The scourge is a ceremonial device that is used to strike the body in a repeated and rhythmic fashion as a purification rite or practice of spiritual discipline that allows the subject to practice ignoring physical sensation in order to perfect their spiritual awareness and enter an altered state of consciousness. In a more religious context, the scourge may be used to demonstrate humility before the Gods, and in a group context it may symbolize and individual’s willing subjection to the will of the group.

The scourge itself is usually a whip of some sort, but may be a cat-o-nine tails, a belt or a switch depending on the group. The actual strikes made with the scourge is rarely painful though there are variations between groups. The scourge may be used by the practitioner alone as part of a private or public ritual or ceremony or it may be used in a group setting as the one wielding the scourge, usually a trainer or leader, assists the one receiving the scourge in their practice.

Some groups use the scourge in initiation rites to symbolize the subjugation of the individual to the will of the collective and/or to assist the initiate in reaching an altered state of consciousness collectively with the group in order to complete the ritual in a more spiritual, less physical state. Often there is a set number of strikes according to the individual tradition.

The scourge was used by monks in Christian mysticism as a symbol of rejection of fleshly things and self-punishment for sins. In ceremonial magick, it is a form of spiritual discipline to aid the seeker in rising above the physical to reach more a more spiritual altered state of consciousness. It is believed to have been brought into Witchcraft practice by Gerald Gardner when he codified and popularized Wicca as he was known to associate with contemporary ceremonial magicians and may have been heavily influenced by them.

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