Hittite Ritual for a Child’s First Day of School

Hittite Ritual for a Child’s First Day of School

Purification

Once the child is ready for the day, take a moment to wash their hands and face, helping them feel fresh and ready for the new day.

Initiate the Rite  

Let the child ring a bell or hit a drum to start the rite.

Earth Mother

(sung to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle little star)

Hannahanna, mother earth,

You were here before our birth

You uphold our lives, it’s true,

You give gifts and blessings too.

Hannahanna, mother earth,

Please, please join us at our hearth.

Statement of Purpose

Today starts a brand new adventure for <name>, with a new school, new friends, and exciting experiences. 

Recreating the Cosmos

(sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)  

Light the fire, light the fire,

Glowing bright, glowing bright.

Fill us with your shining, fill us with your shining.

Please join us. Please join us.

Sacred waters, sacred waters,

Flowing deep, flowing deep,

Fill us with your knowledge, fill us with your knowledge.

Please join us. Please join us. 

Growing tree, growing tree

Tall and strong, tall and strong.

Fill us with your strength, fill us with your strength.

Please join us. Please join us.

Opening the Gates

We call now to our friend Arinniti, Goddess of the Sun, who watches from high above. We ask you to join us here today and open the gates.

(sung to the tune of Farmer in the Dell)  

We’re opening the gates,

We’re opening the gates.

Arinitti shine on us, we’re opening the gates.

The waters flow down deep,

The waters flow down deep,

Connect us to the ancestors,

The waters flow down deep.

The fire burns up high,

The fire burns up high.

Connect us to the shining ones,

The fire burns up high.

The tree connects it all.

The tree connects it all,

Mighty tree open the gates,

The tree connects it all.

Three Kindreds

Now it’s time for us to invite our friends to our little party. 

We call on our ancestors, those people we loved who passed away, and the heroes that lived before us.  Welcome, Ancestors!

Give offering of tea.

We call to the nature spirits, the plants and animals all across the world.  Welcome, Nature Spirits!

Give offering of birdseed

We call to the Gods and goddess, both known and unknown, who give us many gifts.  Welcome, Gods and goddesses. 

Give offering of oil.

Key Offering

We call one final guest, A’as, the Hittite god of wisdom! A’as gave advice to other gods and goddesses and figured out how to solve problems. A’as, we call to you.  Welcome, A’as.

Give offering of bread

Prayer of Sacrifice

We give gifts to the Kindreds and ask them to teach us and guide us.  Mighty Kindreds, please accept these gifts.

Omen

Let <name> grab a single stone and interpret it for them. 

Blessing:

(Sung to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider)

The waters in this cup are filled with the blessings.

Ancestors, shining ones, nature spirits too.

Fill them with wisdom, kindness and love.

Oh, the waters in this cup are filled with the blessings.

Have <name> drink from the waters and then sprinkle their backpack and school supplies.  

Working

Prayer from a mother:

Mighty Kindred,

Today my child steps into the world,

Starting the foundation for their future.

Arinitti, bright sun shining above,

I ask that you watch over them and guide them,

And fill their heart with warmth and love.

A’as, wise one, I ask that you bless this child,

And fill the minds with clear thoughts.

Grant them patience and perseverance

For those times where school is hard.

Grant them joy and laughter

To spread to those around them.

Mighty Kindreds, thank you for standing by their side

When I cannot be there to hold their hand.

(Sung to Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

Off, off, off to school,

Step into the world

Make new friends and learn so much

Enjoy these moments too.

Thanking the Beings

It’s time now for <name> to go to school, so we have to say thank you and farewell to our friends.

A’as, thank you for bringing us your wisdom.  A’as, we thank you!

Gods and goddesses, we thank you!

Nature spirits, we thank you!

Ancestors, we thank you!

Closing the Gates

We call once more to our friend Arinniti, Goddess of the Sun, who watches from high above. We ask you help us close the gates.

(sung to the tune of Farmer in the Dell)  

The gates are closing now,

The gates are closing now,

Waters, fire, and sacred tree,

Please close the gates right now.

Thanking the Earth Mother

And finally, we thank the Earth Mother.  Hannahannah, we thank you!

Closing the Rite

Now is the time for <name> to go to school.  I hope you have an amazing day filled with love, laughter, and so much learning.