The Pagan holiday of Samhain falls on the night of October 31, overlapping similar holidays such as Halloween and the neighboring Dia de los Muertos on November 2. Samhain is the third of three harvest festivals, when the last fruits and vegetables are brought in. Traditionally, animals were also brought in from the pastures to the barns, and those kept for meat were butchered.
In late autumn, the leaves and flowers die. Many animals migrate or hibernate. The world goes dormant. These natural cycles remind us that everything dies, and yet will be reborn. So Samhain is a holiday about death and transformation. Associated deities include Kali, Hades, and Baron Samedi.
Decorate your altar with macabre symbols such as skulls, skeletons, and scythes. The colors black, white, and violet represent death and the transcendent spiritual realms. Attendees may also dress up as ghosts or skeletal figures. The feast usually features bread or candies that look like skulls and other symbols of death.
Spirits and Ancestors
At this time of year, the Veil between this world and the next grows thin. Discorporeal spirits find it easier to interact with the material world. The dead have an easier time contacting the living — and vice versa. This is a good time for ancestor work and genealogical studies.
Consider choosing a historic period and matching your decorations to a Victorian, colonial, or Renaissance theme. You might use the colors of old images: black, ivory, gray, sepia. People could dress as one of their own ancestors or an admired historical figure.
Divination and Mysteries
Because the Veil is thin at this time of year, divination works better. Many examples of divination appear in traditional Samhain or Halloween activities, such as throwing an apple peel to find the initial of your future spouse. This is also a time for studying other esoteric techniques.
For a Samhain celebration focusing on divination and mysteries, decorate with veils and curtains of lace. For a creepier touch, use cobweb floss. Bring out the crystal balls. Now is a good time to use that Tarot deck with the missing card — tack or tape the remaining ones all over the walls or use them in games. Choose colors such as black, silver, gold, and purple.
The Red Harvest
Historically, livestock would graze outside during the warm season, then spend the cold season in the barn. Farmers could not afford to feed large flocks or herds, however, so many animals were butchered for meat at this time. Samhain also marks the beginning of the hunting season. The last crops had to be harvested, because frosts would soon ruin anything left in the fields. So this is the end of the harvest season, and it honors the sacrifice through which life feeds on death to survive.
Decorate your altar with images of domestic or wild animals used for food. Skulls, hooves, horns, and hides are also appropriate, along with the tools of herders and hunters. The color red prevails but may be accented with black, white, or brown. Participants may dress as animals, or as hunter and prey to enact a symbolic hunt. The feast usually features meat and the last fresh fruits and vegetables of the season.
The Trickster’s Night
Samhain, like Halloween, is a time when many ordinary rules are suspended. Young people play pranks and rowdy games. They may go door-to-door begging for food, liquor, candy, money, or other treats. People dress in costumes to disguise themselves while committing mischief, but also to ward off malicious spirits. This is a time for honor tricksters such as Loki, Eris, Pan, and Coyote.
Decorate your altar with whimsical items and silly masks. Don’t forget to prime the chairs with a few whoopie cushions. Use bold colors such as black with orange, purple, red, or green. Motley or particolor costumes are especially appropriate, being associated with tricksters in many cultures.
Bonfires for Protection
Traditionally, livestock would be driven between two huge balefires and then enclosed in the barn for winter. This protected them from illness and evil spirits. Bonfires remain a popular part of Samhain celebrations. Other protective activities include wearing masks and making noise to drive out malicious influences.
Decorate with fire imagery and protective symbols if you want an altar, but many people dispense with it and simply worship around the bonfire itself. Items may be tossed into the fire and burned as a way of releasing the past. A burning branch may be pulled from the fire and used to light candles as a way of pesonalizing the purification and protection. Dress in snug clothes; avoid trailing sleeves or anything else that might catch fire.
Apples, especially cider apples and red apples, evoke images of Samhain. Bobbing for apples is a traditional activity. Apples may also be peeled and the spiral peel tossed for divination.
Pomegranate is the fruit whose seeds formed the contract between Hades and Persephone, so that she would spend six months each year in the underworld. If cut during ritual, it “bleeds” dramatic trickles of dark red juice. Processed pomegranate juice is also available.
Nuts include hazelnuts, acorns, and walnuts in particular but there are many other types. Tropical nuts are not ideal unless you live where they grow. Nuts may be used in divination, decoration, or snacks.
Root vegetables such as beets, turnips, and potatoes are among the last to be harvested. These represent death, rebirth, and mystery because they come from underground. Turnips were once the precursors of the modern jack-o-lantern, carved as lights.
Autumn squash such as acorn squash and pumpkin also count as late-harvest foods. These may be baked in halves, mashed, or made into pies or other dishes.
Pan de Muertos is the “Bread of the Dead,” a rich egg bread covered with sugar glaze. It is traditionally made for Dia de los Muertos, in the shape of bones and skulls and such. It also makes a terrific Samhain bread.
Meat for the Samhain feast may come from domestic animals — beef and pork were Celtic favorites — or wild game such as venison. Large roasts or even whole small animals may be served. It is customary to honor the spirit of the animal, so that there will always be plenty of food.
Candy and other sweets include chocolates, candied fruits, pastries, sugar skulls, skeletons, mummies, etc. If you get the kind that are pure sugar, as for Dia de los Muertos, consider breaking them up to put in coffee or tea instead of eating them plain.
Colors: Samhain’s colors are those of death and mystery. Black is the shade of night and death. White represents bone and ghosts. Orange is the sun’s color as it dies into night, and the color of pumpkins and autumn leaves. Purple is a spiritual color also associated with magic.
Flowers: Autumn flowers such as chrysanthemums are popular. Marigolds are associated with death, cemeteries, and Dia de los Muertos in Mexican tradition. Black roses may be made of feathers or other materials. White flowers are also popular. Some people like to use bouquets of dried, wilted, or obviously dead flowers.
Leaves: Autumn leaves may be strewn around or strung into garlands. Orange leaves or dead brown ones are found in nature; black ones can be made of silk, paper, or other materials.
Incense: Samhain fragrances are woodsy and bitter notes such as myrrh, wormwood, mugwort, and patchouli. Spicy ones include sandalwood and pine.
Music: The traditional instruments of Samhain include drums, hunting horns, lyres, rattles, and bells. But this holiday really benefits from modern effects such as echoes and fades, so seriously consider synthesizer music. Play some seasonal music such as All Hallows Eve or 11-Samhain.
Altar Tools: The athame or sword is the primary tool for Samhain, but the cauldron is a close second. Some people prefer a sickle or scythe.
Skulls and Macabre Symbols: Many traditional “spooky” things are Pagan motifs including black cats, snakes, spiders, bats, and ravens. Ghosts, skulls, skeletons, and other representations of death also abound. These all symbolize magic, transformation, and mortality.
Animal Parts and Imagery: In addition to those animals considered mysterious, Samhain may also bring out the ones commonly eaten, such as cows, pigs, and deer. All of those also appear in Pagan mythology and magic, however.
Background:Rituals for Samhain 2006 and Ostara 2008 tell the two halves of the story featuring Demeter, Persephone, and Hades from Greek mythology. In this version of the myth, Persephone is not an unwilling abductee; she is instead attracted to the "bad boy" Hades. He does not come empty-handed to the relationship, nor is his realm limited to the hellish aspects generally publicized. The Samhain rituals below portray Persephone's departure from the world above and arrival in the underworld where she rules as Queen. This pair of Samhain rituals originally took place on a night when the time changed, thus allowing us to do ritual twice in a single clock-hour; the Hour That Vanishes provides for the 'second chances' mentioned in the title.
Samhain 2006: A Night for Second Chances Ritual the First
Preparation: Set up altar in the ritual meadow with a basket to contain sacrifices, apple, athame for cutting apple, plate for distributing apple slices, and chalice of pomegranate juice. Build and light a bonfire. Participants assemble in a cluster surrounding the First Celebrant, and stay tightly grouped around her as she circles the meadow to make the quarter calls. At each stop, all face the direction being called.
First Celebrant:In the role of Demeter, the First Celebrant walks widdershins, starting from South, and calls each of the quarters in turn, first reaching East. If participants are so inclined, echoing occasional phrases at random is appropos.
East: "I call to each of the four corners of the Earth, and ask them to bear witness to my plight, for my daughter is about to be lost to me again. With Aigaios raging in his domain, I look to the Eastern seas as if looking into my own mind, for there is naught but tempest where once there was calm. In this time of loss, let the East bear witness to our ritual of sacrifice – as above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
North: "I call to each of the four corners of the Earth, and ask them to bear witness to my plight, for my daughter is about to be lost to me again. With Khione standing ready to lay claim to the land, I look to the northern snows as if looking at my own body, for I feel only a chill where once there was warmth. In this time of loss, let the North bear wittness to our ritual of sacrifice – as above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
West: "I call to each of the four corners of the Earth, and ask them to bear witness to my plight, for my daughter is about to be lost to me again. With Helios and the sun-chariot having fled until the dawn of another day, I look to the Western skies as if looking into my own heart, for I see only darkness where once there was light. In this time of loss, let the West bear witness to our ritual of sacrifice – as above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
South: "I call to each of the four corners of the Earth, and ask them to bear witness to my plight, for my daughter is about to be lost to me again. With Notus in retreat, I look to the Southern climes as if looking into my own soul, for I find only emptiness where once all was full. In this time of loss, let the South bear witness to our ritual of sacrifice – as above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
Participants separate from the cluster around First Celebrant, and assemble, widdershins, into a circle around the bonfire.
First Celebrant casts the circle, also widdershins, as this is an un-doing ritual.
First Celebrant welcomes Persephone and Second Celebrant (priest) into center of circle. "I call forth the Goddess of Spring, my daughter Persephone, at this time of endings, partings, and loss. Her time among us is over; may our sacrifices this night, under the direction of her priest, assure that she return to us in the proper time, and that we be given another chance to experience her joy."
Second Celebrant leads meditation on need for letting go to acquire second chances, accompanied by heartbeat drum.
Accelerate drum (and add others), to signal Persephone to begin leading/directing the dance to raise power.
At height of power, all participants retrieve offerings from altar, toss sacrifices into the fire, and collectively dump excess energy into the flames as well.
Once all tokens have been burned, all participants join hands into circle, and draw in toward center, sweeping the energy into the fire. Draw outward, and repeat inward movement, bringing hands downward this time. Repeat original gesture for 3rd rush.
Persephone and Second Celebrant serve apple slices (Second Celebrant) and pomegranate juice (Persephone) as 'cakes and ale' to aid grounding, using the phrase, “This too shall pass”.
First Celebrant releases Persephone to enter the underworld. "It is time, my daughter, my love – the offerings have been made, and we must take our chance on a brighter future by living in a darker present. Leave you must, but neither without hope nor without memory: know that I will be clinging to both until your safe return. Now Go! Fly! Be Gone!"
First Celebrant collapses, wailing, as Persephone leaves the circle.
Second Celebrant dismisses quarters, deosil, as First Celebrant appears unable to do so in her grief.
South: "I call forth to the four corners of the Earth, and thank them for bearing witness to our rite. May the spirit of our offerings begin to fill the emptiness Demeter found in the South, which will again be home to Notus of the Southern, summer winds. As above, so below!"
All respond: As above, so below!
West: "I call forth to the four corners of the Earth, and thank them for bearing witness to our rite. May our sacrifices begin to banish the darkness Demeter found in the West, which will again welcom Helios as he retires from his next day’s ride. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
North: "I call forth to the four corners of the Earth, and thank them for bearing witness to our rite. May the flames of our ritual begin to warm the chill Demeter found in the North, and our memories thereof sustain us until Khione’s retreat. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
East: "I call forth to the four corners of the Earth, and thank them for bearing witness to our rite. May our losses begin to lead us into repose, to still the turbulence that Demeter found in the East, for even the storm god must sometimes rest. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
Open circle, deosil, in reverse of opening casting.
* * * Between the two rituals, celebrants disperse from the ritual meadow. They reassemble in the meadow after the Hour That vanishes, when the clocks reset.
* * * Samhain 2006: A Night for Second Chances Ritual the Second
First Celebrant, in the role of Hades, Lord of the Underworld, walks deosil, starting in the North, and calls the elements from each of the cardinal points in turn.
East: "I call to the elemental forces of Air, which carry to me the scent of the Fields of Asphodel: that portion of my realm which is filled with the flowers sacred to my wife, Persephone. May you bear witness to this rite, celebrating the return of the Queen of the Underworld. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
South: "I call to the elemental forces of Fire, which burn without the consumption of fuel: that portion of my realm which is Phlegethon, the River of Fire. May you bear witness to this rite, celebrating the rekindling of passion with the return of my Queen. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
West: "I call to the elemental forces of Water, which flow through the great rivers of Hades: that portion of my realm which is Acheron, Cocytus, Lethe, and Styx. May you bear witness to this rite, celebrating Persephone’s homecoming. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
North: "I call to the elemental forces of Earth, which shape and contain the whole of the Underworld: Elysian Fields as well as Tartarus. May you bear witness to this rite, celebrating the reclaiming of Hades’ crown by the realm’s rightful queen. As above, so below!"
All respond: "As above, so below!"
Cast circle deosil.
First Celebrant evokes Persephone: "I call forth the Queen of the Underworld, my wife Persephone, at this time of beginings, joinings, and redemption. Her time among us is at hand; may our gleanings this night, under the guidance of her priestess, assure that we cherish her time among us, and that we experience her joy with every passing moment of her presence."
Second Celebrant leads meditation on need for second chance/new beginnings, accompanied by heartbeat drum.
Accelerate drum (and add others) to signal Persephone to begin leading the dance to raise power.
At height of power, all participants pour energy into the fire (same set of gestures as first ritual), and light individual candles from same.
First Celebrant cuts open pomegranate, and feeds 6 seeds to Persephone.
Persephone and First Celebrant serve pomegranate seeds (First Celebrant) and apple juice (Persephone) as 'cakes and ale' to aid grounding.
“Taste the fruit of life in death” (Pomegranate)
“Taste the juice of death in life” (Apple juice)
First Celebrant opens circle for his and Persephone’s departure. “It is time, my wife, my beloved – the flames have been lit, and we must depart this gathering to embark on your reign as our queen. Leave we must, without regret or melancholy. Know that the realm will hold neither as long as you are among us. Now let us be away; there are many things to which we must attend.”
First Celebrant and Persephone leave circle.
Second Celebrant dismisses quarters.
North: "I call to the elemental forces of Earth, and extend our thanks for your presence at our celebration. May your strength be ever undiminished; go in peace."
All respond: "Go in peace."
West: "I call to the elemental forces of Water, and extend our thanks for your presence at our celebration. May your wisdom be ever flowing; go in peace."
All respond: "Go in peace."
South: "I call to the elemental forces of Fire, and extend our thanks for your presence at our celebration. May your passion be ever kindled; go in peace."
"All respond: "Go in peace."
East: "I call to the elemental forces of Air, and extend our thanks for your presence at our celebration. May your insight be ever present; go in peace."
All respond: "Go in peace."
Open circle, widdershins, in reverse of opening casting.
Ritual for Samhain 2008
Background: This ritual celebrates Samhain as Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday meaning Day of the Dead. Mexican culture blends aspects of Native American, Spanish, and other traditions. Unlike modern American culture, Mexico doesn't hide death, but celebrates it as a natural part of life. This is a fun, lighthearted Samhain event.
Setup:If held outdoors, lay skull-shaped fire in ritual meadow using cardboard chips, copper mesh, lilac wood, and toilet paper. Place four tiki torches at the quarters and eight farolitos before the gate to the ritual meadow. If indoors, just use candles. Light the torches and farolitos just before the ritual. Set up altar with skull altar cloth, candles in holders, copal incense and burner, lighter, and cakes & ale. Celebrants process to the ritual meadow.
Summoner:Calls the Quarters, beginning in the North, then South, then West, then East.
I call to the North, womb of the Earth. Come forth, Ancestors who walked before us, and walk the Earth again on this holy night. Bienvenudos!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Summoner: I call to the East, breath of life, from first breath to last. Breathe life into our Ancestors once more on this holy night. Bienvenudos!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Summoner: I call to the South, fires of the funeral pyre. Lend your spark to our Ancestors, that they may enjoy life once more on this holy night. Bienvenudos!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Summoner: I call to the West, waters of the well of souls. Draw our Ancestors back up to us once more on this holy night. Bienvenudos!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Lady Raspberry:Casts the circle. Use flower petals if outdoors or sword if indoors. Indoor casting: We cast the circle with flowers To remember bygone hours.
Outdoor casting: We cast the circle with steel To remember how we feel.
Both: Between the worlds we mark this space And make of it a holy place.
All darksome spirits, banished thence And goodly spirits, welcome hence!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Sir Malachite: Delivers the statement of intent, beginning with, “Bienvenudos a Dia de los Muertos!”
Summoner:Calls the Archangels and the Orishas in charge of death.
Summoner: I call to Archangel Uriel, escort to warriors and those who used their deaths for a worthy cause, guardian of the gates to the abyss. Come, and bring those in your charge to our ritual, for tonight we celebrate the dead. Bienvenudos!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Summoner: I call to Archangel Sariel, guide to the lost and forgotten, pale moon that lights the way when the sun sleeps. Come, and bring those in your charge to our ritual, for tonight we celebrate the dead. Bienvenudos!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Summoner: I call to the Great Orisha Ghede, the inescapable hunger, he who claims all those who seek to cheat death. Come, and bring your fallen family to our ritual, for tonight we honor the dead. Bienvenudos!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Summoner: I call to the Great Orisha Baron Samedi, the gentleman death, he who brings passage with honor and dignity. Come, and bring your fallen family to our ritual, for tonight we honor the dead. Bienvenudos!
All:“Bienvenudos!”
Summoner: Lights the charcoal and sprinkles the copal incense on it, then says: Copal incense, clean and clear, Bless all those who gather here. Seek those spirits bright as glass; Part the Veil and let them pass.
Lady Raspberry: Lights the altar candles, then says: As we light these candles four, Honor those who came before. May this clear and shining light Guide them back to us tonight.
Both: Shade and mortal, friends and kin, Come together once again!
Lady Raspberry:Leads the Calling of the Dead. We honor those who died by wind. We honor those who died by fire. We honor those who died by drowning. We honor those who died by stones.
All: “We honor them.”
Lady Raspberry: We honor those who died fighting. We honor those who died sleeping. We honor those who died crying. We honor those who died loving.
All: “We honor them.”
Lady Raspberry: We honor those who died of violence. We honor those who died of starvation. We honor those who died of disease. We honor those who died of age.
All: “We honor them.”
Lady Raspberry: We honor those who died of unknown causes. We honor those who died where no one could find them. We honor those who died and were forgotten; We remember all the Dead so that none remain forgotten.
All: “We honor them.”
Lady Raspberry:Invites other celebrants to go around the circle and name those who have died within the past year, whether known to them personally or as cultural figures. Then go around again to name the Beloved Dead of earlier years.
Sir Malachite:Leads the drumming and dancing in celebration of death and life. Offer a selection of drums, rattles, etc. so everyone who wants to play an instrument can have one.
Summoner:Presents Pan de Muertos for the cakes, saying, “Taste the Bread of the Dead.”
Lady Raspberry: Presents ginger beer for the ale, saying, “Drink of warmth and life.”
Lady Raspberry:Bids farewell to the Beloved Dead, snuffing the altar candles, then saying: As we put the candles out, Dear Departed, turn about, No more on this Earth to roam; Moonlight see you safely Home.
Summoner:Bids farewell to the Beloved Dead, tossing the incense into the bonfire (if outdoors) or snuffing it (if indoors), then saying: As the incense fades away, Thanks to those who came this way. Souls rise up like thinning smoke, Gone back to their yonder folk.
Both: Say farewell and shed no tear – We may meet again some year.
Summoner:Releases the Archangels and the Orishas in charge of death.
Great Orisha Baron Samedi, bring your fallen family back to the afterlife and return to your home. Bring honor and dignity to the dead that have earned them. Vaya con los dios.
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
Summoner: Great Orisha Ghede, bring your fallen family back to the afterlife and return to your home. Sate your hunger for those who seek to cheat death. Vaya con los dios.
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
Summoner: Archangel Sariel, guide the lost and forgotten once more by the pale moonlight as the sun sleeps. May your charges know happiness and peace in the afterlife. Vaya con los dios.
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
Summoner: Archangel Uriel, return to your vigil at the gates of the abyss. May your charges know happiness and peace in the afterlife. Vaya con los dios.
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
Summoner:Releases the Quarters.
I call to the West, waters of the well of souls. Collect our Ancestors that they may rest in peace once again. Vaya con los dios.
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
Summoner: I call to the South, fires of the funeral pyre. Cleanse our Ancestors and bear them home once again. Vaya con los dios.
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
Summoner: I call to the East, breath of life, from first breath to last. Whisper and calm our Ancestors once more. Vaya con los dios.
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
Summoner: I call to the North, womb of the Earth. Bear our Ancestors in peace once more. Vaya con los dios.
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
Lady Raspberry: Opens the circle.
Outdoor opening: Our circle passes with the hours; Let it be opened like the flowers.
Indoor opening: Go from this circle with all you feel; Let it be opened by shining steel.
“Vaya con los dios!”
All: “Vaya con los dios!”
* * * Supplies
copper “Choreboy” mesh pads for bonfire lilac wood for bonfire toilet paper for bonfire cardboard chips for bonfire tiki torches torch oil paper bags for farolitos sand for farolitos tea lights or votive candles for farolitos altar skull altar cloth copal incense self-lighting charcoal for incense lighter incense burner altar candles skull candle holders Pan de Muertos platter ginger beer chalice flowers – marigolds, chrysanthemums, etc. makeup and costumes drums and other instruments skull/skeleton decorations Mexican candies – sugar skulls, hard candy mummies, etc. skull piñata sticks for hanging and beating piñata
* * * Schedule 11 AM: Setup volunteers arrive.
Noon- 1 PM: Attendees arrive. Optional picnic lunch in the ritual meadow, weather permitting. (If the weather is bad, people should arrive at 1 PM.) Bring your own basket lunch.
1-2 PM: Hang the spooky pinata and beat it to death with sticks!
2-4:30 PM: Attendees pair off to paint each other and help with dressing for the costume party. Then the costume party will be in full swing. The theme is death, so ghosts, skeletons, etc. are suitable. Mexicans often dress as skeletal musicians, ghostly brides, and so forth. Here are some pictures for inspiration.
4:30-5 PM: Preparation for the Feast.
5-6:30 PM: Fieldhaven Coven presents a Mexican Feast to the community. All you need to bring is your appetite! Current menu plan includes Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead), Arizona pizza with chorizo, vegetarian chili, tacos de chupacabra, tortillas, toppings such as tomatoes and cheeses, nachos with an assortment of hot sauces and salsas, sugar skulls and other Mexican candies, and hot chocolate with cinnamon and chili.
6:30-7 PM: Ritual prep.
7-8 PM: Main ritual. We will be inviting the Ancestors and our own Beloved Dead to join us in celebration of life and death. This is a time to remember those who have passed away during the last year, whether known to us personally or as cultural figures; and to honor all those who have gone before. You may wish to take time before the ritual to think of those you wish to mention.
8-8:30 PM: Cleanup.
8:30 PM-whenever: Socializing. The official activities are not intended to run late because some people have school or work early on Monday; but anyone who wants to stay later to celebrate the holiday or just hang out is welcome to do so.
Ritual for Samhain 2011: Putting Us on the Map
Background: For this holiday, we originally brainstormed two different ideas: the map or path as a metaphor for spiritual progress, and outreach to other people who might be interested in what we do here at Fieldhaven. After some discussion, we figured out a way to combine them in a single ritual. We also added a traditional Samhain motif, the Ancestors.
Opening
Altar table with cakes and ale, lighter, and incense is placed in the ritual meadow. A large bonfire is laid and lit before the ritual begins. Five tiki torches are filled and placed around the fire pit, but not lit yet. Speaker to Ancestors has a printout of the coven's goals and practices; each member also has a brief statement of their perception of the coven's purpose written on a slip of paper. Celebrants gather in the ritual meadow.
Cast circle hand-to-hand; extend to limits of the meadow, then beyond that to the property boundaries.
Each caller lights their torch as they make their call.
Caller for Spirit: "I call to the elemental realm of Spirit, on this night of endings and beginnings, and ask that you join with us in ritual for our mutual benefit. May the Unicorns watch over us, leading those to us that mean us no harm, and diverting those whose interests are negative in nature; may the Song Lines be our channel for this shared experience. Hail and well met!"
All reply: "Hail and well met!"
Caller for Fire: "I call to the elemental realm of Fire, as we close out the old year and begin the new, and ask that you share in our ritual this evening. May the Salamanders stand guard, providing a beacon to those with sympathetic interests, and a barrier to any of malevolent intent; may the Dragon Lines provide a guiding light for compatible souls. Hail and well met!"
All reply: "Hail and well met!"
Caller for Earth: "I call to the elemental realm of Earth, as part of our celebration of the Samhain sabbat, and ask that you take part in celebrating this holiday with us. May the Gnomes provide safe passage to those with whom we are compatible, and divert to elsewhere any who would cause us harm; may the Ley Lines offer a clear path for benevolent seekers. Hail and well met!"
All reply: "Hail and well met!"
Caller for Water: "I call to the elemental realm of Water, at the start of the dark half of the year, and ask that you partake with us in tonight’s activities. May the Undines provide guidance for those that need this shelter, and drive away any that would disrupt our ongoing practice; may the Whale Roads be open to all with common interests. Hail and well met!"
All reply: "Hail and well met!"
Caller for Air: "I call to the elemental realm of Air, on this 15th anniversary of our first sabbat celebration on this land, and ask for your companionship in our rite. May the Sylphs offer directions to those in need of finding us, and offer distractions to any whose needs are incompatible; may the Swan Roads lead the appropriate folk to us, and the disruptive ones away. Hail and well met!"
All reply: "Hail and well met!"
High Priest: Delivers the statement of intent. Ancestor Interface
Speaker to Ancestors: "On this night, the Veil between worlds is thin. I call on the spirits of the Ancestors who guide and guard us. Join us in our ritual tonight. Hail and well met!"
All reply: "Hail and well met!"
Speaker to Ancestors: "Ancestors, hear our thanks for your role in our lives. Be aware of who we are, what we do, and where we our going. Know our path so that you may come to know which other paths it may meet along the way. Accept these offerings of Spirit and Fire in token of our faith. Please forward widely."
Throws roll of pages with coven description into fire. Other participants follow suit, throwing their own statements about the coven into the fire.
Speaker to Ancestors: "Ancestors, please continue to regard our ritual tonight as we move along our path."
Orienteering
Heartbeat drum throughout guided meditation.
Speaker to Coven: [Leads group in guided meditation, as each examines where their chosen path has taken them through the last year, and considers where they want the path to take them through the upcoming year. Allow time for making adjustments and changes, as well as possible prayers to relevant patrons to assist in meeting these goals.]
Networking
Speaker to Both Worlds: "Ancestors and descendants, brothers and sisters, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and strangers – please hear me! Let the smoke from this incense carry our words and intent to you all.
"Some individuals may stand completely alone and be totally self-sufficient, but that is rare. Most of us want and need the company of other like-minded people – people with whom we can share ideas and hopes and dreams. We need others on whom we can depend in times of hardship, and who will let us help them in times of prosperity. We need to come together for work and for play, to form friendships and families, to study and to celebrate.
"There is a quote commonly attributed to Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Of course, that change has often come about by the small group’s inspiring a large population.
"We stand here together, Fieldhaven Coven, a small group of thoughtful, committed Pagans. On this Samhain, when the veils between the worlds are thin, we have opened ourselves to you, the ancestors, and have considered our paths, both individually and as a coven. We believe we are ready to inspire others and we ask your assistance in finding opportunities to do so.
"Just as the physical world has Facebook, MySpace, LiveJournal, WitchVox, and other networking tools, we believe that you who inhabit the spirit world have ways of reaching each other and reaching out to us. We ask your support in bringing our existence to the attention of those adults of good will who would find meaning in our path.
"We will not take your help for granted, Ancestors."
All reply: "So say we all!"
Speaker to Both Worlds: "We will continue to reach out to others physically, through personal contacts, electronic means, and other options that may arise."
All reply: "So say we all!"
Speaker to Both Worlds: "We will be open and welcoming to those who come to us in good faith, regardless of whether our paths coincide or diverge, for we know that they may tell others about us."
All reply: "So say we all!"
Speaker to Both Worlds: "And we will treat ourselves, each other, and all seekers, with respect and kindness."
All reply: "So say we all!"
[At this point, other coveners join in with their own thoughts as to how we can assist in the ongoing growth and support of the coven, with the balance of the group responding as above until all are finished.]
Spiral Dance around ritual meadow in support of pathfinding.
Cakes and ale.
Speaker to Ancestors: "I offer our thanks, O Ancestors, for your presence in our ritual tonight. We look forward to meeting those compatible seekers you may send our way. Stay if you will, go if you must: hail and farewell!"
Each caller extinguishes their torch after they’ve made their call.
Caller for Air: "I offer our thanks, O Sylphs, and all of the elemental powers of Air, for having shared your time with us this night. We will strive to remember your presence among us at all times throughout the upcoming year, and look forward to further chances to share our celebrations with you. Stay if you will, go if you must: hail and farewell!"
All Reply: "Hail and farewell!"
Caller for Water: "I offer our thanks, O Undines, and all of the elemental powers of Water, for having shared your time with us this night. We will strive to remember your presence among us at all times throughout the upcoming year, and look forward to further chances to share our celebrations with you. Stay if you will, go if you must: hail and farewell!"
All Reply: "Hail and farewell!"
Caller for Earth: "I offer our thanks, O Gnomes, and all of the elemental powers of Earth, for having shared your time with us this night. We will strive to remember your presence among us at all times throughout the upcoming year, and look forward to further chances to share our celebrations with you. Stay if you will, go if you must: hail and farewell!"
All Reply: "Hail and farewell!"
Caller for Fire: "I offer our thanks, O Salamanders, and all of the elemental powers of Fire, for having shared your time with us this night. We will strive to remember your presence among us at all times throughout the upcoming year, and look forward to further chances to share our celebrations with you. Stay if you will, go if you must: hail and farewell!"
All Reply: "Hail and farewell!"
Caller for Spirit: "I offer our thanks, O Unicorns, and all of the ancestor spirits, for having shared your time with us this night. We will strive to remember your presence among us at all times throughout the upcoming year, and look forward to further chances to share our celebrations with you. Stay if you will, go if you must: hail and farewell!"
All Reply: "Hail and farewell!"
Retract the circle into the ritual meadow, rejoin hands, and draw it back into the original size. Perform a hand-to-hand release, counterclockwise around the circle.