This is another one of those rituals which mark something our ancestors had no need of, and it is also another example of why it is important to be able to adapt ancient religion meaningfully to a modern world. People often complain how graduation – from high school or even college – is used today as a poor substitute for a rite of passage into the adult world. Since modern adolescents cannot legally be considered adults until several years beyond the time when they are theoretically able to breed, and graduation generally comes close to that time, we’ve tended as a society to use it for the “real” rite of passage, of moving into the adult work world.

However, even if we take up the tradition of having earlier “pubescent” rites of passage such as the ones in this book, graduation – from high school, from college, from a certification program – is a milestone worth honoring no matter what the age of the person in question. It is a community acknowledgement of the years of hard work that they have put in, and can also be a celebration of their entry into the work force (if they are young) or into a new career which could change the course of their life (if they are older and mastering continuing education). Indeed, given the number of people today who will be handed a diploma later in life for whatever reason, graduation has become even less attached to age-related rites of passage. It is, however, an extremely important social ritual in our culture on its own merits, and it should not be ignored.

When I began to think about a graduation ritual, the figures who immediately came forward were Frigga’s handmaidens. I realize that there is a great deal of debate as to how many handmaidens there actually are, and which names “count” as handmaidens. Accounts vary from ten to thirteen. Rather than argue, I have included them all. The speakers for the various handmaidens could be all women, depending on how much of an authentic “feel” you want, or they could be other genders as well if you want to have all the graduate’s friends and loved ones participate. The ritual does involve gift-giving, as do many graduation parties, but with this rite the gifts are made more meaningful and are also blessed by the Handmaidens, becoming gifts of spirit as well.

An altar is set up, with white cloth, thirteen candles, a cup or horn of some sacred drink, and thirteen carefully-chosen gifts, which will be discussed as we go along. The candles can either be all white, or they should be colored in this order: Gold, yellow, brown, pink, red, light grey, purple, light blue, parchment-colored, green, sky-blue, dark grey, black. A circle is formed around the altar with the graduate in the east, and each speaker comes forth to the altar one at a time. They speak their piece, give a gift to the graduate, pour out a small amount of the drink, and step back.

 

Fulla’s Speaker:

In the name of Fulla, Lady of Abundance,

Keeper of the jewels of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may it return you rewards by the hundredfold.

In token of this future abundance that we hope for you,

We choose to share some abundance today

With those less fortunate than you,

And thus seal your blessing.

May this be the seed from which grows your fortune,

As the birch tree steps forward into the empty field.

 

A certificate is given to the graduate indicating that a monetary donation has been made to a charitable organization that they would approve of.

 

Gefjon’s Speaker:

In the name of Gefjon, Indomitable Lady,

Guardian of the door of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may you be protected from misfortune as you go.

In token of this protection from the harrowing of life,

We give you this representation of our sheltering arms,

Our shields, our will that you be safe.

May this be the seed that grows your courage to take risks,

As the rowan tree protects the doorway with its berries.

 

A charm of protection is given to the graduate.

 

Snotra’s Speaker:

In the name of Snotra, Lady of Labor,

Keeper of the industry of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may you endure the many hours of toil with grace.

In token of our hope for your persistence,

We give you this gift to look forward to

When the workday seems far longer than it ought to be.

May this be the seed that grows your determination,

As the ash tree forms the unbreakable handle of the sacred tool.

 

A certificate for some enjoyable thing – a meal, a show, or the like – is given to the graduate.

 

Lofn’s Speaker:

In the name of Lofn, Lady of Forbidden Loves,

Keeper of the secret joy of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

But may it yet leave time for love in your life,

In whatever way that love may come to you,

And may you find a love that dances with your goals

And supports them, and takes joy in them as you do.

In token of our wish for balance in your life,

We give you this spark of joy for twin hearts.

May this be the seed that grows the tree of love

As the alder tree gives us its glowing coals of warmth.

 

A certificate for some activity for two people is given to the graduate.

 

Eir’s Speaker:

In the name of Eir, Lady of Healing,

Keeper of the sacred well of the All-Mother.

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may your body and mind be strong as you go forward.

In token of the future health that we wish for you,

We gift you a gift that holds all our healing wishes.

May this be the seed which grows your vigor,

As the willow tree eases pain and suffering.

 

A gift of healing is handed to the graduate. This can be a package of some stress-relieving herbal tea, or some remedy for something that they are known to suffer from, or a certificate for a session at some healing practice, or if nothing else a voucher toward health insurance or medication copayments.

 

Sjofn’s Speaker:

In the name of Sjofn, Lady of Consolation,

Keeper of the comfort of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may you find that consolation when times are hard

And the waiting for that good fortune seems endless.

In token of the solace that we would wish for you,

We give you these words of wisdom.

May this be the seed that sprouts when you need it most,

As the hawthorn’s berries ease the trembling heart.

 

A gift of consolation is given to the graduate. This can be a book of wise thoughts, or a poster for them to look at when times are hard, or even a book on practical tips for those with little money. Ask Sjofn what will bring them the most joy on the hardest days. Also, Sjofn’s speaker should embrace the graduate with all good will.

 

Vor’s Speaker:

In the name of Vor, Lady of the Holy Word,

Keeper of the Oaths of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may you never give up on your promises to live rightly.

In token of the promises that we hope you will fulfill,

We give you a gift of our own promises,

Which we also vow to fulfill when they are redeemed.

May this be the seed that grows your integrity

As the oak tree upholds the sky on its shoulders.

 

An envelope is given to the graduate with a written promise from one or more people to do one specified favor for them.

 

Syn’s Speaker:

In the name of Syn, Witness to Vows,

Keeper of the Eyes of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And we know that promises are sometimes hard to keep.

In token of the sacred obligations that you will make,

We give you a gift to help you to keep your word

Even when it seems darkest and hardest.

May this be the seed that grows your maegen to great heights,

As the holly tree’s berries are like drops of blood against the thorns.

 

A magical charm is given to the graduate. Its purpose is to give them strength to call upon when they must keep a promise that their heart does not wish to hold to.

 

Saga’s Speaker:

In the name of Saga, Lady of the Library,

Keeper of the knowledge of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may you continue to add to your learning throughout your life.

The printed word has been the workhorse that you rode

To plow this field, but there are more fields to gaze upon.

In token of our wish for your future learning,

We give you another horse for your stable of scrolls.

May this be the seed that grows your future quests,

As the hazel tree inspires the tongues of skalds.

 

A book is given to the graduate, on some subject that they are interested in, which is wholly apart from the work they have done to graduate.

 

Huldra’s Speaker:

In the name of Huldra, Lady of Nourishment,

Keeper of the Flocks of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

But great deeds are better done on a full belly.

In token of the sustenance we would hope for you,

We give you this blessed food and drink.

May you never hunger, may you never thirst.

May this be the seed that feeds your future deeds,

As the grapevine gives both nourishment and joy.

 

A basket of good food and drink is given to the graduate.

 

Gna’s Speaker:

In the name of Gna, Messenger of Asgard,

Keeper of the missives of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may you hear the messages that the Gods send to your ears.

In token of the open hearing we would wish for you,

We give you this small piece of the sacred,

To strengthen your bonds with the Holy Powers.

May this be the seed that grows your faith anew each day,

As the ivy springs upward toward the endless sky.

 

A small altar item dedicated to some god – like a statue or sigil, perhaps of the graduate’s patron deity – is given as a gift.

 

Hlin’s Speaker:

In the name of Hlin, Lady of Mourning,

Keeper of the tears of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may your purpose hold you up in times of great grief.

For purpose can be a solace, as can worthy work,

Sustaining you even in the face of heartbreak and disaster.

In token of the resilience we would wish for you,

We give you a gift that will hold your tears

And help you to go once again to the necessary work.

May this be the seed that grows your hope anew,

As the reed wails its sorrow in the winter winds.

 

A gift of something soft and comforting is given to the graduate – a blanket or quilt, a soft robe or scarf, a stuffed toy, or perhaps even – if it is appropriate – a furred pet. Hlin’s speaker should also embrace the graduate.

 

Vara’s Speaker:

In the name of Vara, Lady of Prophecy,

Keeper of the Visions of the All-Mother,

We bless this great accomplishment that has been achieved,

And may it reverberate into the future,

And may you always be ready for misfortune before it appears.

In token of the readiness we would want for you,

We give you this gift of a look into the future.

May this be the seed that gives clarity in confusion,

As the elder tree gives her wisdom even to the poorest folk.

 

A gift of divination is given to the graduate. This can be either a tool for divination if the graduate does such things themselves, or more likely a certificate for a diviner, with instructions to keep it for the time of most confusion.