wicca - rites
Handparting is the Wiccan version of separation or divorce. With a Handparting, a Handfasting can be ended before its allotted time (i.e. a year and a day or for life), or this rite can be used at the end of a Handfasting to more formally end it. Of course, as with a wedding, this is not a legal replacement for a divorce, and is only truly recognized within the Wiccan and Pagan community.
Handparting falls to the West on the Wheel of the Year, and corresponds to the Sabbat of Fall Equinox/Mabon.
Croning and Saging are rites of passage for women and men, respectively, who are entering into their older years. Generally speaking, a woman enters her crone stage around the time when she begins menopause. Saging for men would also occur sometime around the mid-50's or retirement. This rite marks the time when one can enjoy the fruits of one's labour, and perhaps be considered an honoured elder of their community, passing on knowledge to others.
Croning and Saging sit in the North West of the Wheel of the Year, and corresponds to the Sabbat of Samhain.
The rites performed at death can either be in remembrance of the person who has died, or passed over, or can be for those who are left behind. The rites can be a celebration of the person's life, or a somber remembrance of everything they did and what they meant to others.
This rite of passage may also be held for a person who is still alive, but who will soon be passing away. It may provide a great deal of comfort for them to have their life honoured by their friends. But check with the person before you plan such an event. They may be too ill to participate.
This rite lies North on the Wheel of the Year, and corresponds to the Sabbat of Yule.
The direction of South West and its corresponding Sabbat of August Eve/Lammas does not directly correspond to a rite of passage. Instead, I like to see it as representing adult, a time when we put our skills to good use and learn to harvest the results.
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