Samhain
October 30th 2004

Arranged by Moon Ankh

Samhain is the end of the 3rd harvest, to remember the dead, and celebrate the eternal cycle of reincarnation.
In the European tradition, Samhain is the night when the old God dies, and the Crone Goddess mourns him deeply for the next 6 weeks. The popular image of her as the old Halloween hag menacingly stirring the cauldron comes from the Celtic belief that all the dead soul return to her cauldron of life, death and rebirth to await reinencarnation.

In The center of this alter is a cauldron and candles because the Samhain Bonfires, called balefires in paganism were once lighted on every hilltop in Britain and Ireland as soon as the sun set on October 30th. The fires serve as the purpose of containing the energy the energy of the dead god, lighting the dark night, warding off evil, ushering in the light of the new year, purifying the ritual space or home, and being the focus of the ritual.

Ritual Supplies

Black Candles
2 Cauldrons
Burn Incense- 3 Parts Sandalwood, 2 Parts Cypress or Sub (Juniper or Pine Needles) and 1 Part Spearmint or Peppermint

Circle Casting

(Sam) HPS Standing at alter Light, caldron and says:
"As we stand at this Witches pot
We will stop time on a dot
With Fire and Cauldron we will create a Sacred space
By clasped of hands and Witches Blade
This circle will be made"

Each person shall say a verse and then join hands with the next person until all are joined, imagine a bright white light encircling us as we go from person to person creating a physical as well as a spiritual circle.

Sacred Fire, sacred flame
this circle be cast in your name.

Great flaming circle, we conjure thee,
May you harness our energy.

May you protect this space, and our rite,
letting enter only those we invite.

This is a time that is not a time,
and a place that is not a place,

we feel the flame surround us,
now, we dwell in sacred space.

Within this circle, hand-to-hand
between the worlds we now stand.

Everyone Say:
Circle, circle, now be cast
As so we join, from first to last.

Quarter Calls

Stands at Alter and says
"Elemental powers hear our call
North, East, South and West
We ask your presence at our request"

North light candle and hold up plant and say:
Guardians of the North, and Earth
Rulers of forests, circles, and groves.
You who nourish the Sacred Flame,
Allowing it to ever burn bright,
lend your powers to our circle this nigh

East light candle and incense, hold up incense and say:
Guardians of the East, and Air
Rulers of all things that fly
You who feed the Sacred Flame,
Causing it to dance merrily and bright,
lend your powers to our circle this night.

South Light red candle and holds it up and says:
Guardians of the South, and Fire
Rulers Dragons and animals whose hooves create sparks
You who are the Sacred Flame
that burns within every being.
Lend your powers to our circle this night.

West light candles and hold chalice of water up and says:
Guardians of the West, and Water
Rulers of the sea and all bodies of water,
you who control the Sacred Flame,
Protecting us from its fury,
lend your powers to our circle this night.

Invoking the Goddess
Burn Incense
(April): Great Goddess Hecate Dark Mother of the universal cycle of birth, death and rebirth. I invite you to our circle to assist and protect us in our Samhain rite.

Bard

Crossing the dead

Cakes and Ale
(Margaret)

Thanking The Goddess for her Presence

(April): Hecate thanks for being with us on this night, stay if you will go if you must

Thanking of the Elements

Put out candle and pour out water, then say:
Guardians of the West,
We thank you for your presence this night.
Ever may you control the Sacred Flame.
Depart in peace.

Put out candle, then say:
Guardians of the South,
We thank you for your presence this night.
Ever may you burn brightly, You...The Sacred Flame.
Depart in peace.

Put out candle and snuff out Incense, then say:
Guardians of the East,
We thank you for your presence this night.
Ever may you dance with the Sacred Flame.
Depart in peace.

Put out candle then say:
Guardians of the North,
We thank you for your presence this night.
Ever may you nourish the Sacred Flame,
Depart in peace.

Everyone say:
The circle is open,
Yet remains unbroken.
Ever shall the Sacred Flame burn within our hearts.