In practically all cultures, a ceremony, ritual or celebration rings in a time when a child becomes a young adult. For boys, the magickal age is 13. There of course is some debate about why 13, but in the old Celtic beliefs I believe it's because of the significance of the number. The number 13 has long been viewed as evil or unlucky, perhaps another example of 'traditional religions' finding fault in non-tradition. But 13 is actually a number of transition. To some it represents the "1" individual person stepping onto the divine path of the "3" Goddesses. To others it takes on a more numerological meaning. Numerology adds all numbers together until there is only one, (1+3=4); four being a number of wholeness or the full circle of life. For girls, the Coming of Age came at their first menstruation. For some that could be as early as 9 or 10 and as late as 14 or 15. But during the old days, this was a celebration of life. Today and when I was young, it was something to be hidden, spoken about in hushed tones giving a young girl a feeling of shame. Many pagan mothers are trying to bring back some of the old customs which celebrate this coming into womanhood. The daughter is taken to dinner, or thrown a party, or given a special piece of jewelry to commemorate the occasion. The Coming Of Age ritual is a confirmation of faith. A testimonial of a young person who has been exposed to several beliefs and spiritual paths, but has chosen to follow the path of the pagan. This is a time when the child chooses their magickal name. They can retain the magickal name they were given in their Wiccaning ritual, or chose a new one that has more meaning for them. They dedicate themselves to the beliefs and principles of the pagan life and are welcomed into the coven, or family as practicing members. In some traditions however, this does not give the young adult the right to claim a title of witch. That honor is only given when the young adult participates in an "Initiation Ceremony". In other traditions, that label is given to the child during the Wiccaning rite. A further dedication and additional responsibilities are given during an Initiation Ceremony. The choice is up to you. In my family tradition, you're born into being a witch. If you are not born into a pagan family, then you do not have the right to claim the title of witch until you participate in an Initiation Ceremony.

Any pagan ritual or ceremony should be performed within a circle. The circle represents the flow of life, the never-ending circle of growth. This ceremony is written for the solitary couple. However, the 'leadership' tasks are divided depending on the sex of the child. If the rite is for a boy, the father takes the leadership role. If a girl, the mother takes the lead. If this is a single parent home, that parent becomes the leader regardless of the child's gender. A Shaman, or coven Priest or Priestess can also conduct these leadership roles. The Altar: An altar is placed in the northern sphere of the circle.

You'll need:

A large white candle.

2 smaller candles (tapered candles are best). The colors should be chosen by the child, to represent their view of childhood and their view of adulthood.

Candleholders

Matches and a candlesnuffer to extinguish the ritual candle.

A chalice filled with blessed water and a small ceremonial dish.

Small decorative towel.

Oil for anointing the child preferably Rose oil

A masculine tool, such as a wand, or athame.

A feminine tool, such as a chalice or broom.

A ceremonial broom

A rope made of natural fibers to define the ritual circle. The rope should be able to encompass an areas 5-6 feet in diameter or larger if guests will be joining you inside the circle.

It is a nice idea to use tools that you can present to the new young adult as their first official tool for ritual magick.

The Circle: The parents or guardians should cast the circle.

Fold the cotton rope in equal halves to find the center.

The parents stand outside the position of the circle, laying the center section on the ground and on the outside of the altar.

Moving in opposite directions, the parents lay the remainder of the rope on the ground, until the circle is defined and the ends are aligned together in the south.

A small opening should be left to allow the parents and the child a means of entry into the circle.

If you want to make a circle big enough to also encompass any guests, family members or witnesses, you can. Just make sure you have a large enough continuous rope. Otherwise, your guests can stand along the outside of the circle.

Enter The Circle:

Once the circle has been laid, the parent leading the ritual stands before the entryway and states the intent of the gathering.

In the name of the God/Goddess, I "state your name", and my partner "state the partners name", enter this sacred circle for the purpose of honoring the passage of time and coming of age of "state the child's name".

The mother should take the daughter and lead her into the circle, or the father and son.

If any guests are to enter, now is the time for them to do so.

When everyone is inside, a designee places a ceremonial broom across the opening, closing the circle to set and protect the divine ritual space. If you have invited family to your ritual, include them in the ritual. For instance, laying the broom across the doorway is a perfect job for a grand parent. Grandmother for a daughter's ritual, grand father for a son's. If both sets of grand parents are present, designate one set to close the circle and one to open at the end of the ritual. Evoke the God/Goddess: You can use the generic Maiden, Mother, Crone and God, or you can evoke a specific deity of your choosing. But the Gods must be present to bless the child and welcome him or her into adulthood.

Both parents can stand or kneel before the altar with the child in the middle. Together, verbally present the child to the deities. State the child's given legal name.

It is important to give some serious thought to the magickal name. Names are very important to the Celts, and carry with them a great deal of energy. The name should reflect the child's characteristics, hopes, talents or divine gifts.

The presentation might go something like this:" Great Spirits, In this sacred space, we present to you "child's legal name", who we brought into our family as "the child's old magick name" (if the child does not have an old magick name, use their legal name). We ask for your presence and blessings, as he/she brings his/her life into young adulthood".

The child should light one of the small candles to represent the flame of life that has been lit within them. Accepting the Rite of Passage: Here's the big part. The child becomes the

center of attention so help them to stay calm and focused. Do what you can to put them at ease. Ensure that they understand they don't have to be perfect, if they make a mistake it's ok. Remember this is their very first official ritual, the one that will be held up to all others. Do what you can to make it a fun and happy event.

The parents stand and move to the edge of the altar. If you don't have space in your circle, then you can step back so that the child is standing or kneeling before the altar by him/herself.

The parent leading the ritual then asks: (Wait for the child to answer after each question.) In the name of the Great Spirits, are you "child's old magick name" read to accept the spiritual path of the ancient ways, living in the divine light of the God/Goddess? ·         Are you ready to accept the pagan credo as your law to live by?

Are you willing to take on the responsibilities of adulthood to proclaim your own spiritual path and do you do so now? *Presumably the child answers all questions with a yes. From

Childhood to Adulthood: The parents then stand and back away from the altar, joining the circle with the other visitors. Now remember, this is a rite of passage, not an initiation into a pagan priesthood or shamanistic role. But at this point, many traditional circles ask the child to perform some task to show their readiness as an adult. Sometimes this can be as simple as finding the objects in the circle which can be used as tools during a ritual and to tell of their usage. In other traditions it may mean conducting a vision quest or some act of magick. In my family tradition, you are required to recite the pagan credo, however, it's a credo written in verse by the child. One that puts in their own words what they are accepting as their law to live by. This demonstrates many things to gathering.

The child understands what he/she is accepting, understanding the importance and reverence of their commitment.

It demonstrates their level of magickal knowledge, showing they can write their own ritualistic program or prayer

It shows the child has indeed matured to a level that they can conduct a ritual on their own with confidence and grace. (Remember it doesn't have to be perfect. This is the biggest confidence builder for a new pagan, so encourage them no matter how many mistakes YOU think they make.) In my family tradition the child stands before the altar and lights the second ritual candle as a sign they have accepted the commitment of the pagan path.

Then turning to the gathering, the child recites their personally written credo. The credo should begin something like this:" To the Great Spirits I "state your old magickal name", proclaim my commitment and desire to walk the spiritual path of "state your traditions or magickal sect's name" (you can say "of the ancient ways" if your sect does not have a label or name.) I put forth my mind, body and soul to here after be known as "state your new permanent magickal name". (Remember a child does not have to change their magickal name if they don't want to. It's entirely up to them).

After the child states their credo or whatever you chose, they turn around and light the center ritual candle to signify his/her dedication to the spirit. Some traditions also take this moment for the child to declare their pantheon. Something like:" From today forward, I call upon "the name of the God/Goddess", for their wisdom and guidance on my path through this spiritual life. Blessings be to Thee". And then the child lights the candle. Family Presentation and Closing: The parents rejoin the child, turn from the altar and present the child to the guests and family who might be present. If you are home alone, don't forget the family pets (if there are any) should also be presented out of respect. If you are alone, you can exit the circle.

The father lifts the ceremonial broom and escorts mother and child out of the ritual space and then turns back to the circle and state:" Our thanks and gratitude to the forces that be present, to the Lord and Ladies, the guides and guardians. We close this sacred circle and return this space back to its original state. Blessings be to all"

Step back from the circle. The ceremony is now concluded, but you still have some clean up to do. The larger candle should be placed on a mantle or as a centerpiece on the dining room table for a small celebration meal. The candle should be allowed to burn for a minimum of 1 full hour. But do not leave the candle un-attended. When it's time to extinguish the flame, snuff it out with the candlesnuffer. Clean up your ritual space and altar. Then join in a celebration of life and spirit.

Coming Of Age Ritual

From Childhood to Adulthood

- By Spring Wolf