"Self" dedication...redundant? (The phrase that is)

[Fiamma]

I've been seeing threads all over the plae lately about "self-initiation" and "self-dedication"...and well, let's throw out "self-initiation" because I'm not talking about that here...

But isn't the phrase "self-dedfication" a little redundant? (I've been guilty of using the phrase myself, so I'm not busting on anyone. Or I'm busting on everyone that's ever used it, myself included. :-P)

I think it's a little obvious that if you're dedicating, well...you're dedicating yourself. It's not like you can dedicate someone or something else in this particular context.

..or am I just smoking crack?

[Lunacie]

I guess it's just better English to say "I am going to dedicate myself to this path" than it is to say "I'm going to dedicate to this path". The second way leaves out the subject of the sentence... myself.

So saying "self-dedication" is just a short-hand way of saying "dedicate myself".

If that makes no sense I've had a migraine all day. If it does make sense, then I'm smarter than the average bear. And I should probably go to bed now.

[Greybird]

I think it is just a carryover. You can have an initiation. If you just say 'initiation', it would be assumed it would be with a group. If you're doing it yourself, it is a 'self-initiation'. Like wise with a dedication. If I see someone say they're doing a dedication, I assume it to be something done in a group setting. If I see they're doing a self-dedication, I assume it is solitary. (I did a self-dedication to my path by quite a long while ago. In a few days I'll be doing a dedication to my patron god with a group of friends, some of whom are already dedicants of that god.)

[Lunacie]

That seems a fitting distinction, Greybird. It's saying that you are the one doing the dedication, rather than having someone else do it to/for you.

[SoulFire]

I've been seeing threads all over the plae lately about "self-initiation" and "self-dedication"...and well, let's throw out "self-initiation" because I'm not talking about that here...

But isn't the phrase "self-dedfication" a little redundant? (I've been guilty of using the phrase myself, so I'm not busting on anyone. Or I'm busting on everyone that's ever used it, myself included. :-P)

I think it's a little obvious that if you're dedicating, well...you're dedicating yourself. It's not like you can dedicate someone or something else in this particular context.

..or am I just smoking crack?

No, I don't think you're just smoking crack. ;) I see your point, but there are traditions that do Dedications as well as Self-Dedications. So yes, you can Dedicate someone else. I believe it is possible to self-dedicate, meaning to dedicate oneself, but I do not hold with 'self-initiation,' as that really does sound like a contradiction in terms. A Self-Dedication is normally performed by solitaries. Whereas, Dedication is performed for the Seeker by an initiated priest or priestess. This is traditionally done a year-and-a-day prior to the Candidate's Initiation. The Seeker is known as a Dedicant or Candidate (for Initiation).

Here is a description of a traditional Dedication Rite from the Pagan Way:

"When an inquirer is found to be suitable for the Craft, but not yet ready for admission to a coven [or Initiation into the Craft], a ceremony called 'Dedication' may be performed. The purpose of this rite is to call the attention of the Lady and the Horned God to the individual, and specifically to her/his desire to enter the Craft. . . .

"Dedication is not a formal or rigorous rite. It may be performed at any time a priestess or priest desires, and when the Candidate feels ready to receive it. Initially, the occasion for the ceremony is solemn, as the Candidate should feel that in being dedicated s/he is undertaking an obligation to do all that is in her/his power to make her/his way into the Craft and full participation in it. After the ritual ends, the occasion is joyous as the Candidate has now started upon the road which will lead her/him to the Craft, and has acknowledged her/his beginning steps toward full participation.

"The Candidate must either ask for Dedication, or s/he may be told that s/he may be dedicated if s/he wishes. S/He must, of course, agree to the Dedication for it to be effective, and the rite must be done by a member of the priesthood of the opposite sex to the Candidate [this is not a hard-and-fast rule in all traditions], although an intermediary can serve if necessary. . . .

"Dedication has the result of impressing on the newcomer the seriousness of her/his undertaking the study of the Craft. Dedication of a Candidate on her/his first inquiry into the Craft is unusual, and should not be undertaken foolishly. Usually it is better to see a Candidate for a few times before the Rite of Dedication is performed. The conditions for Dedication are not restrictive."

In some lines of Feri, the pre-initiatory rite is called "Empowerment" or "Quickening", but I call it "Dedication". In the Pagan Way and (some lines of) Faery Tradition, the Self-Blessing Rite counts as a "Self-Dedication".

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I may be in the minority here but here is my perspective.

When I think of dedication, I picture it in regards to swearing ones loyality to a given god / goddess. In the oath of loyality you give of yourself to that god / goddess and somewhat give them acknowledgement for all that you will become and inspiration you will receive.

When I think of the larger facet of a religion or task then I think of it as a self commitment. To commit oneself to a certain lifestyle, lifepath, etc. I think over time for me the concept of "self-dedicating" is a misnomer. In someways I think it only a fancy grab at trying to get the same sensation of being "Initiated" without the formality of the initiation.

How ofen does one hear of "dedicating" a song to a person who inspired, a deceased person who inspired you onward or gave you inspiration to overcome something. In most instances of the utilization its in reference to someone outside yourself that "Inspired" you to great feats. Your dedication is in recognization to that inspiration and success.

I personaly think that the term "Self-dedication" doesn't accurately describe what you are committing yourself to. To self Committ to a path is to state publicly your intent to follow a given path, angle, sequence or belief.

To Self Dedicate is to publicy give your alligence to a given god / goddess and all they may demand of you.

Of course this is my opinon only so others may disagree.

[Freyaschild]

We treated dedication as a very first step. Dedicating your intent to learn and practice, find out more ..THEN initiate after you are better informed.

It was, for myself anyway, a way of saying I really think this is for me, I'm dedicated to finding out.

[Ivy Artemisia]

It does sound redundant. Perhaps self-dedication could mean dedicating by ones self to their god/dess(es). When one dedicates to a group (and the god/dess(es)) thats not dedicating by ones self.

I don't know. Just something to think about.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

Self-dedication is a perfectly fine and normal practice. Hell, I dedicated myself years ago.
Initiation, however, is completely different, as there's a large aspect of....hmmm....Gods, I don't know what the words I want are, but I know what I mean :P
That said, I've never been initiated into anything. I've been Dedicated into the Odyssean Tradition, and that was a group event attended by people of my own choosing, but I don't have my First Degree.

[Lauren Michele]

Self Dedication is becoming widely more accepted as well as self Initiation due to the growing numbers of solitare and eclectic practices. We in this age are still shunned by other paths who self Initiate and feel only a witch can make witch, which does not hold true anylonger. Unless you join a coven or other group, they may feel your self Initiation holds no water.

As a solitare, I have dedicated myself . As far as Initiation, I feel that I must study more before I Initiate myself before The Goddess and God.

[juliaki]

For me, I went through a self-dedication, asserting myself to my committment to the gods and service on my Craft path. Then, much, much later when I started studying with a coven, I went through a dedication rite within the coven that had other terms. Finally, after a few more years, I ended up going through initiation within that same coven. The three were all very different rites that served different stages of my development and different levels of committment to the divine.

[SoulFire]

For me, I went through a self-dedication, asserting myself to my committment to the gods and service on my Craft path. Then, much, much later when I started studying with a coven, I went through a dedication rite within the coven that had other terms. Finally, after a few more years, I ended up going through initiation within that same coven. The three were all very different rites that served different stages of my development and different levels of committment to the divine.

That's what I did as well.