Second Degree Initiation - Balancing Dark & Light

[Myst]

Even though I've never been part of a coven, recently I had the urge to consider an initiation into the second degree.

As I understand, this traditionally means an initiation into a degree wherein you learn how dark balances light, how chaos balances order, and to appreciate that dark and chaos can bring good things. Essentially you learn "a witch who can't hex can't heal".

There are those who would balk - "only do good! dark is EeeVvvIllLLLL!!!". Oh well this is all in my opinion anyway.

So recently I was drawn to Hecate and more recently for some reason drawn to creating a ritual for this second initiation (symbolized often, btw, by the inverted pentagram), and here it is a full moon tonight.

Anyone got ideas, suggestions, or comments?

[Mairwen]

Our Second Degree does the same thing. Interesting. LOL!

[Betty Ann Bongo]

Willow,

When I took my second (just this past month) I used a ritual focusing around the Descent of Inanna. The year is spent in the underworld, revelaing the self, battling personal demons, gaining personal insight. When the year is thrugh, I plan to take my Rebirth, where I am presented to the world as a self-directed, selk-knowledgeable witch. After a year of EMerging Anew, I will likely take my third. (after gaining all the specialities and whatnot).

The reason I think its important to do the Rebirth ceremony is that some peope never take their Third, and if you go down into the Underworld--you'd sure as Hell better come out! So, regardless of whether initiates take their Third, I encourage them to spenda year in the Underworld, then be Reborn, and then decide from there whether or not they want to take their Third.

[Myst]

I'm putting it off.

I mean I know I have to do it (you know how they nudge you and whisper things in your ear sometimes), but it's like.. great.. now I get to face fears, myself, AND chaotic change (been seeing the chaotic change coming for months, but I don't know what it is. It's started a bit. They keep nudging me through tarot cards and dreams). I was thinking this should be a dark moon ritual but I think they have different ideas. You know when you just _feel_ "ok, time to do this"?

Betty : did you have any experiences with facing your fears, yourself, or massive changes or understandings that you'd be willing to share?

Mairwen : same to you - do you have anything you are willing to share about your experiences? What I gather from the second degree is what I've read, supplemented recently with just this _feeling_. Sometimes I feel I've really lost out by not having a coven to learn with, but then sometimes I think I'm guided in other ways. In your coven was it just a matter of time or was there some way people knew it was time to try the second?

[Myst]

I ask about the timing because, as I've mentioned, I've been studying Paganism for 4 years and actively practicing as a self-initiated Witch for 3. I know this will be the hardest set of things to face and I'm surprised some covens go strictly with time.

[Betty Ann Bongo]

Willow,

I will PM you. I don't mind taking about it in private, but I"d rather not post my experiences in front of god and everyone :o

[Myst]

I have no PM's yet...?