Samhain Rituals

High Priestess:

"Welcome to our Samhain celebration.  Please take a moment to center yourselves. Let us call in the Quarters, beginning in the East.

East:

• (turns to face East and lights the East candle, saying:

  • I call to the East, breath of Life, from first breath to last.
    Breathe life into our ritual on this Holy night.
    Hail and Well Met!

    • All: Hail and Well Met!

South:

• (turns to face South and lights the South candle, saying:

  • I call to the South, fires of the funeral pyre.
    Lend your spark to guide the good spirits to our circle on this Holy night.
    Hail and Well Met!

    • All: Hail and Well Met!

West:

• (turns to face West and lights the West candle, saying:

  • I call to the West, waters of the well of souls.
    Draw up those with whom we would speak on this Holy night.
    Hail and Well Met!

    • All: Hail and Well Met!

North:

• (turns to face North and lights the North candle, saying:

  • I call to the North, womb of the Earth.
    Bear us in life as in death, and hold our circle on this Holy night.
    Hail and Well Met!

    • All: Hail and Well Met!

High Priest:

Tonight is Samhain, when the veil between the worlds grows thin.  We celebrate both life and death, for neither can exist without the other.  Our passage through this world begins at birth and ends at death, just as the warm season begins at Beltane and ends at Samhain.  Our passage through the otherworld begins at death and ends at birth, just as the cold season begins at Samhain and ends at Beltane. The wheel always turns, and although we cannot see the whole at once, still we know that the unseen part of the Wheel is ever present.  Many voices whisper to us the fears of the unknown, and encourage us to dread the approach of death.  Around the world, the ways of the Wise teach us to face the hidden, embracing the mysteries instead of fleeing from their power.  Tonight we hail the spirits of Death and thank them for their guidance, that we may meet them with friendship rather than enmity when our journey through this world reaches its end:

In the East, Yamantaka; in the South, Baron Samedi;
In the West, Erishkegal; and in the North, the Pale Horse.

Let us welcome them into our celebration tonight.

High Priestess:

(steps to the altar and lifts the symbol of Yamantaka over her head)

I call upon Yamantaka, Conqueror of the Fear of Death. (replaces the symbol and steps back)

Yamantaka:

(steps forward)

I am Yamantaka, Conqueror of the Fear of Death.  I am the Enlightened One who defeats Yama, the fear-demon of mortality.  My many faces are terrible and my many arms bear fearsome weapons so that I may struggle against Yama as he oppresses human souls.  I dance the back of panic.  Yet within my center lies calm, for I am an aspect of wisdom.  I have mastered my desire and released it; the force of attachment has no hold on me now.  I am a buddha, no longer trapped within samsara, the cycle of rebirth; it is my choice to visit the material world or the spirit world at will.  All of my lives are visible to me, as the spokes within a single wheel; because of death has no power to rob me of my experiences, so too it lacks the power to sway my heart with terror.

Face me. 
Sit with me. 
Meditate upon my image.

I may look ugly, but I will show you how to defeat the fear-demon.

I will teach you that death is only a point on the great wheel.

High Priest:

(steps to the altar and lifts the symbol of Baron Samedi over his head)

I call upon Baron Samedi, Gentleman Death. (replaces the symbol and steps back)

Baron Samedi:

(steps forward)

I am Baron Samedi, Gentleman Death.  I am the skeleton in the top hat and tail coat, the inspiration fhe calacas.  I am the driver of the black coach that waits around the corner.  To those who face death with dignity, I am the guide who opens the door at the bottom of the grave and leads them into the next world where the Ancestors wait.  Do not mistake me for a stuffy old god, though - I too was human once.  I know what it is to live on the edge, party hard, spit in the face of loss.  To those who wring out the last drop of satisfaction from life, who slide into the grave sideways with a drink in one hand and a smoke in the other, I am the designated driver waiting to take them Home after the party is over.  Understand that I have two faces, for I see two worlds - and the face I show you will be the one you need, not necessarily the one you wish to meet.

Invite me into your home. 
Pour me a drink. 
We'll talk.

I may seem odd, but I'll be your ally on the Other Side.

I'll teach you that death is just a crossroad along the way.

High Priestess:

(steps to the altar and lifts the symbol of Erishkegal over her head)

I call upon Erishkegal, Queen of the Great Below. (replaces the symbol and steps back)

Erishkegal:

(steps foward)

I am Erishkegal, Queen of the Great Below.  I am the mistress who dwells in Irkalla, the House of Dust.  Here there are no shining gods and no fine trappings.  Here there are only columns of lapis and floors of clay, muddy water in the river that separates the worlds.  But here also there are no lies, no place for deception to hide.  What you see is the barest truth, the pure white bones of the soul.  My gatekeepers  greet those who approach and relieve their burdens.  The spirits of the dead descend to my realm for me to swallow, and I turn away none who come unto me.  The murdered, the starved, the plague-stricken, the frozen, the soliders moaning away their end in forgotten fields, the widows and widowers, the little children cut down too soon, the vicims stoned by those who would not let them be as they are, the suicides, the abandoned heroes, the senescent elders - they come to me and I take them in, though I groan from the weight.  Oh, oh, my belly! Oh, oh, my liver! Oh, oh, my inside and outside!

Here me. 
Heed my cries. 
Know that you are not alone in your suffering.

I may sound like a demon, but I will swallow your pain in the end.

I will teach you that death is a doorway to sympathy and surcease.

High Priest:

(steps to the altar and lifts the symbol of the Pale Horse over his head)

I call upon the Pale Horse, Bearer of Death. (replaces the symbol and steps back)

Pale Horse:

I am the Pale Horse, Bearer of Death.  I am the mount of myths and gods.  As the world has changed, I have changed with it, yet still I serve.  I have led the Wild Hunt through the woods of madness.  I have carried the fallen warriors over the bridge to Valhalla.  I have marched in parade ahead of the Danse Macabre.  I am storm and mist and shadow.  I am bone and fire.  I am the sharpness of the blade and the truth in the bard's word.  The moon is in my hooves and the wind is in my teeth.  Whether I appear caparisoned in battle, or bare as a skeleton, still I remain the same spirit first painted upon cave walls.  Though the night be dark, I can see through it.  Though the forest be dense, I can pass by it. Though the road wear thin, I can follow it.  Wherever you go, I can find you, no matter how lost you feel.  I will always come for you.  I will never leave you alone.

Come. 
Reach out your hand. 
Touch my mane and know that I am here.

I may feel wild to those who do not know me, but I will wait for you to ride.

I will teach you that death is a journey, and joy in the running.

High Priestess:

(steps forward)

Come forward and pay your respects to one or more of these honored representatives of death.  Praise them for their service, as we will all meet death in our own time.  Let them know that you wish to learn what they have to teach you.

When all the celebrants have spoken and returned to their places, the High Priestess steps back into the Circle.

High Priest:

(steps forward)

Each year, souls depart from this world to the next.  Let us remember those who have gone beyond.  Speak the names of those you have lost, and share a little of how they enriched your lives.

(The High Priest begins by naming any public figures the group wishes to honor.  Then the other celebrants name those they have lost personally.  When everyone has spoke, the High Priest steps back into the circle.)

High Priestess:

Now we partake of cakes and ale, as a reminder to nourish our bodies and our spirits.  Tonight we have chosen apple and pomegranate, two sacred fruits associated with both life and death.

High Priest:

(Steps to the altar.  Places the apple on the platter and slices it horizontally, showing the star)

Hidden within the core of each apple lies a pentacle, symbol of magic and mystery.

(cuts the apple into pieces and distributes them to the celebrants.)

Taste the fruit of death in life.

(Steps back to the circle.)

High Priestess:

(Steps to the altar.  Fills the chalice with pomegranate juice)

The pomegranate gives of its seeds, symbol of rebirth and power.

(Offer the chalce to each of the celebrants in turn)

Taste the juice of life in death.

(Returns to circle)

High Priest:

(steps to altar)

Thank you all for joining us here tonight.  May your bodies and your spirits be refreshed by our celebration.

(lifts the symbol of the Pale horse over his head)

I give thanks to the Pale Horse, Bearer of Death.  Return to your journey with our regards.  Hail and farewell!

(Replaces the symbol on the altar, as the Pale Horse rejoins the circle.)

All: Hail and farewell!

High Priestess:

(Steps to the altar and lifts the symbol of Erishkegal over her head.)

I give thanks to Erishkegal, Queen of the Great Below.  Return to Irkalla with our regards.  Hail and farewell!

(Replaces the symbol on the altar as Erishkegal steps back into the circle.)

All: Hail and farewell!

High Priest:

(Lifts the symbol of Baron Samedi over his head.)

I give thanks to Baron Samedi, Gentleman Death.  Return to the Other Side with our regards.  Hail and Farewell!

(Replaces the symbol on the altar as Baron Samedi steps back into the circle.)

All: Hail and Farewell!

High Priestess:

(Lifts the symbol of Yamantaka over her head)

I give thanks to Yamantaka, Conqueror of Fear and Death.  Return to your meditations with our regards.  Hail and Farewell!

(Replaces the symbol on the altar as Yamantaka steps back into the circle.)

All: Hail and Farewell!

High Priest:

Quarter Callers, please release the circle beginning with the North.

North:

(faces the North and snuffs the north candle)

I give thanks to the North, womb of the Earth.
Bear us onward in our walk through life to death.
Hail and Farewell!

• All: Hail and Farewell!

  West:

  (faces the West and snuffs the west candle)

  • I give thanks to the West, waters of the well of souls.
    Hold our tears of sorrow and joy until we rejoin those who have gone before.
    Hail and Farewell!

    • All: Hail and Farewell!

      South:

      (faces the South and snuffs the south candle)

      • I give thanks to the South, fires of the funeral pyre.
        Bank your coals until we meet again.
        Hail and Farewell!

        • All: Hail and Farewell!

          East:

          (faces the East and snuffs the east candle)

          • I give thanks to the East, breath of life, from first breath to last.
            Cam the air as we close our ritual tonight.
            Hail and Farewell!

            • All: Hail and Farewell!

              

          High Priestess: The circle is open, but unbroken!

          All: Merry Meet, and Merry Part, and Merry Meet again!