| Rituals for Children |
| If we are to make children a part of our rituals and circles we need to be able to let them participate in some way. There are moments and symoblism which children, ecspecially young children, will not understand nor are they particularly apporiate. At such times it makes you wonder if the ritual could possibly be more "child apporitate." We don't need to water down rituals to make them for children but perhaps use symbolism that is more on their level, in some cases this may mean have a ritual for the adults, and then one for the children. Other ways to involve children in your rituals are to allow them to make decorations, help set up and prepare the alter, blow out or light candles, and even maybe drumming, singing, or otherwise helping in the actual activities. Another way of allowing your children to have rituals is to simply help them plan out their own. Tell them about your ritual, and let them know when and why you are doing one. Ask them if they would like to have their own, or if perhaps you could help them make one of their own. If you are in a coven, take the children together as a group and let them design and preform their rituals. For solitaries with only one child maybe you could find a pagan friend, or set an example for your child and let them watch your solitary rituals. There are many things children can celebrate and have rituals for. Of course, rite of passage rituals and blessing rituals are obvious "special" reasons. Things like The First Moonblood, Craft Initiation, and Baby Blessings are for children, but not always designed by them. The Sabbats are also very "child friendly." From hiding Ostara eggs to decorating a Yule tree and dancing around a maypole children can take part in these observances easily. Let them decorate the altar with special eggs they have made for Osatar, allow them to blow out the candles at Candlemas, and of course, let them help decorate the Yule tree. On Beltane let your children "go amaying" and hid May Baskets for their firends; don't forget to hide one for your child as well though! Non-sabbat related ideas are make a ritual of feeding the fay, plant a garden and do a ritual to make the seeds grow, plant a special tree with your child and have your child share his/her soul with the tree, and a number of other fun things. Outside Sabbats let teach your children about nature and the cycles of the seasons. As you do this more ritual ideas will appear, just as they do in your own life and personal spirituaity. Above all, be creative and listen to your child's ideas! |