Samhain Introduction

@ Lady Bridget 1996


Samhain, the third of the Harvest Festivals, occurs when the Sun is aspected at 15 ° Scorpio. Traditionally, this has been celebrated on October 31st, but since the precession of the equinoxes this date now falls on or about Nov 5th most years. Since the October 31st date has been so popular for so long, there is a lot of Samhain energy associated with that date. So whether you choose to celebrate on Oct. 31st, or whether you choose the actual astrological date of Samhain, the energies will be there for you to tap into. Most groups now pick the nearest available weekend between these dates that best fits into their schedule.

In agricultural cultures, this was the last of the Harvests, when the gourds and pumpkins, and the last of the grains would be brought in. Whatever was left in the fields after this was considered "puka", or fairy blasted, and was certainly not considered fit to eat. For the fairies were said to go underground right after Samhain, and not show themselves again until the day after May Day. If a person was careless, they could find themselves in the land of Fairie! This was part of the tradition relating to costumes and masks at Samhain.

This is the time when the veils between the world of the living and the world of the dead is the thinnest. Our ancestors knew this, and so there was also the fear that the dead would return to haunt, or even possess, the bodies of the living, or drag them back to the Underworld. Masks and costumes prevented the dead, and the fairies, from knowing who was who, and those with vengeful deceased relatives could feel safe from harm. We wear masks so that our playful side can come out and take over without fear of ridicule. Some traditions wore a mask at every Sabbat to preserve secrecy, along with the traditional black hooded robe.

This would also be the time when the herds were "culled", which means that the farmer would have to decide which of his animals would most likely not survive the winter. These animals would be slaughtered, and the meat smoked and also used for the Feast. Reason being that if the animal would probably be too weak to live anyway, might as well eat it now, rather than waste fodder feeding it, and then have to kill it later, when it was tough and thin, or not be able to eat it at all if it suffered a long illness. Practicality was the most important survival trait. Thus it is that for us, this time of year is when we "cull" our habits, our possessions, and also our feelings. Getting rid of anything that we don't want to bring with us into the new year is what this is all about. Feelings of anger and resentment, bad habits that keep us from our desired goals, or even possessions can sometimes be holding us back from our spiritual goals. These are best evaluated and eliminated at this time of the year.

In several traditions, the Goddess rules half of the year, and the God rules the remainder. In some this is an equal 6 months and 6 months, in others, it sometimes differs with the growing season. In our tradition, Samhain is when the High Priestess gives the Staff of the Coven over to the High Priest, to ritually comemorate that it is now his time to "rule". Since it is now the "hunter" time of the year, he leads the circle, casts the circle, and we will evoke the God first during ritual. At Beltain, he will ritually hand the Staff back to the High Priestess to signify that her "rule" begins, and so on. Since our coven is based in South Florida, our agricultural year doesn't coincide with our traditional one, so we don't keep this tradition in it's strictest sense. These are the foundations on which our religion is built, but our real guide is whether or not it works for us as a group and as individuals, and only each person can judge that for herself.

The myth of Persephone going underground to Hades is a very popular Samhain Sabbat story. Actually, I have heard two similar versions. The first, is the matriarchal myth which told how Persephone loved all life, and was sad dened by the death of the things that she loved. Demeter, her mother, also was in charge of the Underworld, but she let Hades rule there without her, since she preferred the living world above. Persephone took pity on the souls who had no one to greet them and show them compassion, so she followed a hare down into a hole which became a cave and led her to the Underworld. There she met Hades, who fell in love with her. Eventually, she loved him as well, and so she stayed there. Demeter was distraught, and all the earth suffered her saddness, as she would allow nothing to grow until her daughter's return. Persephone, upon hearing this news, returned to her Mother, but as she had promised to love Hades, and the souls of the dead, so she returns to Hades for a few months each year. So goes what I believe to be a version of the original myth.

After the takeover of the matrifocal cultures by the patriarchal invaders, this myth was changed, as were many that featured our Goddesses prominently. Now the myth had Persephone kidnapped against her will, held captive in Hades, raped, and tricked into eating pomegranate seeds so that she would have to return and dwell there. This version can be read in most Greek mythology books, but I prefer the prior version, where Persephone chooses freely out of her compassion for all creatures and beings to become Queen of the Underworld for a certain number of months each year. The number of months differs from culture to culture and depends on their own climate, it corresponds to the number of winter months they experience. It usually varies from 3 to 6, and also corresponds to the number of pomegranate seeds that Persephone ate.

As Persephone descends into the Underworld, she also becomes a symbol of the Crone, wise with her years, and willing to face death. As the Crone, we seek within to find our fears and to release them. We can send our fears to the Underworld with Her, there to have them transformed into strengths, and be reborn to us.

Our tradition teaches us that we will also be reborn, with those that we love, and that we will remember, and love them again. This is the promise of the Goddess, which is symbolized by the apple. When you slice the apple crosswise, a pentagram is revealed, the symbol of life. The Goddess's promise is that the seeds of rebirth are revealed in the fruit, even the fruit of death, as symbolized by the pomegranate. We say that the promise of a whole orchard is revealed in the pentagram of one apple.

Many Sabbat celebrations will include divination, as this is the best time of year to confer and speak with the spirits of the dead, and to honor your ancestors and other deceased family and friends. The "dumb supper" is a place setting set out at the feasting table with food for the spirits of the dead, so that they may join in the feasting. Where others may fear their dead, we honor them, knowing that we will join them, and be reborn with those we love. As the veils between the worlds are sheer, the dead can tell us what we wish to know. But use caution, remember - just because they're dead, doesn't mean they are now virtuous! If someone was a liar in life, death won't change that! I do not condone the use of ouija boards for those who are inexperienced; spirit possession is not just a cheap movie script. At the very least, you could simply attract a malicious spirit and not be able to get rid of it, and it can cause you trouble. Tarot cards, runes, I Ching, and other means of divination are safer than a ouija board as they do not request that a spirit come and make direct contact with you. Rather, your higher self speaks through your subconcious mind by using the symbols there. Divination of this sort can be extremely accurate at this time, to let you know what is in your immediate future.

Decorate with orange and black, also yellow, and deep russets and browns. Gourds are appropriate, especially carved pumpkins with candles in them! These originated as scary faces carved in gourds to frighten away any evil spirits in the vacinity, and were used with candles in them to light the way of carollers. Wassailing, or carolling, was once associated with most holidays. Groups of neighbors would go from house to house singing songs that were appropiate to the holiday in return for drinks and treats. This has now become the trick-or-treat associated with Halloween, and the Christmas carols associated with Christmas. However, once they were not divided, but done at the same time.

Foods for this season are apples and pomegranates, the fruits of life and death. Also pumpkin pie, apple cider, venison, and root vegetables such as carrots, yams, potatoes, and turnips. Of course, we are lucky in that we can usually buy any kind of food we prefer, rather than having to rely on what is available locally. It is still fun, however, to tie the Sabbat together with the proper foods and drinks for the season.

Have a Sweet Samhain, and a Happy New Year!


Samhain Preparation

@ Lady Bridget 1996


You will need for the altar:

There are parts here for 4 people,

If you have only two people, the HPS can also be the Crone and the HP can also be the Dark Lord, but you may have to give a few lines each to the other to better do the stage directions.

When the coveners go to meet the Crone, she is seated, either on a small stool, or on the ground/floor. Her head is entirely covered with a black veil or lace scarf. In addition to this she is totally covered with a large black cloth (you can use a black sheet, or a blanket if not too heavy). The Crone will lift up the black cloth to cover both herself and the covener she is talking with. This is to add to the mystery, and also to help insure the privacy of what is being said. Many times the Crone will have a message for the covener, and sometimes people can only say how they really feel or what they really fear in the anonymity of total darkness and warmth.

Yellow candles (enough for all participants) and candleholders. You can ask that each person bring their own to the circle.

** Divination tools! **


Samhain Ritual

@ Lady Bridget 1996


Cleanse the circle area with your besom (broom).

Cast the circle in your normal manner.

Have everyone ground and center themselves, and bless and welcome all.

HPS: Once again we meet to turn the wheel. It is the festival of Samhain, the eighth and final spoke of the wheel. On this night, we perceive that the boundaries between the worlds are thin, less defined. The souls of either realm might look beyond the veil and glimpse the other side and perhaps pass through. Our Lord Sun has become the Lord of Shadows. The days grow shorter, the nights cooler. Divination is at it's peak of performance.

CRONE: The Cosmos tonight provides a mirror of your soul. Reflecting the cycles of your life that you create. On this night of darkness, look to the mystery of the season to release that which has been completed. Look at and acknowledge that which has come to an ending within your own life and bid it a final farewell, even though this may bring you pain, it must be done.

(invoking the watchtowers)

EAST (water)
Hail to thee Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, the powers of water. Crystal sea of welling souls, we call to thee from grassy knolls. Embrace the waters of life reborn, caressing us from night till dawn. So Mote It Be.

SOUTH (air)
Hail to thee Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, the powers of air. Whirling wind of dancing rites, waltz the leaves, grant them flight. Samhain calls, the winds of change, as tonight we celebrate the strange. So Mote It Be.

WEST (fire)
Hail to thee Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, the powers of fire. Cauldron of burning light, torch the fires, fill the night. Ignite the dark, warm all hearts across the land, while amidst the ancient stones we stand. So Mote It Be.

NORTH (earth)
Hail to thee Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, the powers of earth. Guard ye well the dormant seed, wrap all that lives in restful sleep. Chant which beckons the Hunter's horn, Dark King and White Stag both reborn. So Mote It Be.

(Light the Perfect Love and Perfect Trust candles at this time.)
(Evoke the God and Goddess)

HPS: I now do call the Eternal God, and I call him in the ancient way, as Lord of the Day, who in this season has become the Lord of the Shadows. Send they Spirit forth! Through the darkness of this night, O Lord, return from the Summerland. Pierce our Sacred Sphere with thy vibrant presence. Flow through the body of this, thy servant and Priest, and through him touch the light of God within us all. Blessed Be.

HP: (evokes into the HPS and Crone)
I call the eternal Goddess, Mother, who brings forth and nurtures life, who is also Crone - she who cuts the cord, she of wisdom and mystery. Be with us now, my Mother, my Love, my Lady. Thy Priestesses await you. Fill them now, and through them touch the Goddess within us all. Blesses Be.

(Light the God and Goddess candles)

DARK LORD:
And as does the cycle of the Moon ever begin to wax and wane and to grow forth again, as do the seasons from one to the next flow in smooth rhythm...so will my children know their own patterm in both worlds. Repeat after me:

And ye shall say these words...
I will love and harm none
I will live, love, die, and live again
I will meet, remember, know and embrace love once more
For the free will of all
And with harm to none
As I do will, it is now done...So Mote It Be.

HPS: On this eve of Samhain we have come to honor those that have passed beyond the veil. The Moon must decline, darken, and die. Beyond life are the realms of shadow; the journeys unknown and the visions undreamed. For the soul seeks its own level, rests, and gains a time and a place to be reborn.

Charge your yellow candles and light them from the God and Goddess candles of the altar. You can bring them home and finish letting them burn, or you can place them in the West where the departed souls have left, and let them burn out there. Your candle is a symbol to your ancestor, or loved one, that you remember them and honor that memory.

(after this, the Crone goes to the North and prepares to be met.)

HPS: At this time of our New Year, we evaluate old habits, and old ways, and decide what to bring forth into our next year and what to leave behind. Spend a few moments in deep thought about what you need to leave behind. Since the Crone will be going down to the Underworld now, she will take with her whatever you give her to take. When you are ready, go and meet with the Crone, she is awaiting you. Bring with you those things which you need to banish from your life and leave them with her. She will transform what is negative into positive, which is the nature of magickal transformation.

When you approach the Crone, speak to her what you're giving to her, so that as you say it, so it must be.

(All approach the Crone one by one. Remind them if necessary to be silent on their return, or they can hum a chant or sing in a very low voice.)

Great Rite - done by the HPS and the Dark Lord (use whatever form you use)

(Now is a time for those who wish to, to do divinations. In our group we encourage this to be done only for ourselves, as we can divine for others at another time. Since this is Sacred Samhain Space, the divinations can be especially powerful.)

(Dismiss Watchtowers)

EAST (water)
Hail to thee Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, the powers of water. We thank you for joining our Samhain celebration tonight. As ye depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee Hail and Farewell, and harm ye none on your way. So Mote It Be.

SOUTH (air)
Hail to thee Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, the powers of air. We thank you for joining our Samhain celebration tonight. As ye depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee Hail and Farewell, and harm ye none on your way. So Mote It Be.

WEST (fire)
Hail to thee Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, the powers of fire. We thank you for joining our Samhain celebration tonight. As ye depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee Hail and Farewell, and harm ye none on your way. So Mote It Be.

NORTH (earth)
Hail to thee Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, the powers of earth. We thank you for joining our Samhain celebration tonight. As ye depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee Hail and Fareweell, and harm ye none on your way. So Mote It Be.

Open the circle, Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again !


Bibliography:

"A Witch's Bible Compleate" by Janet and Stewart Farrar
"Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham
"Magickal Rites from the Crystal Well" by Ed Fitch

There may be a line or two referenced from other books. This ritual was written and done by our coven originally in 1993, and not all our sources were listed. If you recognize something from a source not listed, please bring it to my attention so that credit may be properly given. Thank You!


Email Lady Bridget at ladybrid@bc.seflin.org