Priestess (circling):
Close your eyes and let your mind run North as far as you can, until you reach the
mountains. Tunnel deep, then draw the solid energies of the earth back, and welcome them to
this place.
Next, let your mind run East, out, out, as far as the rising sun, into the cool and clear,
and bring back with you the energies of wind and air; welcoming them to this place.
Now, let your mind run South, deep and far, to desert and plain and the hot, hot sun. Pull
these energies the hardest; welcoming the warmth of fire into this cold, dark place.
Finally, let your mind run West, through the sea, and out over land into the arms of the
ocean. Flow back here, bringing the energies of water into this place and into our welcome.
Open your eyes.
By the spirits above, below and within, I bind this circle. By our animal guides, by our
ancestors, by the spirits of time and place, I bind this circle.
Welcome. Come in peace, and come in love.
|
|
Priest:
It may seem odd to us that our forebears chose to celebrate the turning of the year now,
on the eve of winter. Today marks the completion of this years life. Trees will rest as
their leaves fall, they will gather strength through the darker months, and all will be
bursting forth with life's lush energy at Beltane, fully 6 months from now. Yet new life
begins with the seedfall; the third and final harvest, and the sowing of the winter crops.
All our projects, now begun, will gather strength and gestate over the long nights ahead.
And as we pass into the fallow season, of cold earth and endurance, we think of winter,
and hope we have set aside enough of our year's harvest to see us through. And we ask:
"For eyes that fear the dark, we ask a sign that this year's turn is good,
That this dark winter will yield in time to greener wood." 1
Priest:
This day also marks the time to contemplate the hectic spring and summer gone; to ask
ourselves what we have learned, what stops us from growing further, and, naturally, what
we must leave behind to carry on our path. It is time to recycle, to transform, and to
clear out the stale and outworn. From an old pair of shoes to a hated job, to even giving
up smoking, we invite you to throw a branch on the fire and burn all you are leaving behind
this season.
|
|
Priestess:
At Samhain, we remember the Other world that is both here and now, yesterday and tomorow.
The Shining Realm has portals that lie all around: a landscape within a landscape. It is the
place of the Gods and of the Dead, the island across the sea, the revolving palace of
wonders above the clouds, and yes, the faeries at the bottom of the garden. On this day,
the gates to this place stand open. We stand here side by side with the dead; with our
tribal ancestors; with the faery kind themselves.
As such, and echoing ancient tradition, we have set an empty plate at the feast inside,
for all those no longer with us. We invite you to take a moment at any point during the
night to leave a little something on it from your own plate, in quiet or noisy celebration
of any or all lives gone before. Know that your messages will be heard clearly tonight,
above all nights.
|
|
Priest:
As we have said, Samhain is a time for celebration, and for connection with the Shining
Realm. Thus it is also a time to honour your tribe, and your link in its lineage. It is
said by some that we all descend from two: from the Sacred Tree and She Who Flows. Indeed,
all life is the eternal continuation of what came before, and will last in those that come
after. Today, all that has ever existed is continued in the completeness of this world, and
we are part of that completeness.
Priestess:
Changes in ourselves ripple out through our connections, to family, to friends, to
community. From the colour of our eyes to the way we set a table, to enjoy our lives is
to honour our parents and ancestors. Those that have gone before stand with you tonight,
looking out from the Shining Realm. To heal the wounds you have inherited is to lighten
their burden. In the days that follow, please, consider your links to family: bloodline
and spiritline. If a link is hurting you, mend it, or let it go. Life is too short, and,
besides, on this side of the gate or the other, someone in your tribe needs you.
|
|
Priest:
Enough talk. Enough contemplation. Time for fireworks, for food and for clebration.
As the circle is released, remember, take care. Samhain is a time for tricksters, and not
all in human form. Go in peace, and go with our love.
|
|
1 Mary Pat Mann
|
|
