"Adoption is when a child grew in its mommy's heart instead of her tummy."
-- Anonymous
Baby Blessing
Intent
The birth of a baby is momentous, and many families choose to celebrate the event with a blessing or baptism of some kind. Formal baptismal rites can be found at most organized churches, but if you are of mixed religious paths or one of the non-Abrahamic faiths, the search for a suitable ceremony can be frustrating. The following service is an example of a general pagan rite designed to provide a template for the pagan, Wiccan or other faithed family wishing to dedicate their child to God, to their household Gods, or to their ancestors. Italicized text will indicate sections of the ceremony where personal input will best serve the needs of the individuals using this template, however any part of the ceremony may be changed to suit the individuals involved.
Preparation
An area large enough to hold all the guests should be set up with seats (if necessary; some prefer to stand or sit on the floor) and programs for the participants to follow along. The altar should be to the East (for those who see the East as the direction of new beginnings) or North (for those who wish to consider the grounding of the child). On the altar should be an altar cloth of pale color (pastels should be considered, or white). Two candles should be at the back of the altar in the corners, representing the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine principles in all Traditions. A central rear candle may also be placed to represent the Source of All or the undivided Divine. A bowl of clear water (representing the element of water), one of sea salt (representing earth), a thurible of mild scented incense (or alternatively a smudge stick of sage or an aroma lamp containing mild oil, representing air), and a chunky red candle (or votive in a red holder, representing fire) should also be on the altar. Also present should be a small vial of virgin olive oil, a chalice containing red wine, a wand, and a small white candle for the child. If the parents or godparents have gods they wish to invite to attend, they may also place small candles or statuettes representative of those gods. If appropriate (and safe!), candles of appropriate color should be erected at each of the four Quarters, lit prior to the guests arriving. No other lights or incense should be lit.
Discussion about names should be done in a meeting prior to the ritual itself. The meaning of the child's name should be known, and any history of that name that the parents wish to share with their guests. If the child is to have a spiritual or magickal name, that too should be decided on prior to the ritual, and the method of giving that name to the child should be known. Some prefer to have only the parents and the child know it, in which case the parents whisper it to the child so no one else can hear. Others wish to share it with those at the ritual, in which case it would be spoken aloud for all to hear.
Ritual
All guests should be seated, and soft music should play in the background. Seating should be set up in a circular fashion, with a central aisle that processes to the altar. The godparents, if any, should be seated in the front row (on either side of the aisle if they are not a couple, or together if they are). The priestess (or priest and priestess, depending upon the Tradition) will process to the altar and turn to face up the aisle. She will beckon to the parents, who will come forward bearing their child. She will gesture them to sit, and then proceed to cast the Circle and call the Quarters. These tasks may be given to other participants, as appropriate.
Air Blessing - The incense, smudge, or aroma lamp should be lit.
May these scents be pleasing to the Divine, and may they carry heavenward the prayers and wishes of all those present.
Fire Blessing - The fire candle should be lit.
May the light of this small fire reflect the fire within our souls and the bright lamp of the Divine which shines within each of us.
Water Blessing - The water is blessed with the wand.
May this water be clear and pure, a reflection of all of our hopes for the child about to be blessed.
Earth Blessing - The salt is blessed with the wand.
May this salt ground us and center us, keeping us firmly aware of our responsibilities as we celebrate today.
Casting the Circle
The priestess or other person appointed shall walk around the area three times, holding the wand (usually this would be done with a sacred knife, but at the blessing of a child there should be no knives present). Each circumambulation should be accompanied by words such as the following:
In the name of the Divine; God, Goddess, All-That-Is;
I do separate this place from the world.
I set this place apart, sacred and outside of time and space.
I create this as a holy place, fit for Gods and Men alike.
Calling the Quarters
Each Quarter can be called by a different person, or by the same person. Guests may stay seated or stand, as they wish and depending upon space requirements. Safety should always come first!
East:
Eastern Powers, I call thee forth.
Bring with you the blessings of air, of wisdom and knowledge,
of cool breezes to temper tantrums.
Lords of the East, join us!
South:
Southern Powers, I call thee forth.
Bring with you the blessings of fire, of strength of will and intent,
of passionate emotions that overcome malaise of spirit.
Lords of the South, join us!
West:
Western Powers, I call thee forth.
Bring with you the blessings of water, of love and compassion,
of peace that soothes the anger of the world.
Lords of the West, join us!
North:
Northern Powers, I call thee forth.
Bring with you the blessings of earth, of solidity and strength of body and mind,
of grounding that brings about wisdom.
Lords of the North, join us!
Priestess, to all:
May your minds be free; may your hearts be free; may your words be free; may your souls be free always. Welcome, and blessings on you all.
Priestess, to parents:
Please come forward and call upon the gods.
Parents rise, handing child to one of the godparents, and walk forward to the altar. They face the altar, and raise their hands together, invoking the gods of their choice. This may be short or complex, depending on the Traditions involved. Below is an example, however it is very generic and does not take into account same-gender parents.
Father:
Great Mother, as father to this child, I invite you to join us in her blessing and naming. Please be with us during this special time.
Mother:
All-Father, as mother to this child, I invite you to join us in her blessing and naming. Please be with us during this special time.
Priestess, leading all:
So it is, so it will be.
Priestess, to parents:
Bring forth the child.
Parents retrieve child and bring her forward. They stand together, one holding the child and the other holding the first parent and the child together, showing they are a single unit.
Priestess:
This child is yours, a child of the union of your love?
Parents:
She is.
Priestess:
Then present her to the Elements and the gods.
Again, these cleansings can be done by the Priestess, the parents, or any attending who are special to the parents and/or child. The parents should come forward and take turns holding the child up before the altar. The incense should be wafted around the child. The candle should be passed around the child. The water should be sprinkled on the child's forehead and body. A very tiny amount of salt should be placed on the child's tongue, and a bit more sprinkled over her.
Priestess, with thurible (or alternative):
With air I cense thee, child of Parent and Parent. May all the blessings of the Element of Air surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood.
Priestess, with candle:
With fire I purify thee, child of Parent and Parent. May all the blessings of the Element of Fire surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood.
Priestess, with water:
With water I cleanse thee, child of Parent and Parent. May all the blessings of the Element of Water surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood.
Priestess, with salt:
With salt I ground thee, child of Parent and Parent. May all the blessings of the Element of Earth surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood.
Priestess, to parents:
The blessings of the Elements have been laid upon her. By what name do you intend to call this child, when she is in the world?
Parents:
She shall be called (Name of Child).
Priestess, to child:
As your parents bid, you shall be commonly known as (Name of Child). This is a venerable name, meaning (include meaning of name here; if there is a history associated with the name, include that story here, in brief).
Priestess seals the name with a drop of oil to the third eye. If the child is disturbed by the feel of it, it may be wiped off after with a clean, white cloth.
Priestess, to parents:
Do you wish this child wear another name, a name spiritual in nature?
Parents:
We do.
Priestess:
And what is that name?
Parents:
We will share it only with our child, that she may always know us as her guardians and the ones who love her with all our hearts.
The child is held by both parents, and they whisper the name into each ear of the child. When they are done the name is sealed with wine touched to the child's third eye. Priestess gestures parents to sit with child, and beckons godparent(s) to rise.
Priestess, to godparents:
These parents have chosen you as godparents for (Name of Child). Are you willing to stand up as such, for (Name of Child)?
Godparents:
We do.
Priestess:
Please take the wand in your right hands and give your oaths (Priestess may read and have godparents repeat, or may hold the oaths up for the godparents to read from).
I, Godparent, do swear to stand as godparent to (Name of Child). I promise to do my best to be a good example for (Name of Child), in deed and thought, in word and heart. I will teach what lessons of faith and religion that I can to (Name of Child), always mindful that she will make her own choices when she reaches maturity. I will support her in her exploration of the world as she grows, and will always lend an ear when she needs someone to turn to. I swear this in the name of my gods (this may be replaced by specific names, if wished). So be it.
Priestess:
Your oaths are accepted by your gods, by (Name of Child)'s parents, and witnessed by all of us here. (Turning to guests as a whole.) Now I ask of all those here a similar oath. A child cannot be raised alone; it is best done by a village, as the adage goes. Will you, each alone and together, stand as a village to (Name of Child)? Will you be good examples for her to follow, and provide her with shelter, love, and joy as you are able?
All guests:
We will!
Priestess:
Your oath is accepted, friends.
Priestess walks to parents and takes child to the altar.
Priestess:
(Name of Child), you are but a young infant, and cannot yet make choices of your own. Until such time as you are mature enough for those decisions, we ask that our gods (may be named if wished) bless you and care for you, and accept you as their own. May they guide your steps and keep you safe from all harm until such time as you are old enough to dedicate yourself of your own accord.
Priestess once more seals the dedication with both oil and wine, wiping the child's head gently with a clean cloth when she is done. The child is then returned to the parents.
Priestess:
(Name of Child) is truly blessed, for she is loved not only by her parents, Parent and Parent, but by her godparents, Godparent and Godparent, and by each and every one of those present here today. We all have things we wish for (Name of Child), and all these gifts will be hers in years to come. In token of those gifts, we will now bring around a book wherein we would like you to record your wishes and words. When (Name of Child) comes of age, these wishes and words will again be shared with her, and she will see how the love of her community has shaped her life.
The book is passed around. If the child is fussing, the Circle may be closed down while this process continues. If she is content, then hold the sacred space until all is written and the book is returned to the altar, and blessed in the four elements (without spoken words).
Priestess, to the Gods:
Great Mother, All-Father, we thank you for your Divine blessings on this child and on us. May you hear our prayers always. Farewell and blessed be.
Priestess, to Quarters:
Lords of the North, West, South and East, we thank you for your blessings as well. May you continue to protect and guide (Name of Child) as she grows to maturity. Farewell and blessed be.
Priestess shall take the red candle around the Circle once, then stamp her foot twice before the altar before setting it down and turning to the guests.
Priestess:
The Circle is open yet unbroken. May the peace of the Divine go with us always in our hearts and souls! Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
The priestess shall leave up the aisle, followed by the parents and child, and then the godparents. All guests are free to leave at that time.
It should be noted that this ritual was written for a girl, but could easily be adapted for a boy. Also, you might include readings of any kind, from any tradition or from poetry, as wished by the parents and godparents. The idea of this ritual is to be elastic enough to surround any and all beliefs and traditions attending, while placing a bit of honor on the pagan side of things (hence the Circle and Quarter calls and such). There is no reason whatsoever that the Quarter Calls couldn't be to the Angels of the Directions (Raphael, Michael, Gabriel, Auriel) and the blessing of the child couldn't be done with chrism and more Christian poetry or Biblical quotations. Listen to the parents; what they want and need for their child is paramount. Listen also to the child! Even an infant can show preferences, if you know how to listen right. This ritual might also be adapted to an older child, but should not be used for a young person old enough to make their own decisions. Please note that this ritual is not a binding in any way – the choice of belief and faith is left to the child as he or she gains the maturity to make such decisions. Only until then do the gods of the parents and/or community hold sway over the child.
The birth of a baby is momentous, and many families choose to celebrate the event with a blessing or baptism of some kind. Formal baptismal rites can be found at most organized churches, but if you are of mixed religious paths or one of the non-Abrahamic faiths, the search for a suitable ceremony can be frustrating. The following service is an example of a general pagan rite designed to provide a template for the pagan, Wiccan or other faithed family wishing to dedicate their child to God, to their household Gods, or to their ancestors. Italicized text will indicate sections of the ceremony where personal input will best serve the needs of the individuals using this template, however any part of the ceremony may be changed to suit the individuals involved.
Preparation
An area large enough to hold all the guests should be set up with seats (if necessary; some prefer to stand or sit on the floor) and programs for the participants to follow along. The altar should be to the East (for those who see the East as the direction of new beginnings) or North (for those who wish to consider the grounding of the child). On the altar should be an altar cloth of pale color (pastels should be considered, or white). Two candles should be at the back of the altar in the corners, representing the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine principles in all Traditions. A central rear candle may also be placed to represent the Source of All or the undivided Divine. A bowl of clear water (representing the element of water), one of sea salt (representing earth), a thurible of mild scented incense (or alternatively a smudge stick of sage or an aroma lamp containing mild oil, representing air), and a chunky red candle (or votive in a red holder, representing fire) should also be on the altar. Also present should be a small vial of virgin olive oil, a chalice containing red wine, a wand, and a small white candle for the child. If the parents or godparents have gods they wish to invite to attend, they may also place small candles or statuettes representative of those gods. If appropriate (and safe!), candles of appropriate color should be erected at each of the four Quarters, lit prior to the guests arriving. No other lights or incense should be lit.
Discussion about names should be done in a meeting prior to the ritual itself. The meaning of the child's name should be known, and any history of that name that the parents wish to share with their guests. If the child is to have a spiritual or magickal name, that too should be decided on prior to the ritual, and the method of giving that name to the child should be known. Some prefer to have only the parents and the child know it, in which case the parents whisper it to the child so no one else can hear. Others wish to share it with those at the ritual, in which case it would be spoken aloud for all to hear.
Ritual
All guests should be seated, and soft music should play in the background. Seating should be set up in a circular fashion, with a central aisle that processes to the altar. The godparents, if any, should be seated in the front row (on either side of the aisle if they are not a couple, or together if they are). The priestess (or priest and priestess, depending upon the Tradition) will process to the altar and turn to face up the aisle. She will beckon to the parents, who will come forward bearing their child. She will gesture them to sit, and then proceed to cast the Circle and call the Quarters. These tasks may be given to other participants, as appropriate.
Air Blessing - The incense, smudge, or aroma lamp should be lit.
May these scents be pleasing to the Divine, and may they carry heavenward the prayers and wishes of all those present.
Fire Blessing - The fire candle should be lit.
May the light of this small fire reflect the fire within our souls and the bright lamp of the Divine which shines within each of us.
Water Blessing - The water is blessed with the wand.
May this water be clear and pure, a reflection of all of our hopes for the child about to be blessed.
Earth Blessing - The salt is blessed with the wand.
May this salt ground us and center us, keeping us firmly aware of our responsibilities as we celebrate today.
Casting the Circle
The priestess or other person appointed shall walk around the area three times, holding the wand (usually this would be done with a sacred knife, but at the blessing of a child there should be no knives present). Each circumambulation should be accompanied by words such as the following:
In the name of the Divine; God, Goddess, All-That-Is;
I do separate this place from the world.
I set this place apart, sacred and outside of time and space.
I create this as a holy place, fit for Gods and Men alike.
Calling the Quarters
Each Quarter can be called by a different person, or by the same person. Guests may stay seated or stand, as they wish and depending upon space requirements. Safety should always come first!
East:
Eastern Powers, I call thee forth.
Bring with you the blessings of air, of wisdom and knowledge,
of cool breezes to temper tantrums.
Lords of the East, join us!
South:
Southern Powers, I call thee forth.
Bring with you the blessings of fire, of strength of will and intent,
of passionate emotions that overcome malaise of spirit.
Lords of the South, join us!
West:
Western Powers, I call thee forth.
Bring with you the blessings of water, of love and compassion,
of peace that soothes the anger of the world.
Lords of the West, join us!
North:
Northern Powers, I call thee forth.
Bring with you the blessings of earth, of solidity and strength of body and mind,
of grounding that brings about wisdom.
Lords of the North, join us!
Priestess, to all:
May your minds be free; may your hearts be free; may your words be free; may your souls be free always. Welcome, and blessings on you all.
Priestess, to parents:
Please come forward and call upon the gods.
Parents rise, handing child to one of the godparents, and walk forward to the altar. They face the altar, and raise their hands together, invoking the gods of their choice. This may be short or complex, depending on the Traditions involved. Below is an example, however it is very generic and does not take into account same-gender parents.
Father:
Great Mother, as father to this child, I invite you to join us in her blessing and naming. Please be with us during this special time.
Mother:
All-Father, as mother to this child, I invite you to join us in her blessing and naming. Please be with us during this special time.
Priestess, leading all:
So it is, so it will be.
Priestess, to parents:
Bring forth the child.
Parents retrieve child and bring her forward. They stand together, one holding the child and the other holding the first parent and the child together, showing they are a single unit.
Priestess:
This child is yours, a child of the union of your love?
Parents:
She is.
Priestess:
Then present her to the Elements and the gods.
Again, these cleansings can be done by the Priestess, the parents, or any attending who are special to the parents and/or child. The parents should come forward and take turns holding the child up before the altar. The incense should be wafted around the child. The candle should be passed around the child. The water should be sprinkled on the child's forehead and body. A very tiny amount of salt should be placed on the child's tongue, and a bit more sprinkled over her.
Priestess, with thurible (or alternative):
With air I cense thee, child of Parent and Parent. May all the blessings of the Element of Air surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood.
Priestess, with candle:
With fire I purify thee, child of Parent and Parent. May all the blessings of the Element of Fire surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood.
Priestess, with water:
With water I cleanse thee, child of Parent and Parent. May all the blessings of the Element of Water surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood.
Priestess, with salt:
With salt I ground thee, child of Parent and Parent. May all the blessings of the Element of Earth surround and protect you as you grow to adulthood.
Priestess, to parents:
The blessings of the Elements have been laid upon her. By what name do you intend to call this child, when she is in the world?
Parents:
She shall be called (Name of Child).
Priestess, to child:
As your parents bid, you shall be commonly known as (Name of Child). This is a venerable name, meaning (include meaning of name here; if there is a history associated with the name, include that story here, in brief).
Priestess seals the name with a drop of oil to the third eye. If the child is disturbed by the feel of it, it may be wiped off after with a clean, white cloth.
Priestess, to parents:
Do you wish this child wear another name, a name spiritual in nature?
Parents:
We do.
Priestess:
And what is that name?
Parents:
We will share it only with our child, that she may always know us as her guardians and the ones who love her with all our hearts.
The child is held by both parents, and they whisper the name into each ear of the child. When they are done the name is sealed with wine touched to the child's third eye. Priestess gestures parents to sit with child, and beckons godparent(s) to rise.
Priestess, to godparents:
These parents have chosen you as godparents for (Name of Child). Are you willing to stand up as such, for (Name of Child)?
Godparents:
We do.
Priestess:
Please take the wand in your right hands and give your oaths (Priestess may read and have godparents repeat, or may hold the oaths up for the godparents to read from).
I, Godparent, do swear to stand as godparent to (Name of Child). I promise to do my best to be a good example for (Name of Child), in deed and thought, in word and heart. I will teach what lessons of faith and religion that I can to (Name of Child), always mindful that she will make her own choices when she reaches maturity. I will support her in her exploration of the world as she grows, and will always lend an ear when she needs someone to turn to. I swear this in the name of my gods (this may be replaced by specific names, if wished). So be it.
Priestess:
Your oaths are accepted by your gods, by (Name of Child)'s parents, and witnessed by all of us here. (Turning to guests as a whole.) Now I ask of all those here a similar oath. A child cannot be raised alone; it is best done by a village, as the adage goes. Will you, each alone and together, stand as a village to (Name of Child)? Will you be good examples for her to follow, and provide her with shelter, love, and joy as you are able?
All guests:
We will!
Priestess:
Your oath is accepted, friends.
Priestess walks to parents and takes child to the altar.
Priestess:
(Name of Child), you are but a young infant, and cannot yet make choices of your own. Until such time as you are mature enough for those decisions, we ask that our gods (may be named if wished) bless you and care for you, and accept you as their own. May they guide your steps and keep you safe from all harm until such time as you are old enough to dedicate yourself of your own accord.
Priestess once more seals the dedication with both oil and wine, wiping the child's head gently with a clean cloth when she is done. The child is then returned to the parents.
Priestess:
(Name of Child) is truly blessed, for she is loved not only by her parents, Parent and Parent, but by her godparents, Godparent and Godparent, and by each and every one of those present here today. We all have things we wish for (Name of Child), and all these gifts will be hers in years to come. In token of those gifts, we will now bring around a book wherein we would like you to record your wishes and words. When (Name of Child) comes of age, these wishes and words will again be shared with her, and she will see how the love of her community has shaped her life.
The book is passed around. If the child is fussing, the Circle may be closed down while this process continues. If she is content, then hold the sacred space until all is written and the book is returned to the altar, and blessed in the four elements (without spoken words).
Priestess, to the Gods:
Great Mother, All-Father, we thank you for your Divine blessings on this child and on us. May you hear our prayers always. Farewell and blessed be.
Priestess, to Quarters:
Lords of the North, West, South and East, we thank you for your blessings as well. May you continue to protect and guide (Name of Child) as she grows to maturity. Farewell and blessed be.
Priestess shall take the red candle around the Circle once, then stamp her foot twice before the altar before setting it down and turning to the guests.
Priestess:
The Circle is open yet unbroken. May the peace of the Divine go with us always in our hearts and souls! Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
The priestess shall leave up the aisle, followed by the parents and child, and then the godparents. All guests are free to leave at that time.
It should be noted that this ritual was written for a girl, but could easily be adapted for a boy. Also, you might include readings of any kind, from any tradition or from poetry, as wished by the parents and godparents. The idea of this ritual is to be elastic enough to surround any and all beliefs and traditions attending, while placing a bit of honor on the pagan side of things (hence the Circle and Quarter calls and such). There is no reason whatsoever that the Quarter Calls couldn't be to the Angels of the Directions (Raphael, Michael, Gabriel, Auriel) and the blessing of the child couldn't be done with chrism and more Christian poetry or Biblical quotations. Listen to the parents; what they want and need for their child is paramount. Listen also to the child! Even an infant can show preferences, if you know how to listen right. This ritual might also be adapted to an older child, but should not be used for a young person old enough to make their own decisions. Please note that this ritual is not a binding in any way – the choice of belief and faith is left to the child as he or she gains the maturity to make such decisions. Only until then do the gods of the parents and/or community hold sway over the child.
