From: amberlyn@bga.com (Amberlyn)
Subject: Re: Birth rituals?
Date: 15 Mar 1994 18:32:03 GMT

	I found my notes on the wiccaning rite in _The Heart of the
Fire_ by Cerridwen Fallingstar. I have fleshed them out for my own
purpose, and at this point cannot recall what is mine and what is
CF's. I include them here for those interested:

HPS:	Spring is come
	The lambing begun
	Out of the Earth, out of the Air
	Out of the Water, out of the Fire
	A child is born.
	Welcome we now [child's name]!

The child is dipped in a cauldron of warm water, and then wrapped in a
shirt of the opposite sex. The child is taken in arms and address by
the HPS:

	Do not forget, what seems the most different from you is not
	different, but a part of yourself, a mirror to your deepest
	nature.

She offers child to the quarters:

East:	Let the air come
	That bears the hawk
	That brings the clouds
	And the life-giving rain.
	Let the air come now 
	To be a friend and guardian
	To [child].

South:	Let the fire come 
	That shines in the sun
	That shines in the heart
	And opens the womb.
	Let the fire come now
	To be a friend and guardian 
	To ...

West:	Let the water come
	That freshens the pool
	That moves with the moon
	And boils in the cauldron
	Let the water come now 
	To be a friend and guardian 
	To ...

North:	Let the earth come
	That gives the grain
	That is flower an dfruit
	And the deep hidden caves.
	Let the Earth come now
	To be a friend and guardian
	To ...

The HPS tucks child in a willow basket lined with virgin white linen,
tucking the cloth under the child's chin. The basket is handed to the
mother, who holds it toward the HPS & HP.

HPS says: 
	"Lord of Grain" 	while placing a loaf of bread on the cloth
	"Mother of Milk"	while placing cheese next to the bread
	"Fire of immortality"	whirling taper of fire 3 times over basket

Mother stands holding the basket in her arms. The HP holds his hands
as high as he can reach over the basket, while the HPS lays her hands
upon the earth beneath it. Slowly, with barely perceptible movement,
they bring their hands closer together as an expectant warbling hum
rises among the gathering. As their hands meet the basket, signifying
the meeting of heaven and earth, shrieks & skirls of excitement burst
from every mouth. The pagan baptismal (seining?) is complete, the
survival of the child as assured as the community's magic can make it.

Blessings upon you all
Amberlyn