| Coming of Age Rituals These rituals are preformed to mark the coming to adulthood of a child. Some people may feel that the graduation of high school or finishing of secondary school marks this; others may feel there are other markers. Eitherway, this ritual is designed to welcome the child into adulthood and in covens initiates them fully as adult members to the coven. Most of these rituals describes the life myth of the God and Goddess (although this generally a Wiccan theme). Another common thing in these rituals is the initiate being blindfolded and made to notice sounds, sensations, and the like. Once lead back to the cove they chlid will annonuce their new Craft name (or be given one). |
| Green Witchcraft Naming Day Ritual (Ann Moura) The child may be brough to the circle with the circle defined by the candles and the altar set up inside. Gifts may be hidden underneath the altar. An adult (preferably the mother or father) may say: This is my child (name), who is moving into adulthood and seeks entrance into the circle to stand before the Lady and the Lord. Another parent or adult may ask: Do you come of your own free will to the circle? This child answers in the affirmative. The adult may ask: Are you willing to follow the Path of Initiation? The child answers in the affirmative. The adult says: Let this child entre before the Lady and the Lord. The circle is then cast and the adults review the life cycle of the Lord and the Lady. Adult female: The Lord is born at Yuletide with the returning of the sun. The Lady and all the earth rejoices at his return. Adult male: The Lady rests at Imbolc and prepares for the coming of the spring. Her son grows strong and plays the games of childhood. Adult female: Together they walk the fields and woods at Ostara, and all nature awakens as they pass. Adult male: With Beltane they sport and play, and all the land rejoices with life and vigour. Adult female: At Litha they are one and the promise of the harvest gives hope of sustenance to their chldren of the earth. Adult male: The Lord enriches the grain and gives his life for the creatures of the earth at Lughnassadh, yet the promise remains within the Lady Adult female: With Mabon, the Lord and Lady give us of their bounty and the Lord moves into his dark realm where he offers peace and rest to those whose life's cycle is ended. Adult male: In Samhain the veil between the worlds is thinnest, and the Lady as Crone stands by the Lord in the Land of Shadows, yet still she holds the promise within her and we bide the turning of the wheel with her. Adult female: At Yule the cycle is renewed and the Lord returns witht he sun. The wheel of the seasons is the wheel of life, and as the one turns, so turns the other. You are in the turning of the wheel. Both adults (one recites, the other anoints the thrid eye, making the sign of the Solar Cross at the end of the recitation): Blessed be thy feet, that take you on your path. Blessed be thy knees, that support you before the Divine. Blessed be thy abdomen, that gives you inner strength. Blessed be thy breast, that holds your heart true to the Lady and the Lord. Blessed be thy lips, that speak the sacred names. Blessed be thy eyes, that see the beauty of their love. Blessed be thy mind, that seeks their knowledge and their wisdom (anonit at third eye). The child is now blind folded and the adults take up whatever is needed for the ceremony (bread, meat, a feather fan, candles, etc.). The child may be lead to each of the four elements; like to a stream or pond or lake for the element water or the elements may be simulated. This is up to the adults. As you apporach the element, you woule demonstrate them. Earth: The female: I am the Earth mother from whose body you were formed. Know me in the feel of the ground beneath your feet, in teh touch of the trees against your hand. (Guide child's had to touch tree.) The male: I am the Lord of the Wildwood and teh grain whose life fills the wilderness and gives you bread. Know me in the animals and the grain you eat, for all life consumes life. (Give the child a taste of bread and bite of meat; or if vegetarian an animal friend to pet.) Air. The male: I am the God of the Sky whose breath gives you life. Know me when you inhale my essence. (Fan the child's face.) Fire. The male: I am the Lord of the Dance, know me in the fire of the sun and in the energy that moves you through your life. (Let the child feel the heat of flame.) Water. The female: I am the Goddess whose water of life flows through your body. Listen to my voice in the current of the sea/river/lake/etc. (Allow the child to hear the water or alternately feel it.) Spirit. The female: I am the Goddess who is from the beginning of time and will be to the end of time. My power and my love brings forth the fruitfulness of the earth and all that are born thereof. (Kiss the child on the cheek.) The initiation ritual make follow or anointing and the child may annonce their new adult craft name now. The call of regcognition follows. The parents: We are blessed by the Goddess and the God, known to us as (names), by their attendance at this Initiation. Know that (given name) is your child, (Craft name), and receive him/her into your guidance! The chlid is then kissed by all members of the circle. If gifts were brought they can be given and Cakes and Wine can be taken. |