Samhain Ritual

Samhain (Oct 31 at sunset through Nov 1 at sunset) -


The God has withdrawn to the Heavens and become the protector of the Goddess as She sleeps waiting to give birth to His child.  Her sadness at the separation from Him and her Son drives Her to slumber as the Crone.  The God's child steadily grows within Her, waiting to return to Earth.  The last of the crops are gathered in as part of the final harvest festival.  Our ancestors are honored as angels and agents of God, protecting and helping us from afar as God does the Goddess.

History of Samhain -
Samhain (pronounced "sow-en") has long been considered a time to honor ones ancestors.  Plates of food would often been left outside for the souls of the dead.  Candles would be placed in windows to guide these souls to the land of the dead.  While these souls roamed the Earth, it was tradition to carve a  gourd or small pumpkin to carry with you and in it place a light to confuse any malicious spirits one would meet.  The viel between the world of the living and dead is at its thinnest and communication with the ancestors the easiest it will be during the year.

At the same time this is a celebration of the New Year.  The Harvest is now complete and all the crops are gathered in.  A season of the hearth and home is upon us.

Decorations -

Any type of Harvest decoration is appropriate.  Colors of orange, black, and maroon invoke the autumn colors.  Apples, pumpkins, pomegranates, and gourds help to decorate the home and altars.

Rituals - 

The Samhain Ritual can be as simple or elaborate as you like.  It can invoke both the new year and wishes for what is to come as well as reverence for what has been.  Here are a few elements that can be included in your normal ritual style.

A very simple idea for Ancestor Meditation is a very powerful way to connect with your ancestors.  Take time to connect with them on Earth through pictures and mementoes of them.  Allow your heart and head to wander through memories of those who have gone before you.  Think about who you are and how your ancestors have formed you.  Then, recite your genealogy and describe each person you know.  Be sure to thank all those who re unknown to you.

Focus also on the new year.  Think of the last twelve months, what you liked and did not.  On a small piece of paper write what you would like to come within the next year.  Build a small fire or light a candle in your cauldron.  Light the paper on fire and allow it to burn in the cauldron while reciting:

Lady and Lord above
Hear these words
As I start this year in love.
My wishes for the coming year
I send to the winds
Help me see the intentions through
With earth, air, fire, water
By the love of your Son to come
As I will so mote it be.

Thank the Lord and Lady for the coming year and for their part in the unending Wheel.  Honor the fact that God has gone to be with those in the heavens for a time.  Celebrate with family and friends in the normal manner for Halloween as well.  If you belong to a Church that has services on this day to honor the Saints, do not hesitate to attend them.  It only furthers the rituals you have already done.

The Wheel of the Year

As I stated on the Facebook page I intend to publish a series on holiday rituals this year.  That starts with the Wheel of the Year for how I celebrate the Christian Wiccan holidays and how I tie them all together.  It actually makes sense when you really think about it.  First a listing of the major Wiccan holidays and their corresponding Christian holidays:

Holidays
Christian	Wiccan
All Saints Day	Samhain
Christmas	Yule
Candlemas	Imbolc
Easter	Ostara
Annunciation	Beltane
St. John's Birth	Lithia
Lammas	Lammas
No corresponding holiday	Mabon

Each Wiccan holiday, save one, has a corresponding Christian holiday.  I am not going to debate if this was done intentionally to Christianize the Pagans.  It is was it is, they are celebrated by both and therefore allow for great celebration among Wiccans who have adopted the Christian Trinity.

My personal belief is that within the Christian Trinity the Holy Spirit is female.  This is the subject of an entirely different post that still needs to be written but that is my belief.  Others adopt Mary, Mother of Jesus, or Mary Magdalene as Goddess.  There are many that can be Goddess.  However, whoever Goddess is she has these traits:

• She is the maiden, mother, and crone
• She is love and fertility
• She is wisdom, teaching, and justice

The God is God.  He is the ever living God who is the Creator.  His story is told by man in the Bible.  He is One with the Holy Spirit.  He has the following traits:

• He is knowledge and power
• He is judgement
• He is protection and comfort

The God is the consort of the Goddess and in turn the Goddess is the consort of the God.

The Wheel of the Year turns as follows:

Samhain (Oct 31 at sunset through Nov 1 at sunset) -

The God has withdrawn to the Heavens and become the protector of the Goddess as She sleeps waiting to give birth to His child.  Her sadness at the separation from Him and her Son drives Her to slumber as the Crone.  The God's child steadily grows within Her, waiting to return to Earth.  The last of the crops are gathered in as part of the final harvest festival.  Our ancestors are honored as angels and agents of God, protecting and helping us from afar as God does the Goddess.

Yule (Dec 24 at sunset through Dec 25 at  sunset*) -

The God's Son is born!  With His arrival He brings His Father's light back to the Earth.  The Goddess begins to awaken and care for Her newborn Child.  The God continues to protect both Mother and Child from above while His plan unfolds on Earth.  On Earth, Mother Mary is consumed with the Holy Spirit who gives her the wisdom to raise and teach Her Child.

*The date on Yule is difficult to place.  Three dates could easily be used: the day of the Winter Solstice, the Catholic day (above), or the Orthodox day which is generally January 7 or 8. Whatever fits your walk the best is the best one to use.

Imbolc (Feb 1 at sunset through Feb 2 at sunset) - 

The winter has ended!  The Child of God continues to grow under the guidance of His Mother and protection of His Father.  His light is starting to shine on the World.  The Goddess starts to let Him make His own way into the World to start His teachings in the tradition of His Father.  As the first fertility holiday, the Goddess moves toward Maiden as She prepares to become the Bride of the God again as Her Son finds His way without Her on His path as laid out by His Father.

Ostara (as set by the Church for Easter, sunset the night prior through the day's sunset) -

The light and darkness is equal at this time.  On Earth the light is proven equal to the darkness as The Child of God is crucified.  However, spiritual light overcomes darkness as Jesus conquers the world of the dead and rises, eventually taken to Heaven.  Here He awaits the union of the God and Goddess. The God comforts the Goddess through Her sadness.  Her tears fall to the Earth as rain.  They are bittersweet tears, for She knows that all humans must die but the conquering of the darkness gives Her hope.  New life starts to come from the Earth as it celebrates light overcoming darkness.  As the second fertility holiday, the God returns to the Goddess to comfort and court Her again, to show His love and tenderness for the world.

Beltane (Apr 30 at sunset through May 1 at sunset) -

The God and Goddess once again are united!  This is the third fertility holiday, celebrating the union of the God and Goddess in love.  The Baby is conceived during this time.  The Earth starts to produce more as the warmth of the love of the God and Goddess is evident.

Lithia (the eve before the Summer Solstice through the day's sunset) -

The Sun is at the peak of its power.  The God continues to be with his Bride and the earth remains fertile.  The fires originally lit on Beltane are lit once again to celebrate the light of God.

Lammas (July 30 at sunset through August 1 at sunset) -

Lammas is the first of the harvest festivals.  The grain is gathered in and loaves of bread are made and shared in celebration.  The God is needing to return to His place in the Heavens while the Goddess remains near the Earth to guide mankind as She may.  He spends more time away from Her and His light is felt less on the earth, but as a protector He always remains.

Mabon (the eve before the Autumn Equinox through the day's sunset) - 

This is the second of the harvest festivals, celebrating the vine harvest and wine.  God's presence is apparent on the Earth but weaker as He moves more toward being the protector above.  The Goddess, though sad, is comforted by the growing Child within Her, knowing the special role He will play in Her calling.  She continues in Her role as the Holy Spirit, guiding and teaching those on earth who wish to follow God's will.  She is the Great Mother who perseveres in guiding man to God as She moves toward becoming the Crone. 

A Ritual Bath

Many years ago every Friday night instead of going out I would stay home and take a purifying bath, one that was set to ground me and lighten my spirits at the same time.  It was a wonderful ritual that I have often thought of restarting.  The bath included:

a handful of either rose or lavender, for purification, happiness, and tranquility
a handful of salt, for grounding
one glass of wine, for happiness and elation

The wine gets poured in the water along with the salt and herbs.  Soak for a while.  Done regularly it is a wonderful ritual which allows you to center after a long week and prepare yourself for the weekend ahead.