I am naked, blindfolded. I can't see a thing but my other senses are heightened. I hear whispering, I feel my wrists chafe against the cord that restrains them. The smell of incense invades my nostrils and my mouth is dry with anticipation. I am disoriented, but I know where I am. No, not in the midst of a bizarre sado-masochism session as it might first appear. Nor am I a prisoner of any sort, here against my will. In fact, I have come to this place voluntarily, eagerly, with an attitude of perfect love and perfect trust. Although bound, paradoxically I am free. I am in the process of being initiated into modern Witchcraft.

What is Initiation?
Initiation ceremonies regularly consist of a three-fold structure involving the themes of separation, transition, and integration. A novice undergoes purification of past associations which separates them from their previous life, they then transit through various dedications, consecrations and initiatory teachings, which finally result in their being integrated into the new society - such as Wicca for example. Initiates are bound not to divulge the nature of the rites to the uninitiated, although of course these days some do not only tell, but even publish their experiences. The idea of secrecy however, is that in addition to preserving the content of the ceremony from the uninitiated, secrecy also works to enhance the novice's excitement, fear and reverence for the occasion. Initiations imprint upon the susceptible mind and symbolic content is more likely to make a big impression if it is somewhat of a surprise.

The Roman philosopher and Priest of Apollo, Plutarch (late 1st century CE), noted the similarity between the Greek verbs "teleutan" meaning "to die", and "teleisthai" meaning "to be initiated". He also observed that people who die and people who go through initiation ceremonies experience similar transformations. Initiates of the Mystery Religions prevalent in the Mediterranean cities of antiquity were so good at keeping silence regarding what the rite entailed, that we mostly do not know what happened to them. For example the Roman novelist, Lucius Apuleius, who was initiated into the Mysteries of Isis (around 160 CE) provided this cryptic explanation of the rite: "I approached the confines of death, and having trodden on the threshold of Proserpina, returned having been carried through all the elements. In the depths of midnight I saw the sun glittering with a splendid light, together with the infernal and supernal gods, and to these divinities approaching, I paid the tribute of devout adoration." Only another initiate of the Isian Mysteries would really know just what Lucius meant by those words.

It was also the case regarding initiates into the famous Eleusinian Mysteries, centred around the story of the Goddess Demeter and her daughter Kore, where the initiate ("mystae") is reported to have said, "I have fasted, drunk the kykeon, taken things out of the big basket and, after performing a rite, put them into a little basket, whence I put them back in the big basket." An initiate of the rites of Cybele and Attis was reported to have said "I have eaten from the drum; I have drunk from the cymbal; I have carried the sacred dish; I have entered the inner chamber." Non-initiates can only make educated guesses at what these ambiguous descriptions mean.

According to the contemporary esoteric system of Rosicrucianism - which has several similarities to Witchcraft and Ceremonial Magick - "All true esoteric initiations are mystery-dramas. In these dramatisations, ancient people sought to re-enact certain fundamental truths of nature which they had discovered. In ancient times, the word mystery referred to a unique gnosis, that is, knowledge which was to be revealed to the candidate for initiation. In fact, in ancient Rome the mysteries were called "initia". The Latin word "initiare" meant "to inspire", and "initium" signified "beginning" or "training". Thus, candidates for initiation were introduced to an inspiring knowledge that was to make an emotional or psychic impression upon their consciousness, as well as to add to their knowledge. In a dramatic way, initiation sheds illumination upon certain subjects which otherwise may not be thoroughly understood and appreciated."

Initiation does not always occur within the context of a Mystery Religion however, and it does not necessarily require the use of ritual. Significant points within a person's life-cycle such as attaining sexual maturity, getting married, giving birth, menopause, ageing and death are also forms of initiation which may be - but do not have to be - accompanied by formal Rites of Passage ceremonies. In this sense "initiation" is a transformative event or process, occurring within everyday life, which results in the initiate being irrevocably changed. According to Michael Meade, "Initiatory events are those that mark a man or woman's life forever, that pull a person deeper into life than they would normally choose to go. These events define who a person is, or cause some power to erupt from them, or strip everything from them until all that is left is their essential self... there is departure from daily life, a suffering of ordeals and dramatic episodes, and a return as a marked and different person. Initiation is the dramatic way the psyche shifts ground and orientation."

Caroline Tully has been a Witch and Pagan since 1985. She has a great interest in the Pagan religions of the pre-Christian Mediterranean and is currently undertaking formal study of Ancient Magic at Melbourne University. Caroline has been published in over twenty international publications. Including chapters in "Practising the Witch's Craft" by Douglas Ezzy "Pop! Goes the Witch" by Fiona Horne "Celebrating the Pagan Soul" by Laura Wildman