(^120) A Wiccan Bible
Greek alphabet—Per lore, the muse Clio, also called Kleio, was responsible for bring-
ing the written language to the Greeks. She is almost always depicted with scrolls and
quill in her capacity as muse of history and the heroic poetry found the telling of a
historic tale. Although Clio brought the Greeks their alphabet, their lore says Cecrops
initially taught the first people of Athens how to write. He is half snake and half man,
born of the soil itself and thought to be the father or grandfather of the Greek people.
Irish Ogham alphabet—Oghma Grainaineach, also called Oghma and Ogma, report-
edly either invented or received (depending on the story) the Ogham. This is the oldest
form of the written language attributed to the Irish. Many believe this alphabet is also
a calendar describing the Celtic view of the year.
Japanese written language—Per lore, it was Tenjin who taught the Japanese how to
write their language. He is also god of learning and educational systems.
Roman alphabet—Per lore, it was Evander, also known as Euandros, who brought
written language to the Roman people. He also resided over law and the arts.
Norse Rune alphabet—Odin is most often considered a god of war and death. How-
ever he is also cited as having received knowledge of the runes while hanging for nine
days from the world tree, wounded by his own spear. Whether this form of written
language was first a magickal tool and later an alphabet is a great debate; however, it is
clear that at some point they were the written word.
So in writing the varar we make it sacred. We include it in our Books of Shadows
because we want to remember that the union of initiate to coven or household is sacred.
We want to keep a record of who has come and who has gone the same way one might
keep the birth certificate or adoption papers of a child who is brought into a family.
There is another side to the varar, a more practical side. I do not think it is wise to
initiate a person into a coven until they are of legal age. The Rite of Wiccaning is
different from the Rite of Initiation in that Wiccaning is a dedication of the community
to the child and not the child to any one religion. I do not believe one should be dedi-
cated to a religion until that person can consent to such matters. Although we might
bicker over what age a person can give that consent, our culture has established some
rather clear ages for this purpose. If you decide it is acceptable to initiate someone
under that legal age, let the varar be signed by that person’ legal guardian and nota-
rized. Even then, it is best that legal guardian stand at the Initiation.
Another practical reason for keeping a written varar is the matter of contact infor-
mation. The initiate’s contact information should be included in the varar and kept
updated at regular coven or household meetings, sometimes termed Esbats. This way,
the initiated and coven or household members are always able to contact each other.
o WB Chap 07.p65 120 7/11/2003, 5:52 PM
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(Barré)
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