Monday 24 October 2016

Samhain Ritual by Amunhart

Samhain Ritual written by Amunhart

Altar:

Cover the altar in a white cloth if you can to represent the eternal spirit. The earth is moving into the darkness of winter but it is an eternal cycle. The white represents how the earth and all of us live, die and are reborn once more. Or, if you prefer, decorate it in black for the winter to come or orange for the fading autumn.

Ensure to have some marigolds present as they represent the powers of clairvoyance and psychic abilities and are used around Samhain in many cultures for this reason. If you know it also have the deceased loved one’s favourite flower present or maybe even one that reminds you of them. This will help with the intent to bring them forward. Place some crystals of your own choosing on the altar too, maybe a mixture of crystals such as amethyst for a higher plane and the crown chakra with some jasper or onyx for our physical plane and the root chakra. This can represent the merging of two realms. If you have a picture of the spirit this would also be good to place on the altar maybe next to some incense; sandalwood for clairvoyance or maybe some rose for love, if you were close to this spirit.

As well as all this, try to decorate the altar with some food. If you are quite skilled with a spatula and oven then you can bake or cook all sorts of Samhain-type dishes whether it be cinnamon cakes, beef pies or pumpkin bread. But if not, then just the basic foods will do. Pumpkins, squash, pomegranates, etc. But make sure to have some apples present as they will come in handy later on.

Also include on the altar, a pretty candle. You can colour it as you wish whichever colour feels relevant to you. Light it when you begin but also ensure you have a cauldron or something fireproof too.

Circle Casting:

Many gathered in this place.
A wealth of energy to protect.
A union of friendship, love and grace.
A home for realms to intersect.
Mother Earth and Father Sky, come to us in this domain.
Cast this circle of transcendent light.
Purge this space of curse and bane.
Within this sphere of divine protection.
Our energies spiral, grow and soar.
To learn of love and our souls’ perfection.
To honour those who have come before.


Quarter Calls:

West:

Guardians of the west, spirit of water, we summon thee.
In this time of reflection we look to you the most.
You are the element of love and of emotion.
Like water we can reflect on the memories of what has come before, in this year or in this life.
You bring the flow of emotion, the balance of light and dark, joy and sorrow; but only through this balance can we find our harmony.
So have us feel that which our hearts neglect and remember that which our minds reject.
Hail and Welcome!


North:

Guardians of the north, spirit of earth, we summon thee.
As the dark winter approaches we look to you for guidance.
You teach us all the beauty in stillness, the wisdom in silence.
As the New Year begins a time of uncertainty help us to remain strong so we can look within ourselves.
Going deep to find the seed of potential that lies within all existence.
We can nurture that seed to bring our own new growth for the coming year.
Hail and Welcome!


East:

Guardians of the east, spirit of air, we summon thee.
The veil between worlds has dropped realities shift between one another.
The opportunity has come to connect to those who we have lost.
The element of air can bring clarity to our minds and intuition to our hearts so we may see the truth within ourselves, break through the fog of uncertainty that blinds us from other realms and find the inspiration to bring light into our future.
Hail and Welcome!


South:

Guardians of the south, spirit of fire, we summon thee.
The year has ended we head into darkness.
And within this darkness we must begin to slow and find peaceful stillness.
But within us all burns our infinite fire ready to consume us and transform us.
We ask of you to cleanse our souls and purify our bodies to find growth through this transition.
Bring us the courage to burn in these flames so we may be reborn from the ashes.
Hail and Welcome!


Deity Invocations:

God:

God of the underworld, Hades, we invoke thee.
Guide of the spirits, lord of the dead, we ask of thee to open the gates of the underworld.
Release our ancestors for this day, ushering them to this realm so we may once again commune with those who have come before us.
Hail and Welcome!


Goddess:

Goddess of the underworld, Persephone, we invoke thee.
Queen of the dead, goddess of the spring, you make your descent into the underworld at this time. You have aided many souls to pass from this life and back again.
Bring us our ancestors steal them from the clutches of darkness, returning them to us.
Hail and Welcome!


Ancestor Invocation:

I summon spirits of those once lost, Ancestors, loved ones, family and friends.
Doorways opened to be crossed from somatic realms we shall ascend.
We welcome thee unto this place.
This circle of trust, truth and amity.
Ideas of reality to be erased.
Enlighten our minds with transcendent clarity.


Ancestral Remembrance:

Take this time to have some peace and quiet. Sit on the ground connect with the earth and the universe. Just go within, have the time to remember those who have come before, relatives, loved ones, etc. Really try and connect with them see them in your mind’s eye. Those spirits will be around you this time of year more than any other. Talk to them, give them messages. See what happens next. What feelings do you get? Making note of all your senses, any visions, sounds, tastes or smells. Anything no matter how insignificant could be the message from the spirit. Any feeling at all, if it resonates with you, then listen to it.

The Apple:

The apple is the universal symbol of wisdom. It has been used at this time of year for centuries. And, as we know, has evolved into such Samhain games as apple bobbing. Although in the past there were all sorts of apple games including ones with fire, though I wouldn’t recommend trying these. The apple is said to house great knowledge and immortality within it. It was once said, to peel an apple gave you the ability to foretell how long you would live. The longer the peel is unbroken, the longer you will live. It is also said that within the realm of the dead stands an apple tree which bears fruit indefinitely. And to eat the fruit ourselves gives us psychic ability to commune with the deceased. Hence how apples became so popular at Samhain. So for the next task take an apple and pass it around. Or have each person take an apple for their own. Cut the apple width-ways through the middle to reveal the pentagram within. This pentagram represents all of nature, physical, metaphysical and divine. And with this apple take the time to sit quietly with nature once more. But this time have a think about the time of year it is. After all Samhain marks the end of summer and autumn and the beginning of winter and the darkness to come. Have a think about nature at this time; the colours, the smells, the fruits, etc. And once again look within. But this time assess your own body and how it feels. Think about how the buzz of energetic summer has waned and the relaxing stillness of winter approaches. Try to connect with the earth to instil within your body the message of winter nature has to offer.

Endings:

As we know Samhain is known as the witches new year. It is the end of the lively summer and the beginning of the tranquil (if not quite chilly) winter. And as an ending it is important that we recognise the changes in our lives and utilise this upcoming new year as a time to let go of the past year. Take all that serves you all that brings you happiness into this new year and remove that which does not. So on a piece of paper have everyone write something or a list of somethings that they wish to let go of. This can be anything they choose whether it is people, places, habits or thoughts. Once this is done have them cross out what they have written visualising the cross as their intent to banish. Then most importantly, write under this crossed out list. This will be a list of things they wish to bring into their lives; positivity coming in to replace the negativity going out. And then when all is written have everyone use the altar candle to light their piece of paper, dropping it into the cauldron or fireproof item. As it burns visualise the intent of this exchange of positivity and negativity flowing to the universe to come to fruition.

Dumb Supper:

There is as act known as a dumb supper. This is something done by people at this time of year where an extra place setting will be made out for the spirit of a loved one who is invoked. Then everyone stays silent (hence the ‘dumb’ part) and eat the meal, thinking of their loved one. So as our loved ones would have already been called into circle if you want and if you have any food on the altar you wish to consume take some and enjoy the food. Eat an apple, drink some pomegranate juice (chew on a piece of squash if you wish to) but as you do leave some food and drink left over for the spirits within the circle. And as you eat and drink think about them once more feeling like you are sharing the meal with them.

Ancestor Farewell:

Spirits of loved ones, all who are present.
We have connected, conversed and shared.
You have aided our hopes, wishes and intent.
We have looked within, our souls are bared.
From within this circle you may withdraw, but stay forever in our hearts and minds.
As the beloved memory of what came before, And as the hallowed spirit, both entwined.


Deity Farewells:

Goddess:

Goddess Persephone, Queen of the underworld.
We thank you for your aid in this rite.
Before your descent into the underworld.
You have delivered us those whom we hold most dear.
Take care of them in their returning journey.
Hail and Farewell!


God:

Hades, God of the underworld, Lord of the dead.
We thank you for your aid in this rite.
You have allowed us to connect with our loved ones.
Giving us the gift only you can bestow upon us.
May you stay forever the guide to those whom we have lost.
Hail and Farewell!


Quarter Closing:

South:

Guardians of the south, spirit of rire, we thank you.
You have helped us to purify our souls to look within and start anew in this time of transformation. We shall keep our inner embers glowing bright through this cold winter so we may begin to burn again, reborn once more this coming spring.
Hail and Farewell!


East:

Guardians of the east, spirit of air, we thank you.
You have taught us to see clearly in this universe.
We have connected with our ancestors as you have gifted us the clarity to view the world beyond this realm of physicality.
Hail and Farewell!


North:

Guardians of the north, spirit of earth, we thank you.
You have guided us on our journey inwards to find our own potential.
Through silence and stillness we have connected with the earth and discovered its beauty.
May we greet this coming darkness with patience and tranquility.
Hail and Farewell!


West:

Guardians of the west, spirit of water, we thank you.
You have aided us in our reflections of ourselves.
To look back on this past year remove all that which does not serve and find the harmonious healing we so desire.
May we now look to a future of happiness and love.
Hail and Farewell!


Circle Closing:

We have gathered in this place.
This blessed ground is our retreat.
We have learnt of love in all its forms.
Now the ritual is complete.
Mother Earth and Father Sky our words have now been spoken.
May this circle now dissipate, uncast, but never broken.
So mote it be!




Amunhart













1 comment:

  1. A beautiful ritual. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete