As my journey progressed, my Shamanic apprenticeship was completed and I found myself facing a choice of whether or not to undertake a formal initiation. This was not an initiation into any tradition but a formal dedication of myself to my path and of service to my community. This choice was not something that I took lightly. Deep heartfelt and honest reflection, meditation on what I wanted out of my journey and the Apprenticeship, and my community, and engagement with my craft were all needed. Everything depended on where I wanted to go with what I had learned from Gede’s teachings, from my workings, from my studies, and from the connections I had established through my craft. I reflected and found that this initiation was something I really needed to do.
Of course, I didn’t really think through the question of ‘what is initiation’ very much before I entered into it. I had a rough idea that I thought was fully fleshed until I actually started to go through initiation. It was nothing like what I was expecting. And it has been an amazing journey!
My initiation was a full day – from sun up to sun down. It was composed of many parts, most of which involved my reflection and connection with various different aspects of my craft, my path, and my allies over the day. Some rituals I devised on the fly, some were directed by the one who led me through the day. One involved the service of another. I connected with my ancestors, with the deities that are special to me, with my landscapes and special places, and with two very special people. Many revelations happened over the day including new beginnings. Most of this I appeared to be totally oblivious to on the day, and it was really only months afterwards when I began reflecting back that I realised how much of who I am now began on that day. Initiation is a very personal journey. No two initiations are going to be the same. And that is a wonderful thing! Something I learned from that day was that initiation may begin or be marked on a day but it continues long afterwards and just keeps on happening. I just have to be aware and willing to engage with the work as it unfolds.
In thanks to the wonderful Lisa L, who provided a special service during my day of initiation, I wrote her a song ‘Lady Raven‘. I wanted it to be as special as the service she provided so I put into it elements that are special to her. And then I gave her the song. I’ve placed it on my blog with her permission, although she was too shy to record her version of it. The picture I’ve used for the song is from the web because I don’t yet have a photograph of a raven on a grave with a lady dancing around it, but when I do I’ll change it over.
Green and Grey 