Much has been made of Wiccan initiations, both privately and publicly. Each Wiccan tradition has its own way of initiation, and is probably not recognized by other Wiccans. Only the fact that one can be a Wiccan only after initiation is common in all forms. Which brings up a good question. Who initiated the first Wiccan? Most ceremonies are nothing more than a rite symbolizing the acceptance of a person into the coven, or of their devotion to the Goddess and the God. To a non-Wiccan, this may seem like a rite of conversion. This is not at all true. We don't condemn our deities, or turn our back on them. We have no need for such rites of conversion.

Initiation is a process, gradual or instantaneous, of the individual's attunement with the Deities. Many believe that true initiation often occurs weeks or months, later or before, ritual initiation. Since this is so, "real" Wiccan initiation may take place years before the student contacts a Wiccan coven or teacher. Does that make the initiation less effective? Of course not. You might even be unaware of your initiation. Your life may gradually shift in focus until you realize that you notice the birds, and the clouds. You may gaze at the moon on lonely nights, and talk to plants and animals (I found this easy, I talked to plants and animals before even beginning my journey in Wicca.). Sunset might bring a time of quiet contemplation. Or you may change as the seasons change, adapting your body's energies to match those of the natural world around you. The Goddess and the God may sing in your thoughts, and you may perform rituals before actually realizing what you are doing. When the Old Ways have become part of your life, and your relationship with the Goddess and the God is strong, when you have gathered your tools, whether they be real and tangible, or just a focus of your energy, then you are truly of the spirit, and can call yourself "Wiccan."

This can be a lonely path, since so few of us follow the Old Ways. It's disheartening to spend your time reverencing nature and watching the Earth suffocating under tons of concrete while nobody seems to care. To contact others of like mind, you may want to subscribe to newsletters, or read message boards, and forums online, and meet others whose beliefs are like yours. Continue to read new books as they're published, keep up with the Wiccan world. Collect and write new rituals and spells. Wicca never needs to grow stale. When you feel an insurmountable joy in watching the sunset, and the moon rise, when you see the Goddess and the God manifest themselves in the trees on the mountain, or in the raging streams through the fields, when you can feel the pulse of the Earth amidst the noisy cities, you have received true initiation, and are linked with the ancient powers and the ways of the deities.