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Wiccan, Witch, Wicca and Pagan Pagan Calendar for ritual times and instructions. Ritual and Spell Working, Love, Magic, Money, Witchcraft Spells. |
Celebrating Samhain
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Before beginning your ritual, read this page. It will provide you with a method of casting a circle and consecrating your sacred
space. It will also list the different items you need for your altar and how to end the ritual with the cakes and wine ceremony.
Being a solitary, these recommendations for celebrating Sabbats have been altered to suit me and my immediate family. I have written these pages as much
for myself as for you so that I have a quick reference when planning my Sabbats. But, these are only recommendations. You
can add or subtract from them to create your own unique and special way of giving thanks and celebrating the turning of the wheel.
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October 31st is when we celebrate Samhain (pronounced Sow-in). Samhain is the final harvest time of the year.
It was the time that the fall crops were stored for the winter and the herds and flocks were culled so that fewer animals had to be fed
through the winter. Meat was preserved to feed the family throughout the harsh months of the year.
Samhain marks the end of one year on the wheel of
life and the beginning of another, a time for putting away the old and taking on the new. It is a time when the veil between this world and the spirit world is very thin and, therefore, a time
to honor our ancestors and a time to be involved in divining or other higher pursuits.
Earlier in time, Witches would fashion lanterns out of
carved out turnips and candles and would carry them to light their way to the site of the Sabbat. When christianity absorbed this ritual, the
holiday became known as All Hallow's Eve and eventually shortened to Halloween. Pumpkins were carved with frightening faces and icons of
ugly witches and goblins soon destroyed the
original sacred ritual. Eventually it was turned into a children's holiday.
In addition to the usual recommendations, decorate your altar, and perhaps your feasting table, with items associated with this time of the year: pumpkins, fallen leaves, fall
flowers, nuts and apples. Use white, orange and black candles. A metal container or small cauldron. Several slips of paper and pencils.
Begin the ritual by casting your circle and consecrating your sacred space. After lighting your candles and welcoming your Deities, take time
to honor your ancestors with whatever words you feel are appropriate. If you feel their presence, you can use this time to communicate with
them directly.
Each of you can now take turns standing at the altar to write down on a slip of paper, anything that you do not want to carry with you into
the new year. This can be bad habits, negative thinking, harsh feelings about others - anything that you want to rid yourself of. Fold the
paper and hold it over an altar candle to light one end. Drop it in the metal container or cauldron and as you watch it burn, visualize the
burden being lifted from your spirit. Ring the altar bell or chime three times to clear the space with it's magical vibrations.
Everyone present should participate in this. It will leave you feeling spiritually refreshed.
Now is a good time for divination using scrying, pendulums, ouija boards, tarot or whatever you feel comfortable using.
When the time comes to end the ritual, end with the cakes and wine, close the circle and give your libation to the Gods and Goddesses.
Now it is time to have fun and...
Feast!
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