Seekers and Guides: The Three Degrees of Wicca
Wicca has changed a great deal from its founding in its modern form with the New Forest Coven. Once, degrees and initiations were an essential part of the practice, but now, with solitaries and eclectics outnumbering most other forms of Wicca, such ways have been almost forgotten. Most Witches today do not understand the purpose or need for initiations. They tend to view them as excuses for “trad Witches” to be arrogant and hierarchical. Unfortunately, even some initiated Witches seem to see it that way. My background includes eclectic and solitary practice, as well as initiation in two very different traditions, so I thought I ought to take some time to explain what initiation and the Three Degrees of Wicca are all about.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2013/06/seekers-and-guides-the-three-degrees-of-wicca/