Infant Wiccaning ceremony

I adapted this ritual (credit at the bottom) for my daughter's Wiccaning. I hope you enjoy it. It was originally posted at my website Samhain 2003. Click the post title for a printable version
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This ceremony can be easily adapted to suit your own tradition, like giving a name to the goddess/god. You can also alter it to suit young children, not just infants. For older children, I would recommend a self-dedication kind of celebration that they perform.

There is also a good infant Wiccaning ceremony in Fiona Horne's book Witch: A Magickal Journey

Supplies needed:
Candles: silver (goddess), gold (god), red (fire element), white (infant)
Essential oil: lavender or violet

Cast your circle
Invoke the watchtowers/guardians:

North:
Hail to thee Guardians of the watchtower of the North, the powers of Earth.
Protectors of all green and growing things
Mother Earth, soul of nature,
Great power of the receptive, of nurturing and endurance,
Power to grow and bring forth flowers of the field,
And fruits of the garden.
Join me now and bless this new child.
So Mote It Be.

East:
Hail to thee Guardians of the watchtower of the East, the powers of Air.
Invisible spirit of the fresh, cool winds,
Father sky, vast and boundless
Your living breath animates all life
Yours is the power of clarity and strength
Power to hear the inner sounds, to sweep out the old patterns
And to bring change and challenge,
The ecstasy of movement and the dance.
Join me now and bless this new child.
So Mote It Be.

South:
Hail to thee Guardians of the watchtower of the South, the powers of Fire.
Radiance of the setting sun, at the edge of twilight
Father fire, of the sun, life-energy
Power of the vital spark and imagination
Power to purify the senses, the heart, and the minds.
Join me now and bless this new child.
So Mote It Be.

West:
Hail to thee Guardians of the watchtower of the West, the powers of Water.
Spirit of the great waters, of rain, rivers, lakes, and springs.
Mother Ocean, deep matrix, womb of all life.
Power to dissolve boundaries
Power to taste and to feel, to cleanse and to heal.
Join me now and bless this new child.
So Mote It Be.

I cast this circle to ask the blessing of the gracious Goddess and the mighty God on (baby's name and Craft name), the son/daughter of (mother's Craft name) and (father's craft or other religious name), so that he/she may grown in beauty and strength, joy and wisdom.

There are many paths, and each must find his/her own. Therefore I do not seek to bind (baby) to any one path while he/she is still too young to choose. I ask the Lord and Lady, who know all paths, and to whom all paths lead, to bless, protect, and prepare him/her through the years of childhood so that when at last he/she is truly grown, he/she shall know without doubt or fear which path is his/hers.

Gracious Goddess, whose cauldron is the womb of all life
Ruler of the cycles of birth and death.
Join me in the blessing of the new infant.
Blessed Be.

Mighty God, protector, hunter, provider
You show us the balance in the cycles of life.
Join me in the blessing of this new infant.
Blessed Be.

I present this child that he/she may be blessed.
(mark the baby's forehead with oil* and say:)
I anoint thee, (baby's name) with oil and give thee the hidden name, (baby's Craft name)
(repeat with wine and say:)
I anoint thee, (baby's Craft name) with wine, in the name of the mighty God
(repeat with water and say:)
I anoint thee, (baby's Craft name) with water, in the name of the gentle Goddess

(holding baby and facing the north)
Hail Guardians of the North, I bring before you (baby's Craft name) who has been blessed within this circle.
In the perfect love of the Lord and Lady, I seek your gifts for this child.
Within the child shall be a stable and firm base
From which to build security and serenity,
Affinity with all things that grow
Knowledge of Earth's love for Her child.
I shall teach the child to seek your gifts

(turn with baby toward the east)
Hail Guardians of the East, I bring before you (baby's Craft name) who has been blessed within this circle.
In the perfect love of the Lord and Lady, I seek your gifts for this child.

Within the child shall be fresh new beginnings
From each touch of your gentle breeze.
Communication of the mind, heart and soul,
Knowledge of his/her parents’ love
I shall teach the child to seek your gifts

(turn with baby toward the south)
Hail Guardians of the South, I bring before you (baby's Craft name) who has been blessed within this circle.
In the perfect love of the Lord and Lady, I seek your gifts for this child.

Within the child shall be energy of spirit and passion well spent
From embers carefully tended in a loving home.
A heart that shares great warmth
Courage to pursue what he/she seeks.
I shall teach the child to seek your gifts
(turn with baby toward the west)
Hail Guardians of the West, I bring before you (baby's Craft name) who has been blessed within this circle.
In the perfect love of the Lord and Lady, I seek your gifts for this child.

Within the child shall be understanding
From quick brooks and deep lakes of his/her emotions.
A willingness to face and know the silence within him/herself.
The curiosity of spirit to walk upon a wise path
I shall teach the child to seek your gifts

(return to altar, if you have left it)

Mighty God bestow upon this child the gift of strength.
Gentle Goddess, bestow upon this child the gift of beauty.
Mighty God bestow upon this child the gift of wisdom.
Gentle Goddess bestow upon this child the gift of love.

By the grace of the Lord and Lady, I promise to be a light to (baby) as he/she seeks his/her spiritual path

(simple feast)

The God and Goddess have gifted him/her,
The Guardians of the Watchtowers have gifted him/her,
Mother Luna, Father Sun
O circle of stars, shine in peace on (baby),
Whose God/Goddess name is (hidden name).
As I do will, so Mote It Be.

(Thank the Lord and Lady)
(Dismiss the guardians)
(Close circle, and celebrate!)

This ceremony provided by Brigdh Eden at http://www.piggyhawk.net and http://brigdheden.blogspot.com/

Based on Wiccaning ritual from http://www.ladybridget.com