Samhain ritual
I have finished the Samhain ritual for this year. It’s very much like the one last year, in fact, it’s based on it. I decided that I didn’t want to water it down just so I could put it on the internet with a clean conscience, so I just tweaked it a bit. Last year I worked with some other people, so I changed the we/our references to I/my, and changed the heart of the ritual, since what we did last year wouldn’t make sense to do alone. Regardless, here is the ritual I will be doing Samhain night.
Remain silent during the cleansing and casting
Cleanse circle with salt and water widdershins
Cleanse circle with incense widdershins
Sweep circle with broom widdershins
Cast circle widdershins
I stand in a space that is not a space,
in a time out of time.
The circle is cast!
Merry meet.
Call Quarters
North
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Spirits of Earth. Home to gnomes, trees, and bears, the cold stones of Samhain. Open now the gates to the Realm of Earth, bring your energies of protection, rest, and strength, witness this somber rite as I mark the turning of the Wheel, I invite and invoke thee to join my circle! Welcome.
East
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Spirits of Air. Home to sylphs, eagles, and all flying creatures, the cold wind of Samhain. Open now the gates to the Realm of Air, bring your energies of far-sight, intellect, and clear vision, witness this somber rite as I mark the turning of the Wheel, I invite and invoke thee to join my circle! Welcome.
South
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Spirits of Fire. Home to salamanders, dragons, lions, and snakes, the fading light of Samhain. Open now the gates to the Realm of Fire, bring your energies of passion, health, and transformation, witness this somber rite as I mark the turning of the Wheel, I invite and invoke thee to join my circle! Welcome.
West
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Spirits of Water. Home to undines, whales, dolphins, and creatures that swim, the sorrowful tears of Samhain. Open now the gates to the Realm of Water, bring your energies of intuition, cleansing, and emotion, witness this somber rite as I mark the turning of the Wheel, I invite and invoke thee to join my circle! Welcome.
Center
Hail, Great Powers of the Void, the All Encompassing Home of Spirit, from which all things come and to which all things return, home to all Spirits, Guides and Angels. I acknowledge Your Presence in this circle, which was called from You and to You it shall return. I invite, invoke, and conjure thee Spirit, on this Samhain eve when the veil is thinnest between my Realms.
Call Lord and Lady
Lady
Mother Hecate, Lady Cerridwen, Dark Goddess of Night, I invite and invoke thee into this circle this Samhain night. I worship you this dark eve, Great Crones, as I turn the Wheel and remember those who have gone on before me. Witness and bless this rite this somber Samhain eve. Welcome Ladies, one and all!
Raise glass in silent toast and pour some wine into the libation bowl.
Lord
Lord Hades, Osiris, and Pluto, Dark Lords of the Afterlife, I invite and invoke thee into this circle this Samhain night. I worship you this dark eve, Dark Lords, as I turn the Wheel and remember those who have gone on before me. Witness and bless this rite this somber Samhain eve. Welcome Lords, one and all!
Raise glass in silent toast and pour some wine into the libation bowl.
Go to the West quarter
I open this circle and open the Veil between the worlds. Spirits of my loved ones, I invite you into this circle to share this time with me as I remember you. Let all those that come do so in perfect love and perfect trust. I welcome you on this Samhain eve from the realms you walk in, as I prepare to turn the Wheel of the Year.
Cut a doorway and walk around the circle deosil, leading the spirits into the circle until I have arrived back at the doorway.
Meditate for a few minutes, remembering loved ones who have passed.
Perform any divination desired afterward
Smoke indian pipe in gratitude
Spirits of my loved ones, all that have come through, the time has come to close the Veil to this circle. Return to the realms you have come from, harming none along the way. Go and be at peace, even as you live on in my heart.
Walk widdershins around the circle, shepherding the spirits out the door in the West. Upon reaching the West, close the doorway.
Cakes and Ale
Bless the food and drink with the following:
Be it known that a man is not greater than a woman,
Nor is a woman greater than a man.
For what one lacks,
the other can give.
As the athame is to the male,
So the chalice is to the female,
and being joined, they become one in truth,
for there is no greater magic in all the world, than that of love.
Release God and Goddess
God
Hades, Osiris, Pluto, Lords one and all, I thank You for Your Presence and Blessing at my Samhain rite. I thank You for allowing my loved ones to visit, for protecting me , and for witnessing my Samhain rite. Go if you must, stay if you will, Blessed be.
Goddess
Hecate, Cerridwen, Ladies one and all, I thank You for Your Presence and Blessing at my Samhain rite. I thank You for allowing my loved ones to visit, for protecting me , and for witnessing my Samhain rite. Go if you must, stay if you will, Blessed be.
Release Quarters
Center
Hail, Great Powers of the Void, Powers of Spirit! I thank you for witnessing and blessing this rite, for bringing the spirits of my loved ones through the Veil from the other side. Go if you must, stay if you will, blessed be.
North
Hail, Spirits of the North, Powers of Earth! I thank you for witnessing and blessing this rite, for bringing your rest and strength. Return now to Your Realm, harming none along the way. Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, close now the gates to the Realm of Earth from this circle, be at peace, hail and farewell.
East
Hail, Spirits of the East, Powers of Air! I thank you for witnessing and blessing this rite, for bringing far-sight, intellect, and clear vision. Return now to Your Realm, harming none along the way. Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, close now the gates to the Realm of Air from this circle, be at peace, hail and farewell.
South
Hail, Spirits of the South, Powers of Fire! I thank you for witnessing and blessing this rite, for your passion, transformation, and healing. Return now to Your Realm, harming none along the way. Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, close now the gates to the Realm of Fire from this circle, be at peace, hail and farewell.
West
Hail, Spirits of the West, Powers of Water! I thank you for witnessing and blessing this rite, for your emotion, intuition, and cleansing. Return now to Your Realm, harming none along the way. Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, close now the gates to the Realm of Water from this circle, be at peace, hail and farewell.
Open the circle deosil
The Circle is open yet unbroken, may the love of the Goddess be forever in your heart. Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.
NOTE: If you’re still reading and you are not used to doing this kind of work, please do not attempt to do this ritual. This involves advanced energetic work, and could potentially cause problems for you or those around you if you manage to open a doorway but can’t close it properly. I’ve seen what can happen, and trust me, you don’t need the hassle. If you want to learn more, please seek out a capable teacher in your area. I am more than happy to answer any question you may have if you want to send an email.
Namaste,
Phagos