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COMING-OF-AGE: BOYS
When a boy reaches puberty and he is around thirteen or has one of several experiences or signs that he is beginning to be a man, he can be accepted into the circle of men by his male Pagan relatives and friends by doing a special ritual. This can be devised however the boy and the older men like, but it might involve removing a yellow vest or sash and tying on a green ribbon or hunter's jacket, or being given a sacred manhood ornament, or anything else deemed appropriate. A semi-formal ritual should be conducted in a circle of men for the young man; it calls for four gifts to be given to the boy, each symbolic of one of the elements. If possible have the four gifts come from (or at least be presented by) four different men (especially effective if each is given by a man who feels a particular affinity for the element their gift represents), and possibly a "spirit" gift presented by the boy's father or the High Priest. A co-ed celebration can take place later if desired, but as this is a man's experience, this circle should be only men.
I am not going to put a complete ritual here because I have not participated in a ritual anything like one of these, but for the elemental gifts, here are my suggestions:
The gift of air and wisdom could be a new decorated wooden walking stick, or a feather quill pen to write with.
The gift of fire and love could be a new pocketknife or dagger, or a nice pair of moccasins or shoes or a piece of manly jewelry.
The gift of earth and creativity could be a new pentacle or horned god plate, or a notebook to write in (possibly using the quill given earlier in the ritual).
The gift of water and intuition could be a ceremonial bell or his own deck of Tarot cards or set of runes.
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