all from http://www.ecauldron.com/ [size=+3]A Wiccaning Ritual I</B> [/size] by Coven of the Fertile Earth Author's Note: This is the text of the Wiccaning ritual Carol and I used for our baby. We were lucky enough to have three other covens in the area to join with us in welcoming Arnie to the world. It seemed to be well received. Remember that the ceremony is more for the adults than the child! It is more important to make sure that the feelings come through than to follow a set form. The Wiccaning ceremony is: a reminder that the child has chosen to be born to you; an introduction to the physical and spiritual aspects of the world by meeting the elementals and the Lord and Lady; a naming ceremony; the parents verbalizing their feelings by stating vows (very important IMHO); community building by allowing all present a chance to verbalize their feelings. Cast Circle Priestess: We gather together as a Circle of friends to welcome one of our own back to the community. In past lives we have lived, loved, and fought together. It is with great rejoicing that we greet one who has returned. Priest: His spirit is one with us, as he has shown by choosing to reincarnate in this time and place. But his body is new, and must be introduced to the ancient ways of our people. Parents hold child facing north. Priestess moves to the north holding salt. Priestess: I call to the North Powers and creatures of Earth Greet this child, And give him your blessings. Sprinkle baby with salt. Parents then hold child facing East. Priest moves to the east with censer. Priest: I call to the East, Powers and creatures of Air. Greet this child, And give him your blessings. Cense child. Parents then hold child facing south. Priest moves to the south with the sword (or wand). Priest: I call to the South, Powers and creatures of Fire. Greet this child, And give him your blessings. Touch baby with the flat of the blade (or wand). Parents then hold child facing the West. Priestess moves to the west with the chalice. Priestess: I call to the West, Powers and creatures of Water. Greet this child, And give him your blessings. Sprinkle baby with water. Priest and Priestess return to Altar, parents and child stand on the other side of the altar. Priestess: Woden and Freya, Lord and Lady, We bring this young child before You, Asking that You embrace him in body and spirit. Protect and guide him upon his path, and witness that we accept him into out community In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Priest: (parent's names), have you chosen a Wiccan name for your child? Parents: Yes, ------- Priestess: (baby's mundane name), your parents have chosen (------) to be your Pagan name until you come of age. You have honored them by being born to them. Now, they return the honor with these vows: Parent's state their vows to the child; generally to love and respect and protect the child and to be an all around good parent. Priest:The Lord and Lady, the watchtowers, and all present bear witness to the naming of this child, and to the vows made by his parents. It is time for the community to welcome (------). Greet him and give him your blessings. Priest and Priestess give their blessings, then parents take the baby around to meet the rest of the Circle and receive their blessings. Priestess: As adults coming into the Craft, we tend to emphasize the rite of initiation into the mysteries. Yet, as important as that is, initiation is only one of many rites of passage to be experienced in a lifetime. (------) has experienced his first rite of passage and his first Circle. May the Gods grant that the members of this community will be there to guard and guide him as he grows to reach other rites of passage. Cakes and Ale or close Circle
[size=+3]A Wiccaning Ritual II</B> [/size] by Lady Shyra, Tryskelion Coven Notes on Ritual: Circle is cleansed, consecrated and setup prior to main ritual. Cakes and mead are blessed prior to casting the Circle. The brass cauldron is setup in the center of the Circle, filled with flowers and greens. Consecrating oil is on the altar. Light incense, preferably stick incense (less smoke). Any and all gifts for the child are set beside the altar. Guests and participants are seated around the altar. Invocations: Invocation of the Watchtowers Invocation of the Lord and Lady Goddess Invocation: Blessed Lady, You who art our Mother, our Lover, our Comforter, We ask you to draw close to us this night. Bless the life and path of this small and sacred one, Who is here to be dedicated in your honor. Sharing of cakes and mead: High Priestess: In honor of the Lady, from whom all Life flows, Do I pour this toast, and drink this wine. High Priest: In honor of the Lord, from whence comes the strength of the seed Do I pour place this offering, and eat this cake. (Each is passed around the Circle) Main Ritual: HPS: We meet in this place that is no-place, at this time out of time, to ask the blessings of our Lord and Lady upon (Baby's Name), son/daughter of (Parents' Names), so that he may grow in strength, love and wisdom. Remember always that there are many paths in this life, and that each must find his own. Therefore, we do not seek to bind (Baby's Name) to any one path while he is still too young to choose. Instead, we ask the Lord and Lady, who know all Paths and to whom all Paths lead, to bless and protect this child so that when he is grown, he may choose his own path without fear or doubt. (Mother's Name), mother of (baby's name), bring him forward that he may be blessed. Mother brings the child to the HPS. She takes him into her arms and asks: HPS: (Mother's Name), does your child have a hidden name? Mother: His hidden name is __________. HP hands the HPS the annointing oil and HPS annoints the child's forehead in the sign of the pentagram, saying: HPS: I annoint thee, (mundane name), with oil, and give thee the hidden name of _______. HP hands HPS the wine, and she annoints the child's forehead with wine, saying: HPS: I annoint thee, (baby's name), with wine, in the name of the Lord of us all. HP hands HPS salt water, and she annoints the child's forehead, saying: HPS: I annoint thee, (hidden name), with the water of life, in the name of the Threefold Goddess. HPS hands the child back to the mother. She holds out her sword towards the parents, saying: HPS: I bid you both to put your hands upon my blade and hearken to our words. For the bringing of new life into this world, and the linking of one so young to the ancient mysteries, is a serious matter. I bid you both to give your child the finest of you; give him a home filled with love and happiness. When you have your differences, quiet the argument Let not his world know of such adult disruption. Respect him as the individual that he is, for he is unique. Give him challenges, that he may learn his strengths and his weaknesses, but stand always ready to soothe the pain of this world. Teach him the Old Ways, but force him not. Do you hearken and swear to these vows, to the best of your ability? Parents: In sight of our Gods and our friends, we take this sacred vow. HPS: (holding her hands in blessing over the child): May the Lady bless and protect him. May Diana fill his soul with self-confidence; may Sofia grant him wisdom, and may Astarte grant him a life filled with love. HP: (holding his hands in blessing over the child): May the Lord bless and protect him and grant him the strength and wisdom to meet Life's challenges. May he know compassion and give it threefold. May he know love, and give it threefold to the world. May the Ancient Ones of the Watchtowers grant him the wise use of their attributes. NOTE: In this ceremony, the child being Wiccaned was my grandson, and I was HPS. As such, I gave him the following special blesing just from me. HPS: May your days be filled with joy and love, my grandson. May you grow up knowing always how very dearly you are held in my heart, for you are the new link in our unbroken Circle. May all who have come before you grant you their wisdom and guidance. At this time, any others in the Circle may offer their blessings upon the child. The small family rejoins the group around the cauldron. HPS still stands, saying: HPS: The Lord and the Lady have blessed him, The Lords of the Watchtowers have acknowledged him, We, his friends, have welcomed him. Therefore, let all light shine brightly upon (hidden name), And all darkness fall but gently. So mote it be. Thanks to the Lord and Lady HPS: Blessed Lady, Our rite here is ended, but we ask that you stay close to this new family. Hold and protect them and keep them safe from the evils of this world. Grant your blessings upon all who are gathered here, Gracious Lady, that in the best and worst of times, they feel your comforting presence. So Mote it be. Thanks to the Lord Thanks to the Watchtowers Opening of the Circle
[size=+3]A Wiccaning Ritual III</B> [/size] by Zephyr LionessGoal: This ritual is for the purpose of formally naming a child, and presenting him or to the universe. It is a first rite of passage for a new life, called "christening" in Christianity. Preliminaries: Do this ritual when the parents are sufficiently recovered from the birth that they feel like contending with people again! Rushing this can spoil the joy of it for exhausted families. Some traditions chose to do this at a specific time, for example the first new moon after the birth date, the equinox or solstice of the season in which the child is born, etc. Pick when you feel would be most appropriate. Invite people who care about this child and will be watching over him, such as family (by blood or chosen), Goddess Parents, and friends. Advise people that they may bring a small, symbolic gift to the child, if they so desire. This need not be costly or traditional things like toys or clothing, though that is okay too. However, it could be a poem, a gemstone, a collection of photographs, or something the person made for the child. Ideally many of these things can be saved so that the child can have them again at age 18 or so, to see all the wishes people had for them. Some examples might be "I bring this book and candle to (child's name), in hopes her intellect will burn brightly." or, "I bring this teddy bear to (child's name), in hopes that she will feel safe and comfortable throughout her childhood." or, "I bring this song to (child's name), in hopes she will be blessed with appreciation of music." If the baby cries through this, no problem. He/she is just participating! As he is announcing his presence, just go with it in the ceremony; do not become frustrated. Supplies: Standard altar set up, and a candle to match the color of the zodiac sun sign under which the child was born. Guests and their symbolic gifts, parents and siblings of the child and their symbolic gifts. If the name has a visual symbol, you may place something on the altar to symbolize it. In our example, a feather for (child's name). Ritual Set up the altar, call the quarters, cast the circle and invite the deities. A sample deity invitation is below, use appropriate invocations for other deities of you choice. Great Goddess Artemis, protector of the young. We ask that you attend this rite, and welcome this child to the moonlit earth. Great God Apollo, golden brother, god of heroes and poets. We ask that you attend this rite, and welcome this child to the sunlit earth. Parents approach altar with baby. Priestess: Who is this new traveler? Parents: (child's name) Priestess: [Raise censer of incense and draw pentacle in the air before the child.] I bless you (child's name) with the power of fire and air. [Draw pentacle on child's third eye with salt water on finger.] I bless you, (child's name) by the power of earth and water. Priest: Lord Apollo, Guide her in the ways of kindness and courage. Let her be valiant and wise, as you are. Give to her your talents and appreciation for poetry, art and music. Warm her through the long days of learning ahead. Priestess: Lady Artemis, protect (child's name) with your vigilance. Let her breathe in your fresh air of the forest. Let her be as strong, free, and independence as you are. Guide her hunt for her own path. Protect her through the darkest of nights, and her ponder the infinity of the starry sky. Parent: [One of the parents takes baby and faces him/her in each direction, starting with east. Once Priest/ess has made the blessing for that direction, they walk slowly clock wise until they face the next direction, where they pause for the next statement.] Priest: Hail East! Recognize this person (childn's name). Help her to soar in the limitless sky of thought and imagination. Send (child's name) gentle breezes to guide her on her path. Bless (child's name) with all the airborne powers of the East. Priestess: Hail South! Recognize this person (child's name). Warm her, strengthen her Will with your energy. Send (child's name) light to help her prevail in the challenges that await her. Bless (child's name) with all the burning powers of the South. Priest: Hail West! Recognize ths person (child's name). Help her to swim the deep seas of emotion and empathy. Send (child's name) cleansing waters to cleanse her of doubts and confusion. Bless (child's name) with all the flowing powers of the West. Priestess: Hail North! Recognize this person (child's name). Help her to stand firm on Mother Earth. Send (child's name) rich soil to root in, and connect her with all that is. Bless (child's name) with all the solid powers of the North. Optional God/dess Parent Component: The Goddess Parents should be brought forth to the center of the circle, and the parents as well. One parent should hold the baby. Priestess: In times past, children were not the sole responsibility of the biological parents. this responsibility is too great for any one, or even two, people to bear alone. I would hope that all in the community would help a child in need. As a reminder that children need many sources of support, the tradition of god/goddess parents arose. These chosen people will have a special relationship with (child's name); will be there should he need someone outside the home to talk to; will share experiences, and be a neutral and loving third party should the family need help. The parent should say: (God/dess parent's name or name) will you participate in the upbringing of this child? Will you be there to listen to her, and to help and advise us in her welfare, if necessary? God/dess parents answer affirmatively. Parent passes the child to the god/dess parent. If there is more than one, the goddess parent holding the child repeats the speech and then hands it to the other or next god parent. Then the parent takes the child back. God/dess parents(s): Bless and keep you (child's name). I will be here for you. Name Chant The parent(s) then sit or stand in the center of the circle with the baby, and the group chants the baby's name. For example, they might begin Rob-in, Rob-in (child's name); then people will start to say it in different ways; some may begin whispering it, singing it, or aying it in different tones and inflections. It should make a musical sound in order to raise energy. When the power is at its peak, the priestess or parent should call on it by standing with the child and holding her up. The energy then goes forth to the Universe, declaring the child's presence and blessing the child. This energy could go into a protective shield for the child, if desired. All then share cakes and wine, followed by grounding, thanking and saying farewell to quarters and deities. Open the circle, and then celebrate (and probably change the baby, too!) As part of the celebration, make time to let each person present their symbolic gift to the child and state their wishes. It is best to go around the Circle for this, in order for everyone to hear and join in this portion of the ceremony. This may be done inside the circle before the Cakes and Wine, if desired. Copyright © Zephyr Lioness, 1997.
Nice, thanks for sharing I wouldn't actually initiate my child into wicca/paganism. Spirituality is between you and the divine, only you should decided what (if any) that form shall take. Have serious issues with my parents choosing a religion for myself (was baptised Anglican). They went well, but even so. Nor would I give them a magical name, that's such a personal thing. If they want to be pagan they can choose their own on 'initiation', having grown and found something that truly resonants with them (you can't know that when they're a baby). Again it's not my place to decide that. Purely my opinion of course
Wiccans beleive that a wiccaning is just a ritual blessing. It's the witches equivalent of a christening, except that it is not intended to commit the child permanently to any one path. this is because as you said in the above post this should be the individuals adult decision.
