Paganistan: Notes from the Secret Commonwealth
In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.
A Leaf from 'The Book of the Sabbat'
Grand Sabbat
Horned (on altar):
Stand forth [parents and godparents].
[Parents and godparents approach, present child to Horned.]
Horned (holding child):
[Godparents], do you swear by the Horns and the wandering Moon to teach, to protect, and, in need, to raise this child?
Godparents:
I do.
Horned:
Then do I sain and bless you, my bonny little bird, in my own Name.
[Anoints child.]
Horned (rises):
People of the Red Thread: shall we name?
All:
Name!
Horned:
Shall we name?
All:
Name!
Horned:
Shall we name?
All:
Name!
Horned (to child):
Then do I name you N! N! N!
[Lifts child with each naming; people join in.]
[Applause.]
[Sits, returns child to parents.]
[Parents, godparents, and child rejoin people.]
Blessing Song (all):
Many years, many years,
many, many years;
many years, many years,
many, many years:
may you be blessed
with happiness and health
for many, many, many years!
Note: A child's first public Naming—traditionally performed on the ninth night after birth, or as soon thereafter as possible—marks the child's official incorporation into the thede (tribe, people). It is customary to refrain from naming the child publicly before this.
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