Hallow e'en. The Celts called it Samhain, which means 'summer's end.' Not only is Samhain the end of autumn; and also, more importantly, the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. Celtic New Year's Eve, when the new year begins with the onset of the dark phase of the year, just as the new day begins at sundown.

As a feast of the dead, it was believed the dead could, if they wished, return to the land of the living for this one night, to celebrate with their family, tribe, or clan. The living decorated with lighted torches so the dead could find their way and extra places were set at the table and food set out for any who had died that year.

As a feast of divination, this was the night par excellance for peering into the future. Samhain is a night that exists outside of time and hence it may be used to view any other point in time. At no other holiday is a tarot card reading, crystal reading, or tea-leaf reading so likely to succeed.

To Pagans, Samhain is one of the four High Holidays, or Greater Sabbats, or cross-quarter days. Because it is the most important holiday of the year, it is sometimes called 'THE Great Sabbat.'

Samhain is a time for change and a time to look to the future. Ritual fires are kindled on sacred hilltops for the protection of the people and the land. The Samhain fires were lit at dusk; as opposed to the Beltane fires that are lit at dawn. On Samhain, we perform rituals for strength and commitment to achieve our goals in the coming year.

This is a good time for dealing with grief or resolve problems and obstacles that have limited you or hindered you. Look to the coming year with renewed energy and strength.
Take a purification bath before hand. Light a white candle and meditate during the bath.

For the altar, use dark brown, black, scarlet, and gold colors.

Candles Black: collects and absorbs light to keep you warm Orange: represents the magick of fire White: sends out energry Silver and Gold: the sun and moon You will also need two crystals: one for incoming energy (placed on the left side) and one for outgoing (right).

Covener: "We meet within these blessed bounds to
Celebrate Samhain, the time of passing
From one season to the next.
Passing from the old year to the new year."

Covener: "Passing from life to death to life."

Covener: "The wheel has turned full cycle,
From birth to death, at last."

Covener: "We look back for knowledge from the life
That has now passed."

Priestess: "Now let us invite the Goddess and God to our circle.
Great Goddess, Dark Mother,
We invite you and invoke you to our circle
To assist and protect us in this Samhain Rite."
The Goddess candle on the altar is lit.

ALL: "Illuminate our hearts, our souls, our bodies, and our minds."

Priest: "Great God, God of the universal Cycle Of birth, death, and rebirth. We invite you and invoke you to our circle To assist and protect us in this Samhain Rite." The God candle on the altar is lit. ALL: "Illuminate our hearts, our souls, our bodies, and our minds." Covener: "On this night of Samhain, we mark your passing, O Sun King, into the land of the young." Covener: "We mark the passing of all who has gone before And all that will go after."

Priestess: "Gracious Goddess, Mother of us all,
Teach us to know that in the time
Of the Great Darkness,
There is greatest light."

ALL: "Blessed Be!"

Guide: "We have come for Persephone!"

Death: "Would you, mortal people, show compassion
Even to me, who am hated by all the world?
Would you do that for me?
My hands and face are black
With the ashes of the funeral fires.
Would you wear that mark and share my grief?"

ALL: "Yes."

Death takes a bowl of ash from the altar and marks everyone's face.
Messenger: "The journeyers cry outside the gates
Of the underworld. The Goddess is with them,
But she cannot return.
What offerings can we give the great Goddess of Death?"

Food is placed on the altar as an offering (fresh grain bread, pomegranate fruit, apples, etc.).
Guide: "From death we take life, from what is past comes
What is to be.
These offerings made to our loved ones
Will become the Food of Life to recall
Persephone, from the realms below."

Messenger: "I gladly accept your offerings
And carry them to the realms below."

Persephone: "You have found me with your courage,
Your faith, and your compassion.
But how can I return from this land which has claimed me?"

Messenger: "I bear the Food of Life, the love and
Reverance of the world above
To win you free again."

Persephone: "Faithful ones, you have kept the fires
Of the world burning.
Chant with me now and celebrate the
Promise of life reborn from death."

First Two Coveners Chant: "Hoof and Horn, Hoof and Horn,
All that dies shall be reborn!"

Second Two Coveners Chant: "Vine and grain, vine and grain,
All that falls shall rise again!"

ALL: "Hey Ho Hallow E'en, A' the witches to be seen
Some in black and some in green.
Hey Ho for Hallow E'en!"

Priest: "It is not only our loved ones that we need to release in our path through life." Covener "We have experiences, habits, pains, and Beliefs that no longer serve us." Covener "As we sit in this circle, We may reflect on that which we Would like to release from our lives." Covener "Knowing that each of us has something To let go of."

Everyone writes on piece of paper what they would like to banish from their lives. Everyone in turn burns their wish.

ALL(in turn): "May the (pain, sorrow, anger, etc.)
Of (what you cast away) be carried our of my life.
May it be replaced by good things in the future."

Priestess: "The Lord of Shadows, God of Life and
Giver of Life, yet is the knowledge of thee
The knowledge of death;
Open wide we pray thee the gates
Through which all must pass."

Priest: "Let our dear ones who have gone before
Return this night to make merry with us.
And when our time comes,as it must,
O though the Comforter, the Giver of Peace
And Rest, we will enter thy realm
Gladly and unafraid."

Covener "Remember the way of the wind
And breath and blow."

Covener "Remember the way of the fire,
Sparkle, glitter and glow."

Covener "Remember the way of the water
And ebb and flow."

Covener "Remember the way of the earth
And abide until springtime , then grow."

ALL: "What is remembered LIVES!"

Priestess "We remember those who are past:
They live in our hearts, thoughts, and dreams.
Hopes and fears, our works and words.
Tonight we remember them and give them honor."

Momentos and photographs of departed loved ones are placed on the altar and everyone says the name and who they were.
ALL: "We remember you (name)...."

Each person's candle is lit one by one around the circle and placed on the ground.

Wear a black robe and pentacle. Set the altar with the tools, facing north. Cast the circle (three times clockwise) saying:
"This circle will protect me from all
Positive and negative energies and forces
That may come to do me harm. So mote it be.
I cast a ring of Earth, one of Air, one of Fire
One of Water, and one of Crystal."

In front of altar, raise your hands to the sky and say:
"I call into this sacred space the most perfect,
Balanced energies of the cosmos. So mote it be."

Anoint the candles with protection oil and incense. Touch the black candle and say:
"I draw into this circle the God and Goddess.
Blessed are the ancient ones.
Come and abide with me to cast this spell."

Touch the white candle and say:
"I charge this candle to send out into the cosmos
My spell to come to be-and it only-
Please the God and Goddess. So mote it be!"

Light both candles. Anoint your ritual blade with ONE drop of Protection Oil.

Hold the blade to the sky upward over the chalice of water and say:
"As chalice is to blade, as lance is to grail,
As man is to woman, their union brings blessedness."
Put the blade in the chalice and stir three times.
"I charge this chalice with the power
Of the Goddess and God. So mote it be."
Do a visualization of the God and Goddess protecting you and guarding you from any harm. Afterwards, light the charcoal and sprinkle incense on it. Take your pen and write:
"I ask the Goddesses and Gods to protect me,
My family, my coven, animals, home, and friends
From any evil thoughts, actions, or deeds of others.
I ask that we all be placed in your shield
Of protection. As I will it, so mote it be."
Smudge the spell by passing the paper through the smoke of the incense. Open the ash pot. Light the spell on fire by touching it to the black and white candles. Place it in the ash pot and watch it burn completely. When the flames are out, raise your hands to send the spell out into the cosmos. Hold all other objects in your hands and charge them for protection. Put the incense, oil, crystal, and objects in the magick bag. When the spell is done, place in your home, car, or carry with you.

Undo the circle by circling around counterclockwise and say:
"This circle is undone but not broken.
In the name of the Goddess, Blessed Be."

1 dram patchouli oil 1 dram frankincense 1 dram myrrh I tsp broken pieces of mandrake root 3 heaping tsp. course sea salt

Samhain Incense
Blend one tablespoon of each:
Nettle
Bay leaf
Tarragon
Sage
Calendula
Oak leaf
2 drops franincense or myrrh

"Fire red, summer's dead,
Yet shall it return.
Clear and bright in the night,
Burn, fire, burn!

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire glow, vision show
Of the heart's desire,
When the spell's chanted well
Of the witching fire.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire spark, when nights are dark,
Makes our winter's mirth.
Red leaves fall, earth takes all,
Brings them to rebirth.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire fair, earth and air,
And the heaven's rain,
And blessed be, and so may we,
At Hallowstide again.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning."

Check back November 1st for an updated page! I will be posting my new Samhain Ritual that I wrote in 2002!

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