Samhain Time

As I mentioned before, October is time for Samhain. It is also my favorite month and my birthday (but that is not the reason it is my favorite month)

October is full of Fall and that is my favorite.

I love the colors, the smells, the cool nights, the falling leaves, I could go on and on. 



As a Wiccan, October is also the time of Samhain, the Wiccan New Year.

Samhain is a time when the veil between the worlds in thin, a perfect time to commune with spirits of pasted loved ones or other spirits. It is a time when spirits of life and death are celebrates side by side.

Its a time of reflection, diviniation, time of the dead and of celebration.

Herbs: Pumpkins, apple, nuts, thistle, broom, oak leaves, sage

Incense: Apple, nutmeg, sage, mint

Colors: Black and Orange

Decorations: Jack-o-lanterns, brooms, photos of deceased loved one, apples, squash, fall leaves, autumn flowers

Foods: Apples, nnuts, cider, mulled wine, pumpkin dishes, cranberry muffins, herbal tea


A Ritual to try during this time;

"Set yourself Free"

needed:
ball of red yarn
athame
cauldron
matches

Cast Circle (if your tradition calls for it)

Cut 9" pieces of red yarn, one for each thing to set free (past hurt, burden, regret, habit, etc)

Knot each into a circle, name each circle (the thing you are setting free)

Put each around your left wrist (right if you are left handed) Tell each specifically:

"_______, I have carried you long and far. Your burden has been my teacher, and I accept your lessons. Now I summon the strength to release you, for your presence serves me no longer."

Take your atheme and begin cutting through the circlets (with a dull blade, this can be no easy task, take your time, cut away your symbolic bonds, imagine seperating yourself from your actual bonds.)

When your bonds are cut, Burn them in your cauldron, say

"I send you back from hence you came
to be consumed by the transformation flame.
You are purified and forever changed
Pure and simple you'll remain
You are no longer bound to me!
I send you back, and away you will go,
that something new and blessed in me shall grow."

Close circle (if casted)

When the ashes cool, gather them in a small pot, take them outside. Stand with the wind at your back and Blow the ashes into the air, let them dissipate and vanish. Prepare to make a new start.

This is not a traditional Samhain rite, but it is a good ritual to start the new year with.

Blessed Be

Grayce

Lughnasadh Thanksgiving Ritual

I know that I am a little late in posting a Lughnasadh ritual but as I am working on my Book of Shadows, I wanted to share this one. So save it til next year.

A Lughnasadh Thanksgiving

Needed:

Gold God Candle
Silver Goddess Candle
Handmade Loaf of bread
Offering plate
Wand

Cast Circle (any way that your tradition calls for)

Invoke quarters (however your tradition call for)

Invite/invoke Goddess and God;

Light Goddess Candle, say: “Great Mother Goddess, Goddess of the Moon, the Waters and the Earth. Today I honor the Grain Goddess. She weakens as the days are growing short. She is Demeter, and She is the Moon Goddess, I invite you into my circle”

Light God Candle, Say: “Glorious Father god, God of the Sun, the Forests, and the Mountains. Today I honor the Corn King, and give Him thanks for His yearly sacrifice. He is Lugh, and He is the Sun God. I invite you into my circle”

Pick up wand, say; “I come forth with wand in hand and dance upon the Goddess' Land to mark the turning of the year Lughnasadh now is here!"

“Blessed be this season of Lughnasadh and the bounty of the First Harvest,

Fruit of the womb of the Mother -
Blessed be Mother Earth,
Blessed be Father God!”

Place hands over your heart and say,

"I am grateful for so many things which our gracious Lord and Lady have bestowed upon me. Our Lord has generously given us His light and protection at Midsummer so that our loving Lady could bless us with Her essence once again."

Pick up the loaf of bread and say;

"I will count my many blessings on this sabbat of bounty."

Hold the loaf of bread and recite all the many things that you are thankful for. When finished, break off a piece and take a bite. Then place the loaf back on the altar while saying,

"Blessed be the fruitful Mother,
Blessed be the God of the Harvest!"

Break off another piece and place it on a plate to give back to the Earth after ritual, say;

"I give this bounty of the land back to our Mother Earth and Her consort and ask that it be shared with the Faeries of the Fields and the animals of the woodland -
Offerings given in love return three-fold,
Blessed be this gift."

Release Goddess and God, say;

"I am a child of deity,

I am part of the creative life force which moves the Universe;
I am part of all that is.
Though we are apart, we are ever together –
Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again -
Blessed be!"

Release quarters

Close circle

Place offering plate outside.

Share the remaining bread with your family at meals; be thankful for all that is around you.  


Blessed Be

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