Rose Ariadne's Chitchcraft Blog

Dear Friends,

I recently had the honor of attending a dear friend’s baby’s naming ceremony. It had been awhile since I had been to one of these beautiful celebrations, and I thought I’d take a moment to address this time-honored tradition that is held so near and dear by many of us.

Baby naming ceremonies—also commonly referred to as sainings or Wiccanings—are generally not held until after the last remnants of the umbilical cord have dropped off of the child. This symbolizes the moment that the baby becomes an independent individual, no longer symbolically tied to the mother. Though most states require parents to name their child before leaving the hospital, the naming ceremony is seen as the moment that the baby “officially” takes a name and is presented to friends, family and the community. The child is placed under the protection of those in attendance, and many Wiccans choose a guardian or guardians for their child during the ceremony. It is important to note, however, that these are only guardians in a spiritual sense, not legal ones.

Holding the naming ceremony outside in the presence of nature is generally preferred, though if the climate or weather will not permit this it is perfectly acceptable to hold the ceremony indoors. Generally, you would want to perform a smudging if the area is a rented or unfamiliar space. A temporary altar containing representations of the God and Goddess, as well as magickal tools, blessing oil, a cup of wine and a cup of milk should be set up in the area designated for the ceremony. The roles of High Priestess and High Priest are assumed by the parents in most naming ceremonies. They will typically take the time to bind themselves to the new baby through an oath, signifying the beginning of the ceremony.

After the ceremony has begun, a circle will be opened and the corners will be called in whatever manner you are most comfortable with and used to. The God and Goddess are called upon to join in the naming ceremony, and this is typically done by the parent of the opposite sex of the child. The parents will turn to the guests at this point and swear an oath of what it means to be a parent and will then turn to the chosen guardian or guardians (if there are any) to have them announce themselves to the God and Goddess as the child’s protectors.

Once the deities have been called in to the ceremony, the baby is generally placed on the altar and a pentagram or other spiritual symbol is traced on the child’s forehead with the blessing oil while calling upon the God and Goddess to watch over the child and offer their blessing. A drop of milk will be placed upon the baby’s lips while wishing the child good health, good fortune and love. A pentagram or other chosen spiritual symbol will then be traced on the baby’s chest with the blessing oil. This is the point where the child’s name is announced to the God and Goddess, and their blessing is invoked once more. A cup of wine is then passed among the guests in the circle, each one taking a sip and offering their well wishes and blessings. The parents will generally walk the child around the circle to stop with each guest with the wine. The ceremony is typically drawn to a close with the parents holding the baby up to the sky to present the new child to the deities. The circle is then closed when everyone is ready.

As with most things in our craft, there is no right or wrong way to hold a baby naming ceremony if you choose to have one for your child. I have been to rather formal and traditional ceremonies, as well as those that are very loose and casual and may appear to be just a simple party or celebration to an onlooker. Bringing a child into the world is the single greatest gift of life most of us will ever have the privilege of experiencing. The creation of life from two loving souls is a beautiful and precious thing and should always be honored—in whatever fashion feels most comfortable and right to the parents.

To any of you out there who are expecting or have recently experienced the wonder and joy of a new baby, may your child always be richly blessed and deeply loved.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm and Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”