I just held a rite of passage for a dear friend who, at almost 13 years old, had her first moon time. Five of her best girlfriends and their mothers, her mother, and myself, held a a beautiful blessing and ceremony welcoming her into this new phase of life.
I'm curious how others have marked this transition?
And for those who would like ideas about how to, here is a very brief outline of our ritual...
~ We gathered in a circle - marked by a large red ribbon
~ We saged (but singing was way too uncool so we simply sang the singing bowl...getting to two most resistant (or AKA too cool) girls to engage through that activity. It worked!)
~ Two of the young woman's friends led her to the threshold of the circle
~ We spoke our names and matriarchal linage around the circle (I am (name), daughter of (mother), grandaughter of (grandmother) and as far back as one can remember), ending with the guest of honor,
~ We spoke a little about the symbolism of the circle, the history of girls coming into their moon-time and what that has traditionally meant, what that means in terms of life giving force.....
~ We welcomed her across the threshold, and
~ Each person told the young woman about what they see in her.
~ She then (shyly) shared who she would like to become as a woman, so we could hold her in that light.
~ We shared about the moon-time mysteries and ways we can honor it in our culture (taking a moon day, etc)
~ The young woman anointed each of us with warm oil from a copper bowl
~ And we finished by giving thanks, closed the circle and feasted on Indian Food!
I'm curious how others have marked this occasion...as my own moon time was brought forth in a VERY different way.
Please share other rituals and ceremonies for this beautiful rite.
Thanks!
