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At the age of 16, a witch or warlock can have their Dark Baptism. This ceremony has been performed for centuries and allows them to unlock their full magical potential. The Dark Baptism takes place on the first full moon after someone's 16th birthday and is their dedication to the Dark Lord.

Preparing for the Ceremony

There are a few things that must be in place before this ritual. One of these includes being pure of virtue and "untouched." They also have to cleanse their body of any impurities. This can be done with a tincture of herbs that include rosemary, tannis, and John the Conqueror root, as well as eggs, milk, and vanilla.

A familiar must also be chosen before the event. This can be done by selecting one from the coven council's registry or through summoning. For example, Sabrina Spellman chose to summon hers. Another element of this ceremony is an animal sacrifice. In Sabrina's case, this was a billy goat, but sacrifices vary. It's a way of giving thanks to the Dark Lord.

Conducting the Ceremony

The candidate must choose a special name that will be used in the ritual. This name is symbolic of them becoming more than they currently are, and it should be chosen carefully, as it will have symbolic meaning. When they enter the area that the rite will take place, any clothing the candidate wears will turn black. The space is protected by hellfire as well. 

The entire coven gathers to witness this important event, and candles, torches, and a sacred fire are usually part of the ambiance. The High Priest or High Priestess of the coven has the job of initiating the newest member. The candidate disrobes and takes off their shoes as well. Other elements of the ritual include the reciting of vows, being baptized with blood, and having one's hand cut so that the blood drips onto the Book of the Beast. The young witch or warlock then signs their name in the book with their own blood.

"Are you willing to forsake the path of light and follow the path of night wherever it may lead you? Are you willing to place our Dark Lord above all others in your life?"
— Faustus Blackwood

Consequences of the Ceremony

After the ceremony, the greatest benefit is that the young initiate now has full access to their magical powers. They can cast powerful spells and are granted longevity, with some going on to live upwards of 700 years. This also marks the entrance into adulthood and full membership in a coven. The new member's familiar is also present to help protect them and do their bidding in the future.
 

One of the downsides of a Dark Baptism is that once initiated into the coven, the witch or warlock must do the bidding of the Dark Lord at any moment. When Sabrina Spellman discovered that she would not have the amount of free will that she thought she would, this cast serious doubt on her decision to go through with her Baptism. Rather than completing the ceremony, she refused to sign the book and ran into the woods. After this, a spell was placed around her home to protect her, but there continued to be conflict surrounding her decision.

Fun Facts

• The pen used to sign one's name in the Book of the Beast is made of bone.
• The goat sacrifice during Sabrina Spellman's Dark Baptism was named Black Narcissus.
• Coven members attending the ceremony have some flexibility in what they wear, and it is usually symbolic. One man at Sabrina's Baptism wore a rabbit's head.
• It is the witch's non-dominant hand that is cut open with a type of knife during the ceremony. 

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Written by Abigail Payne
Code by Hugo Prendergast