Wicca is different from other religions in that we do not require our children to share our religious beliefs. No one is born Wiccan. We believe that each person must choose his or her own Path, and hopefully follow it with joy. We must respect the religious choices our children will make for themselves. (Even if we don't agree with them.)

We may, however, Wiccan our babies to place them under the protection of the Goddess. We can lead them in Her ways and hope they will find their way to Her.

I wrote this ceremony for my son when he was born but never used it becuse he had an Egyptian ceremony instead. It is based on the Farrar's wiccaning ritual, but adjusted mythologically. It contains a passage from Book of the Dead, an exhortation from Joseph Campbell, elements of the Egyptian ceremony, and a line from a Doors' song.

Christians believe that babies are born evil, afflicted by the Original Sin of Adam and Eve (go Eve!) in their creation myth. Their baptism ceremony removes this sin, so that children will not go automatically to the Christian hell when they die. Wiccans, like Egyptians, believe that every baby is perfect and innocent. Our ceremonies are meant to protect babies from the evils of the world, to safeguard them until they are strong enough to protect themselves.

I have used male pronouns here for simplicity's sake but these can, of course, be changed for a girl.The child's secret name should be whispered unless everyone present at the ceremony can be trusted with it.

Have ready:

• rosewater (available at Middle Eastern and gourmet shops)
• olive oil (beer would be more correct for Hathor, but who could put beer on an infant)
• white wine or white grape juice
• Blood of Thoth (warm water in which saffron threads have been infused overnight - only real saffron works, no substitutes)

These could be placed in bowls on the altar, which should be draped with a white cloth. Dip a finger in each to make a pentacle on the baby's forehead.

• some vervain, fresh or dried
• garlic cloves
• some bread
• clover, fresh or dried (try a health food store, if you live in the city)
• gold coins or jewelry
• rosebuds, fresh or dried
• a mojo-bag, (small cloth bag) preferably sewed by one of the parents - this could be plain, or decorated in any way desired

Light three white candles to honor Artemis, who protects children. Cast a circle to begin the ceremony.

Priest/ess: (with arms raised)

We are met in this circle to ask the blessings of the Goddess on ___________, Child of Promise, child of ___________ and ____________ so that he may know Her and grow in Her ways.

We ask the Goddess to bless, protect and guide __________ through childhood. We invoke Isis and entreat her to lead him away from darkness, that he may always walk in the light. We ask her to lead him to follow his bliss.

Parent/s:

Ours/mine is the blood of mysterious union. We/I bring our/my child ____________ , gift of the Goddess, forward to be blessed.

Priest/ess:

I anoint thee with the rosewater of Isis, and give thee the hidden name of ____________. I sign thee with the pentacle and place you under Her protection. We ask Isis, Queen of the Universe, to bestow upon this child the gifts of strength and magic.

I anoint thee with wine, in the name of Osiris. I sign thee with the pentacle for protection. May Osiris, Lord of Everlastingness, bestow upon this child the gift of life after death, that we may know reunion in the Summerlands and beyond.

I anoint thee with the Blood of Thoth and sign thee with the pentacle, for protection. We ask Thoth, Lord of Books, to bestow upon this child the gifts of wisdom, intelligence, and psychic power.

I anoint thee with oil in the name of Hathor, the Beautiful Face in the Boat of Millions of Years. I sign thee with the pentacle for protection. May Hathor bestow upon this child the gifts of love, joy, beauty and creative power.

Parent/s: (placing each item in the mojo-bag as it is named - if possible, it should then be closed with a gold charm that contains a turquoise bead, and affixed to the swaddling clothes or baby blanket)

We give him garlic, to avert negative energy.

We give him vervain, for happiness and love of learning.

We give him clover to invoke Artemis, who protects children.

We give him bread, that he shall never know hunger.

We give him gold, that he shall never know want.

We give him roses, for love.

Priest/ess: (with hands raised in blessing)

Mighty Goddess, watch over him that is in his cradle, the Babe when he cometh forth to you.

The circle is then closed. The mojo-bag should be safeguarded until the child is grown. If a tree is planted for the child, it could be buried beneath it.