Priestess-in-Training

Recently, I’ve been interested in rites of passage particular in the ritual aspect of it.  These rites include a Wiccan/Naming ceremony where an infant in welcomed into the family and the Craft, a Coming of Age ceremony marks the transition between adolescent into adulthood (this can take place on the onset of puberty or later), Handfasting (marriage), Initiation (into a group or path of Wicca), rites of Cronehood, and funeral rites.  I grew up Catholic and for me the similiarities between Wiccan rites of passage and the Seven Sacraments are obvious.  They each mark a special moment in your life, but every person is not expected to fulfill each rite such as marriage.

Here is a little comparison for my own sake between the Seven Sacraments and the Wiccan Rites.

Seven Sacraments:  - Wican Rites of Passage:
Baptism - Wiccaning/Naming Ceremony
Eucharist
Reconciliation
Confirmation - Coming of Age
Marriage - Handfasting
Holy Orders - Initiation
Anointing of the Sick - Funeral Rites
Croning Rites

It’s interesting to note that Catholicism doens’t have a sacrament for the elderly, however they are based on spiritual growths not necessarily ones based on the transition of age.

I’ve also noticed that there isn’t a Wiccan rite of passage for losing ones virginity.  For a religion that prides its self on its feelings towards sexuality I’m slightly surprised that there aren’t ones floating around the net somewhere.  I’m only slightly surprised though because the average age range for losing ones virginity is late teens to mid-20’s and most people at that time who are pagans are either confined by parental expectations, do not have a partner who is also a pagan, or haven’t come to terms with that aspect of their spirituality yet.

I’m making it a personal challenge to create a ritual/ceremony/celebration for a person who has decided to lose their virginity.  I will probably create a solitary one for a female first (since I am a girl and its the easiet starting point for me), I would eventually like to create one for males as well or at least have the first ritual be easily adoptable.