The Grove Of Gaia
Samhain Ritual 2007
written by
Airwyn
Needed: Sage and salt water, a black candle for each person, parchment and pens, Cauldron with candle, runes, fall decorations for altars.
Perform smudging with sage and salt water
Cast circle and call the quarters.
We are here tonight to celebrate the most sacred of our holidays. The wheel turns and turns again. Tonight marks the sacrificial death of our god and our honor of him. As our God goes to ready himself for his rebirth at the Winter Solstice, may he know we value his sacrifice, and that we, together with the Goddess, await his return with love and joy. We know that even as the body dies, the spirit will survive to be born again. We greet death as a new opportunity and we greet birth as that opportunity manifesting.
Samhain is a time outside of time, a time when the boundaries have been lifted, normal laws are suspended, and spirits from the other world can seek entry into ours. As our love rises to meet the spirit’s of the dead who have joined our circle we greet6 them with joyful memories of the past and beautiful dreams of the future.
On this night we honor those who have gone before us. The Ancient Ones and other creatures who have lived and left their legacy of wisdom and experience for us to build upon; those whose strivings have made our world better for us all. We remember and honor those who were our ancestors, mother, fathers, husbands, wives, children, and dear friends who have departed this life and who have gone to Summerland to await rebirth. We invite them to come to us this night and join in our circle of love, lending their energy and essence to our circle. We ask that they watch over us and guard us as we guard their memory in our hearts. As Witches we celebrate the Immutable Wheel of Life.
Call in the spirits of our loved ones
All spirits of our loved ones
Hearken to our call
We bid you to our circle
Enter – one and all
Be ye spirit of plant, pet
Or loved one in Summerland
Into this circle you are let
Guided by our lighted hand
Help us learn of things unknown
Lend your energies to this rite
To speed your journey, we have joined
On this sacred Samhain night
(Go around the circle. Each person lights their black candle and calls in the dead by saying “I invite in name, Hail and Welcome’. Everyone repeats “Hail and Welcome”).
Releasing Habits
With Samhain begins the New Year. It is a time to reflect on ourselves and our actions. All around us, we see our shadows – our darker side. As the wheel turns, it is time to make peace with that part of ourselves.
Parchment is passed around and everyone writes down the trait that they would like to improve or make peace with in the coming year. The following is said:
By candle flame on this dark night
Our shadows grow within this light
We will not fear our darker side
From it we will not hide
Instead we vow to change what we can
Negative thoughts and actions we shall ban.
The candle is lit in the cauldron and everyone burns their paper in the fire. After the last person burns their parchment, everyone says “So mote it be”.
Self Discovery
Goddess, dark mother, wise woman, crone – spirits of our ancestors
Tonight we call upon you to join us in our path of discovery
On this New Year’s night, we draw rune stones and ask your guidance and illumination
We ask that you show us the lesson we are to learn as the wheel turns.
Everyone pulls a rune from the bag, and then the Rune Meditation is done.
Cakes and Ale – Libation
Release the spirits of the loved ones
We humbly thank thee spirits
And honor you this sacred night
For joining in our circle
Guided by our loving light
We pour forth love
To speed you safely on your way
And may you rest peacefully
Till your reborn day
So mote it be
Dismiss the quarters.
Ask the Goddess and God to remain with us (they are never dismissed).