Ceremonies and rituals have been held since ancient times to acknowledge and celebrate milestones in peoples’ lives.  Many of these, such as Weddings, Funerals and Christenings, are regularly celebrated to this day.  Some ceremonies commonly held in ancient, pagan times, such as the Celebration of the Full Moon, are rarer, although still held by today’s Pagans and Wiccans or just those who wish to celebrate a strong connection to earth.

We already know that we don’t have to be a follower of any religion to have a Naming Ceremony, the secular equivalent of a Christening.  This also applies to many other ceremonies.  We should also think about other important times in our lives, such as a special birthday, or the coming through the other side of a life-threatening illness.  The ceremonies or rituals do not have to be long.  They can simply be a few words spoken before a gathering of friends and/or family at the start of the celebration, the lighting of a candle, the burying of the paraphernalia of everything that represented an illness.  Rituals such as these are moving and powerful, leaving everyone feeling somehow lighter, as loving energies surround all.

This week, I want to talk about the Adolescent Ceremony.

Many of you would be familiar with the Bar or Bat (female) Mitzvah.  This coming-of-age ceremony is celebrated when the child reaches 13.  It is considered an age where they must take responsibility for their actions – no longer a ‘child’.  Of course, we also know that in tribal communities around the world, this is also the age when boys are removed from their mothers, taken away for days and nights and initiated into a ‘warrior’.  It is certainly not a new idea to celebrate this special time in a child’s life.  What is more new, is celebrating it in a secular way.

Adolescence is a time of change – sometimes even trauma.  In this era of drugs, social networking and cyber-bullying, teenagers can feel alone and unsafe.  An Adolescent Ceremony shows your teenager that they are important, loved and special.  Family and friends add their support, offering a listening ear at any time in the future that the adolescent feels lost.  The ceremony can include the symbolic ‘putting away’ of childish toys and a special gift, such as a ring, to mark the occasion.  Guests can become involved.  Your teenager will be made to feel that their opinions are important.  They will be made to realise that becoming an adult also involves responsibility.     As they negotiate the minefield that is growing up, they will draw strength from the love and support that was forthcoming at this ceremony and their special gift, will be a constant reminder of their importance in the lives of their loved ones.