| This ceremony aims to mark the childs individuation and to welcome it into its community and environment. It is held once the child has been weaned and is crawling that is, capable of independent movement. The location needs to include water deep enough to dip the child into, a river or beach is preferable. You also need to know the four directions relative to the site. The ceremony is simple as it is intended to include family members who are not pagans and to be held in a public place like a park. If only pagans are present, or other participants agree, you should begin by casting a circle and any other preparations for ritual you would normally make.
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 Pan a decade after his naming ceremony. Photo by Brad Pimm, his Watcher.
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Participants stand in the circle with the parents holding child in the center. The parents name the child and explain the significace of each name. For example my son is called Pandanus (a tropical plant and Pan, God of Nature) for a connection to nature, Hendrik for a connection to the female line (a name held by six generations of eldest sons) and Petter (his fathers surname) for the connection to the male line.
Introduce the child to its community by passing it around the circle. Each person may want to say a few words of welcome while holding the child. At the end of the circle, hand the child to their Watcher (a.k.a godparent), if you have chosen one, or else to a close relative like a sibling. The Watcher dips the the child in the water, a symbol of connection to, and immersion in, the environment and also the child's connections to its community. The Watcher then returns the child to its parents saying something like "We your community entrust the upbringing of this child to you.":
Introduce the child to the four directions and elements as symbolising the environment which will nourish them and be the context for their life. Face each direction and say an invocation to that element. Depending on the comfort zone of non-pagan participants, the invocation could be as simple as expressing thanks for the gift of this child and hopes for its future. For example:
Thank you for the gift of this daughter/son named ________.Remember to reverse the North and South statements if you are in the Northern Hemisphere
Facing East We hope that she/he will be clear thinking and open-minded.
Facing NorthWe hope that she/he will act to build a better world.
Facing WestWe hope that she/he will be filled with love and empathy.
Facing SouthWe hope that she/he will have a healthy and prosperous life.
The parents then thank participants for joining them in naming and welcoming the child and invite them to join them for a meal. They walk around the circle and then lead the group to the meal venue.
Ceremonies: Contents