Wiccaning
A Wiccaning, analogous to a Christening for an infant, is the presenting of an infant to the God and Goddess for protection. Wiccanings apply specifically to the Wiccan religion, but are also celebrated in some of the other Pagan, non-Wicca religions. In those cases, while the format may resemble Wiccaning, it is often referred to as a "saining."
A wiccaning is a ritual that, in traditional paths of Wicca, the High Priest and High Priestess will present the infant to a God and Goddess. In accordance with the importance put on free will in Wiccan traditions, the infant is not necessarily expected to chose a Pagan path for themself when they grow older.
Wiccaning is also an opportunity for the parents to present their child to the five elements and ask a blessing or protection. Often both the child's legal "mundane" name and the child's Wiccan (ceremonial) name are used. This is until such time as the child chooses another Wiccan name for themself, usually at a coming of age.
