The Samhain Magic Thread

[-Sky-]

Merry Meet,

I've decided to make a thread dedicated only to Samhain rituals/spells/divination and lore.Post here whatever of the above you have.

~Anna

[-Sky-]

This is a pretty simple ritual.I noticed that it doesn't include any ingredients so you can get inspired on this from the next rituals.I thought it was interesting because it also includes the invocation of the above and below.
RITUAL 1
Cast Circle

I cast this Circle with love and light that we may once again Share thoughts and learn from the Ancients on this night of Celebration
We cast it for protection on this night

Call Quarters

East

Spirits of the Air
We call to you and your gentle breezes
To move through our soul
As we listen with our hearts and minds
On this night of finial harvest

South

Spirits of the Fire
We call to you with your searing flames
To burn through our souls
As we listen with our hearts and minds
On this night of finial harvest

West

Spirits of Water
We call to you with your eternal depths
To flood our souls
As we listen with our hearts and minds
On this night of final harvest

North

Spirits of Earth
We call to you with your steadfast foundation
To ground our souls
As we listen with our hearts and minds
On this night of final harvest

Above

Spirits of the heavens
We call to you to bring your light
As we seek balance on this Holy Night
As we reflect and share

Below

Spirits of the depths
We call to you to bring your darkness
To fulfill the balance
As we move from the working year to the resting year

Call Ancestors

We call to the Ancestors
Those who walked before and
Who keep our connection to the Old Ones
We invite you this night as we honor you and the
Gift of the final harvest

Call Gods

God

Holy Lord
The Harvest is complete
And we ask you to come
And share in the Festival
Join us in our joy as we celebrate the cycle of life

Goddess

Great Crone
You who guide us to the Underworld
that we may learn from your Lord
We bid you welcome.
We ask you to come and join us
And celebrate your gifts of harvest for your people

Body

God
Give an explanation of Samhain
How it is the last harvest and the meaning of that harvest
And how we are moving from the Working year to the rest and reflection year
(Celtic New Year)

Goddess

Explain the veil and how it is thin
And the honoring of the Ancients

The members of the circle should have been instructed to write a letter to those They wish to talk to. This is normally a emotional time so be prepared to support those in circle Once the letter is read or the person spoke about. Put the letter in the cauldron that is burning.

While the person is talking the reminder of the group chants Hoof and Horn in a very low tone while they are talking

Give everyone a moment to Ground, as again this can be emotional

Cakes and Ale

Bless the cakes and ale
Dont forget to thank the Gods for their gift on this day of final harvest

Group chants "Round and around"
During cakes and ale

Thank Gods

Thanks Ancestors

Thanks Below

Thank Above

Thanks Quarters

[-Sky-]

This is another simple ritual because it only needs candles and a cauldron.If you don't have cauldron you can use a bowl.It is easy and the chants are beautiful.
RITUAL 2

Needed:
Black candle (represents the Goddess)
Orange candle (represents the God)
Black votive candle
White votive candle
Cauldron



Place the black candle to the top left on altar, and the orange candle to the top right on altar. Place the black votive candle in the cauldron, positioned on floor in front of the altar. Cast the circle.

"Now is a time of change. Now we leave the light and enter the darkness.
There is no end and no beginning.
All is a continuous turning, a spiraling dance that goes and returns, yet moves ever on.
In that turning, Samhain marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter:
A time to celebrate; a time to honor the God as He starts His journey
Down the tunnel of darkness that bears the light of the Lady at its end."

Light the black Goddess candle. Light the orange God candle and say:

"Dread Lord of Shadows, God of Life, and the Giver of Life -
Yet is the knowledge of You the knowledge of Death.
On this night, the Lord of the Hunt,
The Lord of the Sun passes into darkness.
The wheel ever turns,
And I wait for that time when the Sun will once more be born of the Moon.
As this candle represents the Lord of the Sun,
So does its blowing out represent the passing of the Lord of the Sun."

Having said this, extinguish the God candle. Bow your head and close your eyes. Stay silent for a minute or two. Proceed by lighting the cauldron candle, saying:

"Dark Mother, Your cauldron is a well of death and rebirth.
Dark Father, Your sword both annihilates and protects.
Hear me now as the past year slowly dies, only to be reborn again.
Today, the last of the Harvests is complete.
This symbolic harvest is of my thought-seeds,
Planted and nurtured throughout this past year.
May the good come to pass and the bane be cast aside.
With Your divine guidance and protection,
I step into the New Year.
May I have good health, prosperity, and happiness."

With the flame of the black cauldron candle light the white candle. Snuff the black cauldron candle and place the white candle into the cauldron. Say:

"As the new year is born, I am reborn
With new hopes and dreams.
Guide me in the future as in the past.
Give me strength and courage,
Knowledge and fulfillment.
Assist me to achieve my goals."

Stare into the white cauldron candle's flame and think of the goals you wish to set for the upcoming year. When done, say:

"Every beginning has an ending,
And every ending is a new beginning.
In Life is Death, and in Death is Life.
Guide me and protect me,
Most wise Crone,
Lord of the Underworld,
Tonight and throughout the coming year.
Blessed Be!"

Meditation.
Cakes and Ale.
Close the circle.

Leave the white pillar candle burning.

[-Sky-]

This is a ritual dedicated to Mana/nnan and Danu as I see it.Don't be scared of the many items needed,most of them are items like matches,candle holdre etc.The main supplies for the ritual include offerings like honey and grains.Enjoy:
RITUAL 3Ritual of Samhain
by John Gibson
Copyright © 1995 John Gibson
All Rights Reserved
May be reposted as long as the above attribution and copyright notice are retained
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Items needed:

cauldron & heatproof base
alcohol
matches
Bi/le image
salt for Mana/nnan
grain for Danu
honey for Bi/le
milk & bread for the land spirits
milk jug
libation bowl
white pillar candle
birch scented oil
incense burner & incense
votive candles & candle holders
images of ancestors & dead
ritual feast
plates for deities & ancestors
suitable music
tarot & other divinatory tools
two or three people to perform the ritual
The altar table is set at the head of the dining table, with the altar cloth, the Cauldron of Hospitality and the image of Bi/le. When all are assembled, the Cauldron is lit.

R1: Three cauldrons that are in every fort: the cauldron of motion, the cauldron of warmth, the cauldron of guests. Tonight we welcome you into our home, and light the cauldron of hospitality, which contains all these three. (lights cauldron) We are come to celebrate the new year and to remember those who have gone into the Otherworlds before us.

R2: Tonight we call upon the spirits of this place, of the Duwamish, of Seattle, of the land all around us to be at peace with us, and to walk lightly among us. We call upon the spirits of rivers, oceans, mountains, and forests to be at peace with us and to walk lightly among us. We call upon the land spirits to accept our offerings on this, the night of the new year. (Each person pours out milk and breaks bread into the libation bowl. Each person says:) May the land spirits bless us in this new year.

R3: On this night, the ancestors walk abroad. The gates between the worlds are open wide. We call upon our ancestors, those known and unknown, to come among us and celebrate our reunion on this night of Samhain. We call upon our loved ones who have passed into the House of Donn to come and feast with us tonight. We call upon the Mighty Dead to assemble here and be remembered.

R2: Mana/nnan, a thiarna, Lord of Mists, Gatekeeper, you who lead the dead from the House of Donn into the Plain of Delight, be with us this night and guide the Mighty Dead through the gates to join us in our rite. (Each person tastes salt.)

R1: Danu, mo bandia, Mother of Gods, Mother of Rivers, you who embrace the dead as they leave our world for the House of Donn, be with us this night and support the Mighty Dead as they join with us in our rite. (Each person tastes grain.)

R3: Bi/le, a thiarna, Tree of Life, Lord of Death, you who rule the dead on the Plain of Delight, be with us this night and guard the Mighty Dead as they join us in our rite. (Each person tastes honey.)

Each person, silently or aloud, requests the presence of their personal deity to join us for the night.

The altar is set, with each person placing photos or momentos of ancestors and their beloved dead, and lighting votive candles. A white, birch-scented pillar candle is set before the image of Bile, along with incense. The Three Realms are acknowledged.

Each person tells a story of one of their beloved dead.

Dinner is prepared, and the main table is set. Each person assists with dinner, and has brought something to contribute for the feast. Places on the altar are set for the ancestors and the deities. When dinner is served, before any food is consumed the ancestors and the Gods are given their share. The dead are toasted, beginning with those whose names we do not know. Personal toasts are made around the table by each individual. Toasts are ended with the nameless again remembered. Dinner is a party, with music and conversation.

After the feast, the table is cleared and the tools of divination are brought out, and those who wish to do so can give or receive readings for the coming year. When the divinations are done, the Samhain blessing is given.

R1: Gives an ad-lib blessing

R2: We thank the land spirits, the spirits of this place, and all the spirits of plants, animals and earth for coming among us in peace and blessing our rite. Walk in peace into the new year.

R3: We thank the ancestors and the spirits of our beloved dead for coming among us in peace and blessing our rite. We remember you in love, for we will one day dwell among you again. We wait for your return to the land of mortals. Walk in peace into the new year.

R2: Mana/nnan, a thiarna, Lord of Mists, Gatekeeper, you who lead the dead into from the House of Donn into the Plain of Delight, we thank you for your presence this night. May you guide the Mighty Dead through the gates to the Plain of Delight.

R1: Danu, mo ba/ndia, Mother of Gods, Mother of Rivers, you who embrace the dead as they leave our world for the House of Donn, we thank you for your presence this night. May you support the Mighty Dead as they return to the House of Donn.

R3: Bi/le, a thiarna, Tree of Life, Lord of Death, you who rule the dead on the Plain of Delight, we thank you for your presence this night. May you receive the Mighty Dead into the Plain of Delight. May you give them rest and strength to come to rebirth.

The votives on the altar are put out and given to each person to take home and burn for their ancestors and beloved dead. Each person takes their ancestor photos or items from the altar. The Bi/le candle is left to burn. The offerings for ancestors, land spirits and deities are buried outside.

[-Sky-]

I found it strange,but this ritual focuses on the God and his importance in the Sabbat.It may be used by God focused pagans or you can include it as a part in your ritual.
RITUAL 4
The altar is adorned with a wreath of dried grapevines and colored leaves. A black altar candle is used to represent the death of the God.

Cast the circle
Invite the deities
Call the Corners
Ring bell three times
Light altar candle
Say the following or similar:


"I come this night before the gods. May my actions be pleasing to you."

Kneel on the ground and pass your hand over the altar candle's flame three times. As you do so, say something to the effect of:


"In the field the Horned God lies, waiting patiently, for this night he dies. Yet I know 'tis not an end, for down the spiral he lives again!"

Arise and stand before the altar in God position.


"Father God, on this eve of Samhain, I celebrate your passing and the coming of winter. You go now into the warm fields of beyond. Yet I know that you shall return again."

On a square of orange paper, draw a God sigil (I like to use a horned sun symbol) in black ink. Burn the sigil in the flame of the altar candle. Either libate the ashes to the earth, or allow them to blow away in the Samhain wind.
Meditate for a time on the God. His birth, his life, how he laid in the fields with the Goddess and made her bear child. See his aging, and visualize him now, as he lays upon his death bed. Watch as he passes and know that he will be reborn again. When you have completed your meditation, extinguish the altar candle. Say the following or similar:


"O Great Horned Father, you are absent, but never gone. Merry meet, merry part, merry meet again!"

"With each passing breath the time grows closer. The door between worlds is thin, and on this night may I greet with great joy and perfect love the spirits of those who have passed through gate. May their teachings show me the spiral of life. So mote it be!"

Works of Magick, if necessary are performed now.
Thank and release the corners and the Gods.
Cider and harvest foods should be consumed now to replace energies lost.
Now is a good time to go to a quite place, perhaps even the local cemetery to commune with those spirits that have recently crossed worlds. If this is not possible, Samhain is an excellent time for divination, particularly scrying.

[-Sky-]

Banishings and Resolutions

Now is the time to bring out one of those lists! Before Samhain, write a list of things from the last year that you want to banish: bad habits and addictions, unkind feelings toward others, unkind feelings toward yourself .... anything you do not want to carry over to the New Year. Light a black candle and burn the list, asking the Goddess and God to help you get rid of these and all negative things in your life. If you prefer, you can put about 1/4 cup of alcohol in a cauldron, light it, and burn the paper there. Speak to the deities (you can speak aloud now) about your sincere wish to remove these things from your life. Use a banishing chant, if you wish.

Now you should speak to the deities about those things you want to bring into your life in the New Year. I do these things rather informally, but there are many poems and prose pieces in books that you might want to use. Asking the deities for future rewards must be accompanied by resolutions as to how you will accomplish your goals. They will help you if you are sincere in your efforts to help yourself.

[-Sky-]

This ritual is very simple and will appeal to those who prefer not to be bothered with many items.The chants are very beautiful and inspiring,especially the one with the Womb of the Goddess.
RITUAL 5
Samhain Ritual for Group or Solitaire




After a ritual bath in salt water to cleanse your body and soul of any impurities and negative energy, put on a long, black ceremonial robe (unless you prefer to work skyclad, as many Witches do), wear a handcrafted necklace of acorns around your neck, and place a crown of oak leaves around your head.

Begin by casting a circle about nine feet in diameter, using white chalk or paint. Place thirteen black and orange candles around the circle, and as you light each one say:



"Samhain candle of fire so bright
Consecrate this circle of light."
In the center of the circle, erect an altar facing north. On the center of the altar, place three candles (white, red and black) to represent each phase of the Triple Goddess. To the left (west) of the candles, place a chalice filled with apple cider and a dish containing sea salt. To theright (east) of the candles, place a censer of herb incense and a small bowl of water. Before the candles (south), place a brass altar bell, a consecrated athame, and a red apple.

Ring the altar bell thrice and say:

"In the sacred name of the Goddess
and under her protection
is this Sabbat Rite now begun."
Sprinkle a bit of salt and water at each compass point around the circle to cleanse the space of any negativity or evil influences.

Take the athame in your right hand, and say:

"Harken well ye elements
Air, fire, water, earth
By bell and blade I summon thee
On this sacred night of mirth."
Dip the blade of the athame into the chalice of apple cider and say:

"I offer to Thee, O Goddess
This nectar of the season."
Return the athame to the altar. Light the incense and the three altar candles, and say:

"Three candles I do light
in honor of Thee, O Goddess:
White for the Maiden,
Red for the Mother,
Black for the Crone.
O Goddess of all things wild and free,
Strong and loving, fair and just,
This sacred temple I raise to Thee
In Perfect Love,
In Perfect Trust."
Pick up the chalice with both hands and pour a few drops of the cider onto the apple and say:

"To the Womb of the Mother Goddess
The Horned God now returns
Until the day when he is reborn again.
The great solar wheel
Once again turns.
The cycle of the seasons never ends.
Blessed be the souls of those
who have journeyed beyond
To the dark world of the dead.
I pour this nectar
in honor of their memory.
May the Goddess bless them
With Light, Beauty and Joy. Blessed Be!
Blessed Be!"
Drink the remaining cider, and then return the chalice to its place on the altar. Ring the bell thrice, and then uncast the circle by extinguishing the orange and black candles, starting at the east and moving in a couterclockwise direction.

Take the apple from the altar and bury it outsid in the earth to nourish the souls of those who have died in the past year.

The Samhain ritual is now complete and should be followed by meditation, divination by crystal ball, the reciting of mystical Goddess-inspired poetry, and a Witches' prayer for the souls of all family members andfriends who have passed on to the Spirtual Plane.

[-Sky-]

This is a ritual for a coven and it is dedicated to Persephone.
RITUAL 6
Persephone Ritual
Samhain


Hand Maiden will place one candle and enough pomegranate on altar for every sister in circle.

H Priestess- ?
Crone- ?
Hand Maiden- ?
Mother-? East Watchtower - ?
South Watchtower-?
West Watchtower-?
North Watchtower- ?




all will cast circle
HP
Story of Persephone
HP
"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, the boundaries between the worlds are thin, and the veil provides a mirror of our soul, reflecting the life we have create. On this night of darkness, we look to the season of Scorpio and the trials of death and rebirth. We call forth Persephone, Goddess of the underwold. We seek vision of the light that She shines at the end of the Spiral Dance. In her honor we celebrate Samhain."
Maiden
bless and dedicate all with Persephone Oil
"Bless be thy feet, that have brought me to thee Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the sacred names. "
Crone
"I am the Queen of Transformation and the Dark of the Moon, hidden in the deepest night. I am the mystery of the Underworld and the wisdom that coils about your heart in the time of your trials. I am the soul of nature that gives form to the universe; it is I who await you at the end of the Spiral Dance. Most ancient among Goddesses, let my worship be within the heart that has truly tasted life, for behold all acts of craft and art are my pleasure and my greatest ritual is love itself. Therefore, let there be beauty in your strength, compassion in your wrath, power in your tolerance, and discipline balanced through mirth and reverence. You who seek to see me and seek to behold my true face shall know that all your searching and efforts will one day come to an end. For the mystery shall be unveiled. Look no further than within yourself in order to look into my eyes. Behold! At the end of the Spiral you shall cease to imagine and come to know. Blessed be.."
all dance the witches song three times around the fire
Mother
"Goddess, I do not understand why Death must come and take the souls of the living?"
HP
"Only through Death can Life happen. Death must be embraced. All things must die in order to be reborn and return to me. Mine is the Mystery of the Womb, and the cauldron of rebirth. Enter into Me and know me, and you will be free of all fear for I bring comfort and peace to those who seek the truth."
Maiden
"Behold, the fruit of life which is death. Taste of it and understand."
give all pieces of pomegranate
All
take a candle from the altar and light it from the Goddess candle
"Goddess Persephone we embrace your light and breathe in the gifts of your elements. We seek to become one with the veil. Protect us as we journey, seeking knowledge of our path. We leave behind all earthly pleasures and seek only the vision of our souls path upon this life span. In perfect love and perfect trust we seek the truth of our choices."
HP
"Close your eyes and cross the veil. Sit in circle on the other side. Talk to your loved ones that have passed beyond the veil. Speak of your death and share your joys or regrets. Become one with the other side. "
all will journey in silence or sharing out loud
Celebration of Circle and Magick

?
Wine & Cake
Blessed Be this Cake and Wine,
the Body and the Blood of the Mother
May You never hunger (passes bread) Blessed Be.
May You never thirst (passes wine) Blessed Be.


HP
Gracious Goddess as we close our circle we ask that our path always be in your light. To our beloved dead, we say Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet again. May you return to your areas of peace and progress and taking with you our love.
All
All give personal thanks to the Goddess
Dismiss Watchtowers

[blueiris]

Wow, thanks for all the great rituals - you've really given me some ideas on how to celebrate this holiday! :apumpkin:

[LittleRhiannon]

One question, what does 'a thiarna' mean? It was mentioned in the Manannan invocation.

Do you mind if I add some stuff? This is a great thread!

The Silent Company
In the tradition of the Celts, ways to remember lost loved ones on Samhain.

By Mara Freeman




The following excerpt is from "Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illuminate Your Life Throughout the Seasons," published by HarperSanFrancisco, and used with permission of the author.




On the eve of All Souls' Day in Ireland, families lit a candle in the window to guide the souls of the Dead back to their old homes. As the veil between the worlds thinned, a sluagh, or host, of spirits walked the land, and encountered the same hospitality the Celts have always shown the living, Doors and windows were left unfastened, and any passage through the house that they once used was kept open. The table was laid with the best white cloth, and special food was left out for them to enjoy.

In Wales, they were known as the 'silent company', and the food was called bwyd cennad y meinv, ('the food for the embassy of the dead.') In Brittany, it was boued gouel an Anaon ('the food for the feast of the dead') and usually consisted of warm pancakes, curd cheese and mugs of cider. When the family retired for the night, they sometimes heard the scraping of stools and clatter of plates and forks, as the spirits enjoyed their meal. Nor did they forget the homeless spirits, sadly roaming about the countryside with nowhere to go. Food and drink were set out on doorstep and windowsill so that they too might have a share.

Until quite recently in the Irish Gaeltacht, families kept a seomra thiar, or 'room to the West'--sometimes just an alcove or nook--where they placed objects that reminded them of departed ones. At sunset, the family solemnly turned towards the setting sun and spent time in loving remembrance of them. A candle was lit for each soul, then the whole family sat down to a communal feast in their honor.

Making a Shrine for the Dead

Choose part of a western wall for the shrine. This could be an alcove, shelf, window-sill, or small table. Cover it with a black or purple cloth.

Now arrange upon it mementos of relatives and friends who have passed over to the Summerlands this year, or in the recent past - photographs, small personal possessions or pieces of jewelry, and perhaps some branches, leaves or flowers.

You may also feel moved to remember individuals or groups of people throughout the world whose deaths this year have touched you deeply. Photos from newspapers, symbolic objects, poems, and so on, can also be added to the shrine.

Stand a candle by each one, and place a large candle in the center, symbolic of the One Light that unites us all.

At dusk, light the candles beginning with the central one, and sit or stand facing the shrine, contemplating each one in turn. Allow any emotions that may arise simply to be present, and express them naturally, as the Celts freely gave vent to their feelings at death.

If you are doing this in a group, you may wish to share stories, songs, poems, or words of inspiration, plus have each member of the circle give a short tribute to one or more of those remembered here.

On All Souls' Eve, those who may be trapped in the limbo between heaven and Earth, known as Purgatory in Christian tradition, can be released. You may want to offer the following prayer, adapted from Scottish sources, to anyone who has recently died, or whose death was particularly difficult:


You are going home to your home of winter,
To your home of autumn, of spring, and of summer;
You are going home to the Land of the Living.
To the restful haven of the waveless sea.

Peace of the Seven Lights be upon you, beloved,
Peace of the Seven Joys be upon you, beloved,
Peace of the Seven Loves be upon you, beloved,
On the breast of the Mother of Blessings,
In the arms of the Father of Life.


Prepare a special feast for yourself, family or group for after the ritual at the shrine. Eat and drink with gusto! This is the time to wholeheartedly celebrate the great round of life and death. Finally, make sure you set aside a special dish for the departed ones before you go to bed.

[LittleRhiannon]

Samhain was a significant time for divination, perhaps even more so than May or Midsummer’s Eve, because this was the chief of the three Spirit Nights. Divination customs and games frequently featured apples and nuts from the recent harvest, and candles played an important part in adding atmosphere to the mysteries. In Scotland, a child born at Samhain was said to be gifted with an dà shealladh, “The Two Sights” commonly known as “second sight,” or clairvoyance.

Apple Magic
At the heart of the Celtic Otherworld grows an apple tree whose fruit has magical properties. Old sagas tell of heroes crossing the western sea to find this wondrous country, known in Ireland as Emhain Abhlach, (Evan Avlach) and in Britain, Avalon. At Samhain, the apple harvest is in, and old hearthside games, such as apple-bobbing, called apple-dookin’ in Scotland, reflect the journey across water to obtain the magic apple.

Dookin' for Apples
Place a large tub, preferably wooden, on the floor, and half fill it with water. Tumble in plenty of apples, and have one person stir them around vigorously with a long wooden spoon or rod of hazel, ash or any other sacred tree.

Each player takes their turn kneeling on the floor, trying to capture the apples with their teeth as they go bobbing around. Each gets three tries before the next person has a go. Best to wear old clothes for this one, and have a roaring fire nearby so you can dry off while eating your prize!
If you do manage to capture an apple, you might want to keep it for a divination ritual, such as this one:

The Apple and the Mirror
Before the stroke of midnight, sit in front of a mirror in a room lit only by one candle or the moon. Go into the silence, and ask a question. Cut the apple into nine pieces. With your back to the mirror, eat eight of the pieces, then throw the ninth over your left shoulder. Turn your head to look over the same shoulder, and you will see and in image or symbol in the mirror that will tell you your answer.

(When you look in the mirror, let your focus go "soft," and allow the patterns made by the moon or candlelight and shadows to suggest forms, symbols and other dreamlike images that speak to your intuition.)

Dreaming Stones
Go to a boundary stream and with closed eyes, take from the water three stones between middle finger and thumb, saying these words as each is gathered:

I will lift the stone
As Mary lifted it for her Son,
For substance, virtue, and strength;
May this stone be in my hand
Till I reach my journey’s end.

(Scots Gaelic)
Togaidh mise chlach,
Mar a thog Moire da Mac,
Air bhrìgh, air bhuaidh, ‘s air neart;
Gun robh a chlachsa am dhòrn,
Gus an ruig mi mo cheann uidhe.

Carry them home carefully and place them under your pillow. That night, ask for a dream that will give you guidance or a solution to a problem, and the stones will bring it for you.

© Mara Freeman, 1999

[LittleRhiannon]

An ADF chant that could be useful for Samhain:

Gatekeeper open the portals,
Between the Gods and mortals,
Power freely flows,
As our magic grows.


(Words and music by Richard MacKelly, ©StoneCreed Grove 1998.)

Samhain Lore
by Ian Corrigan

The Festival of Samhain marks the ending and beginning of the Celtic Year. Samhain (pronounced "Sow-in") comes from the Irish Gaelic and means "Summers End". There is a great deal of distortion as to the true meaning of the Holiday, fostered in large part by religious propaganda perpetuated by overly superstitious fundamentalists.

Sometimes one will hear of an "Evil God" named "Samhain", but such a deity never existed anywhere in Celtic lands or Europe for that matter. It was a literary fiction masquerading as scholarship from the early nineteenth century. Fables of Druids leaving "Jack-o-lanterns" at the homes of families who have helped procure a sacrifice for "Samhain" (or Satan) are likewise scurrilous at best.

Samhain can be viewed a number of ways.

First, it was an important agricultural observance, when the final harvest was taken and the folk were now dependent on stored food, hunting and slaughtering of animals for survival. Herds were culled to eliminate the weak and unnecessary and ensure that the limited amount of food would go around for the next six months. In this aspect, Samhain is a holiday of Plenty and feasting, laying in a layer of fat before the winter, and gathering together for safety and protection.

The harvest being over, the seeds for the next years crops are planted. They'll lie dormant until Oimelc (Feb. 1st) when they will begin to sprout. By Beltain (May 1st) they will have shown growth, and it is this time of year that is concerned with the fertility of the coming crops. Those same crops will be harvested by Samhain, and the cycle begins anew.

In present times the importance of this part of the festival has diminished for most people living in this country, but you should try to see this from the stand- point of a tribal people for whom a bad season meant facing a long winter of famine in which many would not survive to the spring.

(S. McSkimming, Dalriada Heritage Trust <-http://www.tartans.com/samhain.html->)

Samhain is also a time when the veil separating our world, the mortal realm, and the world of the Gods and spirits becomes thin. As such, it is a good time to commune with the recently departed before they continue their journey from death to the "Summerland" - the realm of the Gods. There they can enjoy an eternal paradise of feasting, joy and plenty, until they are ready to cross back over to our realm and become incarnate beings again.

...Death was never very far away, yet to die was not the tragedy it is in modern times. What was of great importance to these people was to die with honour and to live in the memory of the clan and be honoured at the great feast Fleadh nan Mairbh (Feast of the Dead) which took place on Samhain Eve. (S. McSkimming,)

Likewise, the separation between past, present and future becomes blurred, allowing for glimpses not only into the realm of the ever Young, but of things which have not yet come to pass. Divination has been historically popular at Samhain, from the Irish myths; to children casting nuts into a fire and kenning their future sweetheart by the way they pop and burn.

Samhain, as the beginning and ending of the yearly cycle, can be viewed as any other "New Years" celebration.

Sig Lonegren, in a treatise published in: <- http://www.isleofavalon.co.uk/knowbank.html-> remarks:

So as this Samhain approaches, what is ending in you? What do you have inside that it is time to let go of? No healing is complete until you get beyond recovery. Use Samhain to take the thirteenth step: Transformation. In the Tarot, the thirteenth card of the Major Arcane is Death, and it is ruled by Scorpio. Samhain occurs in Scorpio. The card of Death doesn't necessarily mean physical death (though it can mean that), but more productively, it can be seen as an inevitable heavy change or transformation. Something old must be gotten rid of to make room for something new to be able to come in. Use the magic of this time to say good-bye to an old habit or addiction, an old relationship, or anything else it is time to leave behind.

Samhain is the time when we connect with the vital forces of nature and make ourselves ready for the long descent into winter. It is a time to reflect on that which we've brought into our lives, and that which we need for the times to come. Connecting with our roots and examining the directions we need to grow. We feast with the ancestors and ensure the continuing vitality of our people, be it ourselves, our family or the community in which we dwell.

[LittleRhiannon]

This one is long, so I'll just post the link:

Samhain: A season of death and renewal (http://imbas.org/articles/samhain.html)

[Memory's Flame]

I want to thank everyone for posting all of these!! I have been working on my samhain ritual (my very first!) And this gave me lots of wonderful ideas that hadn't even crossed my mind!