Rite of Passage - First Moon Incense Ceremony

First Moon Rite of Passage

(all participants sit in a circle, a censer and lit charcoal is placed before the young woman. This ceremony is best done outdoors in a natural setting or special location)

Spoken by the girl’s Mother or other women close to the family:

Once there was a child,

With a child’s mind,

In a child’s body.

Each breath a wonder.

Each heartbeat a discovery.

Each moment a gift.

Now that child’s body is no more,

And we prepare to welcome this one into the circle of women.

((Place a pinch of incense on the charcoal and prepare to smudge the daughter.))

Within this smoke is a blessing,

A gift,

A celebration.

Within this smoke is the voice of all the mothers,

Who have gone before.

Within this smoke is the voice of the First Mother,

Who has welcomed all of the children into the circle of women.

((The mother smudges the daughter. Take your time, get each limb, front and back. If there is more than one adult present, you can have someone read the next pieces while the smudging takes place. Otherwise, smudge, then read.))

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Sage.

The smoke coils around you,

Bringing the deep purification of vast desert stretches.

Bringing the bright clarity of high mountain reaches.

Opening you to the voices of root, tree and leaf.

This is the blessing of Sage.

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Palo Santo.

The smoke coils around you,

Bringing healing to you, heart, body and mind. 

Bringing healing to a soul connected to the past, and bound for the future.

Opening you to the healing Mother’s touch.

This is the blessing of Palo Santo.

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Cedar.

The smoke coils around you,

Bringing you support, guidance and comfort.

Bringing you a verdant blessing for a life long lived.

Offering you one of the greatest gifts given to mankind.

This is the blessing of Cedar.

((The mother places another pinch of incense on the coal))

Within this smoke is a blessing,

A journey,

A promise.

Within this smoke are the voices of root, tree and leaf, 

Nourished by the tender touch of the Mother.

Within this smoke is the voice of the Good, Green Earth,

Who nourishes all who have been welcomed into the circle of women.

((Have the daughter cup the smoke in her hands and pour it over her own head.))

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Frankincense.

The smoke falls around you,

Offering you the brightness of the new risen sun.

Offering you the sweetness of honey on your lips.

Revealing the moments of happiness that await.

This is the blessing of Frankincense.

((Have the daughter cup the smoke in her hands and pour it over her own head.))

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Sweet Grass.

The smoke falls around you,

Offering you the blissful ringing of a babe’s first laugh.

Offering you the blinding light of a life lived in joy.

Revealing the bloom of a woman’s first beauty.

This is the blessing of Sweet Grass.

((Have the daughter cup the smoke in her hands and pour it over her own head.))

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Osha Root.

The smoke falls around you,

Offering you the strength and ferocity of a mother bear.

Offering you the endurance of all the mothers who have gone before.

Revealing the power that already courses through you.

This is the blessing of Osha Root.

((Offer the plate of incense to the daughter, have her place a pinch on the coal.))

Within this smoke is a blessing,

A transformation,

A declaration.

Within this smoke are the songs of the Grandmothers,

That rise in welcome from behind the veil.

Within this smoke are the songs of you,

And all those who await to join the circle of women.

((Clasp the daughter’s hand, if there are other adults present, have everyone stand in a circle, hands clasped. Together, breathe deep, in through the nose, out through the mouth.))

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Mullein.

The smoke flows through you,

Revealing the sacred power of the breath that creates.

Revealing the immanent power of the breath that connects.

Filling you with the reminder to just...breathe.

This is the blessing of Mullein.

((Together take a breath, in through the nose, out through the mouth.))

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Copal.

The smoke flows through you,

Revealing the brilliance of the wheeling firmament.

Revealing the deepness of the primal planet.

Filling you until you become a bridge between, brimming with light.

This is the blessing of Copal.

((Together take a breath, in through the nose, out through the mouth.))

Breathe deep daughter,

And feel the blessing of Juniper.

The smoke flows through you,

Revealing your limitless capacity to adapt, grow and become more.

Revealing your ability to see wisdom in all things.

Filling you with the love and blessing of the ancestors.

This is the blessing of Juniper.

((If there is more than one adult present, break the circle and have the daughter stand in the center. If there are only two, drop the daughter’s hand, and walk a circle around her, three times.))

Once there was a woman.

With a woman’s heart,

In a woman’s body.

Each breath a wonder.

Each heartbeat a discovery.

Each moment a gift.

Now that woman stands before us, blessed by smoke,

Ready to take the last step into the circle of women.

((Anoint with the Red Moon oil. There are several ways that this can be done: Third eye,  palms. The Seven Chakras. Pulse points. However you choose, take your time, make it a moment.))

Red as the blood that sustains us.

Red as the blood that binds us.

Red as the thread drawn through a thousand lifetimes,

And marks you as one who stands, forever more, within the circle of women.

Blessed Be.

((Gifts and Hugs can be given here. ))

This beautiful Ceremony  was written for Mermade by our dear friend Jessica Gagich - 2016