From: joann@unixhub.SLAC.Stanford.EDU (Jo Ann Malina)
Subject: Child blessing
Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 12:40:58 GMT

I promised to post this a while back, and since there is once again
interest in this material, I've finally dug it up.  It was a blessing
for an infant (2 months old or so), held as part of a community
sabbat, so it is short.  Real names were used in the actual ritual.

I think it unwise to promise that a child will serve a particular
god. I would rather get the family and sponsors to make some public
statements of their private duties, and call down blessings on the
child. They can decide which god to serve, if any, when they grow up.

When I do blessings, I always think of "Sleeping Beauty." Don't forget
to invite the 13th fairy, she gets very snarky if she's snubbed. The
13th fairy to me represents the Shadow, which is why I ask the
parents to look to their own internal conflicts rather than pass them
on to the child.

						----------------------

Priestess:  We welcome into our community today Daughter, daughter of
Mother and Father.  I call upon the gods to witness our words.

Priestess:  Mother, Father, the gods have given Daughter into your care.
Children are compelled to live the unlived lives of their parents,
however badly that may fit their true natures, however far that may be
from their purpose in being born here and now.  We trust you to love,
nurture and educate Daughter; beyond these, the most important thing you
can do for her is to find your own center and live from it, honestly and
humbly, and allow her to do the same.  Will you strive to do this, for
her sake and your own?

Parents (separately):  I will.

Priestess:  And will you show her the pagan way, in perfect love and
perfect trust?

Parents:  We will.

Priestess:  Who is her brother/sister?

Son:  I am.

Priestess:  Son, your sister is a special person in your life, someone
who will be near you for your whole journey through this world.  Will you
protect her from harm and teach her the things only a brother can teach?

Son:  I will.

Priestess:  Who is her guardian mother/father?

Lady Unicorn:  I am.

Priestess:  Lady Unicorn, your special charge is the spiritual well-being
of this child.  Will you be another loving adult in her life, and help
her to walk in pagan paths?

Lady Unicorn:  I will.

Priestess:  I call upon the gods to witness these words.

(Asperge by sprinkling with small amount of salt/water and charging by
wafting small amount of smoke from incense stick):  Daughter, may the
radiance of the maiden, the fruitfulness of the mother, and the wisdom
of the crone, be with you all your days.  May the horned god guard you
from all harm.  May you live the life you came here to live.  And may
you ever have health, wealth, and luck enough for three!

(Holding child aloft):  Welcome, Daughter! Io! Evohe!

All:  Io! Evohe!


*) *) *) *) *) *) *) *) *) *) *)!(* (* (* (* (* (* (* (* (* (* (* (* (*
Jo Ann Malina, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
joann@unixhub.slac.stanford.edu  -or-  415/926-2846
Neither Stanford nor the DOE would be caught dead with these opinions.
Nor do they consult me when formulating theirs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.     -Bill Clinton