Hekate Samhain Ritual...

[Theres]

(as promised... )

This ritual is designed for a 39’ outdoor circle with three concentric paths. The middle area is 15’ in diameter, with a fire pit in the center. Some of the dynamics will have to be changed for use in your ritual area.
The ritual is also designed for a group of approximately 50 people (our biggest annual ‘open’ event). These are designated ‘Guests’ below.
There are four Quarters, three Goddesses, a Priest/ess and an ‘attendant’. These will be designated ‘All’ below, unless addressed individually.
Elemental altars are set up in each Quarter.
You will also need three torches, and any other Autumn or Samhain decorations you like.
Note; the ‘three Goddesses’ are actually three aspects of the one Goddess, and should be seen as such. The plural term is used here only for convenience.


Ritual


~Entrance~

Circle is cast by Priest in advance.

All enter circle from North and proceed widdershins, chanting;
Phosphoros…
Kourotrophos…
Trivia…
Hekate!

All continue this three times around each path, circling toward the center. Quarters stop at their altars, Priest and Goddesses continue to center. Goddesses pickup unlit torches, and stand facing the center, even spaced around the fire.
When all are in place, attendant allows Guests to enter outer path from the North, and circle widdershins until all are in.
Quarters ‘annoint’ Guests as they pass each altar… North with scented sand, West with water from a yew sprig, South with red candle, East with incense.
When ready…


~Calling the Quarters~

Goddesses remain silent here, still facing inward

North;
We call to the powers of the North, to the element of Earth,
Which is the very foundation of our lives.
To Hekate’s key,
The key to the Underworld, and to the roots of our path.
This is the key to our learning,
May we continue to grow.
So Mote It Be!

West;
We call to the powers of the West, to the element of Water
That connects us to our beginnings and to our end.
To Hekate’s cord,
Which binds us to the ever moving river of time.
This is the life blood of our being,
May it ever flow.
So Mote It Be!

South;
We call to the powers of the South, to the element of Fire
Which sparks all of our creative energies.
To Hekate’s torch,
Which illuminates the shadows of our souls.
This is the enlightenment of our lives,
May it continue to shine.
So Mote It Be!

East;
We call to the powers of the East, to the element of Air
And the wind which carries the voices of our ancestors.
To Hekate’s dagger,
Which cuts through the veil and allows us to see into the Mystery.
This is the focal point of our rebirth,
May it ever remain keen.
So Mote It Be!


~Invocation of the Goddess~

Priest;
Mighty Hekate, Lady of Zerynthos, whose name is called by night.
You are the torch bearing Goddess of transition
Who stands before the Crossroads of choice.
We ask that You join us here tonight
As we arrive at the gateway to a new year,
To search our souls as we strive for completion through introspection.
Awesome Hekate, Queen of mystery and depths unthinkable,
You are known by many names…

Phosphoros! Who shines light into our darkest shadows…

All;
Hekate come!
Phosphoros lights torch from and holds it high over the fire.

Priest;
Kourotrophos! Who strengthens us at times of challenge…

All;
Hekate come!
Kourotrophos lights torch and holds it high over the fire.

Priest;
Trivia! Who awaits us at the Crossroads of time…

All;
Hekate come!
Trivia lights torch and holds it high over the fire.

Goddesses chant ‘Hekate’ silently 9 times, then turn counter-clockwise (and in unison) to face outward.


~Introduction of the Goddess~

Priest;
The last night of any month is ‘Hekate’s Night’. The last night of this month is Samhain!
As we contemplate the ending of another year, we tend to look inward to find where we might improve our lives, and to what we might change for the better.
This is the realm of Hekate, the Goddess of transitions, and we look to Her as we seek completion through introspection…

Phosphoros;
I am Hekate Phosphoros, the Bringer of Light.
When you look deep within, I am your guide.
I am the dawning of the Morning Star,
The awakening of consciousness.
Mine is the torch that illuminates your inner shadows.
Phosphoros now places torch in holder at the outer edge of the inner circle.

Kourotrophos;
I am Hekate Kourotrophos, Nurse and Companion.
When you reach deep within, I am the strength you seek.
I am the Goddess of Transition,
And birth and death are my realm.
Mine is the cord that connects all things to all things.
Kourotrophos now places torch in holder.

Trivia;
I am Hekate Trivia, the Goddess of Choice.
When you go deep within, I am the Eternity from whence you came.
I am the ruler of the Crossroads,
Light and dark, past and present, life and death are my domain.
Mine is the key that opens the doors of choice,
And I am present at your every decision.
Trivia now places torch in holder.

Priest;
Phosphoros!

Phosphoros;
Dare to recognize the darkness within you,
And let My flame guide you on this journey.
You hold the key!
When this you do,
You are worshipping Me.

Priest;
Kourotrophos!

Kourotrophos;
Be strong in the face of every challenge,
And approach all obstacles knowing that you will succeed.
You hold the key!
When this you do,
You are worshipping Me.

Priest;
Trivia!

Trivia;
Know that past and present, light and dark, life and death
Are all paths that meet at the Crossroads,
And make your choices wisely.
You hold the key!
When this you do,
You are worshipping Me.


~Visit the Goddess~

Priest;
As you contemplate your own dark months ahead and the Crossroads you will face, you may wish to ask the Goddess Hekate to be your guide.

Do you have the vision to see into your own shadows?
Do you have the strength to embrace personal change?
Do you have the courage to choose wisely?
If so, then step forward now and approach Her!

Guests step into circle. At this point the attendant must gage the flow of people, and allow them access accordingly.
Goddesses whisper random keywords to each guest, and hand them a scroll. The scrolls contain the same keywords, printed in that particular aspects colors (Phosphoros – yellow, Kourotrophos – green, Trivia – purple)

Phosphoros; (keywords)
‘You are the spark’
‘Let my light fill you’
‘You hold the key’
‘Light through introspection’

Kourotrophos; (keywords)
‘I am with you always’
‘Find your strength within’
‘Face challenge with courage’
‘Strength through introspection’

Trivia; (keywords)
‘Choose wisely’
‘Make decisions and harm none’
‘Thou art eternal’
‘Completion through introspection’


~Cakes and Ale~

Priest;
Samhain is the celebration of the final harvest. The fruits of the field are in, as are the fruits of our labors.
We will now share these fruits with the tribe, as we give thanks for all that we have been given.

All; (begin chanting…)
Samhain night,
Hallows night…
Hekate’s torches burning bright!

Repeat chant until Cakes & Ale is complete.

Priest offers to Goddesses first (“Thou art Goddess”), then to Quarters (“May you never hunger/thirst”).
Quarters then offer to guests, who continue by offering to the next guest, etc. Quarters then receive empty plates/cups from final guests, and return to altars.

Priest;
If you desire to honor the Goddess through the ritual known as ‘Hekate’s Supper’, then you are welcome to take some of the remaining cakes and ale after the ritual to leave at the Hekate shrine in the North.


~Remembrance~

Priest;
In celebrating this years bounty, let us not forget that these crops are born from the seeds of last years harvest, just as we are born of prior generations.
All that we are, all that we think or feel or do, are the gifts of our ancestors. Though we may not see them, they are with us always, guiding us through our path.
At this time I would like us to take a moment, each in our own way, to honor and give thanks to those who have gone on before, but are with us still…

(Silence)

…So Mote It Be!


~Devocation~

Priest;
Great Hekate, You who embrace us at birth, guide us through life, and await us at death…
You have given us the light to choose our path, and the strength to walk it with confidence. We thank You for this guidance, and vow to always honor Your gifts.
For now, we invite You to stay if You will, but leave if You must…

Hekate Phosphoros… hail and farewell!

Hekate Kourotrophos… hail and farewell!

Hekate Trivia… hail and farewell!

Goddesses turn back inward towards the fire, on at a time as called.


~Dismissal of the Quarters~

North;
To the powers of the North, and the element of Earth,
We thank you for your presence at our Samhain ritual tonight.
May there always be peace and harmony between us.
Stay if you will, but leave if you must…
Hail and farewell!

West;
To the powers of the West, and the element of Water,
We thank you for your presence at our Samhain ritual tonight.
May there always be peace and harmony between us.
Stay if you will, but leave if you must…
Hail and farewell!

South;
To the powers of the South, and the element of Fire,
We thank you for your presence at our Samhain ritual tonight.
May there always be peace and harmony between us.
Stay if you will, but leave if you must…
Hail and farewell!

East;
To the powers of the East, and the element of Air,
We thank you for your presence at our Samhain ritual tonight.
May there always be peace and harmony between us.
Stay if you will, but leave if you must…
Hail and farewell!

Priest;
Remove the Key,
Untie the Cord,
Quench the Torch,
Sheath the Dagger.

This ritual is now concluded…
You may exit to the North.
Blessed be!


The End

[TYRRHENUS]

Thanks for sharing this ceremony Greenman. It's really beautiful. I love how a Triple Goddess like Hekate can fit within a Wiccan ceremony having four quarters. It seems the symbols: Key, Chord, Torch and Dagger are the integral link. Very nice!

[Theres]

that was a key factor TYRRHENUS.
it affected the logistics of moving 50 people through the inner circle too. everything worked in threes, but the garden is designed by quarters, with the paths laid out that way.

but i'm glad you liked it!
it's probably the last one i'll be doing (at least on that scale).

[Tammy Sullivan]

Very nice Greenman. Thank you for sharing. How did the dedication part go? No details -- unless you want to -- but how did it feel?

[Theres]

thank you.
the dedication (re-dedication, actually) didn't go quite the way i expected due to the number of people we had there. plus i was really 'high' from the ritual, and the drums were amazing, so i wasn't as focussed as i would like to have been. but that's okay.
November 16th is 'Hekate's Night', so i'll do it then.