It is important to clarify certain aspects of Self-Dedication within the Seax-Wica tradition, a practice proposed by Raymond Buckland for those who do not have access to a coven or prefer to follow an individual path. Buckland emphasized that self-dedication serves two main purposes:
- When there is no coven nearby.
- When an individual prefers to pursue their spiritual journey independently, without joining a group or community.
However, Buckland acknowledged that humans are naturally social beings, and even those who begin their journey through Self-Dedication may eventually seek to join or form a coven. In The Tree, Buckland noted that if a solitary practitioner later connects with a Seax-Wica coven, their dedication could be recognized.
In a personal conversation with Buckland on February 8, 2012, he shared the following:
“On Self-Dedication being ‘recognized’ there is an element of trust. Why would someone claim to have Self-Dedicated themselves if they had not? If there is any doubt on the part of the coven, then let the coven give a new Initiation to the person (supposing that he or she is accepted by the group). But if someone is known (by the coven) to have been practicing as a Solitary and then he/she asks to become a coven member, if they are willing then it would not be necessary to give a coven initiation because it would be known that he/she had indeed been practicing (and therefore must have done a Self-Dedication). As it says in the book, once initiated you are a Gesith. So this applies to coven or Solitary. As a Solitary, once you feel you have learned enough to want to dedicate yourself, then you would do the Self-Dedication and so become a Gesith. Yes, you can establish a coven even if there is another one fairly close. People are only human (!) and not all get along. It can well be that two groups of people live close together but do not really see eye-to-eye on all aspects of religious practice. So there is no reason why they should not form two different covens . . . or three or however many are necessary. The covens are autonomous so they do not interfere with one another. Hopefully, they can exist side by side and be on good terms despite practicing their rites separately.”
The Path of the Self-Dedicate
In Seax-Wica, those who self-dedicate and either join a coven or remain independent must follow specific steps that reflect their commitment to the gods and the practice:
- Possess the basic tools for the altar.
- Transcribe the book The Tree.
- Follow the orthopraxis of the rituals described in The Tree for a full year.
- Perform the Self-Dedication Rite at the end of that year.
- Complement their knowledge with additional works, such as Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft.
- Research and deepen their understanding of the Saxon gods to whom they pay homage.
Those who complete this process and seek to join or form a coven should have at least three years of experience under orthopraxis. Recognized initiates, through their knowledge and experience, are equipped to guide others and teach the Seax-Wica tradition.
An exception to this rule occurs when a group of people decides to practice the Self-Dedication Rite together and operate as a group. While they may form a coven, it is wise not to seek to teach or expand the coven’s membership until they have internalized and embodied the Seax-Wica practice over time, usually within the first three years.
The Role of the Seax-Wica Solitary in the Community
There are various paths for those who self-dedicate. As self-initiates, they are considered initiates under their own responsibility and commitment to the gods. Some may wish to integrate into covens, while others prefer to maintain a private practice.
It is important to recognize that some “Solitaries” may not be consistent with the tradition and might boast about their status or practice in a way that mixes beliefs, such as angelology or New Age concepts, or honor deities from other traditions while treating Seax-Wica as a secondary or hidden practice. It is up to each Self-Dedicate or individual to determine whether a person who claims to be Seax-Wica is truly practicing according to the tradition. Seax-Wica does not guarantee an individual’s behavior, and actions are not necessarily indicative of their spirituality. It is their practice and devotion that keep them aligned with the tradition.
Recognition and the Role of the Initiate in Seax-Wica
In Seax-Wica, there is no central authority that oversees the practices of solitaries. Each person is autonomous in their path, and there is no obligation to recognize initiates, except through respect for Buckland’s teachings and principles.
According to the Seax-Wica Manifesto, all initiates, whether solitary or part of a coven, are committed to teaching the tradition to those who show interest and correcting misunderstandings that may arise regarding Wicca and Seax-Wica.
Roles within Seax-Wica:
- Cowan: A person with no knowledge or involvement in witchcraft.
- Theow: A sympathizer of witchcraft who participates externally in coven celebrations.
- Seax-Treów: A sympathizer of Seax-Wica who honors the Saxon gods without committing formally to the tradition.
- Ceorl: Someone who chooses to follow the priestly path and participates in a seminar under the guidance of a coven or as a solitary.
- Self-Dedicated: A practitioner who, after a year and a day, takes an oath to the gods and can form or join a coven.
- Gesith: An initiate recognized as a companion within a coven or as a solitary by another Gesith, integrating them into the community actively.
EXTRACT WITH PERMISSION- ©The Forest – A further guide for the Experienced Seax-Wica Practitioner: Insights After a Decade of Practice(2019) by Juan Manuel Espinoza Guzmán.
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