Preparation beforehand:
If the child has not been presented to the directions and received its power animal, the leader journeys beforehand to find the child's power animal. The journey, and any messages, are written down and conveyed during the rite itself. The leader will also journey to retrieve the child's spiritual name.
Review of the rite with the parents. Preferably, in consultation with the parents, find an image or other representation of the power animal that can be part of the rite/on the altar.
Depending on what the family, the gathering and so on wish, it is decided what suits best: lighting wishing candles, tying knots in a blanket, painting, or creating an image in some other way. The parents buy/prepare what they have chosen for the ceremony itself. The parents may include song/joik wherever they wish to have it in the ceremony. In Sami custom it is common for the parents to give the child a cradle pendant (komsekule).
Preparation on the day:
Create a space for the ritual: (this can be done before people arrive or together with the gathering, depending on what suits the group/family and the leader best)
• Prepare the physical space itself
• Prepare candles for the wish-lighting/knot blanket and so on
• Create the altar with the elements and the power animal image/symbol
• Open the directions and invite in the forces and powers
• Invite the elements and the ancestors
• Welcome all forces, ask them to take part in and support us in this ritual
When people have arrived/are settled in:
The leader drums, sings/joiks to call upon the spirit world, to give calm, love, security and wisdom to the child, and to all present at this naming ceremony.
Welcome all those present, thank them for wishing to take part in and share this moment and ceremony with us.
We are gathered here to welcome Name to us, and to give thanks that he/she has come. And, in ceremony, to give her/them/him a name.
We look forward to getting to know him/her/them, and to accompanying her/them/him on the journey of life.
You who are here are his/her/their closest people, some family, but also friends. You are the people who, apart from us, will most shape his/her/their encounter with life, and we are therefore glad that you are here today.
There are many paths, and everyone must find their own. We therefore do not seek to bind Name to one particular way, since he/she is too small and young to choose for themselves. Instead we ask the forces and the elements, who know all paths and to whom all paths lead, to bless him/her/them and protect him/her/them and guide him/her/them through childhood, so that when he/she has grown up, his/her/their own path lies before him/her/them, and he/she can walk without doubt or fear and with joy in their heart.
• Light candles and incense, or pour out water and earth
The parents present the child to the directions and say:
East: Bless Name with the gifts of the east, the place on the wheel of life where we enter into this world, with openness and breath, the communication of the heart and the purity of soul and body. From the east you receive the gift of a new beginning with the rising of every sunrise and the understanding that each day is a new opportunity for growth and possibility.
South: Bless Name with the gifts of the south, where the sun stands at its highest point in the sky and which is the element of fire and represents energy, passion, creativity and the warmth of a loving home. From the inner fire you generate light that you can share with the family, even in the darkest of times.
West: Bless Name with the gifts of the west, the direction of courage and strength. May your heart always be open and good.
North: Bless Name with the gifts of the north, with their spirit and the vision of times to come. The elements are the heavenly bodies, the moon and stars that speak to us on our eternal shared journey. May she be blessed by the guidance of the ancestors and the spirits.
The parents hold the child to the earth; Bless Name with the elements of Mother Earth, who gives us nourishment, fertility and security. Mother Earth will feed you and enrich you, help you in life so that you will always be safe.
Creative Force, power of light, that which is beyond and governs all that happens, we ask you to look down upon this child, watch over him/her on his/her/their journey in life, and help her to find and to tread the path that leads him/her to joy and power. Bless Name on his/her/their way in life so that he/she may fulfil their life tasks.
A toast to Sarahkka
Beforehand all the guests have filled up their drinks (a shot). This may well be non-alcoholic, for example a ginger shot or similar. The leader says: Dát lea Sáráhkágárri (This is drink for Sarahkka). Before everyone drinks, the leader then says: Sarahkka, you are the protector of all children. Give your blessing to Name, always be near him/her so that he/she may seek your help and protection when he/she needs it.
Blessing of the elements:
• Hold the candle over/near the child:
Element of fire, the true flame of will, the great power of action, spirit of creativity and strength, bless Name with passion, will and courage.
• Take water from the bowl and place it on the forehead/stroke over the head:
Element of water, the beginning of life, the great power of feelings, spirit of love and care, bless Name with compassion, self-insight and love.
• Pass eimilauga (smoke) over the child:
Element of air, the breath of life, the clear power of thought, spirit of joy and laughter, bless Name with a curious mind, with creativity and humour.
• Hold earth/stone to the child's feet: Element of earth, structure, power and strength, the mysteries of the night and the power of stillness, bless Name with patience, wisdom and strength.
• Element of space, wood or ether, bless this girl/boy with centredness in themselves, room to unfold and grow, and give her/them/him a sense of direction and movement.
Power animal:
The leader presents the power animal, retrieves and blows it in if appropriate, and shares the account from the journey.
Naming:
Witnessed by these people who surround you, by ancestors, forces and elements, we give you the name Name. May your way through life be filled with wisdom, truth, power and joy.
Fivefold kiss
Mother/Father:
Kiss the eyes: Blessed be your eyes, that you may see in clarity.
Kiss the ears: Blessed be your ears, that you may hear with compassion.
Kiss the lips: Blessed be your lips, that you may speak your truth.
Kiss the belly: Blessed be your belly, that you may always feel safe.
Kiss the feet: Blessed be your feet, that you may walk in beauty and strength.
Any text/poem or words from mother/father or others; song/joik may also be included if desired.
Lighting of candles
Everyone lights a candle while focusing on a wish for the child's life. The wish may be spoken aloud or in silence, and may afterwards be written in an album or similar.
With this we conclude the ceremonial part of the child's Welcome ceremony.
"Life has blessed him/her; we, his/her/their family and friends, have welcomed him/her. May the Sun and the stars shine over his/her/their path."
The leader gives the parents/child a name amulet made of horn/bone that is to follow the child and watch over its upbringing. Then the leader concludes by drumming, singing/joiking to thank the spirit world for their power, love, security and wisdom given to the child and the gathering at this naming ceremony.
We thank all of you who were with us and shared this moment, both you here in the physical world and those in the non-physical world. Let us now eat good food and be together and celebrate Name, the community and this day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
