Wiccaning

Domain XV · Nature, philosophy, social & rites of passage

What it is

A Wiccaning is not a psychotherapy. In Wiccan traditions it is "a blessing and naming ceremony held soon after a baby's birth"; the same word can also be used for a rite welcoming new adult participants. The Pluralism Project describes it as "a formal blessing given to young children from the…

Format

• There is no manualised therapy for this rite and no source gives session counts for therapy around it. The phases below organise the therapist's work; criteria for moving on are unless cited.
• Phase A: Engagement and cultural assessment. Goal: learn the client's tradition, the rite as their group practises it and its place in the presenting problem. Format: ordinary individual, couple or family sessions; the core CFI plus the Spirituality, Religion and Moral Traditions module, with the…

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Is it a group, retreat or community? How do they respond if someone wants to leave or raises a concern?
• How do you and the practitioner understand what is happening, in spiritual or cultural terms? Is that a source of comfort, worry, or both?
• Does it use a device, heat, cold, water or a physical procedure? Has a medical professional checked that it is safe for you?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• the client feeling rejected; process this in session.
• a child carrying adult conflict; loyalty binds between households.
• self-blame; anger at a co-parent or family; anniversary reactions.
• exclusion within the group; minority stress on top of religious stigma.
• pressure to write letters supporting one parent; a child drawn into the dispute.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.