� Ruiseart
When I first started on my Path, many moons ago, initiation was the �way in�. No-one questioned it; it was just the way things were done. If you wanted to embark on a particular Path, you would seek out a group and if accepted you were initiated, and that was that.
Nowadays, with so many new people setting off on the various spiritual Paths, there seems to be a growing number of people who question the validity of the initiation process. Whilst the more traditional approach still exists, I have often heard the questions, �What�s so important about being initiated?� �I work solo, so why should I bother?� �I�m part of an �hereditary� system, so why do I need it?� etc., etc.
Whilst it�s important to respect the rights of individuals to practice in whatever way suits them, I believe there is much misunderstanding of the initiation process, hence the purpose of this article.
From this old Druid�s viewpoint, initiation occurs on two levels. Firstly (and most importantly in my opinion), it occurs on a spiritual level. It is a process of transformation, a rite of passage, a �birthing�, that takes place on the �inner�, and during this process the person becomes attuned to their Path. It is a deeply personal experience, which, I believe does not require the involvement of any other person. It is a process, which occurs between the person being initiated, and the Gods/Universe/whatever.
Often when discussing the concept of initiation with �old schoolers�, the subject of �solo practitioners� inevitably arises, and the question of whether they are �properly� initiated or not (as compared to group practitioners). I firmly believe that if a solo practitioner wishes to begin their �journey� by performing a private ceremony that operates at the above-mentioned level, they should go ahead, confident in the knowledge that their initiation is as valid as any formal group ceremony.
It has also been argued that some solo practitioners find the need for an actual ceremony irrelevant, as the very act of working with the energies of their particular tradition over a period of time, is an initiation in itself. Some even claim to experience a sudden and unexpected �change� within their beings whilst performing a simple task, thus triggering an initiatory effect. Whilst I personally feel that a ceremony of some sort would at least be a nice way of marking the occasion (and is certainly necessary when joining a group), I do respect these forms of initiation.
The second level at which initiation occurs, is on the physical and whilst the aforementioned spiritual transformation is still the main objective, a physical ceremony also provides the candidate with the opportunity to declare his or her commitment to the chosen Path in the presence of others.
In addition to this, when joining a group, the candidate is also able to show commitment to the particular organization by undergoing the same process of entrance as the other members, thus confirming his or her willingness to be part of the team. The members of the group have the opportunity to physically welcome in the new member, which, in turn, shows their commitment and paves the way for the inevitable development of the group-mind.
In conclusion, I believe that the process of initiation is extremely important. For some, it marks the beginning of their new journey and underlines the significance of their first step on the Path. For others, it may be viewed as a �coming home�, in regard to a previous existence, whilst to others it may serve as an acknowledgement, or confirmation, of what has already occurred at some other point in their lives.
Whatever the individual meaning, initiation can be seen as a gateway through which we all pass, in one way or another, as we find ourselves and discover our place within the cosmos.