Just wondering, what are everyone's views on self dedication? Do you/ did you feel you needed to do a ritual/ ceremony, or are you happy on your path without doing anything 'official'?

When I had been learning for about a year I tried a self-dedication. It just didn't feel right. Now I realise this was most likely because I hadn't settled on my path completely, and perhaps because the magical name I had come up with didn't sit entirely comfortably - and maybe just because I hadn't come far enough yet. yet still years on from there I do not feel ready to try again.

Sorry if this has been asked before (or if I've asked it before - I have a horrible feeling I may have done )

Don't think you have hon, but Eagledance did, here

I did a complete self-dedication a couple of years ago (long speech, casting a circle, the whole nine yards) and I felt so uncomfortable doing it, too. T'was probably because the path that I walk now has no need of the complex "ritual" side of things, and relies more on doing what "feels" right.

I think that in the end, I was given the acceptance by the gods, and not the other way around. Last Samhain, I took an apple and cut it in half, and buried it in the garden as an offering. After I'd done it, a massive raindrop fell and hit me smack in the middle of the forehead...I took it as a sign that I'd done something right and had been marked accordingly

I find that the smaller and more simplistic the celebration, the better it is for me, these days, and for those that I honour, too.

Ah ok Pomona, thanks.... thought I remembered reading it before. Wasn't even that long ago....my memory is getting worse

Minty I think you're right there - definitely sounds like a sign! .... and I think I would feel more comfortable with smaller affirmations of my belief like that rather than a big grand ceremony.

So try it out, hun, you have nothing to lose and much to gain.

The moon is waxing at the moment, so should be full soon, just think about the kind of thing that you'd like to say, and then just say it...doesn't have to be fancy or flash, the gods know your intentions.

Doing dedications and stuff on festivals dates is good and full of symbolism to many, but it's not necessary, not really. I suppose that even the full moon isn't needed (just gives you time to prepare ). The gods are always there, whatever the date and time of year.

Good idea.... I will try it. perhaps I'll hide up the garden and do a little something (Whilst parents are distracted by Corrie of course!)

Sounds good, Veryn (everything stops for Corrie )

I never have. But i think of the times that i have felt the need to do things in a sort of ritual way and how important the doing became. I think that if you feel you would like to then you should as long as you do it so that it means something to you. So personally i'd plan it well so that the doing becomes a pleasure you will remember.

I did once think of oathing to a god, which I suppose is the dame thing?

Anyway, I asked him about it and he told me 'no'. He was quite amused. He wouldn't tell me why the refusal.

Then, a few weeks later, a god who hadn't been in my life for years strolls by, calm as you please, and tells me, almost in passing, that I'm his, actually. And no, no oathing is necessary as it wouldn't make any difference to the situation.

Good luck with whatever you do, but I would say, in the light of my own experience - discuss it with 'them'.

Gives me an excuse to get creative and perhaps write my own words too


MH that's interesting... and says to me that maybe I should stop thinking about it too much and just let it happen!

I never have, have thought about it but have never felt that nudge or urgency to do anything, but thats not to say I wouldn,t if I felt I needed to(does that make any sense?)You,ll know what to do and when

I did think about holding some sort of self-dedication, but in the end never got around to it... just never really felt it was necessary. Or maybe I just never came up with something worth doing

If you have something in mind, and it's something you want to do, then I say go for it - if it is something you have planned for yourself then it will be memorable and special, no matter how simple or complicated you make it.

Hmmm, I will think about what I want to do and say, and do it carefully this time. Maybe that way it will feel more 'worthwhile'. I know now that I shouldn't have rushed into it jst because it's what some people/sites/books say you 'must' do. I'll take my time and make it special!

ive thought about it in the past ,but as i am godless i realised it would be a bit pointless,this might change in the future though so i wouldnt rule it out ,i know it would be something simple as well cos i dont do complicated as i havent the memory or the brain power

I think I would be dedicating myself more to the path in general than any particular deity. I am drawn to certain ones but not sure.... I;ll see what develops!