Tides and Cycles

When did you first become an adult? a teacher? a student? Do you remember? What do you want to become?

In Paganism we mark the many transitions of our lives. Some Pagans are very formal about this others aren't. You might be a leader in the Pagan community even though you don't acknowledge it. You might be a Father, a Mother, Uncle, Aunt, etc. to another and not even know it.

Rites of Passage have power. Even if you've been doing something for thirty years and don't think such a rite is necessary. It has power. My wife and I discovered this when we alternated leadership roles within Pagan House. After a member has been on a board or a committee long enough we hold a Rite of Passage for them wherein we give them a Key to the House. They are charged with keeping their/our house in order. For some this transition is too much. Even though we don't expect them to do anything different than they have been doing the past six months or, after the Presentation of the Key, something changes. They are no longer able to handle the responsibility of the office even though they performed the 6 month trial beautifly, which was why they were chosen for the Key Rite in the first place! So, some will leave. Others, who had been floundering in their studies, and only barely made the grade to be bumped up to the next level of study, were reinvigorated. Their work improved. There is no way to predict exactly what a rite of passage will do to a person until it has been done. In the case of the Rite of the Key, the Rite protects the church as well as solidifying the bond we all share. None have ever returned their keys. The Rite still holds, the bond continues.

We also experienced the power of Rites of Passage when I took my wife's position as the First of Pagan House. When you declare to Deity that you are now something different. You will be changed to meet your own intent. The direction of Pagan House changed vastly after the Rite was performed.

All Pagan rites are rites of passage. "We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters." (from the 13 principles of Wiccan Belief). Our Lunar Rites recognize the threshold moment. All of our circles create a threshold. We step out of time to alter time. We are neither here nor there.

Here is a great place to begin your research into different Rites of Passage. Also pay close attention to the power of names, something we may get into later.

Blessed be!