In centuries past there were elaborate rituals that surrounded the birthing process. Rooms build in homes for the specific purpose of birth. In Egypt mothers gave birth on the family alter in the main room of the house with everyone watching. European customs included having every window and door in the village open, every think unlocked, and all knots to be untied.
To help you through your pregnancy and birth here are some deities, charms, and spells that may ease the process.
Deities associated with pregnancy, birth, and children: {Egypt} Isis, Taueret (the Hippopotamus Goddess), Bes (the Dwarf God), Bast (the Cat Goddess) {Greece} Aphrodite, Demeter, Artemis {Rome} Juno Lucina, Venus {India} Ishtar/Inanna
Charms for pregnancy and birth: Cowrie (Cypraea) shells, sea heart, bears, keys, Eye of Horus, Hand of Fatima (hand with an eye in the palm)
Spell for an easy birth:
Tools: Key and lock that work together (door, padlock, etc)
Place the key and lock on a windowsill three days before the full moon. On the night of the full moon take the lock and key and say:
"Key with the power to unlock
I shall call upon you soon
Not to open this lock
But to open my womb."
Place the key in the lock and turn. Repeat every full moon until the birth.
After your child has been born there are many things to be done. In most pagan cultures a tree was (is) planted as a symbol of the child's life and health. Trees associated with boys: oak. Trees associated with girls: pines and firs, apple. Trees for anyone: maple, ash (the tree of life), birch (not white), rowan, hawthorn (both close to faerie). If you cannot plant a tree than consider donating money to an environmental protection program.
Your child will, of course, need a name. Pagan names are normally chosen from the elements, God/desses, or for their numerology properties. Take your time and chose carefully. Traditionally, you wait several days or for several months, before giving a pagan child its name. This ceremony, called a Wiccaning or Paganing, is predecessor of the Christian Baptism. During a Baptism, Godparents are chosen to watch over the child in case of emergencies or should the parents die. You may wish to choose Faerie Godparents to watch over your child.
Gifts are often given to a child after it is born. In Sleeping Beauty, the witches came and gave her gifts of beauty, happiness, etc. Should you wish to give such gifts to a child I suggest finding something a little more traditional by today's standards. A book enchanted by you, to symbolize wisdom, a magick mirror for beauty, a bottle or case of wine from the year of the child's birth for happiness, and a quilt for protection.
And so, the days of childhood float on drifting through school days and lazy summers.
