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 Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:53 am
Hello, I'm Willow_wolfblade (duh, hehehe) I will be selebrating Samhain, I'll have to wait until everyone in my house is sleeping though. I was thinking about trying out this Ritual by Sandra Kynes:
Setup
Items for this ritual include: Two white candles and four black candles; Four small sprigs of bittersweet; One branch of bittersweet; Strands of black, white and red yarn cut to twelve-inch lengths placed in a basket on the altar; Pomegranate seeds in a bowl; A piece of candy.
Background
Samhain is a time of transition as the earth prepares for winter’s rest and we prepare for our journey through the dark of the year. Samhain is a time to reflect and remember ancestors, loved ones, including pets, who no longer walk this earth. It is important to remember them and speak their names.
Samhain is a time of transition when we begin our journey through the dark of the year. Just as Persephone descended to the Underworld to guide the spirits of the departed, so we descend into ourselves to find the path our spirits needs to follow. This year has waxed with the fullness of life and now wanes into shadow. Our souls take rest in the dark as the wheel of the seasons makes its final turn.
Cord Magic
Following are instructions for working with the cord during the ritual. Take three strands of yarn—one of each color. Very slowly, twine them together. You can braid them or simply knot them together. Tie at least three knots. If you want to use more knots, do so in multiples of three. Work your love into the yarn. When you have finished, hold the yarn between your palms and send your energy to your loved ones. They will feel your warmth.
The Ritual
Holding the branch of bittersweet, walk widdershins (counterclockwise) around your circle, saying:
Tonight I cast my circle with bittersweet for tonight is bitter sweet with thoughts of those I love who have passed to Tir-na-nog. This is the time of Hecate, Cerridwen—the Dark Mother who stands alone. This is the time to contemplate the cycle of life, death and rebirth for tonight the veil between the worlds is thin. The circle is cast. Hallowed is this space decreed.
Place the branch of bittersweet on the altar.
Place a sprig of bittersweet at the edge of your circle before calling each direction. Light a black candle after speaking.
I look to the North, place of silent caverns. Spirits of Earth, you nourish me in life and wrap your welcoming body around me in death. Gather here in the name of Inanna; in the name of Tammuz. Be with me this night.
I set my gaze to the East, source of breath. Spirits of Air, you are with me at the beginning and depart with me when I leave this realm. Be with me in the name of Astarte; in the name of Dumuzi. Be with me this night.
I call to the South, source of transforming flame. Spirits of Fire, your brilliant spark guides me through the cycles of life. Come in the name of Hestia, in the name of Horus. Be with me this night.
I turn to the West, place of deep wells and underground springs. Spirits of Water, you carry me through the ebbs and flows of life on your never-ending tides. Join me in the name of Isis; in the name of Osiris. Be with me this night.
Light one of the white candles after saying:
Dark Mother, you come to me alone this night in mourning for your son; in mourning for your consort. The God has departed to the Underworld and the Wheel of the Year follows him into darkness. Crone of the Ages, I call on you, be with me this night.
Light the other white candle, and say:
I take time to honor those I love, those who have gone before. In remembrance I speak their names.
Say the names of those you want to remember, then continue:
Hecate, Cerridwen, guide the spirits of those named here this night.
Take time to honor those you have named and to celebrate their lives. Hold in your mind the memories of those whose names you spoke. Think of how they have touched your life. Feel their presence with you in this hallowed circle.
Cord Magic
As you work with the cord/yarn chant:
Mother of Darkness, these names I share,
Of those I love now in your care.
Guide them gently with love so sweet,
Blessed be until we meet.
When you finish chanting, place the yarn on your altar. Set the piece of candy with it. This will carry the intention to sweeten your loved one’s journey into their next life.
Take the bowl of pomegranate seeds from the altar. Lift it and say:
This year has waxed with the fullness of life and now wanes into shadow. My soul will take rest in the dark as the wheel of the seasons makes its final turn.
Squeeze the pomegranate seeds, and with a finger place a drop of the juice on your lips, then say:
May my spirit find its path.
Take time to contemplate the dark months ahead and how it can be a time of renewal for you. Use your usual method of grounding.
Dark Mother, Ancient and Enduring One, guide me, watch over me and my loved ones both here and departed. I stand at this gateway with you and thank you for your gifts of restoration and renewal. Blessed be.
Extinguish both white candles. In turn, extinguish the black candles.
Water of Life, you sustain me before birth and nourish me as I grow. Spirits of Water, thank you for your presence this night. Stay if you will; go if you must. Blessed be.
Fire of Renewal, like a brilliant sun you warm me and remain forever a guiding light. Spirits of Fire, thank you for your presence this night. Stay if you will; go if you must. Blessed be.
Breath of Life, you carry me through my life as a constant companion to the rhythm of my heart. Spirits of Air, thank you for your presence this night. Stay if you will; go if you must. Blessed be.
Mother Earth, at my journey’s end may I return to rest in your loving cradle. Spirits of Earth, thank you for your presence this night. Stay if you will; go if you must. Blessed be.
If I fear death I cannot fully live, and if I fear life I will not find solace in death. Every beginning has and ending and every ending has a beginning. The cycles of my life continue in faith and unity with the love of the Goddess. Blessed be.
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:34 pm
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:21 pm
Hi everyone! Happy Samhain! ^_^
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:47 pm
Happy Samhain everyone and a blessed new year. whee
Edited for the raffle.
Watch the shadows,
they hunger,
for the warmth,
of the living,
beloved family,
cherished friends,
faithful pets.
They are all these,
welcome them,
for this night,
their touch,
for that moment,
seems real once more.
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:56 pm
Haha I nearly forgot to sign in.  I also couldn't resist posting this one since I love the horned god. heart 
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:30 pm
 Have a blessed Samhain everyone!
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:36 pm
NightzRain Hi everyone! Happy Samhain! ^_^ Nano_Rem Happy Samhain everyone and a blessed new year. whee Naokiri Have a blessed Samhain everyone! Just informing you three that you won't be entered into the raffle unless you go back and follow the instructions in the first post. You'll have until the end of the party to do so. smile
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:02 pm
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 9:34 pm
Good evening everyone! I hope everyone will have a great time celebrating Samhain this year! The last 2 years, I didn't do anything special, because , well, it just didn't happen. I stayed home and did a little something all by myself. Usually, my (girl) friends and I go to a Halloween/Samhain party in Ottawa each year, but it didn't work. Well finally, this year, all the gang will be meeting there again! 4laugh It's an event called "The Witches Gathering!" because it is organized by a pagan community. At the beginning of the evening, there's a ritual to celebrate Samhain, and once the ritual is over, everyone celebrate and it's a big costume party. The theme for this years's ritual will be the Labyrinthe. Funny coincidence, seeing as how this winter when I was thinking on Samhain, I was thinking of maybe tracing a labyrinthe in my backyard and doing something outside, if I was to celebrate alone this year too. Well, I'll still celebrate with the labyrinthe, but not alone =^.^= I wish everyone a nice end of the year, and a great Year to come heart  Drawing by me, please no stealy
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Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:00 pm
@Louve Blanche: That's a super cute drawing that you did! whee
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:27 am
I'll be doing our yearly haunted house again this Samhain. So no time for ritual for me, but I might bring my tarot cards with me to the thursday set up. Should be interesting as there will be no other pagan/wiccans there.. This year we are doing it for the cancer ward at sick kids hospital. We've also expanded it into the back yard to wrap around the house. If there's anyone who's in the Toronto area, feel free to drop by. I'll be the one in the witch's dungeon with the chains this year. wink Scare-for-a-cure Facebook groupAnd a pic for the raffle XP: 
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:21 am
"Wandering around at midnight, ickle Firsties?
I would like to join in! Blessed Samhain everyone!
I am posting a tidbit from wikipedia about Persephone because during my Samhain ritual I am going to split a pomegranate. It also reminds me of the faery lore that says if you eat any food while in faery land you have to stay there. The part about the seasons also relates to Samhain because it is the "end of summer."
Wikipedia The myth of Persephone, the chthonic goddess of the Underworld, also prominently features the pomegranate. In one version of Greek mythology, Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and taken off to live in the underworld as his wife. Her mother, Demeter (goddess of the Harvest), went into mourning for her lost daughter and thus all green things ceased to grow. Zeus, the highest ranking of the Greek gods, could not leave the Earth to die, so he commanded Hades to return Persephone. It was the rule of the Fates that anyone who consumed food or drink in the Underworld was doomed to spend eternity there. Persephone had no food, but Hades tricked her into eating four pomegranate seeds while she was still his prisoner and so, because of this, she was condemned to spend four months in the Underworld every year. During these four months, when Persephone is sitting on the throne of the Underworld next to her husband Hades, her mother Demeter mourns and no longer gives fertility to the earth. This became an ancient Greek explanation for the seasons. Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting Persephona depicts Persephone holding the fatal fruit. It should be noted that the number of seeds that Persephone ate varies, depending on which version of the story is told. The number of seeds she is said to have eaten ranges from three to seven, which accounts for just one barren season if it is just three or four seeds, or two barren seasons (half the year) if she ate six or seven seeds. There is no set number.
Tut, tut, tut. Naughty, naughty, you'll get caughty."
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:07 pm
Happy Samhain and Beltane everyone! my oddest freinds
and i will be tryin to have a ritual.
^^ If it goes as planed I will post a picture below
until then, satisfy your picture cravings with this:
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:11 pm
@ pommagranite person:
Wow, its a coinicidence you posted that,
I just got finished with a long ritual involving the forbiden fruit. ^^
^^ apple o' knowledge anyone?
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Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:28 pm
Living on borrowed time,
I, Kat, will be celebrating Samhain. :3 Here's a ritual that I pulled from a book titled Grimoire for the Green Witch: A Complete Book of Shadows by Ann Moura (also known as Aoumiel.)
Have: Altar Candles: they may be orange and/or black.
Incense: Patchouli or myrrh.
Decorate: Altar/Circle with small pumpkins, Indian corn, gourds, Fall flowers and leaves.
Ritual Items:Cauldron with black votive candle inside; parchment with weaknesses or bad habits written down to be banished; white votive candle in bowl; sprig of Heather and an apple on the plate; may have patchouli oil on hand as well.
Food: may include dark wine, pumpkin pie, stuffed acorn squash, stuffed game birds, apple cider, taffy apples; may set up for family spirits a Dumb Supper of bread, salt, and cider or beer at an extra place at the table during the family meal.
Begin Sabbat: after casting the circle.
1. Clap or ring bell three times:
I celebrate the dance of life to death to new life and the balance of the cosmos in my life! The last harvest is gathered and stored for the dark months ahead, and the Wheel has turned to the time of the Hunter.
2. Clap or ring bell nine times:
At this time is the veil between the worlds thin, and the gates are thrown open, so do I welcome thee spirits who have gone before and thee Others, who pass between two worlds. This is the Crone's time and with the Lord of the Shadows, She is the passage from life to life that all must take. They give a refreshing rest in the continuous turning of the spiral dance that goes and returns, yet ever moves on. With the Ancient Ones [Names], I move with the dance unperturbed. Love gives strength; give to gain.
3. Hold up wand with open arms:
Great Lady, Fruitful Mother, You have showered me with Your bounty, and in this turning of the seasons, I bid You farewell, as You walk now as Crone with the Lord of the Hunt. I know that within You is yet another fruit waiting to be born, and I will bide patient until the Mother returns.
4. Set cauldron on pentacle; light black votive from center Altar candle
Here is the cauldron of endings and new beginnings. Into this burning flame do I cast my weaknesses and the habits that keep me from attaining my potential. By the death of these things will I live a better life. So mote it be!
5. Burn parchment in votive; when reduced to ash, clap or ring bell 9 times.
6. Pass white candle through patchouli incense or anoint with patchouli oil:
With this candle and by its light I welcome you spirits, this Samhain night.
7. Use this white candle for jack-o'-lantern.
8. Hold heather over Altar:
I call upon the power of this herb to bless this house and the spirits that come to visit.
9. Drop heather into cauldron:
This air is purified and made pleasant for the spirits and Others who may call upon me. Blessed Be!
10. Hold apple above Altar:
I call upon Thee Lord and Lady, to bless this fruit to be the food for the dead. Let any who visits find sustenance in this apple whose center reveals the pentagram and reminds us of the promise of the Lady of passage from one life to the next. May the spirits who pass here move on refreshed. So mote it be!
11. Clap or ring bell three times [burry apple outside after Sabbat concludes.
Proceed to Cakes and Wine of the Circle Casting.Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again! (On a side note, my ISP and Gaia don't agree so sometimes it's hard to get on and post D: )
so I die tomorrow.
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