Wiccaning Ritual

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. We meet today to bless this child, to place him on the path to happiness, and to name him. To have him be blessed by the Goddess and the God, protected by the elements, and loved by the people.

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. Ps moves to the north holding salt

I call to the North
Powers and creatures of Earth
Greet this child,
And give him your blessings.
Let the earth come
That gives the grain
That is flower and fruit
And the deep hidden caves.
Let the Earth come now
To be a friend and guardian
To Chance

Sprinkle baby with salt saying Blessed Be the earth of your body. May your muscles be strong and fearless. May your heart beat with love, soul, vigour and courage. Blessed Be your body which is the body of the Gods and Goddesses.

Parents then hold child facing East.

Insense

I call to the East,
Powers and creatures of Air.
Greet this child,
And give him your blessings.
Let the air come
That bears the hawk
That brings the clouds
And the life-giving rain.
Let the air come now
To be a friend and guardian
To Chance.

Cense child while saying Blessed be your breath. May your breathing be deep and relaxed. May you breathe in power with ever breath you take. Blessed Be each breath you take.

Parents then hold child facing south. P moves to the south with the sword (or wand)

I call to the South,
Powers and creatures of Fire.
Greet this child,
And give him your blessings.
Let the fire come
That shines in the sun
That shines in the heart
And opens the womb.
Let the fire come now
To be a friend and guardian
To Chance

Touch baby with the flat of the blade and say Blessed be the fire inside you. May your will be unbroken. And may it be as strong as fire, and as supple. May your will be as strong as water, and as supple. May your passions burn truly and free. Blessed Be your fire, may it burn strong.

Parents then hold child facing the West.

Ps moves to the west with the chalice.

I call to the West,
Powers and creatures of Water.
Greet this child,
And give him your blessings.
Let the water come
That freshens the pool
That moves with the moon
And boils in the cauldron
Let the water come now
To be a friend and guardian
To Chance

Sprinkle baby with water and say Blessed be the waters of your life. May your blood be strong. May the flow from your loin be joyful and fertile. Blessed Be all your life-waters.

Return to Altar, parents and child stand on the other side of the altar

May the Spirit of the elements bless you and protect you as you live your life to the fullest
Blessed Be your spirit. May you always have health in spirit. May you be whole. Blessed Be your spirit.

May you always have community.
May you be prosperous in all ways.
May you love and be loved.
May your voice -- both your complaints and your special offerings to the world -- be truly heard.
May you always be surrounded by the warmth of family & community.
May you know the innate goodness of your being.
Lord and Lady, keep this child pure. Let all that is wrong be far from him

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 our community

In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.

P. Mark & Mary, have you chosen a Wiccan name for your child?

Parents: Yes, Dahgda

Ps: Chance, your parents have chosen Dahgda 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:

Mother

I promise to love and protect you, to always respect you, to be a parent when you need one and to be a friend when that is what you need. "Receive the blessings of our Mother Earth: May She protect you all of your days, wrapping him arms around you as you go your way."

Mom puts a drop of milk in his mouth, saying:

"May you always have plenty."

Father holds the baby up to the sky.

Father says:

"Receive the blessings of our Father Sky: May He protect you all of your days, watching over you as you go your way."

Dad puts a drop of juice in his mouth, saying:

"May you always be happy."

The Priest puts a drop of water in his mouth, saying:

"May you always be pure."

"May the Lady and Lord smile gently upon you. May you choose your path wisely and walk it well. May you be gentle and strong. May you be loving and wise. And may you be happy and healthy, for the world is good."

"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 Dahgda. Greet him and give him your blessings."

Pass him around to be greeted, blessed and kissed.

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. Chance 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.

"Mother and Father, we thank you for the gift of life. For the gift of love and the wonderful people with which to share it. But most of all today for Chance, who is both life and love. We ask your blessings as you depart. Hail and farewell."

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