Magical Monday: A Samhain Ritual

Since Samhain (Halloween to you non-witchy folks) is coming up at the end of the week, I thought I'd share a ritual I wrote for my book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals (Llewellyn). I hope it inspires you to do a little sabbat magic of your own. As always, with a few alterations, this ritual can be done by an individual instead of a group.

SAMHAIN: Grief and Rejoicing at the New Year

If there is any one holiday that epitomizes the Witch, it is Samhain, the Sabbat from which the modern Halloween originated. Also known as The Witches’ New Year, October 31^st marks the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one. The Wheel of the Year has completed another cycle, and begins to turn again, as it always has and always will.

Samhain can be a bittersweet day, for we mourn all that we have lost over the last year at the same time we look forward to the blessings we hope we’ll reap in the year to come. On this night, the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, and we say our final goodbyes to people and animals who have moved on to the lands beyond the veil. Some use this time for prophecy and prediction, looking ahead or communicating with the spirits. Others use it to honor their ancestors with a special altar or a Dumb Supper, in which places are set at the feast table for the dead, and food is eaten in respectful silence.

This night is a special magical time, with particular meaning to Witches. And so this Samhain ritual has two parts; one which looks back towards the year passing away and allows us to mourn all we’ve lost, and the second which focuses on the future, welcoming in the new year with celebration and hope.

Tools needed:

• Fire-safe cauldron or plate
• Tea lights OR sand to fill cauldron and small tapers (which are then stuck in the sand)
• Optional: small second altar table to put cauldron/plate with candles on [if your main altar is large enough, you can put the cauldron/plate there]
• Small bowls filled with confetti (you can buy this, or cut up colored paper into small pieces) OR noisemakers OR small instruments like whistles, kazoos, clappers, etc. [note: the confetti will make a mess, so you may only want to use it if you are going to be outside]
• Black pillar/taper candle in fire-safe holder
• White, red, or silver pillar candle in fire-safe holder
• Table to use as an altar, and a cloth to cover it
• Copies of the spell for all participants
• Sage smudge stick
• Optional: a large feather for wafting the sage
• Cakes and ale (corn muffins are good, or any apple bread or cake, or apples sliced in half to show the pentacle in the middle, and wine or cider)
• Four quarter candles (1 each yellow, blue, red, and green, or 4 white)
• Goddess and god candles (cream and yellow, silver and gold, or both white or yellow, or two black if desired)
• Matches and candle snuffer

(HPS = High Priestess and HP = High Priest, but this can be done by any individual)

Before starting:

If you can be outside (and I recommend it for this night if it is at all possible), a bonfire is a wonderful addition to a Samhain celebration. It is good to have torches or other lights so you can see to read the spell. If you must be inside, dim the lights and add some extra candles for atmosphere, if it is safe to do so. This ritual should start out solemn and quiet for the first half, then become lighter and more cheerful during the second half. The energy can be quite intense, so it is wise to only include children if you are sure they will not be overwhelmed. Since this is the Witches’ New Year and the third and final harvest festival, it is nice to have an especially bountiful feast afterwards, if you can. [I recommend a pot luck, where everyone brings their favorite dish to share.] NOTE: Samhain is pronounced SOW-WEN

If desired, you can have people process into the circle (start on the outside and go into the circle one by one, usually down a path or from another room) and then be anointed by a member of the group as they enter the circle. If so, the person greeting should say something like: Welcome and blessed be, or Welcome to our Samhain celebration. Participants can be given copies of the spell now, or it can be handed around the circle later if desired.

Otherwise, simply have everyone assemble in the circle. If you have particular people picked out to lead or call quarters, they should stand in the appropriate spots. 

Cleanse and consecrate the circle and those within it by having someone walk around the outside of the space with the smudge stick (you can use a large feather to waft the smoke inward, if desired) OR pass the sage from person to person clockwise around the circle. Each person should then waft the smoke over them from feet to head.

Cast the circle. The HPS or HP can walk around the circle clockwise and point an athame towards the ground, saying: I cast this circle round and round, from earth to sky, from sky to ground. I conjure now this sacred space, outside of time, outside of place. The circle is cast, we are between the worlds.

ALTERNATELY—the circle can be cast “hand to hand,” in which case the leader takes the hand of the person to his/her left and says: I cast the circle hand to hand. That person then takes the hand of the person to his/her left and repeats, and so on around the circle until all are holding hands. Then the HPS/HP will say: The circle is cast; we are between the worlds.

Call the quarters. (This can be done by one person, or by four. Face the proper quarter and point in that direction with an athame or your finger. All present should also turn and point in that direction. Or people can hold their hands up, palms open to receive the energy.)

East: I call the Watchtower of the east, the power of Air, to protect our circle, blowing out the old year and welcoming in the new. (light yellow candle)

South: I call the Watchtower of the south, the power of Fire, to protect our circle, bringing the warmth and light of an autumn bonfire. (light red candle)

West: I call the Watchtower of the west, the power of Water, to protect our circle and wash away sorrow and regret. (light the red candle)

North: I call the Watchtower of the north, the power of Earth, to protect our circle and keep us grounded on this magickal night. (light the green candle)

HPS/HP invokes the goddess by raising arms to the sky and saying: Great goddess, Hecate, Lady of the Crossroads—we find ourselves at the crossroads of another year and look to you for guidance and comfort. Welcome, and blessed be. (light goddess candle)

 HPS/HP invokes the god by raising arms to the sky (hands may form the “horned god” sign by folding down three middle fingers, leaving pinky and thumb pointed up) and saying: Great Horned God, who rules the forests and the fields—keep us safe and strong on this dark night. Welcome and blessed be. (light god candle)

HPS/HP SABBAT INTRO: We have gathered here to celebrate Samhain, the third and final harvest festival of the year. It is the Witches’ New Year, and we have come through another cycle of the Wheel of the Year, and can look forward to the blessings of the days to come. Tonight, the veil between the worlds grows thin, and before we move on we must look back, letting go of all that we have lost in the last year. This may be a person or an animal who was dear to you, it may be a task at which you did not succeed, a wish that did not come to fruition, a job, a relationship, or anything else that causes you sorrow with its loss. Even things we have given up or walked away from voluntarily or those we lost in years before, whose loss still haunts us. All those people and things we will now say goodbye to, leaving us free to move on, at peace, without regrets.

[HPS/HP carries black pillar or taper candle over to table with tea lights /smaller candles, lights the candle and then lights a smaller light off of it] 
 HPS/HP: Each of us will now say goodbye—you can do this aloud or silently, as you chose.
[HPS/HP says goodbyes, then next participant steps up and lights candle, moving clockwise around the circle – IF DESIRED, DRUM QUIETLY IN THE BACKGROUND AS THIS IS HAPPENING]

When all have finished, have a moment of silence. [drumming should stop]

HPS/HP: Now we have put the past and our sorrows behind us, and we move on to our celebration of the New Year. We start clean and fresh, with eager hearts and lighter spirits. And so we will say a spell together to turn our pain into joy, and our losses into limitless potential, for within darkness there is always light, and the turning Wheel brings new possibilities for those who are open to them.
[HPS/HP lights white/red/silver candle and drumming can start again, pass out confetti, noisemakers, or small instruments if using, and copies of spell if not given out before]

ALL RECITE TOGETHER:

Hecate, Hecate, Hecate

Bless us with your light

Hecate, Hecate, Hecate

Let the year be bright

Horned God, Horned God, Horned God

Keep us safe and strong

Horned God, Horned God, Horned God

Send joy the whole year long

Hecate! Horned God!

Bless us one and all

Hecate! Horned God!

Bless us one and all!

Huzzah!

Throw confetti, make loud noises, or simply clap and cheer.

Have cakes and ale. Pass around circle, saying, “May you never hunger” (cakes) and “May you never thirst” (ale).

 Pass speaking stick, if using, and let each person have a moment to speak.

Dismiss the quarters. Each person who called a quarter should dismiss it, starting with north, then west, south, and east. Say: Power of ________, I thank you for your attendance in our circle. Stay if you will, go if you must, in perfect love and perfect trust. So mote it be. (snuff out candle)

Thank the god and goddess. HPS/HPS says: Great god, we thank you for your strength and energy, shared with us this day, in this sacred space. (snuff out candle) Great goddess, we thank you for your wisdom and love, shared with us this day, in this sacred space. (snuff out candle)

Open circle. If circle was cast hand to hand, all should grasp hands and then release with a yell, throwing hands up into the air. HPS/HP can also formally walk counter-clockwise around outside of circle, reversing their actions casting the circle. Otherwise, HPS/HP simply says: The circle is open but never broken. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!

 Feast, if you’re having one!

Imbolc: Light in the Midst of Darkness

Most folks know February 2nd as Groundhog Day, when a furry critter is hauled out of a hole to predict the length of time remaining until spring, based on whether or not he sees his shadow. Of course, for us witchy types, the 2nd is Imbolc,a quarter-cross holiday (midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox) that celebrates the first stirring of life under the quiescent earth. Along the way, the day also transmuted into the Christian Candlemas.

What do all these holidays have in common? They are focused on that small light in the midst of the winter darkness. For many of us, winter means cold and dark. Think how much more impact that had on our ancestors, whose only light came from candles, lanterns, and the flames of their fires. By the beginning of February, the food they'd fought hard to preserve for the lean winter months was probably starting to run low, and it may have seemed as though spring would never come.

My cupboards are full, but I know exactly how they felt!

The name Imbolc has Celtic origins, and means (depending on the source) "in the belly," "fire in the belly," or "ewe's milk." The essence of the word is two-fold: the stirring of seeds in the belly of the earth, and the literal milk in the belly that resulted from the arrival of the first lambs, and the milk their mother produced, which often meant the difference between starvation and survival.

These days, we don't need sheep's milk to survive, thankfully. But we can all use a little bit of light when things are dark. For me, the theme of this holiday has always been simple--hope. That little glimmer of a candle's flame in the dim, cold night of winter.

Imbolc is a good time to look inward and choose the seeds to nurture in your own metaphorical belly. Sit in the darkness and think about what you want to work on in the year to come. Where will you focus your energy? What changes can you make to bring the most light into your own world? I like to pick three focus words that I can come back to over and over in the coming months. This year, my words are these: Balance, healing, and success.

What three words would you choose? If you need some guidance, this is a good holiday to use quick and easy divination [I blogged about that earlier, if you need some suggestions]. Light a candle and sit quietly, emptying your mind as much as possible. Then ask the gods/the universe what you should be focusing on in the coming year, and pull a couple of rune stones or tarot cards. Alternately, if you have some ideas but can't narrow them down to three, put all the words or phrases on individual pieces of paper and pull three of them out of a bowl.

Of course, you don't have to use three words. You could use one, or two, or four. The idea is to plant the seeds for your own growth in this quiet time, before the energy shifts and we have to start moving forward more dynamically. Don't limit yourself to small goals either. Think about what you really want, really need to grow and prosper in the year to come. Be your own light of hope, no matter how dark things might be.

And here's hoping that spring comes soon!

It's Heather Long's Birthday!

As some of you know, the lovely Heather Long is the driving force behind my witchy & writing workshop loop -- she's the person who, when I said, "Gee, people keep asking me to give classes, does anyone have any idea how to do that online?" not only told me how, but offered to run them for me.

Well, today is her birthday! And in honor of the year-long Sabbats classes we are giving together, I am going to give away my last copy of this year's Llewellyn Sabbats Annual (which, of course, includes an article by me) to one lucky person.

All you have to do is say happy birthday to Heather today (Tuesday) or tomorrow (Wednesday). I'll pick one lucky commenter to receive the annual. Sorry, USA folks only. (Although you can wish Heather a happy birthday no matter where you are.)

Upcoming Classes: Witchcraft 201

For those of you who are interested in the classes I am giving, the next one up is Witchcraft 201, which is a more advanced workshop for those interesting in delving more deeply into the study of modern witchcraft (either for personal use, or as writing research). Here is the course description:

Introduction: Discussion, open forum for ideas, guidance and exploration. Wicca is not a complicated religion, the tenants of that religion are simple, direct. However, `advanced Wicca' is not an introduction into the Wiccan Rede or even how to cast a circle, although we can certainly discuss that. Advanced Wicca is about integrating your spirituality into your daily life, it's taking the essentials and boiling them down to the essence that is vital to your personal practice. Lessons will include discussion about specialization.

Time: 5 days
Costs: $20
Dates: March 25-29

This class takes many of the basic concepts introduced in 101 and 102, expands upon them and develops them further. This class is useful for writers who are doing research about Wicca, but does not generally include writer specific topics. This class is designed to help seekers increase their understanding as well as integrating spirituality and Wiccan choices in day-to-day life.

Also up in March, the Sabbats (Wheel of the Year) class continues with a look at Ostara, the Spring Equinox. This is a continuing year-long class that covers all eight major Pagan holidays, starting with Imbolc, which was posted last month. You can join in at any time, since the information will be available until the end of the year for any holidays you might have missed earlier. The class is a single post for each sabbat, which includes an in-depth overview of the holiday, plus a ritual, and even a recipe or two. [Note: Heather Long and I are co-teaching this, taking turns. This is great, since you get more than one point of view! We are also co-teaching the 201 class, simultaneously.]

Classes are taught online, and payment is through Paypal. Invitations to the class loop are sent out a couple of days before class starts. Invitations to the sabbats class will go out right away, since it is ongoing.

You can sign up HERE

Keep in mind that we will probably not be giving either of these classes next year, so if you've been considering taking them, now's the time. I hope you'll join us!

New Sabbats Class YAY!

We're going to be posting the information for the first of the Sabbats for the new year-long Sabbats class in a few days!

This class is something new Heather and I are trying over at the Witchcraft & Writing Workshops loop. Instead of a class that runs for 3 to 5 days (like most of the ones we give), it is going to be ongoing for the entire year. The class will consist of a post for each Pagan holiday, starting with Imbolc (which falls on February 2nd). Each class post will consist of general information about the holiday, as well as a ritual, and maybe even a recipe or two. There are eight Sabbats, so there will be eight posts in the class, but I will be available to answer questions about the holidays both leading up to the days and afterwards. The information for the earlier holidays will still be accessible until after the last one is posted in December, for Yule.

All this for only $40! How cool is that? You can register here: Sabbats class registration

You can also join in at any point in the year, if you don't have the time or money to do so now, although of course it will be too late to celebrate some of the holidays if you join in later. Still, they do come around every year :-)

I hope you all are as excited about this idea as we are! It's an experiment, so if there isn't much enthusiasm for it, we just won't do it again next year. But I hope you'll join us...I think it's going to be fun!

New Year! New Classes! New Schedule!

New Year! New Classes! New Schedule!

Happy New Year all! After much discussion and consultation with students, the fabulous Heather Long and I have hammered out the workshop class schedule and while it is still subject to change, we have also opened registration on the first two classes of the year.

The first: Celebrating the Wheel of the Year is based on the special request for a year long class that looks at the 8 major sabbats. This class has a one time registration fee, but once you are registered, you will receive updates around the major sabbats, including information, rituals and more. This class will include some info from my books, a ritual for each holiday, and extras like decorating suggestions and more. There will only be one post per holiday, but you can ask questions both before and after the sabbat.

The second class kicks off in February - a week long class combining Witchcraft 101 and 102. This is a great class for beginners, curiosity seekers, writers looking for research material and will have more in depth information for practitioners and more!

Registration and more info are available on the workshop blog here: Witchcraft and Writing Loop 

 Coming up later in the year will be other classes, including a few new ones by popular request. Here is the tentative schedule:

January – Exploring the Wheel of the Year – Ongoing class with updates for each major Sabbat (8 total) – Begins with Imbolc (February 2)

February - Witchcraft 101/102

March – Witchcraft 201

April – Spells & Spellcasting

May – Herbal Magick & Kitchen Alchemy

June– World Building for the Paranormal Author

July – No Class

August – Pre-Writing Workshop

September – Crystals & Gemstone Magick

October – TBA

November – No Class

December – No Class

 

 We had a great time with the classes we gave last year, and I hope you'll join us this year and spare your questions, knowledge, and enthusiasm! And I'd REALLY appreciate it if you'll spread the word to your witchy and writing friends, and anyone else you think might be interested. The more popular the classes are, the more likely it is that we'll continue with them in the future.

 

If you are planning to take a class, which one are you looking forward to the most? If you took one last year, which was your favorite?