A ritual with spiritual focus has a special purpose that sets it apart from the ordinary flow of our daily activities. In Paganism, rituals are ceremonies that celebrate and strengthen our relationships with the Goddess, the God, and the Earth. For parents who want to raise their children in Pagan traditions, including children in the ritual circle is crucial, but presents a myriad of challenges.
When working with short attention spans and the natural exuberance of children, it's best to find lively ways to perform the basic elements of the ritual. Forcing a small child to stand quietly throughout a ritual will only result in bringing negative feelings into the circle. You (and perhaps other adults) will become frustrated and angry and the child will not enjoy the experience, making him/her less willing to participate next time. Nowhere does it say that a ritual has to be solemn to be serious and effective. A ritual can be lively and fun and include laughter and still be serious and effective.
Although not all Pagans practice these, the basic ritual structure includes purification of self and space, centering, casting the circle, calling quarters, invoking deities, the body of the ritual, grounding, the simple feast, dismissal of deities, dismissal of quarters, and opening the circle. Here are some ideas to get you started. We'll skip the body of the ritual because these vary tremendously and focus on the other elements of the basic structure instead. You'll have to decide what's appropriate given your child's age and level of maturity.
Purification of Self and Space
The purpose of self-purification is to shed our worries and distractions of the outside world and prepare us for sacred space. On the day of the ritual, make your child's bath extra special. Add bubbles, a special toy, anything to make the bath extra pleasurable. If you haven't already done so, take the time to explain to your child what a ritual is, what will happen, and what role he/she will play. Answer any questions your child might have. The point is to make them feel relaxed and dispel anxieties. Be clear about your expectations regarding behavior.
