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The Seeker is required to obtain the following tools before they are to be initiated. These tools are required to be presented by the Seeker to the High Priest and the High Priestess for their approval at least one moon prior to the Seeker's initiation. This is done out of respect for the officers positions. It is also preferable that you, as a Seeker, will have attended several meetings before Initiation so that you well know what you're entering into. There is also a tradition regarding "the Witness." The Witness is just that, a third party, who witnesses the presentation of the Seeker's Tools of the Art and Craft to the High Priest and High Priestess and thereby verifies that it took place. The teacher, if already selected by the High Priest, could, in theory, fulfill this function if practicality dictates. Also, remember - the Oath of the Tuatha must be taken before Initiation. 1. The Tools Of The Art And Craft a. The Required Tools: (Charged by the H.P. and H.Ps. at Initiation) 1. A Robe Element: Water The robe must be a solid color (no prints or decorative weaves) of the student's choice, with or without a hood, and may be trimmed in a contrasting color of the student's choice. The robe needs to slip easily over the head, be ankle length, and loosely comfortable. After initiation, the student may embroider the First Degree symbol onto a sleeve or cuff (a green upright pentacle on the right for males, left for females). 2. Cord Element: Earth The cord is used to tie around the waist of the robe and mark out the bounderies of circles when used as a compass. The cord may be constructed in one of two ways: 1. A simple rope of any color or any material - the choice is the student's. 2. Braid or weave the cord of cloth, leather, silk, or plant material. The cord must have a finished overall length of 9 feet, including a loop at one end, and knots as follows: 3 1/2' - 4 1/2' - 5 1/2' - 6 1/2' - 7 1/2' - five knots in all. Only initiates wear cords, it is a symbol of the priesthood. 3. Hudlath: Element: Air Cut Hudlath after the moon has gone dark (up to three days following, which is the New Moon). Make sure that the tree is agreeable, and the branch that you cut is sturdy. Diseased or decayed wood is NOT acceptable! Some trees will "gift" you with a branch, so sometimes it is unnecessary to actually cut one of its branches. Acceptable trees are fruiting trees, (barren hybrids are poor choices) - nuts and other seed pods are also fine. Hudlath length is up to the student, but "standard" length is from outside bend of the elbow to tip of the longest finger. Let it sit in moonlight as it waxes until the Full Moon. Strip the bark off, sand, decorate, or carve. Have it charged by the initiators. 4. Twen Element: Fire A double-edged knife with a sheath that could be hung off the cord. The Twen's blade can be of steel, iron, bronze, brass, silver, or stone. The handle is of the student's own preference (not plastic), and comfortable in the hand. Wood, bone, horn, shell, metal, stone, etc. are all good choices. The Twen is to be used only for magick, not cutting. It may be decorated with etching and\or carving. 5. A Wine chalice. This is also used to drink wine out of at group meetings. 6. Water Chalice Represents Water in the elemental position (west). It can be a cup, goblet, shell, bowl, etc. of any material (avoid plastic) as the student prefers. 7. Salt Dish Represents Earth in the elemental position (north). Can be a cauldron, dish, shell, plate, bowl, etc. of any material (avoid plastic) as the student prefers. 8. Thurible/Censer Represents Air in the elemental position (east). It must be able to be moved while the incense is being burned on charcoal. It can be on a stand (where a stand can be raised), but chains work best. The best materials are metal (with feet to protect altar top surface), oven proof china, stone, or pyrex glass. 9. Candleholders and Candlestick(s) You will need to acquire your candleholders for your Goddess candle (green), your God candle (red), and your Fire candle (white). The candles for them may be acquired at anytime. The white candle represents Fire in the elemental position (south). The green candle represents the Goddess, and the red candle represents the God. The candleholders may be of the student's preference (avoid plastic) and may hold votive, taper, pillar, or sculpture candles. If using a votive, a clear cup is preferred for the Fire candle, as the candle needs to be WHITE in color. |