BLYSSFUL THORS DAY NEW PAGANS SAMHAIN FOR BEGINNERS Pagan: Samhain (Halloween) can be celebrated by pagans anywhere, but we come up with Samhain ideas for rituals that can take place in the urban jungle, not the lovely old forest one would prefer... There is a very strong school of thought that affirms that a witchs place is in the country. Far be it for me to say that one with a strong connection to the Earth in all Her power would deny the inherent value and joy of ones bare feet in the dirt and arms firmly hugging the nearest rowan tree. But the reality is todays witch is more likely to be bedding down in a tiny midtown walkup than the traditional, cozy forest-bound cottage. Book after book on Paganism, Wicca/Witchcraft, and other nature-based religions would almost have it seem that one is not truly even a viable Witch unless she can surround herself with the trappings of the so-called natural world. This, I would humbly put forth, is bollocks. There is as much spirit and power in the thrum and pulse of a city street (or suburban cul de sac) as a country lane; as much strength and wisdom in a multi-story building as the tallest sycamore. These places created by man have been embued with the energy of all the people, events, emotions, and history occuring within, and without, their walls. The wonderful Christopher Penczak outlines many of these principles in City Magick: Urban Rituals, Spells and Shamanism , a fantastic book that changed my outlook entirely. The problem for urban witches remains: how does one celebrate the most important and sacred holiday in the Wheel of the Year for most Pagans -Samhain - without the rural environment practically required for most of its most treasured rituals and traditions? Its far simpler than you would think. With a small shift in thinking and some creativity, you can create a beautiful Sabbat celebration that rivals the most elaborate country festivities. I have included some popular traditions and their urban counterparts. Samhain Apples for the Dead Many Witches and Pagans, as a matter of tradition, bury apples or other fruit near to the front door as offerings for the dead as they travel between the worlds on this day, when the veils between life and death are thinnest and most easily pushed back. The tradition is an old one and city Pagans lament their lack of earth next to a front door to carry it on. One might as well lament a lack of chimney and tell a child Santa cannot come this Christmas!!! This is easily remedied and makes a beautiful ritual. Simply bury the apple in a potted plant and place it by your front door on a stoop or, if theft of the plant is feared, on a windowsill or balcony. If the pot is a plain one and the plant easily replaced, even if it is taken, see it as a blessing to whomever it has gone to, and who knows, perhaps mischievous Samhain fairies are actually the culprits! The Samhain Bonfire Bonfires are lovely and exciting and often the cornerstone of a huge Hallows Eve celebration. I say, fire is fire and the spirits wont decline to bless you or your rituals because the flames are modest. A small hibachi grill or cauldron filled with wood and herbs and set alight on a balcony, porch or even fire escape is sufficient to awake the spirits and draw them near. Those that leap over fires on Samhain and Beltane may even find that this is far safer than attempting to hurdle a taller, more robust fire. If your space doesnt even include a patio or outdoor space, travelling to a park with public grills, or even staying in with a stout pillar candle is fine, too. As with all things magick, the important thing here is the intent. Carving Pumpkins/Turnips at Samhain Many people dont realize it is actually the carvings of turnips that dominated early Hallows Eve festivities, not todays more popular pumpkin. Many city folks will purchase and carve pumpkins, but are reluctant to place them outside, if in small flats/apartments, especially if the neighborhood is not a very good one. Returning to the original turnip carving is a lovely way to honour this tradition, but with a vegetable small enough to display in a windowsill. I am lucky enough to have an apartment on the ground floor and can set many turnips along my wall as luminaries, which also makes for a nice display for little ones trick-or-treating. Turnips are small and round, and dont lend themselves to elaborate carvings, but look absolutely beautiful hollowed out and filled with a tea light candle. They resemble delicately painted porcelain, very lovely. Samhain Feast for the Dead Sure, you can have a meal anywhere, but it IS more difficult in a smaller space, especially with guests. While a full Dumb Supper (so called because often in honour of the dead there is no speaking during the meal...a feat I have personally never been able to pull off) with several courses served with elegance is wonderful, a nicely-laid buffet eaten off of ones lap is just as fun. Potlucks are great fun for Samhain, and dont underestimate the wisdom of a dessert and drinks only party for close, like-minded friends. The intent is key, once again, and one can always just have a nice Cakes and Ale after ritual as the meal portion of the holiday. For every Samhain tradition that seems to require the space, time, and resources that at first glance seem only available to country dwellers, there is a simple fix for those of us that are city-bound. Spirits dont ignore cities in favour of forests and woods; just the opposite. Trade a haunted hayride for a tour of haunted houses in your city. Have a seance or make your own ouija board for fun and possibly receive some unexpected ghostly wisdom in lieu of a huge bonfire night. The possibilities are endless. And again, the point is to honour the dead and see in the Witchs New Year with joy and love. Happy Samhain! Simple Samhain Ritual You will need: - Black and/or orange altar cloth(s) - Quarter candles - One white candle for the God - One black candle for the Goddess - One black candle - Carved Jack-o-lantern or skull (ceramic, stone, etc) on altar - Samhain Incense Cleanse the area in preparation of the ritual as you normally would. You can mark the circle with pumpkins or other things that remind you of Samhain. A nice touch is to have a jack-o-lantern mark each quarter. Casting the Circle Pick up your athame and kiss the blade. Starting in the North point the athame to the ground while visualizing a blue light coming from the blade to the ground. Begin to draw the circle moving deosil (clockwise). Complete this circle three times saying: First time: “I cast this circle in order to create a sacred space.” Second time “I cast this circle to contain the power.” Third time “I cast this circle as a barrier from all negative energy and spirits. So mote it be!” Call the quarters starting in the North. Say: Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, element of air, and Guardians of the doorway between worlds. I do summon, stir and call you forth that you may guard and witness us in these rites. Hail and welcome!” Turn to the East and say: Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, element of air. I do summon, stir and call you forth that you may guard and witness us in these rites. Hail and welcome!” Turn to the South and say: Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, element of fire. I do summon, stir and call you forth that you may guard and witness me in my rites. Hail and welcome!” Turn to the West and say: Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, element of water. I do summon, stir and call you forth that you may guard and witness us in these rites. Hail and welcome!” Inviting the Lord and Lady Light the Goddess candle and say: Wise Crone, Dark Lady, Dark Mother this is your time to rule. Darkness and decay begins to envelope the world and death knocks upon the door. Bring us this night your wisdom and clarity and envelope us within your love. Challenge us to look into ourselves and reflect upon what we find. Dark Mother we invite you this night to join us within our circle. Hail and Welcome. Light the God candle and say: Lord, though you leave us for a time, we know that you will soon return!” Extinguish the God candle and say: “While we mourn your passing, we rejoice and await your return at Yule! Through your sacrifice we live and understand that death is a natural part of life. You show us that there is no true death for we all shall be reborn. The Wheel of Life forever turns. Hail and farewell! Circle Work Read the Charge of the Crone. Read the Charge of the God. Bless the cakes and ale. Light the black candle and place it near the offering bowl and say: May this candle guide those who have passed before us. We welcome (speak their names) to this rite in perfect love and perfect trust. Negative energies will be repelled for only positive energies are welcome here. May this candle serve as a beacon to those loved ones who seek to be with us this night. So mote it be! Take a piece of the cake and dip it into the wine. Place it into the offering bowl and say: “We offer this food and drink to those who have passed before us. We offer this food and drink to our ancestors. May it please you and sustain you this night. We honor you and remember you.” Break off a piece of the cake and pass it to your left. Eat the cake. Pick up the glass of wine and take a drink, passing it to your left. Remember your loved ones as you symbolically share a meal with them. Then sit quietly for a time and meditate and remember those who have passed. Take as much time as you wish. If your loved one has contacted you and you have communed with them, break off another piece of cake and dip it into the wine. Place it with the previous offering and say: I thank you for your company and for speaking with me. I offer you more food and drink. May it please you and sustain you this night! Blessed be! Wait silently for a short period of time and when you feel it is time then say farewell to the ancestors: ”To those who have passed that we love. We thank you for joining us and we bid you farewell as you journey back to the Land of the Dead. Go in peace. Hail and farewell!” Farewell to the Goddess Face altar and say: “Dark Mother, Wise Crone. We thank you for being here with us tonight and for sharing your wisdom. Stay if you wish, go if you must. Hail and farewell!” Extinguish the Goddess candle. Farewell to the Guardians Face the North and say: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the North, element of earth and Guardians of the gateway between worlds. We thank you for your presence here this evening. Go in peace. Hail and farewell.” Extinguish the North quarter candle. Face the West and say: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the West, element of water. We thank you for your presence here this evening. Go in peace. Hail and farewell.” Extinguish the West quarter candle. Face the South and say: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the South, element of fire. We thank you for your presence here this evening. Go in peace. Hail and farewell.” Extinguish the South quarter candle. Face the East and say: “Guardians of the Watchtower of the East, element of air. We thank you for your presence here this evening. Go in peace. Hail and farewell.” Extinguish the East quarter candle. Visualize the circle slowly melting away into the earth. Once it is gone the circle is open and the ritual is done. Before leaving the area, make sure you ground and center. Take the remaining cake and wine and offer them to the Goddess. Pour the wine onto the ground and leave the cake on the ground and say a prayer of offering to the Goddess.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:51:01 +0000
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