womb. Some people use a chalice or cup (if they don't have a cauldron) as that represents the Goddess too. Some rituals are done skyclad (naked) since that is how we enter the world. You can pick a time and date that is significant to you or when you feel the urge to perform it. Remember that at the end of the day it's your journey and you get to practice your Craft the way that feels right to you (as long as you do no harm). Hope that helps & Goddess Bless! <3

[SFSLena]

Thank you everyone for the responses. I can understand giving at least a year...there are so many different things to learn and practice and of course the decisions to make!