by Lance
(ideas on Rites of Passage and initiation)
Rite of Passage: From boy to Youth: Age from 11-14.
This rite of passage is a welcoming ceremony to mark the start of the journey of a new young man. This is the time when a youth takes more responsibility for his actions and starts to look at how he can help provide for his family and community. This is also a time for him to look at his spirituality and decide where his beliefs are taking him and if this is still an appropriate set of beliefs.
I feel there are several aspects that should be covered in this rite of passage.
1) The boy-to-become-youth needs the support of the men in the community. The rite should either be held during a men’s gathering or be a significant event during a gathering of the larger community. (it could be held during any season, but if it feels appropriate, you could have it where boy-youth rite is held in spring, youth-man rite held in midsummer, man-father rite held in autumn, father-elder rite held at samhain and a farewell rite in midwinter. Or you could just have it when most convenient. I would also suggest that a youth rite would include other youths and boys, as well as men, whereas a youth-man rite would have men only
2) Possibly some form of physical challenge. We tend to place
greater value in things we feel we have worked hard to achieve.
** Holding a hunt or a quest for an object
** This can be adjusted for each youth to accommodate experience, skills etc.
** could be an obstacle/adventure course with clues, where they have
to use both their physical and mental skills. At each checkpoint, they are
verbally given the next clue by a man of the tribe, with a prize of some sort at
the finish.
3) A time of reflection. This may be through the use of ritual and/or meditation. Allows the youth to look at his past and what it means to let go of being a child. What is expected of him in the future – how will his life become different as he moves into the life of a young man. What is expected of him as a youth.
A time to look at and discuss what will happen for him in the
next few years - physically, mentally and emotionally as he grows towards
manhood.
*** The ritual may include a calling of the gods/ess’ for a blessing, raising
energy, chanting, drumming, focused on what is happening for the new youth.
*** The youth should be encouraged/guided in being an active participant in this
ritual by his father/elder/those he acknowledges and respects.
*** Meditation - Look at the wheel of the year as it relates to godhood and
where he fits into this pattern.
4) A physical symbol to be passed to the youth at the end of the rite
as a mark of his passage - suggest a simple staff or belt knife. This could be
the object that the challenge was for, and taken and passed around to all the
men, and of course, blessed. A knife (even a pocketknife) is a great gift and
shows responsibility.)
*** These things are practical tools and can be consecrated as spiritual/magical
tools as well.
*** They are a sign that he can begin helping to provide and/or protect his
community. They are also a physical representation of what he has been through.
*** Would be appropriate to be given by father or close male relative (Older
brother, uncle, cousin…) or if none of these are available then an older friend
or a Community elder.
Once the initial rite is concluded – celebrate in an appropriate manner. Feast or other
The new youth will probably need some support from time to time. If he has no male parental support – how can we (as community) organise to give the support he needs?? This is certainly difficult in our society, but if those closest to him can make the time to check on him from time to time or let him know that if he needs to talk with one of us at anytime for whatever reason, that he can do so (and of course, how to contact us). That we also each take the time during, after or before the rite to talk with him about his life and maybe provide practical advice