Rites of Passage and Perfectionings
Quite separate, though similar Sacraments, the Celebration of Rites of Passage and Perfectionings may be, and often are intertwined and symbiotically Celebrated in Circle Workings. Rites of Passage acknowledge and Celebrate the Individual's transitions in(Field of Life), from one sentient life-cycle stage into another. Perfectionings have a dual focus. They are held for an Individual with the intent of marking a dedication of the Individual to Her/His Own Ultimate Potential Perfection. At the same time Perfectionings also act as Rites of Passage into the social or tribal group and/ or groups of the Temple. In the manner which has become Sacred to our Tradition the time for holding these Circles, combined or separately are not precisely determined by the physical age of the candidate but by that particular Individual's actual attainment of that stage. In our Tradition several patternings have been established and recognized. The performance of the
Rite of Passage and/or what is generally called the Birth Perfectioning is recommended to be held as soon after physical birth as practicable (However it may be done at any time, at the Individual's request. It has been done in our Tradition for infants through 19 year olds, at this point.), and in approximate three year intervals until the Rite of Passage to
is performed. These are physical, mental, and spiritual initiations. They are the initiations into Life. When held for Children, whether still in the womb, infants and on up through early adolescence, they are ordinarily scheduled, as much as is possible, approximately every three years. After the
Celebration, the timing of these Circles and Workings depend on individual development. They become a matter of spiritual/magical development and the initiate attains additional levels by mastering certain tasks.
And/or the Child Within Perfectioning - Celebrates the raw potential of the enwombed Individual, the hopes and dreams of the parental units, acceptance into the Tribe of the to be born Child, while dedicating them to as much fulfillment of their Ultimate Potential Perfection as possible in the upcoming lifecycle.
And/or the Birth Perfectioning - marks the physical birth, helps to stabilize the infant's physical senses. It is the entrance into a new stage of existence from the last. We must make the passage easier and direct it to that being's True Will, whatever that may be. The child is formally dedicated to their Ultimate Potential Perfection, whatever that might be. Should the parents wish it, this is the traditional time to give the child a Magickal Name within the Circle. Spiritual Gifts are often Called for the infant, by attending Celebrants, for instance: the Gift of Dance, the Gift of Beauty, and so forth. Goddess/God Parents are named if so desired.
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And/or the ~3rd Year Perfectioning - The expansion of consciousness. The child has gained control of the senses and is exploring all realms. Great curiosity and innocence abounds! Learning is exciting and always an adventure. The child is again dedicated to their Ultimate Potential Perfection, whatever that might be. The child is invested with wings and a robe, Magickally presented in appropriate symbols and colours. The wings represent the individual's potential desire for growth, with the robe we wrap the child in the energy she/he needs to make the ascent level by level.
And/or the ~6th Year Perfectioning - Social Initiation. The child is or has entered school, and/or began some sort of societal learning process. They are also generally beginning to have important interactions outside the immediate family and friends group. This is a good time to let them be active in the Circle. They are the spring virgins and may run around the circle laughing and yelling-clearing the circle. The child is again dedicated to their Ultimate Potential Perfection, whatever that might be. Then they may if they wish, begin an apprenticeship and receive training, by helping with any part of the Circle process that attracts their attention, hopefully under the guidance of one or more of the adult Officiants (preferably from among the ones that are most familiar with that part of the process). In addition to promoting their general social development, within the context of the consensus reality; in this way, the child is introduced to, and encouraged to utilize their new social skills within the social aspects of the Circle.
And/or the ~9th Year Perfectioning - Pre-Puberty Initiation. Around the ninth year the child's body begins to ready itself for adulthood. She/He experiences emotional ups and downs and has no control over it. The psyche at this point is extremely sensitive and impressionable. The child is again dedicated to their Ultimate Potential Perfection, whatever that might be. The ninth year wings and robe are Magickally presented with the introduction of the mirror. Much attention should be focused on the initiate by the group as a whole. A group cleansing would be in order. A divination tool should be selected by the Priestesses and presented to the initiate with instructions for its use.
And/or the ~12-14th Year Perfectioning - Community Member Rite of Passage. This is generally the first formal introduction into preparation for the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. All cultures have various ways of dealing with this time of life. Some choose to ignore it, some venerate it. In our Tradition it is recognized as a critical transition. The child/adult now begins to take responsibility for her/his actions, both within and outside the circles of Household, Clan and Tribe. The group no longer "carries" the child, though it still supports. The child is again dedicated to their Ultimate Potential Perfection, whatever that might be. The child is given birth into adulthood. Often the best Magickal focus for this transition is the use of the Maze or Labyrinth.
And/or the ~15-18th Year Perfectioning - The Freedom Rite of Passage. This is the marking of the passage into young adulthood. If desired this is an ideal time for Initiation into any type of Officianthood that the candidate wishes to persue. The adult/child candidate is enrobed in adult wings and robe and put before the mirror. During robing candidate is blindfolded and is given a task to fulfill before going on to the next Perfectioning. The adult/child is again dedicated to their Ultimate Potential Perfection, whatever that might be. If agreeable to all parties the candidate is assigned to special guidance by one of the consecrated Officiants who specializes in the area that the youngster feels themselves to be most suited for and interested in, and formal training may begin. The mode and motif of the Circle should be as strange and mysterious as possible. The production of a especially strong sense of an altered state of consciousness in the candidate is helpful.
And/or Croning or Saging - is a marking of the Individual's passing into the Wisdom stage of their current lifecycle. One of the important foci of the Rite is still the dedication of the Individual to their Ultimate Potential Perfection, whatever that might be. Often this Rite of Passage also indicates that the focus of the Individual, as far as Spiritual and Magickal matters are concerned, has moved from simple Officiation in a Circle to building up the body of knowledge within the Tradition, and helping create and maintain that body of knowledge in whatever ways best suit their talents.
And/or The Fallow Season Transition - The Individual is still lucid, but active participation in the mainstream type of functions, start to loose their attraction.
And/or the Preparations for the Greater Feast - The Individual is withdrawing from the forms of this lifecycle, in preparation for the transition.
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