"There are only two bequests
we can give to our children.
One of them is roots, the other
is wings." Hodding Carter
Many people recognise the importance of rites of passage as part of the process of maturation. There is an aching gap in secular western culture where traditional rites of passage have dwindled away and largely disappeared. This section lightly sketches the beginnings of a vision for rites of passage within the EarthDreaming tradition. These are merely the seeds of ideas, which can be taken up as and if desired, and developed as the need arises...
The underlying intention is not to attempt to tie the child to this tradition for life, but rather to offer our tradition as a stepping off point for their own adult journey of exploration.
RainbowDreaming
When?
At weaning, or when the etheric link to mother begins
to dissolve (around age 3).
Prior to this point, the child's connection to the
Land and her people (community/tribe) was mediated through the mother.
Now the child seeks to establish their own independent connection to the
Land and community.
Why?
ï To acknowledge the child's growing sense of independent
self (dissolving of the etheric link to mother)
ï To affirm child's energetic connection to the
Land and to his or her spiritual community as sources of nurture for her
growth
Themes:
Acknowledging the child's individuality;
Grounding;
Goddess as Mother Earth;
The Land as our Mother;
Transfer of immediate survival needs from personal
mother to the Land and community;
Acknowledgment of child's individuality;
Belonging - Community and tradition as foundation
stones for ongoing growth of self
Frog as guardian and protector of childhood - blessings
from Snake, Frog & Magpie;
Opening the Pathway of Celebration (- affirmation
of selfhood, personal power, physicality, spirituality, sense of belonging)
Role of spiritual parents & community :
Holding the awareness of the child's divine essence
and unknown future; Fostering independence from mother;
Teaching the child to relate respectfully to the
Land;
Grounding in the mythology of the seasonal cycles.
Ceremonial Gifts:
ï A childhood power name eg. "Gecko", "Marri", "Sundew",
"Dolphin", chosen by the community as a gift to assist and empower the
child's growth ....
ï Gifts of elemental water, fire, earth & air.
When?
At puberty. At this time the child is opening
to energetic connection with the Creative Fire - the red inner fires of
sexuality and creativity, the vital life-force which animates the cosmos.
Why?
To acknowledge & celebrate puberty as
another step in the maturation process
To initiate/deepen relationship with the animal-self
as embodiment of the divine.
To initiate/deepen relationship with the God?
(especially for boys?)
Preparation:
By this point, the boy or girl might be expected
to have mastered the basics of energy work and circle casting.
Themes:
Awakening the Animal self;
Joining the Dance of life;
The God as Lord of the Dance;
Body and sexuality as expressions of the divine;
puberty as entrance into fertility - acquiring
the power to give life;
Sacrifice, the Dewfall mysteries of life and
death, interconnectedness of all life;
Connection with our ancestors;
Freedom, choice, ethical awareness;
Celebration of the body, befriending our animal
selves, animal allies;
Opening the Pathway of Co-creation
Role of spiritual parents & community:
As mentors and allies;
Fostering creativity, mentoring in a craft/form
of creative expression;
Encouraging adolescents to stretch themselves,
to honour their animal selves, and to find ways to be of service.
Ceremonial gifts:
ï Symbol or icon of the God
ï Appropriate tools/materials for creative
expression
ï Symbol of women's/men's mysteries
ï ? personal power objects, totemic gifts
Adult rites of passage
These include:
ï partings
ï blessingway ceremonies for pregnancy & birth
ï croning, etc
In addition, there are adult spiritual initiations
available within the covens of the tradition, including the Land
Dreaming and the Goddess Dreaming
initiations.
There may also be a Sunset Dreaming, to mark the individual's passage out of this life.