Life Rites                                                            

The most difficult thing we have to go through in life is the passing of a friend or loved one [human or pet].  It seems to reach our very soul.  The comfort we seek really cannot be found.  It only lies in the fact that our loved one is still very near in all we say and do.  Here is a poem I hope you find useful in the grieving of a loved one. I know we feel the grief of the death of people we never met.  For their families and friends. And during this the Goddess walks close to us so we don't stumble and fall.  Her love is all around us.  This poem is one of my favorites

Passing Poem                                                                                   

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow.  I am the sunlight on ripened grain.  I am the gentle autumn rain.  When you wake in the morning hush I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circle flight. I am the soft starlight at night.  Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep.            

~Joyce Fossen, Earth Prayers pg 30 

Wiccaning Ritual

Goal:

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 it. Family(by blood or chosen), Goddess Parents, if any, 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, 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”. “I bring this teddy bear to {child’s name}, in hopes that she will feel safe and comfortable throughout her childhood”. “I bring this song to {child’s name}, in hopes she will be blessed with appreciation of music.” etc.

If the baby cries through this, no problem. He/she is just participating! Announcing their 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 {child’s name} 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 full 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 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 strong, free and independent as you are. Guide her hunt for her own path. Protect her through the darkest of nights, and help 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, the walk slowly clock wise until they face the next direction, where they pause for the next statement.

Priest: Hail East! Recognize this person [child’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! Hail East! 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 this 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 then 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 two people to bear alone. I 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 the god/goddess parents arose. These chosen people will have a special relationship with {child’s name}, will be there should she need someone outside the home to talk to. To share experiences, and to be a “neutral” and loving third party should the family need help.

The parent should say {God/dess parent’s name or names} will you participate in the upbringing of this child, {child’s name}. Will you be their to listen to her, and help and advise us for her welfare if necessary?

God/dess parents answer

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 and says.

God/dess parent(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 being Rob-in, Rob-in, {child’s name}, then people will start to say it in different ways, whispering it, singing it, saying it in different tones and inflections, it should make a musical sound to raise energy. When the power is at it’s peak the priestess or parent should call it by standing with the child and holding them up the energy then goes forth to the universe, declaring the presence of young {child’s name} and blessing the child. This energy could go into a protective shield for the child, if desired.

All eat cakes and wine, ground, open circle, thank and say farewell to quarters and deities. and celebrate, and probably change the baby!

As part of the celebration, make a time to let each person present their symbolic gift to the child, and state their wishes. It is best to go around for this so everyone can hear and join in this portion of the ceremony. This may be done inside the circle before the called and wine if desired.

---Copyright © Zaratyst, 1997. This document may be used and distributed freely, so long as the copyright remains attached.

  The gifts you bring are not for a baby shower.  They are gifts for a life time.  Have a box ready.  This will be sealed untill the child is 18, or graduates High School.  With the gift there is a note from the person giving it.  ie. This book is for knowledge, This dictonary is so you never have a loss of words, this heart is to remind you to love yourself as much as you love others. Any thing that will have meaning.  Aunt Susan may be 78 mow.  And she may not be around when the child is 18.  But the child will be reminded of her and the hope she has that they have a wonderful life.  Rev. Elizabeth

Aids Memorial Ritual Presented at Dragonfest 1996 and 1997 by the Pagan Rainbow Network Participants: Priestess Priest Callers in the east, south, west, north, center Maiden(s) On the altar: Candles (already lit) Big Aids ribbon, if possible Pieces of paper Pens/pencils Helium filled alloons, anchored (note: we have always used at least one condom, and a latex glove, as balloons.) Flashlights if being performed at night Cleansing Sacred Mother, heal my soul. Take my misery and make me whole. Sacred Mother, end my pain. Turn my sorrow into to joy again. Casting the Circle Caller in the east begins. Hand to hand the circle is cast. Joins hands with the person to the left, who repeats and joins with the person to the left all the way around the circle, ending again with the Caller in the east. Calling the Quarters Caller in the east: Spirits of the east, creatures of air, in our minds and hearts we call to you. We ask you to lend your powers of intellect and rational thought to bring an end to the holocaust. Caller in the south: Spirits of the south, creatures of fire, in our minds and hearts we call to you. We ask you to lend your powers of faith and passion to bring an end to the holocaust. Caller in the west: Spirits of the west, creatures of water, in our minds and hearts we call to you. We ask you to lend your powers of love and compassion to bring an to end the holocaust. Caller in the north: Spirits of the north, creatures of earth, in our minds and hearts we call to you. We ask you to lend your powers of patience and endurance to bring an end to the holocaust. Caller in the center: Spirits of the center, creatures of our own hopes and desires, in our minds and hearts we call to you. We will join all our powers in love and trust to end the holocaust. Invocation to Lady and Lord Priestess: You who are Mother of All Things, the womb from which sprang all that was, all that is, and all that shall be, we are your children and we are calling to you! Come to us from Your sacred places, the ocean floor and the molten core of the Earth, the tops of the highest mountains, and the desert valleys! By your many names we call you! (A moment of silence follows for each participant to call Her by whatever name each feels most comfortable with.) Be among us in our Work this night! Priest: You who are Father of All Things, the seed from which sprang all that was, all that is, and all that shall be, we are your children and we are calling to you! Come to us from Your sacred places, the howling winds and the bright Sun above the Earth, the deepest forest and the majestic plains! By your many names we call you! (A moment of silence follows for each participant to call Him by whatever name each feels most comfortable with.) Be among us in our Work this night! Body Priestess: We are here to remember, to bear witness, and to bring about an end. Think now of your loved ones, your friends, your family. This plague has left few untouched. Priest: If you have a memory to share, please step forward. We will proceed deosil and each of you will have an opportunity to speak. If you wish simply to place a name in our memories, please step forward as well. After you have spoken, please come to the altar, where the name of your loved one will be placed with others to go to the sky in a moment of wonder. Priestess: If you have no name to share, please step forward as well. If you wish, you may say simply, I will remember. If you wish to remain silent, that wish will be honored. (This will begin with the officiants, and then proceed deosil until all who wish to have spoken.) Priestess: We will sing until the balloons are released, raising a cone of power. We will be raising a cone of power in memory of those whose deaths must not be in vain. As the power rises, please focus on this. The holocaust called AIDS will not bring us to our knees! We are a strong people, we humans, and we will fight this enemy. There is a cure. It will be found, in our lifetime, and, the threat of AIDS will shrink, like influenza before it, to that of an unpleasant but curable malady. So it is our will! So it must be! Sing We are We are We are We are the children of the Earth and Sky. We hold We hold We hold We hold a mystery that will never die. We see We see We see We see the beauty in both sun and rain We know We know We know We know that death is a door to life again (repeat until Maiden releases the balloons when the cone peaks. If the ritual is being performed at night -- which is most effective -- train flashlights on the balloons which will rise well out of sight in short order.) Priestess: It is done. Closing Priestess or Maiden: We will not dismiss the quarters or cut this circle open. Instead, please turn to face outward, and hold up your hands, palm forward. Feel the perimeter of the circle, and slowly, slowly, push it outward. It will widen as you push, until it encompasses the entire festival grounds. Now push more, and it will widen to encompass the entire region. Push again, until it encompasses the entire state. Again, push the circle outward, until it encompasses the nation, then the continent. Push again, the oceans will not stop you. Push, until this circle we formed together, holding hands and sharing love, encircles the earth with our energy. Priest: And thus we may truly say the circle is open but unbroken. Priestess: Merry meet and merry part. Go now with the peace of the Lady and the Lord in your hearts. Ritual by Gypsy and StormRider  At The Moment Of Death by Maphis (Samuel Wagar) There are two great poles around which the Wiccan religion revolves: Sex and Death. Although we have numerous rituals for marriages and for the celebration of the great moments of life we have none that I am aware of for the final great Initiation, the moment of death. So I've written one - this is taken from the latest version of the P4P Tradition Book of Shadows. Typically those who love a person who is dying will be aware that the moment of their death is approaching, even if the dying person is unaware. Even in the case of sudden accidental death there is an interval where those who are with the dying person will be aware of their situation, although they may not be able to mark the moment of death due to their own pain, fear and grief. So, though this brief ritual may be performed by a loved one of a dying person, or by any person, it is more likely to fall under Ministry and to be performed by a Priestess/Priest visiting the hospital or the home to help through the transition. I believe that there is some part of a person that survives death, which may undergo changes in the realm of the Goddess prior to being reborn into another body. This part of the person strips off personality and memory more or less rapidly along with its body but it may need assistance in doing so as death occures. There is no doubt that the person who is dying is experiencing a variety of things, which a death ritual needs to address - the dissolution of personality, the loss of contact with the body, the loss of the family and friends, the fear, the wonder and the awe of this transformation, and the presence of the Goddess and the Ancestors. And those who are with them, their family and friends ideally, are experiencing terror and confusion, grief, fear at their own mortality. They will also experience the coming of Death and the warmth or cool of the soul leaving the body behind. And what the Priestess says will also have to partly address their feelings (although she will have time with them after the death to comfort them). THE FORMAL RITUAL PRIESTESS: (Takes the hand of the dying person gently, and looks into their eyes, or into their face if the eyes are closed. ) You are dying. None should ever die alone. I am here to share your death and to journey with you. There is only love, the greatest Mystery. I reach behind my fear. I open my heart and my eyes in the light of this love. I will go as far on this journey with you as I can. I will not abandon you. She should breath deeply and centre herself and enter a state of light trance. And she should follow the spirit of the dying person as deeply as she can. The Goddess is taking you back now, the Great Mother. She will be with the people left behind, providing strength and comfort. You are not abandoning them. You will leave behind your work. You will give up all of your ties to your family. You will give up sex, and even gender. You cannot be a woman or a man and enter the other world. You will leave behind your body. None who have bodies can pass into the other world. You will become nothing. You will float on the endless waves of the Goddess' womb. You will drift in the warm emptiness at the centre. Nothing will be left but the Will to be reborn. If possible the Priestess will remain with the dying person until she is dead. At the moment of her death say the following: Journey on now, sister. We will follow when we can. May you be born again at the same time and in the same place as those you knew and loved in this life. May you know them again and love them again. And now the Priestess' task must be to comfort the living. (c) Samuel Wagar, POB 2205, Clearbrook, British Columbia, V2T 3X8 CANADA 1994 c.e. Permission hereby granted for reprinting for free distribution or use in classes in Witchcraft taught for free so long as this notice is included. Any other use is violation of my copyright.

We also celebrate Baptisms and Naming Ceremonies in your home or a location you choose. Please ask for a free sample Baptism or Naming Ceremony. No obligations required.                                                         

this is similar to a "hand parting ceremony"
***************************************
A Ceremony for "Letting Go!"

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under
heaven - a time to break down, a time to build up. . . a time to
weep, and a time to laugh, a time to keep, and a time to cast away. -
Ecclesiastes

This ceremony is specifically for couples who have decided to move on
with their separate lives with grace and style. It is appropriate for
relationship break-ups and divorces. It focuses on moving apart with
clarity, good will for the other, and more.

A couple going through a break-up or divorce can honor each other
even in the midst of crisis. While some may find this option
inconceivable, remember, those who can put aside their differences
and send each other on their way with elegance, class, style and
little bit of flair, will find it much easier to find closure.

Breaking up is hard to do and. . . it doesn't have to get nasty. That
is only and always up to both partners.

Ever wondered why so many second marriages come apart so early on in
the relationship? Perhaps it may be because both partners have not
released the past to make way for the future.

This ceremony is a very personal one. It will help to erase the
stigma of a relationship breakup or divorce from our hearts; to help
ease the pain of devastation, guilt, and failure; to create an
opening for breakthroughs of awareness that can mend a broken heart,
bless the past and help you move forward.

The setting, content, wording, style, everything is decided by those
for whom the ceremony is held with the assistance of Larry James.

This "Letting Go" ceremony signifies each partner's willingness to:

Honor the truth that your partnership or marriage can no longer
continue
Bless the past
Accept responsibility for your share of the problems that caused the
breakup
Release each from their marriage vows
Be fair and kind to one another
Acknowlege both the anger they may feel toward their partner for past
behaviors as well as the sadness that comes with having lost a shared
dream to be together
Support each other
Never belittle each other or old friends or to the children
Help the children to understand that mommy and daddy had agreed not
to live together; they are not being abandoned, that this breakup or
divorce is not their fault, and their love for the children is strong
and will never end
Recommitment for continued loving parenting of the children
Honor and treasure the shared memories made through the years
Not be vindictive or allow the separation or divorce to be nasty
Continue to communicate effectively if their are children
Recognize the opportunity for growth in crisis and to acknowledge
that out of chaos can come order and balance
Publicly forgive each other for past mistakes
Let go of each other, old habits, old beliefs and old hehaviors
Express gratitude for the time shared together and good wishes for
the other
Honor and respect each other in your separate and independent lives
Go gently and with a caring spirit, with grace, honor and respect
Begin again alone
What about the children? - They suffer the pain of a changing
relationship too. It is a fact that most of the damage children
experience during divorce comes when parents continue to fight
afterwards. It doesn't have to be this way.

Often couples include their children as witnesses in a "Letting Go"
ceremony; to use it as an opportunity to make a formal commitment
aloud that they will always be parents to their children no matter
how they feel about each other and even though apart, they will
always love them.

Relationships never end. Death, divorce or separation does not end a
relationship, it only changes it.

A "Letting Go" ceremony is not a legal ceremony, however it is - in a
sense - a spiritual way for couples to complete their relationship
with forgiveness and healing.

Separation or divorce is a "wake-up" call. It can be an adventure
when it is the outward expression of love characterized by compassion
and the courage to let go. It takes no strength to let go. . . only
courage. Broken hearts can heal.

This very imaginative ceremony and public declaration of continued
respect for each other in the company of friends can encourage
harmonious cooperation in spite of acknowledged differences, to
publicly release each other from your promises to be a loyal and
faithful partner, a sense of peace and speed up the healing process.

**************************************
The "Letting Go" Ceremony

Officiant's Welcome and Opening Remarks

Welcome, one and all. How beautiful is the day that is touched by
love! We have come together in the presence of God to witness and
bless the the separation of this man and this woman who have been
bonded in the covenant of marriage. The courts have acknowledged
their divorce and we, this day, gather to support them as they give
their blessing to one another as they each seek a new life.

In creation, God made the cycle of life to be birth, life, and death.
We recognize that relationships often follow this pattern. While the
couple have promised in good faith to love until parted by death, in
some marriages the love between a wife and a husband comes to an end
sooner. Love fades, and when that happens we recognize that the bonds
of marriage, based on love, also may be complete.

It is wise to remember that relationships never end. Death, divorce
or separation does not end a relationship, it only changes it. As
long as you both have memory, you will always have a relationship
with one another. We are gathered together today to mutually accept
that change that is occuring now.

God calls us to right relationships based on love, compassion,
understanding, acceptance, and trust. Whenever any of these elements
is absent from a marital relationship, then that partnership no long
reflects the intentionality of the wedding vows.

The good news is that we are forgiven our failures, we are raised
from the dead (so to speak) and restored to a new life. The passing
of love, like the passing to the grave, has no power to rob us of the
life that is intended for all people.

Thus we gather this day to support and bless ________ and ________ as
they acknowledge their mistakes, forgive one another, receive God's
blessing, celebrate the new growth that has occurred in each of them,
and make new commitments for a new life.

The Declaration of Consent

Officiant to the Man: ________, do you enter into this new beginning
of your own free will; do you acknowledge before God, and ________,
your past mistakes? Do you seek forgiveness for the mutual respect
and trust that you have failed to give and agree to set your spouse
free of this relationship, that you and she may receive from God and
from one another the gift of new life and move toward health and
wholeness once again?

Man: I do.

Officiant to the Woman: ________, do you enter into this new
beginning of your own free will; do you acknowledge before God, and
________, your past mistakes? Do you seek forgiveness for the mutual
respect and trust that you have failed to give and agree to set your
spouse free of this relationship, that you and he may receive from
God and from one another the gift of new life and move toward health
and wholeness once again?

Woman: I do.

The Undoing of the Vows

(The man faces the woman, takes her right hand, and says):

In the name of God, I, ________, release you, ________, from your vow
to be my wife. I thank you for the love and support you have given
me. I ask your forgiveness for my part in the failure of our
marriage.

Woman: You are forgiven.

(The woman faces the man, takes his right hand, and says):

In the name of God, I, ________, release you, ________, from your vow
to be my husband. I thank you for the love and support you have given
me. I ask your forgiveness for my part in the failure of our
marriage.

Man: You are forgiven.

(The Officiant asks each in turn to place their rings on the same
finger of the opposite hand):

Minister: ________ and ________, These rings, which you gave to each
other as a symbol of your marriage are now cast aside and by removing
them from your left hand now sets you free. I pray you will both find
peace and joy in your new life separate and apart from each other.
And so it is.

Note: In some cases each partner will choose to give the rings back
to the other, in which case this symbolic gesture will also release
each from their marriage vows and the Officiant's words would reflect
this.

Forgiveness is an absolute necessity for each partner to be able to
celebrate the passing of their relationship by virtue of this
ceremony. Read: Forgiveness. . . What's It For? 

  Divorce is a very hurtful time in your lives.  Only an attorney can legaly divorce you.  This ceremony is a beautiful way to say good-by.  Its like a warm hug from friends and family.  Your telling every one you will be o.k. and you have a bright exciting future in front of you.  And you and your x can remain friends.     Rev. Elizabeth
>
>
> Divorce Ceremony
>
> Divorce does not cheapen the love two people have shared. It does
> not lessen the experiences or memories. Divorce is simply another
> step upon the road of life. It is the splitting of one into two,
the
> planting of new seeds in life's gardens. Though the bloom of love
> hath withered away, as the phoenix is reborn, so are Heather and
> Man reborn.
>
 Woman, please repeat after me:
> Man, I release you from the vows and bonds of our marriage. I
> promise to remember the good and the love we have shared. I promise
> to take new steps on the road of life without you. Thank you for
> walking beside me, waking beside me, living beside me. I release
you.
>
> Man,, please repeat after me:
>Woman,, I release you from the vows and bonds of our marriage. I
> promise to remember the good and the love we have shared. I promise
> to take new steps on the road of life without you. Thank you for
> walking beside me, waking beside me, living beside me. I release
you.
>
>Womans, please remove your ring and place it in the palm of
> Mans hand, and repeat after me:
> I give you this ring, as a token of what we have shared. I remain
> your friend, but am your lover no longer. I will cherish the
> memories as I begin my new life. I release you.
>
>Manl, please remove your ring and place it in the palm of
> Womans hand, and repeat after me:
> I give you this ring, as a token of what we have shared. I remain
> your friend, but am your lover no longer. I will cherish the
> memories as I begin my new life. I release you.
>
-----------, please select a rose, give it to----, and repeat after
> me:
> I give you this rose as my last gift. Remember the good times we
> have shared, and look forward to your new life.
>
>---Man, please select a rose, give it to woman, and repeat after
> me:
> I give you this rose as my last gift. Remember the good times we
> have shared, and look forward to your new life.
>
> God, we ask you to bless these two people, a couple no longer, as
> they begin new, separate lives. We ask you to watch over them and
> keep them, for the rest of their lives. We ask you to grant them
> happiness, success, and well being in all their endeavors.
> 
woman and Man, you are now separate people on different paths
> in life. Seek happiness in all you do. Remember you must go
forward,
> never back. Cherish what you have shared, and look forward to what
> awaits you now. You are each released from the bonds of marriage,
> free to seek your own way on the path of life. As the phoenix is
> reborn from the ashes, you, too, are reborn