Before you decide to dedicate yourself to any religion, pagan, Wicca, Druidism, etc, it is important that you take time to contemplate what this will mean to you & also to those around you. Any religious dedication once taken becomes a lifestyle & not just an occasional ritualistic worship or prayer. To dedicate yourself is a promise to the Creator & to yourself to not only explore the Craft and its way of life, but to "live" it & stand behind your choices. It is a commitment of respect and tolerance for yourself & others. Members of the craft realize that no one, not even themselves, can be "all-knowing", but once "dedicated", then you are committed to a lifetime of education. Education will come in many forms, for this is "the way" of the craft & has always been. You will embark on a continuing study of not only the mysteries of the world but the mundane as well. You will desire to learn many things & to learn them well. As members of the craft, we know that to change the world, we must first change ourselves, and in order to change ourselves we must know who & what we truly are, both good & bad. This is possibly the most difficult commitment of all.

A practitioner must learn to be completely honest with themselves & become intimately acquainted with all aspects of themselves as well as all the aspects of the undending mysteries of life & of its' brethren as well. You must do this to the fullest extent possible. Dedication is the first step on this sacred life's journey. You must be prepared to commit yourself to respecting not only all religions, but all life forms including yourself.

Blessed be & The Many Blessings of Our Lord & Lady go with You!

DEDICATION RITUAL

Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. (If you do not have a private altar of your own, you can do as I & many in our group have done, & either make yourself a "virtual altar" online or you may use mine, if you wish. The url is here: Debi's Altar (This altar will open up in it's own window.) & this dedication can be found on the altar page in a sizable window where you can view both altar & ritual at the same time. Just check down in the prayer area & you will find a link that will open up this dedication ritual in a new window for you.)

You should have a purification bath and a time of silent contemplation before beginning. This will dispel any negative energies and help you get in the proper mood & mind frame for the ritual.

When you arrive at your location, you need to purify space. You will use water mixed with sea salt (if you have it, regular salt if you do not) and lighted incense to do this. Walk the circle, with the incense and salted water once clockwise and say:

"I consecrate this place of rite,
by salted water, smoke , and firelight.
So mote it be."

Now move back to the center of the circle where your altar space is and replace the incense and salted water. Take a few minutes to vusualize a circle of white light energy surrounding your work space. Once this is done, you need to physically redraw the circle with your athame, wand or right hand.Then walk the circle 3 times around clockwise, once each time for the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. Say:

"This Circle is cast
as in days of olde
to welcome the Olde Ones
and make the Olde Ways retold.
As above, so below ...
As the universe, so the soul.
So mote it be."

Now your work space is prepared & you are ready to begin. Annoint a white candle with sandalwood oil from center to top, and center to bottom. Light the candle now & say:

"I do kindle this flame
that known it will be
of my pledge to the Old Ones.
By my will, all to see! So mote it be!"

Next you will call the Quarter to witness your dedication. You may raise your hands as you call them holding your pentacle.

For all quarters going clockwise:

"Powers of (North, East, South, West)
Please join in my rite
Realms of Land, Sky, and Sea,
Do witness my pledge
and grant me insight.

Call to the God and Goddess while raising your hands
directly up from the center of the circle and say:

"Blessed Lady, Mistress of Old,
May you witness this rite
And hear now my pledge
In your love and your light"
"Ancient Lord, Protector of all
As this pledge I do make
May you witness this rite
and the oath that I take"
"By the powers of the Old Ones
and the magick of their ways
I embark on my journey

As above, so below ...
As the universe, so the soul.
May they bless all my days
So mote it be."

With the God and Goddess, the Elemental Powers and the Old Ones as your witnesses, you are now ready to make your pledge. It should come straight from the heart but the following gives an example of what is generally said.

Raise your white working candle and say:

"Before the God and Goddess, I (your name), henceforth to be known as (your craft name), within the circle of the wise to symbolize my rebirth, do pledge to honor the God and the Goddess in all areas of my life. I will strive to understand their great mysteries, and the mystery of myself. I will share this knowledge and this path with all who sincerely seek such enlightenment. I will protect and guard the Olde Ways from those who would desire to destroy them. I will defend the God and Goddess. I will work in harmony with the energies of the Earth, and the Kingdoms of Plant, Animal, Spirit, and Man, striving always for unity and balance. I will work in harmony with the elements, to understand them. I pledge myself as protector of this Earth and Keeper of the Sacred Mother. I will honor and respect my brothers and sisters in the Craft even when our paths do not join. I will respect and keep the Olde Ways. So mote it be."

Often as a child, I heard this at dedications.
Depending on the seriousness of your vows, it is your choice whether or not to add it.

I bind myself to-day.
Goddess' might to direct me
Goddess' Power to protect me
Goddess' wisdom for learning
Goddess' eye for discerning
Goddess' ear for hearing
Goddess' Word for clearing
Goddess' hand for cover
Goddess' path passing over
Goddess' love to guard me
Goddess' army to ward me
Against snares of evil
Against negativity
Against wrong inclination
Against all illness
Near or far, with many or few
Goddess' near
Goddess' here
Goddess' be with me
Goddess' beneath me
Goddess' within me
Goddess' behind me
Goddess' over me
Goddess' Before me
Goddess' on my left and on my right
Goddess' hither and yon
Goddess' in my sight
Of each eye that shall seek me
In each ear that shall hear
In each mouth that shall speak me
Goddess' not the least
In each heart I address
I bind me to-day
On the Trinity I call
With faith in the Trinity
And all in Unity
Goddess' over all.
As it is Above
So Below me
Arms around me.

If you have chosen a ritual athame or other working tool, you may now want to consecrate it by purifying it with the elements and speaking your purpose- (which is to dedicate yourself) pass it through the incense, the candle flame, dip it into the salted water, then wipe it clean annoint it with the sandalwood oil and say:

"I charge this tool to serve me as I honor and respect the Olde Ones. May it serve me for as long as I work for the good of all. So mote it be"

At this point, you will want to introduce yourself to the elemental powers. Walk to the 4 quarters, starting at the same one you started the circle. Say: "I (your craft name), who stands between the worlds do place myself before you and enter into the sight, for I have pledged myself to the olde ones and olde ways. Forever will I work in truth and light.

Sacred powers of the (North, East, South, West)
Blessed realms of Land, Sky, and Sea,
May we ever share harmony and peace
By the Goddess Brighid's Fire,
By my will, so mote it be!"

You should now spend time meditating on the changes that your rebirth into the Craft will bring. It is also a good time to begin your Book of Shadows. You should record your dedication & your intentions, set goals & promises on your dedication day. Now it is time to thank the God and Goddess for witnessing this rite. Say:

"Blessed Lady, Ancient Lord
Enjoined as the Sacred One
I thank you for your blessings
By the power of the moon and sun.
Merry Part, Merry Meet Again."

You may also wish to include the Celtic Oaths in your dedication. You can find them below:

Celtic Oath Page

You may now release the quarters. Start at West, South, East, then North. (End in whatever quarter you started in, do N, W, S, E if you started in the East) Say:

"Sacred spirits of Old
Powers of the Quarters
Blessings now upon you
From magickal sons and daughters."
"I thank you now and forever
May you always return when I call you
May your journey be safe when we part.
So mote it be."

You may now snuff out your working candle. Now go on to close the magick circle. Walk once counterclockwise visualizing the energy fading into the earth and say:

"Though this place of rite, is now open
it forever is whole in my heart
Like the love of the God and Goddess
staying with me though we are apart!
So mote it be!"

Congratulations & much happiness
& peace in your newly chosen endeavors.
Blessings!