In ancient times, your coming of age was marked by, well, being marked. Many of the cultures who still practice the old ways still do it. Indigenous tribes of Africa, Australia, and South America still have the long rituals to celebrate adulthood. One of the most common, even here in the U.S. is the piercing of ears. Today I know that many couples pierce their infant's ears so "they don't remember the pain." Personally, I believe it is something they should have the right to choose themselves. And whoever said pain was a bad thing? It is part of the growing process, if you never experience pain than you are missing a large part of life.
Another way to show that you have come of age was to receive a tattoo. I know many people today find them barbaric, dirty, or ... well, we won't get into it. But anyone who has read or watched the Mists of Avalon know that one of the rights, albeit to priestess hood, was a small tattoo on the forehead. The men also had tattoos on their faces and hands.
Many Native American tribes have a period of isolation for their coming of age. A young woman would spend the month after her first period in the hut with the other woman. Young men would be sent on vision quests where they would wander the country searching for their goal in life. These periods of isolation would last for as long as a month to two weeks. Today it is more feasible to spend 24 hours to a weekend in isolation.
There are, of course, always the gifts of charms, which is what I received for my coming of age. Traditional charms for the Pagan child would include: A small pendent with the God sign (hand in fist with first finger and pinky-raised symbolizing the God's horns) or acorns are perfect for a young man. A similar pendent with the Goddess sign (hand in fist with thumb poking between first and middle finger), a pine (conifer) cone, or a cameo would be perfect for a young lady. For both sexes red coral, like in infanthood, are great for protection, decorated eggs for fertility and sexuality, and mandrake root carved for the individual sexes are great charms.
Like anything in life, there can be a ritual involved. With the coming of age rituals men should stay with men and women with women. Gifts should be given to the youngsters that might symbolize they are now closer to being a true adult. Living up here in the middle of nowhere, the traditional gift for the Catholic boy is a hunting rifle and for the girl, believe it or not, is either the same (a rifle) or a small pendent. I'm not going to go into rituals as I feel that they are individual things but it is customary for the Pagan Mom to by her child(ren) their first boline.
