Samhain Ritual

November 5, 2005

 

 

Priestess and Priest lead the people into the circle clockwise.

 

Priest:  Lifts the athame/sword and faces the East.

 

“With Air, the Breath of life, I invoke the powers of the East and ask their protection of our circle.”

 

Priest:  Lifts the wand and faces the South:

 

“With Fire, the Spirit of life, I invoke the powers of the South and ask their protection of our circle.”

 

Priest:  Lifts the cup, and faces the West:

 

“With Water, the Fluid of Life, I invoke the powers of the West and ask their protection of our circle.”

 

Priest:  Lifts the pentacle and faces the North:

 

“With Earth, the matter of Life, I invoke the powers of the North and ask their protection of our circle.”

 

The Priest moves to the center to stand with with the Priestess.

 

The Priestess picks up the bowl of apples and says:

 

          “Turn o wheel of life

          Each year to end our strife,

          To start our blessings anew,

          Be them many or be them few.

          From loved ones we must part,

          In each of us new life must start.

          Even as death does bring its sorrow,

          New joys will spring with each tomorrow.”

 

The Priestess picks up an apple and states, “Life to death to life. The wheel turns.”  Then, she takes a bite of apple and offers the apples to the Priest who takes an apple.

 

The Priest states, “Life to death to life.”  Then, he takes a bite of apple.

 

The Priestess then offers each person in the circle a piece of apple as she moves clockwise around the circle.  The Priest moves with her and they both say “Life to death to life” each time a someone takes a piece of apple.

 

The Priestess and the Priest return to the alter and place the bowl of apples.

 

The Priestess put her apple remains in the fire and says :

 

“We give thanks for blessings of the year that is past.

May these blessings through the new year last.

We ask that the Lord and Lady watch from above

And continue to bless us in light and love.

Now toss your apple into the flame,

Make a wish, release your ire and blame.”

 

Each person tosses the remains of their apple into the fire.

 

The Priestess then steps forward and says:

 

“O Lady, Goddess of the Three,

On this night with us be.

Touch us with your precious light

That we may see clearly on this night.

Through thinning netherworld veils,

Our kindred ones that we may hail.

Please close your eyes and meditate

For our kindred soudls doth await.”

 

All in the circle close their eyes and meditate on their loved ones and ancestors that have passed to the other side.

 

After everyone has looked up and ceased the meditation, the Priest closes each gate:

 

The Priest faces North:

 

“O Powers of the North, we thank you for your presence and protection. Go if you choose, stay if you will.”

 

The Priest faces West:

 

“O Powers of the West, we thank you for your presence and protection. Go if you choose, stay if you will.”

 

The Priest faces South:

 

“O Powers of the South, we thank you for your presence and protections. Go if you choose, stay if you will.”

 

The Priest faces East:

 

“O Powers of the East, we thank you for your presence and protections. Go if you choose, stay if you will.”

 

The Priest joins the Priestess and they say together:

 

“May your winter be peaceful,

Your spring bring growth,

Your summer blossom with health and happiness,

And your autumn turn prosperous.

Blessed be.”