Subj : Coming of Age pt1/3                                                     

This is part 1........by Arwen Nightstar
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               Coming of Age For A Young Woman


     Astrological Aspects:  A New Moon in Virgo would be lovely,
     but any New Moon will do.  New Moon calls up the Maiden                  
     aspect and celebrates the power of growth.  Just as planting
     is best served under a New Moon, so is a maiden's awakening.
     Perhaps a New Moon that reflects the maiden's own moon
     sign would be appropriate since emotions are so prevalent
     at this age.

     Preparations:  Two or three days before the ritual, ask
     the maiden if she is prepared to step into womanhood.  
     Inform her that she must make a sacrifice to prove her 
     willingness to the Lady and the Lord.  This sacrifice will
     be five of her favorite toys.  It is important that she
     understand that these must be cherished items.  Of course,
     she should not have to relinquish family heirlooms!  Ask the
     maiden to designate each item for each point of the pentagram.
     The item she decides to give to Spirit should be the hardest to 
     give up.  When she has mad her decisions, tell her the day and
     the time of the ritual.  She will keep her items until that
     day.  On the day of the ceremony, the maiden will bring her
     toys with her to her cleansing bath and give them to the HPS
     (High Priestess)

     Day of Circle:  Ask the maiden if she will fast until circle.
     (Fast time should be at least six hours, but no longer than
     ten hours.  It doesn't seem appropriate to encourage eating
     disorder patterns.)  Of course, she can have water and fruit
     as she deems necessare.  Two hours before the ritual, prepare
     a a bath for her.  (She should already have bathed with soap
     and water.  Into the water, place an infusion of Lady's Mantle,
     HEather, Rose, Jasmine, and Gardenia.  As the maiden enteres
     the water, recite these words (or something similar)
        "The bud of your youth is maturing into the bloom of womanhood"
     Then leave her to relax and meditate on her journey.  (If the
     young woman is too shy to be seen naked, recite the words to
     her just before she disrobes for her bath.)  A designated helper
     could be either the eldest female covener or any covener the
     maiden chooses.  When the young woman feels ready, the helper
     will bring a simple gown of white, sleeveless, moderate lenght
     and bind her waist with a red cord saying....
         "Red of life, red of blood, I wrap you in the Lady's love"
     Take the maiden to a darkened room (one or two candles) and 
     let her meditate in silence.  The helper will remain outside
     the room.

     Circle Preparations:  The altar should be an infusion of white,
     pink and flowers.  Have a maiden Goddess and a Pan Lord if
     at all possible.  A single rose bud could represent the Lady.
     At each quarter place flowers as well as the maiden's toy for
     each direction.  The covenors who will be representing the quarters
     should be masked with representations of their roles.  Also, at
     each quarter, but hidden, should be the gifts from the quarters.
     These gifts will be nice (but not necessarily expensive) since
     they will help carry the maiden into womanhood.  In the east
     will be a feather or a fan.  In the south will be a thurible or
     a candle.  In the west will be a chalice or a cup.  In the north 
     will be a large crystal or stone.  To represent the Spirit a
     cloth-covered mirror on the altar is needed.  The coven should be 
     wearing red robes for the women and green for the men and all
     those past fertility should wear black.