Preparations:

This is a form of initiation for babies and children too young for initiation. It is recommended that a child who is brought up in the Craft be initiated at age thirteen. If the child is not raised in the Craft, the recommended age is the age of a legal adult. The HPS shall wear symbols of the Moon, and the HP smbols of the Sun. The Circle is marked with flowers and greenery, and the cauldron is placed in the center, filled with same, and perhaps fruit as well. Consecrating oil is placed ready on the altar. Only very light incense should be used - preferably stick incence. Gifts for the child are placed beside the altar, and food and drink for a little party in the Circle after the ritual. The parents should choose beforehand a "hidden name" for the child. (This is largely for the child's own benifit; growing up in a witch family, he or she will almost certainly like having a private "witch name" just as Mommy and Daddy do - and if not, it can be quietly forgotten until and unless its owner wants to use it again.)

Circle Consecration:

The Circle is cast in the usual manner, except thateveryone, including the parents and child, is in the Circle before the casting, seated in a semicircle close to the cauldron and facing towards the altar - leaving room for the HPS to cast the Circle around them. Only the HPS ans HP are sranding, to conduct the casting. To cut down on excess movement which might frighten the child, the HPS casts the Circle with her athame, not the sword; and nobody moves with her, or copies her gestures, when she invokes the directions. She and the HP carry round the elements.

The Charge of the Goddess: (Omit if for girl.)

The Invocation of the Horned God: (Omit if for boy.)

Dedication:

The HPS/HP stands before the altar, facing the cauldron. The other stands ready to hand the incense, oil, water, and wine.
 

HP/HPS:
"We meet in this Circle to ask the blessings of the all-powerful Creator, the mighty
God and the gentle Goddess on (name), the daughter/ son of (name of parent), and
(name of other parent), so that she/he may grow in beauty and strength, in joy
and wisdom. There are many paths, and each must find his own; therefore we
do not seek to bind to any one path while she/he is still too young to choose.
Rather we ask the Creator, the God and the Goddess, who know all paths, and to
whom all paths lead, to bless, protect and prepare her/him through the years of
her/his childhood; so that when at last she/he is truely grown, she shall know
without doubt or fear which path is hers/his and shall tread it gladly."

"(name), mother of (name of child), bring her/him forward that she may be blessed."

The Purification:

The father helps the mother to rise, and both of them bring the child to the High Priest(ess). If the Child is small, the mother places it into the arms of the High Priest(ess), who holds her/him firmly so the child feels secure. If it is larger, the mother places the Child's right hand into the hand of the High Priest(ess).
 

HP/HPS:
"(name), mother of (name of child), has this your child also a hidden name?"

Mother:
"Her/His hidden name is (hidden name of child)."

Then with the Little finger of the Right Hand:
 

HP/HPS:
"I hereby anoint thee, (name of child), with Oil."
(Making pentagram with Oil on forehead.)

HP/HPS:
"I hereby anoint thee, (name of child), with Wine."
(Making pentagram with wine on forehead.)

HP/HPS:
"I hereby anoint thee, (name of child), with my Lips."
(Making pentagram with a kiss on forehead.)

The Child is returned to the mother.

The Exhortation to and vows of Parents:

The HP then holds out the Athame, and the HPS places her hand over his to symbolically hold it also. The HP says to the parents:
 

HP:
"I bid you both to put your hands
On this blade of the magical Athame of the Art.
And hearken to our words to you both,
For the bringing of a new life into the world
And the linking of one so young
To the most ancient of Ways
Is a serious matter."

HPS:
"I bid you both to give your child
The finest and deepest of training,
Yet make not his life one of tedious labor.
For one so young must live well
The joy of life."

HP:
"I bid you both to give your child
A home of love, warmth, and gentleness.
If you have differences, moderate them,
So that his world will know no disruption."

HPS:
"I bid you both to respect your child
As an individual, for he is unique.
Remember always that a small frame and child's ways
Often cover an excellent mind,
That in later years many shall honor."

HP:
"I bid you both to give always
A fair hearing to your child.
Have patience as he learns and asks.
And remember that you yourselves once were young."

HPS:
"I bid you both to give ever
New horizons, new challenges, new worlds,
So that your child may go far
As his own mind and spirit shall lead.
Do you hearken unto these words"

Parents:
"We do so promise to uphold these vows."

The HP replaces the Athame onto the altar.

The Godparents' Vows

The HP, HPS and parents turn to face into the Circle, and the HP/HPS then asks:
 

HP/HPS:
"Are there two who would stand as Godparents to?
Come forth now and stand before the altar."

(If the HP and HPS are standing in as godparents, the HP/HPS will ask instead: "Is there one in the Circle who would stand with me as godparents to?" and the other answers: "I will join with you." Then they face each other and speak the questions and the promises to each other.)

The HP asks the godmother:
 

HP:
"Do you, (name of godmother), promise to assume the duties
As Godparents of the small one:
To aid the parents in the upbringing of the child,
To aid and guide the young one as she/he shall need?
And, if the Fates and the Gods
Remove the mother and father from this world,
To take this child into your care and watch over her/him,
To love her/him as if she/he were your of own blood,
Till by the grace of the Gods,
She/he will be ready to choose her/his own path?"

Godmother:
"I, (godmother's name), do so promise."

The HPS turns to the godfather and asks:
 

HPS:
"Do you, (name of godfather), promise..."etc., as above.

Godfather:
"I, (godfather's name), do so promise."

HPS:
"So Mote It Be!"

High Priest(ess) leads the parents and child in a complete deosil circle to the east.
 

HP/HPS:
"Take heed ye Mighty Ones of the East,
We bring you (child's name), whose hidden name is, (child's hidden name),
and who has been duly anointed within the Wiccan Circle.
Know now that she/he is under the protection of the Gods.
And as you depart unto your abodes and retreats,
Let there be peace between us and you.
We bid you farewell.
Blessed be."

All Celebrants make sign of dissolving east pentagram (horizontal left to right).

Repeat for south, west, and north substituting the appropriate direction and sign. (South - lower right to top, west - horizontal right to left, North - lower left to top)

Cakes and Wine:

All sit down except the HP and HPS, who perform the Cakes and Wine Ritual in the usual manner.

They then fetch the gifts and the party food and drink and sit down with the others, and proceedings become informal.

The Circle is dissolved already.