Magic ritual for children
-
Liber Resh, as suggested is a great place to start.
In my opinion, establishing regular performance of Resh is the first step of building any practice.Though I would concentrate on breathing exercises or some meditation first.
Perhaps allowing her to be in your own circle during banishings, tune her into the energies. -
You know it's one thing when adults want to get on here and discuss their whackadoo fantasies about goblins and leprechauns, and magic and chakras, but when it comes to children, that's a whole different ball game.
What are you trying to accomplish here? You are indoctrinating that poor child into a world of nonsense. That child looks up to you, and counts on you to learn important life lessons. Don't fill their head with new age garbage about ghosts and magic rituals.
Instead of scaring the child to death with this crap about ghosts; demons; curses and exorcisms, banishing rituals and whatever other bullish!t is on your agenda for this poor child, you should try teaching them something useful. Tell them not to be afraid of ghosts, because there are no such thing as ghosts. Instead of teaching them what you believe, tell them no one really knows. No one really knows about death, or heaven or god, so we all have to make up our own mind. Teach them science, skepticism, critical thinking. Let them know the dark is nothing to be afraid of.
Whoever this child is deserves to be equipped with the best knowledge available. Don't tether them down with your own narrow world view. Give them plenty of their own space to make up their own mind about this stuff. You have a responsibility to this child not to fill their head with nonsense, and to equip them with the best thinking skills. You are doing the child no favors by filling there head with nonsense about magic, and ghosts.
-
For what it's worth, I'm a big advocate of religious liberty, which means that I think parents are well within their rights to impart their understanding of the world to children in pretty much any way they please as long as there's no harm done to the child.
That being said, though, I think there's a productive conversation waiting to be had about the best way to raise children, and my answer -- the best answer, as far as I can tell -- would be not to fill their heads with the teachings of any religion or any supernatural beliefs, but rather to teach them to use their critical thinking faculties so that when they get older they can make up their own minds about what's what, on the basis of something substantial, rather than just "here's what my parents taught me."
-
@Los said
"For what it's worth, I'm a big advocate of religious liberty, which means that I think parents are well within their rights to impart their understanding of the world to children in pretty much any way they please as long as there's no harm done to the child."
What do you think about private schools and parents who homeschool? Should they be allowed to teach whatever they want, or should they have to abide by some state or board approved curriculum?
I think if parents have a right to teach their kids whatever they want, than we should have a right to not hire someone, or trust someone with responsibility, or anything like that if it says on their resume that they believe the bible is a literal history of the world.
If someone wants to open a private school for lutherans, whats to stop folks from opening a private school that teaches courses in astral projection and spell casting? With universities they have to be accredited in order for anyone to take them seriously. For example, if you have a degree from Hollywood community college of acting, or College of thelema, few will be willing to take you seriously in the professional world. It's much more impressive to tell people you went to Harvard, or even University of California.
Should we establish some similar system of accreditation to judge the quality of education for children? I'm personally all for the reform of the public education system, but I agree parents should have an option. Still we need to make sure we are not producing a society of illiterate and uneducated cretins.
"That being said, though, I think there's a productive conversation waiting to be had about the best way to raise children, and my answer -- the best answer, as far as I can tell -- would be not to fill their heads with the teachings of any religion or any supernatural beliefs, but rather to teach them to use their critical thinking faculties so that when they get older they can make up their own minds about what's what, on the basis of something substantial, rather than just "here's what my parents taught me.""
I completely agree with the above. Yet at the same time I wonder, at one point should we consider it child abuse, or indoctrination, to teach a child something that is just wrong? Is it harming the child if it is setting them up for failure in the future, or setting them out on a course which is fundamentally flawed? At what point is the inalienable right of the child (to decide for themselves) violated by the parents inclination to want to impart their ideals?
-
Why yes, it is harmful for a child to be taught a narrow dogma as absolute truth. Good thing you're not in charge of educating the next generation...
Sent from my phone
-
Allowing children to participate in ritual is a wonderful experience, both for you and them. Resh is great and some simple stuff like allowing her to feel a connection to the divine and charging a candle with that energy and lighting it, or a guided meditation. Just keep it light at this point. If you are inclined to take her to Wiccan ceremonies or Gnostic masses those are also great places.I grew up in a household where I participated in magickal ceremony, astral travels, ect from a young age (10 or so), all at my own interest level and when I grew out of it for a time that was that. Kids have a unique ability to connect and should be allowed to exercise their power for as long as they want to.
-
Maybe could you enroll her in martial arts if she will? Like judo and karate to start with. And yes basic breathing and aura work. Just to built strong body, control, and confidence. I know it helped me back then as a kid interested in the occult.
-
@chioa khan said
"What do you think about private schools and parents who homeschool? Should they be allowed to teach whatever they want, or should they have to abide by some state or board approved curriculum?"
As I understand it, the state does have requirements that homeschooled children have to pass. And that's good: there should be some kind of oversight.
"I think if parents have a right to teach their kids whatever they want, than we should have a right to not hire someone, or trust someone with responsibility, or anything like that if it says on their resume that they believe the bible is a literal history of the world."
Certainly. As the comedian Bill Maher pointed out in reference to politics, just because the Constitution of the United States specifically says there will be no religious test for office, doesn't mean that I can't have a religious test for deciding who to vote for. [He goes on to say, humorously, "If you believe in the Last Judgment, I have to question your judgment..." and various other clever things of that sort]
"I'm personally all for the reform of the public education system, but I agree parents should have an option. Still we need to make sure we are not producing a society of illiterate and uneducated cretins."
Which is hard to do in a culture that values ignorance (witness, for example, reality television, the "self-esteem movement," the New Age movement, the instant gratification generation). It doesn't help that our culture also devalues teaching as a profession.
"
"That being said, though, I think there's a productive conversation waiting to be had about the best way to raise children, and my answer -- the best answer, as far as I can tell -- would be not to fill their heads with the teachings of any religion or any supernatural beliefs, but rather to teach them to use their critical thinking faculties so that when they get older they can make up their own minds about what's what, on the basis of something substantial, rather than just "here's what my parents taught me.""I completely agree with the above. Yet at the same time I wonder, at one point should we consider it child abuse, or indoctrination, to teach a child something that is just wrong? Is it harming the child if it is setting them up for failure in the future, or setting them out on a course which is fundamentally flawed? At what point is the inalienable right of the child (to decide for themselves) violated by the parents inclination to want to impart their ideals?"
"These are tough questions, but my preference tends to err on the side of giving people more freedom, rather than less, at least on this issue.
Obviously, it's child abuse to teach children things that will demonstrably hinder their ability to interact with reality. Teaching a child that up is down or that the world is run by space mutants and that the child can only trust the parents, etc. That's real harm.
Equally obviously, it's child abuse to deny a child access to medical care on the grounds that "God wouldn't want it" or that it's better to just "pray for their recovery."
But teaching children that a magic man can change a wafer into the body of a 2,000-year old Jewish zombie? Teaching children that some burning bush led their ancestors to freedom thousands of years ago? Teaching children that an oogity-boogity goblin man named Aiwass dicatated a "magic book" to some obscure dude in the early twentieth century?
Those are all goofy as hell, but they're not harmful in the way that those other examples I gave are.
It shouldn't be illegal to teach your children goofy things, if you sincerely believe said goofy things. Parents do have a right to impart what they really think to their children. The law should only step in if there's actual harm being done.
Now, all of that is strictly from a legal point of view. Personally, I'd like to live in a world where more people think critically and skeptically, which is partially why I enjoy spreading the meme of critical thinking. That's really all we can do.
-
Concerning freedom in education... i really dont know what to think. Keep in mind i'm less than 30 and have no children.
The thing is, setting the frame of "maximum freedom" is also the BEST way for manipulation, mind control... Just like proven today by our modern society, and all social psychology techniques. In autoritative regime, you can rebel, even if it costs you. But in modern "democracy", big brother makes you think you make your "own" choices.
So, knowing not better, i would tend to go in the middle way, if i had to educate children. Give'em chance to rebel, to not agree. Not trying to debate everything, because after all i'm not a logical person neither.
See the "good enough" mother of Winnicott also... A "perfect" parent is the best way to create madness...
-
WOW !!!! Glad I asked, kinda trippin. Alot of validity in all points; alot of sorrow for some in a way. Going to take some time to chew.
wow -
To all who put in thier 2 cents- and even a couple dollars, I say thanks, I have been trying to work out what to say, so the best I can do is thank the following and throw a couple words to them on some details. Chioa Khan, I do thank you, but I gotta handle you alone. As usual, just try to get the point and ignore bad grammer, punctuation, and anything else which may leave the Council of Oxford squirm and english teachers heading for the rope in the closet.
Takamba- thanks, I will take up your advice, and ai also found a smaller banishing ritual which actually leaves some room for personalisation making it fit her situation perfectly.
Uni_verse, Thanks, I totally agree and will do.
Los - Thanks so much. I really appreciate your words, she will be in good hands. We homeschooled all 5 of my children, unfortuantely got swindled by Stratford, their info makes a good pitch that they are accredited- did not find out till too late that they were not and so wasted a shitload of money, time, and now 2 of my daughters had to do their High School all over, one GED'd and was ok, the other is in another program- sadly 10 years after she should have graduated.
Sadly most states are pretty hands off homschooler; some will have help for the parents to do all they can, california is pretty good about it, we went to missouri which could care less if your kid is even alive. Long story short, my other remaining 3 children have all accomplished the Accredited Penn Foster HS, in fact my youngest son who is currently preparing for his 4th combat tour of afghanistan, began and finished his HS in 9 months at 15 (he thought he could enlist early and get into combat faster--he was very disappointed and pent up by the time his 1ts tour began at 19., I think with a 3.5 or higher, while working full time as well. My youngest childer- a daughter also began and finished hers in 9 months- also at 15, and was Asst. Manager of a pizza joint as well as doing a year of pheonix Online- but then she got a boyfirend and- i still think boyfriends are bad ideas. but hey, not bad for 15 y/o's.Horus Amin- I wish so badly I lived close enough to go to a Gnostic Mass, but 100+ miles is the closest, and we have some extreme medical needs for my wife which keeps me locked down as far as travel goes. She has no kidneys and is on Home Hemo Dialysis, 5x per week 6-8 hours per session. She was actually working full time for 7 years also, but her body had been ravaged by complications and staying home is the best we can do. but Home ritual is something the whole family (living in the house) is wanting to do; and as a 30+ Priest/ High priest, I feel quite comfortable making sure things are taken care of if needed. but many thanks
I think that is all of the ones I felt I could do well, If I forgot any, sorry and thanks and feel free to hit me up and discuss.
Chioa- I will work on yours tomarrow, it is after midnight and I am abiit brainfried. Which I think you suspect anyway.
Thanks again all.
-
Hi there,
While I don't have any ceremonial recommendations for you, I have Circle Round by Starhawk, et al--although there are some chapers, if I remember correctly, that I thought were complete bs. However, It has a wonderful CD, although it may be too young for your girl. I also have Family Wicca: Practical Paganism for Parents and Children by Ashleen O'Gaea but haven't cracked it in years--and another one at work that I can't remember the title to.
Personally, I think that beginning with Wicca is a fantastic idea, as children are naturally curious and drawn to things they can see and touch and having them outdoors learning about rocks and plants and seasons and stars, etc. can only support an interest in ceremonial magic later. Also, in my home we sing songs like The Rainbow Connection and others of that ilk. My friend used to light a special candle each night before her child went to bed and the child would make a wish for herself, her friends (ie her community), and for the world each night and then blow it out. Just use your intuition and creativity and you'll be fine.
Additionally, have you looked into Spiral Scouts? They are pretty fantastic and encourge a magical community. Here is their website: www.spiralscouts.org
Looks like more books on raising children in magickal traditions are sorely needed! Also, we can continue the conversation here.
-
Hi again,
I thought of other options for you! While I know you were thinking specifically of ritual work, as I said in my last post it is my (professional) opinion that ceremonial ritual work is too strenuous (and boring!) for most children. So here are a few more Earth Magick options for you that are more kid-friendly.
Reclaiming (<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.reclaiming.org">www.reclaiming.org</a><!-- w -->) has two camps for families: Witchlets in the Woods (www.witchletsinthewoods.org) and Redwood Magic (www.reclaimingquarterly.org/web/rmfc). Both of these are great ways to a) introduce the basic concepts of magic to children where they can practice child-centered magic with other children and b) connect with other magical families. When my son is old enough, you can bet we'll attending one or the other.
I like to chant and I play music for my son every single day. Sometimes I play magical chants for him, so that they'll be familiar to him once he's older. Reclaiming has a few CD's that I love--you can look them up on Amazon; they all are great--but my absolute favorite Pagan/Goddess/Empowered Woman/Spiritual CD is called Goddess Chants by Shawna Carol.
I think for a 9 year old (is she growing up in a Pagan/Thelemitc household?) music might be an easy transition into ritual work. After all, we can cast a circle with song, and call in the quarters/elements with song, so why not learn some easy, accessible ways to do this?
Again, just some thoughts for you. Good luck!