Spirit Callings and Contracts

Of all the folklore I’ve studied, initiation into Witchcraft often boils down to four simple components in the European model: The calling, the acceptance, the contract, and the gift (or the giving of the power after the contract has been made). There were often other steps, and much preparation, to be taken in terms of the initiatory process with a Spirit, of course. But it all came down to these few fundamental components.

1. Calling by the spirits

In most regards, the craft is initiatory- even when the initiation is brought about in private by the Spirits. Common folklore provides examples of callings, but what calls the Witch varies from place to place, person to person, culture to culture: It could be in the form of visitations from the Spirits in dreams or in person, or being spirited away. It could be through the sudden revelation of power. In many cases a witch is called by their own ambitions and desires, or in other cases they are called by the Spirits without much of a choice. The calling is a very personal thing, but once it is heard, it cannot be ignored. And it is always this call that is the first step in pursuing witchcraft.

2. Acceptance

This is often the acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth by whatever Spirits has called you to the craft. In order to accept the terms of the Spirits, however, traditionally one would then be expected to renounce all former allegiances through a variety of rituals. This includes washing away the grace, saying the lord’s prayer backwards, the like. After one has rid themselves of old oaths, they are free to promise their soul elsewhere- whether that is to Spirits, Devils, Demons, Gods, or whoever else they may desire to make a pact with.

3. The Contract or Oath

A contract of give-and-take between the Witch and whatever entity has called to them is thus made. In folklore, there is a distinct understanding that whoever takes up witchcraft is doing so with the aid of unseen allies and familiars, and these entities have their own demands for the power they give; whether it is to suckle from the witch’s teat or be fed of butter and cream.

The contract with the Devil takes the shape of a ritual at sunrise or the signing of one’s name in his book or some other symbolic action of dedication. Making a pact, however, does not mean selling your soul as it is so often claimed in lore and the like. Besides ‘soul’, there are three other S’s that can go into a pact, and they’re by far the better options.

Service ⤳ Will you perform a service for them? A single one or multiple? Repeated? For how long?

Sustenance ⤳ Will you feed the spirit? Will you give it drink and food and smoke? Will you give it what it needs to live comfortably?

Sacrifice ⤳ Will you give a precious gift? Will you give up something that means something to you in return for something that you want? What will that be? How meaningful? How large is the gift?