Wiccaning
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A Wiccaning or Paganing is a Neopagan ritual analogous to the christening or baptism of an infant.[1] Specific groups may have alternate names for this rite.
In accordance with the importance put on free will in Neopagan traditions, infants are not necessarily expected to choose a Pagan path for themselves when they grow older. The ceremony, like its Christian equivalent, is focused on the parents' beliefs and the family's communal commitment to look after the child.[2][3]
Rites
[edit]A Wiccaning can take many forms, drawn from older pagan traditions, folklore, and the more modern beliefs of the individuals involved.[4] In most the central event is the presentation of the infant to a God and Goddess usually through being held up by its Mother, a High Priest, and/or High Priestess in sight of the sky.[1]
Other aspects of the ritual may include sprinkling silvered water on the infant's forehead as part of a saining (Scottish rite for blessing and consecrating)[5] or passing the child over a fire.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Garber, Kathleen (1997) "Wiccaning/Paganing"
- ^ "About.com Naming ceremony". Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ "A Wiccaning/Naming Ceremony I (The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum)". www.ecauldron.net.
- ^ "Hold a Wiccaning Ceremony for Your Baby". Learn Religions. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
- ^ a b Ellison, Skip "Naming and Saining the Baby"
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