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The Sabbats - Samhain

Samhain - October 31st


Image used with Permission
(C) Jane Brideson
Dark Moon Design

  • Samhain herbs: Acorn/Oak, Apple, Corn, Dittany of Crete, Hazel, Nightshade, Fumitory,mugwort, Allspice, Sage, Gourds, Catnip, Apple trees.
  • Samhain colors: Orange, black and brown.
  • Samhain offerings: Apples, pumpkin pie, beets, turnips, hazelnuts, corn, gingerbread, pomegrantates, cider, herbal teas, pork dishes.
  • Samhain is a time to honor Hecate/Carmenta, Anubis, Isis, Nephthys, Osiris, Hel, Arawn, Don, Merlin, Morrigan, Idunna, Winter_King, Cailliach.
  • At Samhain, the Sun God, having died at Mabon (September 23) and having returned to the womb of the Great Mother, grows strong and awaits his rebirth at Yule. This begins the time of the greatest darkness, the time of the Crone, the ancient Queen of Death. In the natural world, life is decaying into death, returning nutrients to the soil that will bring life again in spring.


    The celebration of Samhain (pronounced in proper Gaelic: "sow-in") came from the Celtic peoples many centuries ago. This yearly festival was adopted by the Roman invaders, who helped to propagate it throughout the rest of the world (and at that time, the Roman Empire was the world). The word "Halloween" itself actually comes from a contraction of All Hallows Eve, or All Saint's Day (November 1), which is a Catholic day of observance in honour of saints.


    It's a time which is thought to be when the division between the living and the dead
    was at its thinnest. Samhain was considered to be a gateway not only from the land of the dead to the land of the living, but also between Summer and Fall/Winter. For the Druids, this was the last gasp of summer (it was also the Celtic New Year), so therefore they made sure it went out with a bang before they had to button down for the winter ahead.


    According to Irish folklore, there once lived a man named Jack who was known for being a drunk and a prankster. One night Jack tricked the devil into climbing a tree, and quickly carved an image of a cross on the trunk, trapping the devil. Jack then made him promise that, in exchange for letting him out of the tree, the Devil would never tempt him to sin again. He reluctantly agreed, but was able to exact his revenge upon Jack's death. Because of his mischevious ways in life, Jack was barred from entering heaven and because of his earlier trick, he was also barred from hell. So he was doomed to wander the earth until the end of time, with only a single ember (carried in a hollowed out turnip) to warm him and light his way.


    Ritual of Samhain


    This ritual comes from the neo celtic tradition, Inis Glas Thoir and was written by John Gibson



    Items needed:


    • cauldron & heatproof base

    • alcohol

    • matches

    • Bi/le image

    • salt for Mana/nnan

    • grain for Danu

    • honey for Bi/le

    • milk & bread for the land spirits

    • milk jug

    • libation bowl

    • white pillar candle

    • birch scented oil

    • incense burner & incense

    • votive candles & candle holders

    • images of ancestors & dead

    • ritual feast

    • plates for deities & ancestors

    • suitable music

    • tarot & other divinatory tools

    • two or three people to perform the ritual



    The altar table is set at the head of the dining table, with the altar cloth, the
    Cauldron of Hospitality and the image of Bi/le. When all are assembled, the Cauldron is
    lit.


    R1: Three cauldrons that are in every fort: the cauldron of motion, the cauldron of
    warmth, the cauldron of guests. Tonight we welcome you into our home, and light the
    cauldron of hospitality, which contains all these three. (lights cauldron) We are come to
    celebrate the new year and to remember those who have gone into the Otherworlds before us.


    R2: Tonight we call upon the spirits of this place, of the Duwamish, of Seattle, of the
    land all around us to be at peace with us, and to walk lightly among us. We call upon the
    spirits of rivers, oceans, mountains, and forests to be at peace with us and to walk
    lightly among us. We call upon the land spirits to accept our offerings on this, the night
    of the new year. (Each person pours out milk and breaks bread into the libation bowl. Each
    person says:) May the land spirits bless us in this new year.


    R3: On this night, the ancestors walk abroad. The gates between the worlds are open
    wide. We call upon our ancestors, those known and unknown, to come among us and celebrate
    our reunion on this night of Samhain. We call upon our loved ones who have passed into the
    House of Donn to come and feast with us tonight. We call upon the Mighty Dead to assemble
    here and be remembered.


    R2: Mana/nnan, a thiarna, Lord of Mists, Gatekeeper, you who lead the dead from the
    House of Donn into the Plain of Delight, be with us this night and guide the Mighty Dead
    through the gates to join us in our rite. (Each person tastes salt.)


    R1: Danu, mo bandia, Mother of Gods, Mother of Rivers, you who embrace the dead as they
    leave our world for the House of Donn, be with us this night and support the Mighty Dead
    as they join with us in our rite. (Each person tastes grain.)


    R3: Bi/le, a thiarna, Tree of Life, Lord of Death, you who rule the dead on the Plain
    of Delight, be with us this night and guard the Mighty Dead as they join us in our rite.
    (Each person tastes honey.)


    Each person, silently or aloud, requests the presence of their personal deity to join
    us for the night.


    The altar is set, with each person placing photos or momentos of ancestors and their
    beloved dead, and lighting votive candles. A white, birch-scented pillar candle is set
    before the image of Bile, along with incense. The Three Realms are acknowledged.


    Each person tells a story of one of their beloved dead.


    Dinner is prepared, and the main table is set. Each person assists with dinner, and has
    brought something to contribute for the feast. Places on the altar are set for the
    ancestors and the deities. When dinner is served, before any food is consumed the
    ancestors and the Gods are given their share. The dead are toasted, beginning with those
    whose names we do not know. Personal toasts are made around the table by each individual.
    Toasts are ended with the nameless again remembered. Dinner is a party, with music and
    conversation.


    After the feast, the table is cleared and the tools of divination are brought out, and
    those who wish to do so can give or receive readings for the coming year. When the
    divinations are done, the Samhain blessing is given.


    R1: Gives an ad-lib blessing


    R2: We thank the land spirits, the spirits of this place, and all the spirits of
    plants, animals and earth for coming among us in peace and blessing our rite. Walk in
    peace into the new year.


    R3: We thank the ancestors and the spirits of our beloved dead for coming among us in
    peace and blessing our rite. We remember you in love, for we will one day dwell among you
    again. We wait for your return to the land of mortals. Walk in peace into the new year.


    R2: Mana/nnan, a thiarna, Lord of Mists, Gatekeeper, you who lead the dead into from
    the House of Donn into the Plain of Delight, we thank you for your presence this night.
    May you guide the Mighty Dead through the gates to the Plain of Delight.


    R1: Danu, mo ba/ndia, Mother of Gods, Mother of Rivers, you who embrace the dead as
    they leave our world for the House of Donn, we thank you for your presence this night. May
    you support the Mighty Dead as they return to the House of Donn.


    R3: Bi/le, a thiarna, Tree of Life, Lord of Death, you who rule the dead on the Plain
    of Delight, we thank you for your presence this night. May you receive the Mighty Dead
    into the Plain of Delight. May you give them rest and strength to come to rebirth.


    The votives on the altar are put out and given to each person to take home and burn for
    their ancestors and beloved dead. Each person takes their ancestor photos or items from
    the altar. The Bi/le candle is left to burn. The offerings for ancestors, land spirits and
    deities are buried outside.



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