Now is the time of year in which we pass from light into darkness, symbolized by the death of the
God of the sun. At this time, the spirits may roam the Earth along with the living, and the Goddess
is in her crone aspect. Seasonal items should decorate the Altar. Grains, gourds, and dried flowers
are appropriate. Some extras you might want to lay out are things like apples, tarot cards, runes,
hazel nuts, divination wands, a plate of food to be left outside for wandering spirits, and corn bread
or a pomegranate in place of crescent cakes. One thing I would suggest is a yellow candle with a
sun painted on it. This represents the dying God. The Altar cloth is black, the Altar candles should
be red and black. Cast the sacred circle. Invoke the God and the Goddess. After this is done, light
the God candle. Say:

"On this night when the dead once more walk freely among the living, we pass into
darkness and do so willingly, for we know that it is simply the turning of the wheel. We
give thanks to the God and the Goddess for the bounty that They have provided us over
the summer. On this night , the Lord of the Hunt, the Lord of the Sun passes away from
us. We realize, however, that it is simply the cycle of life, and we wait for that time when
the Sun will once more be born of the moon. As this candle represents the Lord of the
Sun, so does it's blowing out represent the passing of the Lord of the Sun."

Having said this, extinguish the God candle. This candle is not to be lit again until Yule. Now is the
time to invoke the crone aspect of the Goddess by saying:

"Goddess of the stars and of the waning moon, Goddess of Magick and wisdom, whisper
in my ear whatever you may and trust that the knowledge will be wisely used. Lend your
power to my spells and rituals and trust that they will result in no harm to any of your
creatures, great or small."

Now is the time for any Magick or seasonal activities which you had planned to perform this
evening. Any Magick, and things such as drumming and chanting, carving apples or pumpkins,
divination with the Tarot, runes, wands, hazelnuts, or a pendulum, or scrying in fire, smoke or
water. After any such business is done with, hold the simple feast. Then you may banish the sacred
circle.. Take the offering dish outside, and bury the offerings in the earth. Remember to leave a
plate of food outside for wandering spirits.

**A note: SAMHAIN is pronounced soe-in.**

*~*~*~*~*
Here is a Simple Alternate Which You Might Like:
*~*~*~*~*

Things:
- paper and pencil
- apple
- knife
- candle
- wheel of the year (8 spoked symbol on the plate)

Prior to the ritual, sit quietly and think of friends and loved ones who have passed away. Known thay they have gone to a better place.
Light a fire within the cauldren (a candle is fine). Sit before it, holding the piece of paper, gazing at its flames. Say:

   " Wise One of the Waning Moon,
   Goddess of the starry night,
   I create this fire within Your cauldron to transform that    which is plaguing me.
   May the energies be reversed;
   From darkness, light!
   From bane, good!
   From death, birth!"

Light the paper in the cauldron's flames and drop it inside. As it burns, know that your ill diminishes, lessens and finally leaves you as it is consumed within the universal fires.

Back to Sabbats Page Back to Main