Looking for some info...

[Rævyn Cigány]

....on two things: one, on the wiccaning ceremony (wiccan version of baptism, I suppose) and two, on ideas for a pagan-but-not-pagan blessing for my best friend and her soon-to-be-new-husband for the wedding toast (I will probably have to do it seeing as how I'm the matron-of-honour and the best man has the speech abilities of a gnat!). I appreciate any help you can give me!!

BB

Rae )0(

[Lilu]

Here are some links you may find useful:

http://wuzzle.org/cave/wiccaning.html
http://www.ecauldron.com/wiccaning2.php

The following is a Newborn Blessing Ritual from Starhawk's "Circle Round"

Each participant should bring a bead as a symbolic gift. Parents might provide a bowl of varied beads for those who will inevitably forget. A Goddess-mother and/or Goddess-father should be chosen to hold the child. This person will have a special relationship with the child as he grows, and be one of his primary "aunties".
Ground, center, and create sacred space in whatever way you choose.
Five people should be chosen to call in the blessings of the four directions and the center on the child. (Or one person can do them all). For the east, the air, wave incense or sweet smelling flowers over the baby. For South, fire, circle the child clockwise with a lighted candle. For West (water) sprinkle the child with fresh spring water, or ocean water. For North (earth) gently stroke the baby with flowers or sweet-smelling herbs, or pass him through a wreath of flowers. For center, drum a heartbeat rhythm around the child. Call the names of the child's ancestors as far back as they are known, and then honor the unknown ancestors with thanks for bringing forth a new life. (If the child has been adopted both biological and adoptive ancestors should be called).
The Goddess-mother/father should then call in the Goddess and God to bless the baby. Hold the baby in the center of the circle, and say the Baby Blessing:

Great Goddess, Giver of Life, we thank you for this precious life that has been given us to tend and nourish. May your blessings follow this young one throughout his/her life, may s/he grow in beauty and wisdom, may she learn your ways and know the wonder of your creation. Green One, God of the Forest and all growing things, we thank you for the life and vitality of our new baby. We ask you to bless her/him with good health, good humor, and good sense. Goddess and God, our hearts are full of gratitude. We ask for your guidance as we care for our child, that s/he might bring as much joy to the world as s/he has brought joy to the hearts of all of us here. Blessed Be

The parents now come forward and hold an empty bowl. The Goddess-parents direct the people in the circle to hold their beads and meditate on the gifts they wish to offer the child, the qualities they would like to call into his/her life. "Think about your own qualities," they are told, "about the things you have learned from experience or gained through struggle. Charge the beads with love and protection."

One by one, each person comes forward and drops the bead into the bowl, and names the gift she or he offers. "I give you the gift of love." "I give you the gift of persistence when times are tough," "I give you the gift of making friends easily."
when all the beads are gathered, leave time for people to speak freely, from the heart, about their wishes for the child and the parents. End by singing "We Are A Circle" (We are a circle within a circle, with no beginning and never ending) or a chant of your choice.

Pour out a libation of milk either onto the ground or, if you are indoors, into a bowl (after the ritual is done, take it out and pour it onto the earth) Offer new-baked bread to the Goddess and God and thank the ancestors. Say thank you to the Goddess, God and all the directions, open the circle, and feast. Later, the beads can be strung into a necklace that can be hung over the child's bed and eventually worn when they are old enough to do so safely.

[end ritual]

[Lilu]

Regarding the above Starhawk ritual... there is also another called the "Faery Coverlet Ritual" which is supposedly less Wiccan, for those who can't be open about their beliefs.
If you are interested let me know.

I also have a VERY long ritual written by Pauline Campanelli. I will type it out and email it to you if you are interested. I would recommend doing a few web searches for "wiccaning" and combining anything that strikes your fancy into a ritual all your own. You can't go wrong with this!

BB
Lilu

[fantine]

>...ideas for a pagan-but-not-pagan blessing for my best friend and her soon-to-be-new-husband for the wedding toast (I will probably have to do it seeing as how I'm the matron-of-honour and the best man has the speech abilities of a gnat!).<

When I got married to my atheist husband, I wanted some elements of a Wiccan handfasting, but my VERY Catholic mother would have had severe fits (bad enough I got married on Oct 27 and had a costume ball. I was on the local news that night, she should be grateful). So, we settled on a blessing toast from my maid-of-honor. It went something like this:

May your hearts be joined as have been your hands, may you travel the road of life as one together, and may no one undo the knot or cut the cord with which you are willingly bound.

She added some other stuff too, but I can't remember all of it. Do a search on handfasting ceremonies, the listings should give you some other ideas.

[Rævyn Cigány]

Oh Fantine, that is simply gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing that with me!!! And Lilu, anything you can send me would be much appreciated!! I'll PM you my email addy okay? Thank you SO much for those links and the ritual...!!!!

BB

Rae )0(

[Mairwen]

I don't know if it would help, but you're welcome to the handfasting rite we wrote for ours last Summer. http://pagan.drak.net/feymariblue/handfast.html