The BOS is being built and will arrive little by little...please check back daily! And remember, just because it's here, doesn't mean it's finished! Hahaha
I have struggled this last week with how I was going to write this first section...should I treat you visitors to this BOS as I have students in the past? Or should I acknowledge that most parents on this path are in little need of instruction in the basics? Well, after deliberation, I decided that I would treat you as teachers, not students, and provide things I use with my boys, and let you decided what your child can use or not.
I truly believe that this site will only be successful with all of us: parents, grandparents and guardians of our children, working together to make it as great and useful as I dream it will be one day...for the benefit and enjoyment of all.
Rules of Conduct & Wiccan Rede
Below are simplified versions of both the Rules of Conduct and The Wiccan Rede. I simplified them for use with children. You will have to spend some time to explain each line, each rule, in a way they will understand. I was going to put explanations here, but knowing that all children understand differently, decided that you, as their parent, could better chose the words that would effect them most, and teach them best. As always, when teaching morals and personal behavior, the example you set will teach them better than your words.
Rules of Conduct:
1. To use the power, you must feel it in your heart and know it in your mind.
2. Be careful what you do.
3. Be careful who you trust.
4. Do not use the power to hurt another for what is sent - comes back, three-fold.
5. A Witch never uses the power against another Witch.
The Wiccan Rede:
Bide the Wiccan law ye must
In perfect love and perfect trust
Eight words the Wiccan's Rede fulfill
"As Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will."
What you send forth, comes back to thee
So ever mind the Rule of Three
Follow this with mind and heart
And Merry Ye Meet, and Merry Ye Part!
Cleansing the Area:
Using your besom (ritual broom) to cleanse the area as you normally would...well, okay, maybe not how you normally would! To let your children be a part of it all, I have some suggestions:
My 9yr old, Dracohawk, usually does the sweeping, and he can be rather...uhm, shall we say, vigorous in his motions...but, it is about making them a part of it, and part of me can't help but wonder if he is not starting the energy building for what is to come later on with his prancing and sweeping...
While Draco sweeps, Nebenue, who is two (but I have my suspitions) and I follow behind while all of us chat:
As we sweep, all the bad is chased away!
Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!
Away! Away! Away!
Circle is clean!
Ready for Lady Moon,
And Father Sun!!!
Let our work be Done!!!!
Now, Nebenue loves the chanting, he has his best fun during this time. That and the skipping also serves the purpose of getting the wiggles out of the kids before it is time for the quieter work...so let them have at it! You will be surprised how it helps! And, again, and many times more, you will hear me tell you...HAVE FUN!
Well, the kids are calling, so I will have to finish this later...*sigh*
My 9 year old son, DracoHawk (self-named) found an old BOS of mine on a shelf in my room, and decided that he wanted his own Book of Shadows. Now, he is only nine, as I said, so he has not had a naming ceremony. And if I do not mention that he is planning it as we speak, he is going to get mad at me. Anyway, I did not really feel it was the time for him to start one. But he informed me that it was his choice...I conceded, reminding myself that he is choosing his own path, and as long as I am here to guide him, I need to let him walk it the way he wants to. And so I stepped aside.
We re-wrote some old prayers in my old BOS to suit his age, and here they are:
Morning Prayer
O Gracious Lady
O Gracious Lord
Give me strength, health and Love
During this coming day
Help me with any problems today
Share your divine wisdom
Teach me to respect all things
Help me to know that Love is great!
Blessed Be
Bed Time Prayers
Lady of the Moon
Lord of the Sun
Protect me and mine
Now day is done!
~*~
O Gracious Lady
O Gracious Lord
I am off to Dreamland
Protect me on my journey
Guard my body and my spirit
Watch over me
Until the Sun once again
Rules the Earth
O Gracious Lady
O Gracious Lord
Be with me through the night.
Blessed Be!
Meal Prayer
(coming soon)
Seven-fold Blessing
Here is a simplified version of an old favorite. It seems perfect for children, and in fact, my two year old will NOT go to sleep without me saying it to him--while, of course, tickling each place as I go along...
Blessed Be your feet, that take you on your path.
Blessed Be your knees, that hold you before the Divine.
Blessed Be your tummy, that gives you inner strength.
Blessed Be your chest, that holds your heart true to Them.
Blessed Be your lips, that will one day speak the secret names.
Blessed Be your eyes, that sees the beauty of Their love.
Blessed Be your mind, that seeks Their knowledge and Their wisdom.
