Coming of age celebrations

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Permalink Reply by Ashlienna on June 8, 2009 at 10:05am

Hi, Chloe. Will you be doing this alone? Or will others attend as well?

Quick question from me; Can you cook something to have a celebratory meal, or possibly just buy a cake/something you'd like to have somewhere?

And are there any particular deities that you like, that you'd like to thank perhaps, or ask to guide you on your path? Athena, or Pan, Aradia or any other?

How much space have you got or will you be outside?

Hope we can arrange for a great ritual together!

Permalink Reply by Ashlienna on June 8, 2009 at 10:22am

Well, do you need to substitute her? The sister of your mother/father is quite close family, I think that if it was me I'd let my aunt stay my aunt, and just replace the mother's role with an aunt-role instead. Make it yours, make it unique. I think I'd say something like, "Spiritual Aunt". And perhaps mention your mom in your prayers too... Perhaps pray that she will one day at least accept what you belive in, even in she doesn't belive herself?

Permalink Reply by Leona on June 8, 2009 at 8:13pm

I have read all taht has been posted and I agree with Aywell.

Have you done your own full blown ritual before? Making this ritual as personal for you as possible would mean writing your own circle casting, quarter calls and deity calls. If you already have some you have written then this would be great. Will you be taking on a magical name during this ceremony?

I would just like to clarify if this is a dedicating ceremony or a coming of age ceremony or a bit of both?

Can you tell us waht you see when you think of this ritual? You have yourself and your Aunt there.

Permalink Reply by Leona on June 8, 2009 at 8:36pm

Here is a simple version of a ritual I helped someone write once. This is only half as the first part was a ritual bath.
For the Altar you will need the images to represent Cupid and Psyche. You will need some kind of food that will be placed near the image of Cupid and a glass filled with some kind of drink placed near the image of Psyche.
You will need something that can be placed on the altar to represent the four cardinal points or elements. I use water for West, spices for North, incense for East and Matches for South.
Cast your circle. Now there are many ways that you can cast a circle. This all depends on you and what you want to do or what you feel comfortable with. You can use one from a book or make your own. I will include my circle casting to show you. Feel free to use it or to change it to suit you.
I walk this circle
once full round
I draw the circle
on the ground (use a staff or stick of some kind to trace a circle around you and your altar on the ground.)

circle of earth
protect me
I call on the maiden name of the lady

I walk this circle
twice full round
and light the candle (four candles set up at the four corners and light them each in turn)
on the ground

circle of fire
purify me
I call on the mother name of the lady

I walk this circle
thrice full round
I light the incense (You can use a perfume spray if you do not have any incense. )
on the ground

circle of air
purify me
I call on the crone name of the lady

by maiden, mother and crone
the circle is made
Now that the circle has been cast you will want to sit in the circle and ground yourself. Meditate for a few minutes on this:
I (name) will be Wicca. I will be walk and be fulfilled upon this path.
When you are relaxed and ready begin by calling to the God and Goddess.
You can use words such as:
“I (name) daughter of the sun and moon call upon Psyche and Cupid to watch over and to bless this ritual. Tonight I pledge my heart and soul to you and I vow that I shall walk the path and face all my joys and trials with the understanding and the love that I know I hold inside.”
Now you can read the prayer or piece that you have written that will describe what you plan to do once you have initiated yourself. Include you love of the healing arts and your divine gifts. Promise to honour them and to practice and tune them so that they are always ready to do the work that you will be called upon to do.
When you have finished this you can close your eyes and focus on what you have asked for. Feel Cupid and Psyche standing by you and feel them touching your shoulder and filling you with their strength and love. Fell the gates open and see your path bright an clear ahead of you. When you see your path as clear as possible now you can move onto the celebration part of the ritual.
“Here I kneel before you. I am the daughter of the Moon and Sun. I walk the path of the old ones and I come now to pay tribute and homage to those who have gone before.”
Now you can read the short piece that you wrote for the ancestors.
When you have finished reading you can then drink the liquid and eat the food. Offer them up as a gift to Cupid and Psyche before doing so. Keep a small part of the food and drink to be poured outside and offered to the earth.
Now you are done. You can meditate on the ceremony for a while.
The take down the circle and feel at peace.

Permalink Reply by Leona on June 8, 2009 at 8:38pm

I also have a naming ceremony that I worte for a friends dedication ceremony. This ritual requires a second person to work with you as you said your aunt would do. Are either of these similar to what you would like?

Naming Ritual
By DragonAngel / 2004

This ritual can be performed on any night. The ritual needs to take place near open water. I will be performing the ritual on a beach near the lake near my house.
Tools needed
A staff
4 candles (white)
4 incense (Sandalwood)
Blessed water
Bottle of wine (fruit drink)
Two glasses
Athame
Eucalyptsus oil


Standing facing the East
“Goddess of Moon
Goddess of life
Your daughter DragonAngel asks you to
Bless our circle
with all of your might.”

Place the end of the staff in the sand. Keep the staff in the sand and walk the circumference of the circle while remaining inside.
“I walk this circle once full round
I mark this circle on the ground
Circle of Earth protect us
I call on the first name of the Goddess”

Pick up the East candle and light it. Use this candle to light all of the other candles in the circle while remaining inside.
“I walk this circle twice full round
I light the candle on the ground
Circle of Fire purify us
I call on the second name of the Goddess”

Pick up the Incense from the East and light it on the candle of the East. Use this candle to light all of the incense while remaining in the circle.
“I walk this circle thrice full round
I light the incense on the ground
Circle of Air center us
I call on the third name of the Goddess”

Standing in the East place the candle back on the ground.

“The circle is made
by the three names of the Goddess
all blessed be”

Move to the center of the circle. Sit facing each other.
Repeat after me

“We call to you
Powers that surround and bind
You the Guides
From the East
Bless this circle with the paths of wind
You the Healers
From the South
Bless this circle with the power of Fire
You the Watchers
From the West
Bless this circle with the vision of Water
You the Prophets
From the North
Bless this circle with the knowledge of Earth
May the Watchers guide this night
by the three names of the Goddess
all blessed be.”

Move into the naming ritual.
“Tonight in this circle
we bring to the Goddess
Her daughter whom she loves.
Tonight in this circle
I give to your daughter
her name of power.
With this name
She will walk with you
She will talk with you
She will do your deeds
The Goddess calls you Astral Child
To this name she gives the magick of the elements (use athame to touch both shoulders and top of head)
The God Calls you Astral Child
To this name he gives the magick of the ritual (Sprinkle water on her hands and on her head)
The Old ones call you Astral Child.
To this name they give the magick of the tradition (Anoint her forehead with oil)
You the Guides
From the East
Bless Astral Child with the paths of wind
Guide her and follow her on this journey
You the Healers
From the South
Bless Astral Child with the power of Fire
Help work her magick as you help the Goddess
You the Watchers
From the West
Bless Astral Child with the vision of Water
Show to her the secrets you hold
You the Prophets
From the North
Bless Astral Child with the knowledge of Earth
Pass to her the traditions you have kept

Now we pour each other a glass of wine of fruit beverage and toast:
“To the Goddess
To the God
To the Old Ones
To the Powers
To the Watchers
I present to you our sister witch
I present to you Astral Child.”
May this naming please you
Gentle Goddess of the Moon
Blessed be”

Return to the East and undo the circle in the reverse of the way the circle was made.
“with this water I break the circle”
Put out the incense in the water
“With this breath I break the circle”
Blow out all of the candles
“With this staff I break the circle”
Cut the circle with the staff.
“Our ritual is finished
Blessed be.”
Leave the Circle.