Samhain Celebration
   BirchTree Circle - 2002

Advance Prep:

*Light Central Fire.
*Altar: Candle, Athame, Sage, Water, Chalice, ritual notes (with paperweight)
*Basket of cakes and jug of cider under or behind altar
*Have participants prepare “burdens” and “blessings”parchment slips according to instructions below.

Preparation of Parchment Slips:

(Have these instructions and slips of parchment paper available for participants before the start of the Ritual)

~Casting Off Burdens~

Please take a slip of parchment from the “burdens” pile. Consider the past year carefully, then write down a burden that you would like to get rid of. It could be any habit, hurt, or disappointment that prevents you from finding happiness and fulfillment. This may be kept private if you wish.

~Manifesting Blessings~

Please take a slip of parchment from the “blessings” pile. Consider the coming year carefully, then write down a blessing you would like to manifest in your life. It could be anything physical, emotional, or spiritual that will assist you on your path to happiness and fulfillment. This may be kept private if you wish.

Opening Invocation

(All gather in circle around fire. HPS stands in the Invoking position:)
We enter this space with Love in our hearts, to make it a place Between the Worlds and Outside of Time. May the Eyes of the Universe lend witness and support to our gathering together.

So Mote it Be!

Cast Circle

(HPS marks borders of Circle with Athame)
I hereby mark and define our Sacred Space, banishing all harmful energies. May only love be found herein.

(HPS smudges Circle with Sage)
I hereby cleanse this Sacred Space, banishing all harmful energies. May only love be found herein.

(HPS asperges Circle with Water)
I hereby purify this Sacred Space, banishing all harmful energies. May only love be found herein.

The Circle is cast. So Mote It Be.

Call Quarters

(All face East. Volunteer calls the Energies of East)
We summon and stir the Powers of the East; The bright light of the Rising Sun and of the Cleansing Wind.

(All face South. Volunteer calls the Energies of South)
We summon and stir the Powers of the South; The burning light of the Noonday Sun and of the Purifying Fire.

(All face West. Volunteer calls the Energies of the West)
We summon and stir the Powers of the West; The golden light of the Setting Sun and of the Cleansing Water.

(All face North. Volunteer calls the Energies of the North)
We summon and stir the Powers of the North; The Twilight of the Hidden Sun and of the Healing Earth.

(All face Center. Volunteer calls the Energies of Spirit)

We summon and stir the Powers of Mystery; Above, Below, and about us;
The domain of the Deities and of our Ancestors.

(Invite participants to sit and get comfortable)

Account of Samhain:

(Volunteer reads the following explanation of the holiday and the purpose of our ritual)
The purpose of this night’s work is to celebrate the deeper mysteries of Samhain. Samhain is the beginning of the New Year... and the new year is born out of the death of the old. Thus it has ever been, and this is what we acknowledge this night: the death of the old in preparation for the birth of the new.
This is a night of turning inward and seeking guidance for the spiritual journey ahead that the long winter will bring. As such, we seek this guidance from those who have gone before us; our ancestors, our family, our friends. For on this night the veil between the World of Form and the World of Spirit thins like the autumn mist... And for those who wish it, you may cross this shadow border and share in their wisdom. Let our journey begin...

Purging of the Old Year

(HPS rises and speaks)
Samhain marks the end of the old year and the birth of the new. Thus does the Wheel of the Year ever turn. A fully lived life brings both joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, hopes and disappointments. Each experience should be welcomed for the lessons and growth they offer us. But all that has happened to us is past us now. Our tendency is to become attached to our experiences, both good and bad. But just as we cannot relive a past happiness, we should not carry around past pain. Here, within our Sacred Circle, I invite you all to release your attachments to the burdens that continue to harm you. If you have your burdens written on parchment, bring it forth now. You may share your burdens with those within the Circle, or whisper them within your heart. When you are ready, cast the parchment into the fire, releasing it from your life. So mote it be.

Remembrance

(HPS sits and invites the children in the Circle to come closer)
We will now hear the story “The Troll-Tear: A Children’s Story for Samhain” by D. J. Conway.

Invitation to the Ancestors

(The children return to their places. HPS stands in the Invoking position)
We stand Between the Worlds and Outside of Time. It is Samhain and the Veil is thin! We invite our departed loved ones to join us now. We offer our love, and welcome their wisdom.

Name your loved ones so that we might remember them and show them honor. Keep your spirits open for the wisdom they bring with them and might wish to share with us.
(Participants rise to name their loved ones and share their stories and memories of them.)

Cakes & Ale

As we share our sorrows, let us also share our joys. As we share our memories, let us also share our feast.
(Get basket of cakes. Pour cider into chalice. Present both to Circle)
Behold how we are nourished by the bounty of the Earth.

(Offer cakes to person on left)
Be nourished and fulfilled... Blessed Be.
(Pass the basket)

(Offer chalice to person on left)
May you never thirst... Blessed Be.
(Pass the cider)

Blessings for the New Year

We welcome the new year with anticipation of the blessings we shall receive. With our ancestors and loved ones as witnesses, we hereby affirm our wishes and goals for the coming year, knowing that our every need will always be met, and that we all have the strength to manifest that which we desire.
So Mote it Be.
You may share your resolutions with the Circle, or whisper them within your heart. When you are ready, cast your parchment into the fire, releasing your intent for these blessings into the world. So Mote it Be.

Divinations

Before we open our circle and bid farewell to our departed loved ones, are there any final messages from beyond the veil that should be shared? Perhaps an image, sound, scent, or thought has occurred to you that you feel urged to share...
(Allow a moment for quiet introspection)

Open Circle

(HPS stands in the Invoking position)
We thank our loved ones and the God and Goddess for joining us in our celebration.
(HPS sweeps arms downward)
We hereby release the energies of our Sacred Space, carrying them always in our hearts.

The Circle is open, never broken. Blessed Be!

~Flame RavenHawk