Home » Partners & Parents » Pagan Parenting » Children in Ritual

Children in Ritual

© Cosette Paneque

Unlike many religions, practitioners of Paganism don't have churches. We understand that the Earth is our church and we are our own priests and priestesses. For many Pagans, the circle is our temple and our rituals celebrate and strengthen our relationships with the Gods and the Earth. Just as Christians take their children to church, bringing our children into the magical circle gives them a basis for spirituality that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Rituals are the vehicle by which we pass on our traditions and values. For parents who want to raise their kids in Pagan traditions, including them in rituals is integral, but can be very challenging.

If you are hosting the ritual, you can create a child-friendly ritual that actively involves the kids, but attending a ritual hosted by someone else presents a host of other challenges. You can't tailor the ritual to meet your needs, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you can't go or can't include your children. First make sure to ask your host if you can bring your kids. Next, be realistic about the behavior of children at different ages and level of maturity and think about ways to make the experience a positive one for everyone.

Babies
If you plan to take your baby to a ritual, make sure he/she is fed and dry. So long as these two requirements are met, your baby may remain pretty quiet throughout the ritual. Many babies will even fall asleep to chanting. Others will remain awake, fascinated by the sights and sounds of a ritual. Don't plan to carry your baby throughout the entire ritual; take some kind of carrier or even a stroller.

Toddlers
Face the fact that a child under four is most likely not going to just quietly stand there and watch the ritual. He/she wants to run, play, touch everything, go to the bathroom, and wander about. If you intend to have your toddler in the circle, don't volunteer for a part in the ritual. You'll be busy enough because your toddler needs your constant attention. Be prepared to leave the circle if your child becomes fussy or cries. Try not to get too upset or angry and don't try to force him/her to behave within the boundaries of the circle. It's best to leave and avoid bringing any negativity into the circle. Be careful not to make the ritual a negative experience for the child, making him/her less willing to participate next time.

The copyright of the article Children in Ritual in Pagan Parenting is owned by . Permission to republish Children in Ritual in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.