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The deal with the Episcopal church is that they have hardly any members left -- that's why it's locked up tight.

So far as I know (but I'm a pretty new Catholic) there is absolutely no reason why a non-Catholic couldn't receive the ashes on Ash Wednesday. It's not a Sacrament like the Eucharist or Confession (you have to be Catholic to participate in a Catholic Sacrament - it could be hazardous to your spiritual welfare if you take something you don't fully believe in, plus it's a sign of solidarity and assent, which you don't want to do if you're not on board.)

. . . found the answer. You don't have to be Catholic, but you DO have to be a properly baptized Christian (i.e. baptized with water in the name of the Trinity):

Who may receive ashes on Ash Wednesday? May baptized non-Catholics receive ashes, or is such only for Catholics?
The Code of Canon Law, canon 1170 prescribes:
Can. 1170 Blessings which are to be imparted first of all to Catholics, can also be given to catechumens and even to non-Catholics unless there is a prohibition of the Church to the contrary.
This canon is under the section on sacramentals. While we know that non-Catholics cannot have access to Catholic sacraments, except for a just cause under various circumstances, sacramentals may be more widely participated in by others. Ashes are considered by the Church a sacramental. Therefore, the imposition of ashes upon non-Catholics falls under canon 1170.
According to this canon, such blessings may be given to non-Catholics unless prohibited elsewhere by law. There is no such prohibition in liturgical law, but there is a restriction. The Book of Blessings says:
The season of Lent begins with the ancient practice of marking the baptized with ashes as a public and communal sign of penance (no. 1656).
Ashes may be imposed upon baptized non-Catholics, but not unbaptized persons. Persons not yet regenerated through the Sacrament of Baptism cannot, properly speaking, do penance, nor can they share in the “communal” aspect of the sign. Baptism is the gateway to the community of God’s faithful people.

- CUF.ORG - Ash Wednesday questions

. . . found the answer. You don't have to be Catholic, but you DO have to be a properly baptized Christian

Cool! Thanks.

The season of Lent begins with the ancient practice of marking the baptized with ashes as a public and communal sign of penance (no. 1656).

Jay, read this American Mother's post and link.

Thanks for posting this AAM!