The Ritual of the First Name


      This ritual is to be performed by the High Priestess and the High Priest. The High Priestess will lead if the child is a male. The High Priest will lead if the child is a female. This is a naming ritual which takes place when the child is seven years old. It designates the child as a "real" person.


LEADING OFFICER: Who stands as this child's sponsor?

                SPONSOR: I do!

LEADING OFFICER: Are you willing to take on the
                                    responsibility for this child until they
                                    come of age?

                SPONSOR: I am!

LEADING OFFICER: Present the child!


The Sponsor presents the child before the Leading Officer, and the Leading Officer now speaks directly to the child.


LEADING OFFICER: Seven years have elapsed since your
                                   arrival in this realm. For seven years,
                                   you have been under the protection of
                                   the Five Great Guardians, which are:

                                   BEAR of the North, HAWK of the East,                                    SERPENT of the South. SHARK
                                   of the West, And, RAVEN of the Ether!

                                   Now, this guardianship ends and you
                                   embark upon the next phase of your                                    life's adventure!

                                   However, Dear Child, we will not leave
                                   you unprotected! You are going to be
                                   given a special name, which will be
                                   your first Magickal name.

                                   The Sponsor will now speak the
                                   name which has been chosen for you.

                SPONSOR: This child shall be called (name).

LEADING OFFICER: Child, thou art (name)!
                                   (name), thou wilt now be under
                                   the guardianship of (goddess/god                                    sponsor).
                                   Let us all now, together, chant the
                                   name of the goddess/god nine times.

             ALL CHANT: (The goddess/god's name is chanted                                     nine times).


The Supporting Officer brings forth the Sacred Anointing Oil and gives it to the Leading Officer. The Leading Officer dips their finger in the oil and makes the trident symbol upon the forehead of the child.


LEADING OFFICER: In the name of (goddess/god sponsor),
                                   I anoint thee. Live now in the
                                   security and protection of your
                                   magickal name, and the blessing of
                                   your goddess/god sponsor. For nine
                                   years until you are sixteen years
                                   old, you shall remain blessed and                                    secure.

            ALL CHANT: Ayea! Ayea! Ayea!
                                   Ayea (goddess/god sponsor)!
                                   Ayea! Ayea! Ayea!
                                   Ayea (child's magickal name)!