Samhain Ritual for Honouring the Dead

This is a very simple rite, and I will be adding the Blessing found in the second link to it.

Gather pictures of those who have passed, human and pets alike. Place them on a table facing North. Place a small black candle by each of the photos. Light the candles one by one, remembering the person in the photo, and recalling a memories of them. Perhaps something funny, or personal. Something that you think best conveys their personality.

This next part is optional. When all the candles are lit, you can call to them. Simply say,

                “I call upon those friends and family that have passed. I welcome you to visit my home and spend some time with us.”     

Don’t be afraid. Our loved ones take their cues from you. They always have. If you just want to sit and remember them, that’s fine too. Personally, I’m pretty sure I’ve got a full house.

At the end of the day, snuff out the candles, one by one, and thank each of them for coming.

~Blessed Be~

Preparing for Samhain (Part One)

The month of October for some, brings a welcome relief from the heat of the summer. It also heralds the end of the Pagan year. For those of us who follow the natural cycle of the growing seasons, Samhain represents the final harvest before the cold and snow of winter blankets the ground. An Old Wives Tale states that no crops should be harvested after the 31^st of October. If the farmer did not get to them in time, they are to be left as an offering to the Gods, or suffer the wrath of a poor harvest next season.

As Samhain is seen as a preparation for the long winter months, I thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at some of the things used for rituals.

Symbols and Decorations

Jack o’ lanterns, oak leaves, acorns, straw, balefire, besom, black cat, black crescent moon, , grain, magic mirror, mask, bare branches, animal bones, hazelwood, pictures of ancestors.

 All these things are great for invoking images of ancient times, when we depended on our knowledge of the change in seasons and Nature to stay alive. Samhain is the time of the last harvest. Nothing grows after this date, unless you live in warmer climates. Use these things to decorate your altar or your home.    

Tools (specifically candles)

Black (ward off negativity), orange (good luck), indigo, homemade apple or mint scented herbal candles to light jack-o-lanterns or for altar candles. Black altar cloth, divination tools, cauldron.

I use several from the list above for my Samhain rite, which I will describe in better detail in a future post. Divination is widely done at this time of year, as the veil between this world and the spirit world is at its thinnest. Things like Tarot cards and Runes are popular methods to learn what the new year may hold.  

~Blessed Be~