Newborns, Infants and Children

Well, now you've gone and done it.  You've left your childhood behind completely and gone and had a ... family!

Congratulations on your wonderfully amazing immortality and grace.  Your child is an extension of you as well as a part of you, and there is no greater joy than looking into the eyes of your new baby and seeing eternity reflected.

So, what's next? Why, the naming ritual, of course.  

The naming ritual provides a spiritual identity to the child.  The idea of a baptism/christening has been around far longer than the Judeo-Christian texts and can be found in many cultures around the world, from the ancient Egyptians to the First 

Nation's Peoples of the United States.  While the process usually involves water, Grandma Tilly's Naming Rituals give the parents the option of how simple or elaborate their child's naming ceremony is going to be.

Naming Your Child

When our child is born, we are generally required to give them a name before we file the birth certificate. If the child is born in a hospital, they often require it before you even check out.   This name may be the exact name you wish to give your child, or it may simply be the mainstream, secular name you wish to provide for legal purposes.  You may choose another name for spiritual purposes.  Either name can be designated for the naming ritual.

Adults

There are two times, specifically, in an individual's lifetime when they may choose to perform a naming ritual as an adult.  The first is when they reach the time in their lives when they wish to commit themselves to the Lord and/or Lady as a mature, grown, independent entity. They may have been raised in a specific faith, or perhaps they have come to paganism through their own life path.  Either way, taking on a new name at this time in one's life is one way to provide for a new platform of their spiritual identity.  Unlike the name given to us at birth or at some point during our childhood, this name is revealed by our priest, priestess, or by the will of the gods, themselves.  It is a name we've earned rather than a name provided.

The second adult naming ritual comes for women as they enter the final life phase. When a woman becomes a crone, she may take a new name during her Croning Ritual, where she embraces the wisdom she has gathered over the ages and becomes an elder in her spiritual path.   This name is generally chosen by the women, herself, as inspired by the goddess.

To Swim or Not to Swim

The Use of Water in a Naming Ritual

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In Christianity, the use of water washes away the sins of the newborn child. Specifically, it washes away "original sin" as described in the book of Genesis.  For adults, water washes away both original sin and the sins they have committed knowingly or unknowingly throughout their lives before they take on Jesus, the Christ, as their personal savior and Deity. 

Water has actually been used in purification rituals for far longer than this ancient text reveals.  For Grandma Tilly's Naming Ritual purposes, water is used as the medium through which a ritual bath is given.  The water is charged and blessed to carry away negativity that may have attached to the child or adult over time.  

Children are Without "Sin"

In my opinion, a child cannot be born with any kind of "sin," original or otherwise.  So why use water as a ritual cleansing?

There is one very good reason, but the real reasons are up to the parents.  Here is one example: Does someone, anyone, resent your child simply for being born?  Was your pregnancy planned, or did you spend the first few weeks in a state of confusion or shock... even sadness or despair?  The fact that you love your child now, and wouldn't trade or change a single minute or aspect of your precious bundle of joy notwithstanding, the negativity of those first few months have attached to your baby.  A ritual bath will cleanse that negativity and provide a solid base for future positive spiritual growth.

Even if you have no knowledge of anyone who resents your current life changes, your new baby or your relationship with your significant other, a ritual bath during a naming ceremony will cleanse your child of any gathered negativity he or she may have picked up during, or immediately following, gestation.

Why Water for Adults?

Throughout the course of our lives, we pick up negativity from our life experiences.  The ritual bath performed during a naming ceremony is no different from any ritual bath taken to dispel this negativity.  However, it is an important cleansing that provides a firm foundation for the new identity.  

It is perfectly acceptable for the individual taking part in the naming ceremony to complete their own ritual bath prior to the actual ceremony, in private.  However, the ritual bath, or spiritual cleansing, is a beautiful and symbolic event which many people wish to share with their friends and family.

What is a Ritual Bath?

The Naming Ritual cleansing is completed symbolically or authentically, depending upon the location of the ritual and the wishes of the participant(s).  

The parents of a small child or infant may prefer to have a symbolic ritual cleansing.  Tilly will pour water from an abalone shell over the crown chakra three times.  The first water used is Black Water, or water collected during a dark/new moon.  This is banishing water that will remove the negativity from the child if any exists.

The second pouring uses waxing water, or water collected during the waxing moon phase.  This represents the growth of the child and provides positive energy for that growth, physically, spiritually and emotionally.

The final pouring uses White Water, or water collected and charge with the full moon. This water is protective and powerful, not only enhancing the actions of the first two pourings, but leaving a lingering protection against negativity in the future.

If the ritual takes place near a river, the parents may opt to take their child into the river for a total immersion ritual bath.  In this event, Tilly will perform a short blessing on the river to charge the water for each "dunk" beneath the surface.

Think of the three steps of the ritual bath much like a bath for any other reason. The first pour is the shower that removes the crud of a long day; the second is the soaking bath where we relish the comfort of the water and relax in the joy of it; and the third is after we've toweled off and put on a little deodorant or powder to keep ourselves fresh.

The Ritual Process

Step 1:

Cast the circle - This can be performed prior to the ritual or the arrival of guests, or it can be incorporated into the ceremony proper.

Step 2: 

Call the Quarters - Inviting the Watchers/Guardians of the elements to join your ritual is important. Casting the circle is not a requirement, however, once the circle is cast, calling the quarters is a given.

Step 3: 

Presentation of the One to be Named - If the subject of the ritual is an infant or small child, the parent(s) of the child, or the community at large, will present him or her.  If the subject is an older child or adult, they will present themselves for naming by stepping forward.

Infants/Small Children: 

Tilly: "Who presents this child to be named?"
Parents: "I/We do."
Tilly: "By what right do you present this child?"
Parents: "By the gift of the Goddess/Lord/Lady."
~or~
Adults:

Tilly: "Who shall be named?"
Adult Subject: "I shall."
Tilly: "By what right do you present yourself?"
Adult Subject: "By the gift of the Goddess/Lord/Lady."

Step 4: 

Ritual Bath - For infants or small children, this bath removes all negativity from the subject. For older children and adults, the same effect is achieved, however the ritual bath also serves to wipe away the former encumbrances of the original identity and creates a smooth, pliable surface for future learning. It also creates a solid foundation for the new identity to take hold.


Tilly pours water from a cauldron or other vessel over the crown chakra three times.

"Goddess Mother, we wash away the impurities of mortal existence in favor of the higher self, the higher good, and the blessings of enlightenment." 

"Goddess Mother, we offer water, the source of all life, to the manifestation of enlightenment, happiness and prosperity."

"Goddess Mother, we instill a sacred circle of fluid light, protection against all harm and armor against those in this world who follow desperate paths."

Step 5: 

The Naming Ritual - The name given at birth may, or may not, be the name given at the time of the ritual.  Therefore, the ritual changes depending upon the circumstances of the naming.  

Infants/Small Children: 
Tilly: "Who was this child?"
Parents: State the legal or previously given name.
Tilly: "Who is this child?"
Parents: State new or the same name.
Tilly: By naming this child, you have declared a proprietary responsibility. Do the child well and harvest what you planted.
~or~
Adults:
Tilly: "Who were you?"
Subject: State previous name.
Tilly: "Who are you?"
Subject: State new name.
Tilly: You have declared yourself a new and enlightened being. Serve your name well and harvest what you have planted.

Step 6: 

The Blessing - The blessing is optional in the naming ritual, however, Grandma Tilly generally speaks a blessing for the child or adult who has taken on the responsibility of a new name. Our names identify us and establish the root of who we become later in life, so all of the positive energy we can bestow upon the subject is a good thing.

"Go forth, child of Mother Earth, child of angels, and child of the gods, into a world of splendor.  Be ever kind. Be ever mindful of those who love you. Be ever mindful to love yourself.  Be true to yourself always, and you will be always true to others.  Be graceful in your love and cautious in your anger.  Be strong in your passion and weak in your mistrust.  Dance beneath the moon. Sing beneath the stars.  Laugh beneath the sun. Suffer no fool and be not his friend.  Do no harm. Be an example for your children and solace for your mate.  Remember that place from which you come and the community that rears you.  Pay homage to them, the gods and yourself with a rich and blessed life of truth.

So as I've said, so mote it be."

Step 7: 

Dismiss the circle - At the end of the ritual, the watchers and the circle are dismissed.  

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Rates

Naming Ceremony ~ $75.00
Naming Ceremony with Ritual Bath ~ $95.00
Naming Ceremony with Ritual Bath and Circle Casting ~ $125.00

Grandma Tilly is able to travel within 100 miles of Carbon County Utah for this service.  Travel rates will include mileage and meals at the rate of .55 cents per mile and $10.00 per required meal (no more than 2 per day.)  Mileage will be calculated from the shoppe to the location of the ritual using Google Maps for the actual distance.  

If the ritual is to take place later in the evening, a hotel may be required for an overnight stay with the per Diem paid in advance or the funds paid directly to the hotel or motel.  Generally, Grandma Tilly's wife travels with her to all such events as a companion and driver.  Any additional fees for a second individual at the hotel are Grandma Tilly's responsibility, of course.