The Pagan Heart Kitchen Witch

September-October 2005 Issue

The Art of the Kitchen Witch By Josh P.     With Samhain upon us, I thought I would share the ritual Katya and I will be working with a few friends on the Eve of the 6th of November. Tools: a black alter cloth black and green cord a red candle a small mirror a small bowl of dried beans a bowl of fresh water, moon-blessed a small bowl of milk and honey 1 green Goddess candle 1 black God candle 2 small pumpkin candle holders libation plate a sharp paring knife an apple pictures or mementos of departed ones Samhain incense Preparation: This is a ritual designed to be performed by two people. Begin by cleansing your bodies as per your normal routine, followed by some joint meditation to purify and prepare your minds and spirits. Sit facing each other and spend time feeling the energy flow between you. While one sweeps out the ritual space, moving deosil, the other takes the cords and twines them together. Use this to outline the Circle about the altar. Together, place the pumpkins atop the altar and stand the green Goddess candle in the one to the left, the black God candle in the one to the right. 1 stick or cone of incense should be placed before each deity's candle. Between the candles place the bowl of water and in front of this the libation plate bearing the apple and paring knife. Place the mirror behind the bowl and atop it the red candle and bowl of beans. Arrange the mementoes and photos on the altar as feels right. Cast the Circle and call the Quarters. Invoke the Goddess and God. The aspects you call upon should be ones who serve a role as psychopomps - that is, Escorts of the Dead, Guardians of souls, Harvesters of life. Hekate and Hermes from the Greek pantheon, Isis and Anubis from the Egyptian, Freya and Odhin along with any of the Valkyries from the Nordic, Arawn or Kernunnos and Epona or Rhiannon from the Celtic myths are all good names to call to. The female participant lights the green candle and calls forth the Goddess. Name her roles as a psychopomp and ask that she guide you in this journey. Offer her honor. Pour out a small libation to her of the honey milk, light the incense, and wait for the flame to flicker and grow strong. Close your eyes and listen for her answer within your heart. If she refuses, thank her, and blow out the candle. Cleanse the libation plate and start anew, asking another goddess to guide you. It is important that you work with a deity who is willing to help you, so take your time. Next the male participant lights the black candle and calls forth the god. Name his roles likewise and ask for his protection in this ritual. Offer him honor, a libation, and incense and wait for his answer. He may refuse, in which case proceed to ask a different god. It does not matter on this night if the goddess and god are from different pantheons since they are here to ward and guide you. Their energy is not mingled the way it is in other rituals. One participant picks up the apple and slowly peels it - try to keep the peel one continuous thread. When you have finished, slice the apple crosswise. As the other person lights the red candle, the first takes the peel and drop it in the bowl of water. Together, hold your hands, palms down, over the water and let your energy fill the bowl. Close your eyes and focus upon the apple peel. Let it unravel before you, a path down which you will walk hand-in-hand between the deities towards the red candle. Open your eyes and feed each other the apple halves. If there are other participants they should join hands around the circle and recite with the two ritual leaders the following: ~ Goddess, she who knows the path to the Underworld, Bringer of knowledge and understanding, show me the way. ~ Guide me to the veil that I might pass and feel once more the touch of my loved ones, hear their voices, see their faces. ~ God, he who walks between the worlds, Guardian of souls, Bringer of knowledge and understanding, show me the path ~ Protect me on this journey that I might return in safety bearing the love of those who have journied before me. ~ Blessed Be. Spend time sharing some food and drink about the altar. Leave crumbs and drops on the libation plate for the deities and the spirits. Share memories of those who have died. When you are finished, thank the deities and close the circle. Leave the red candle burning with the beans and mirror - this provide spiritual sustenance and a doorway home for those who have visited.     I would like to thank Catherine M for helping Katya and I create this ritual. We wanted to form a new tradition in our home, one that honoured our Wiccan roots, but acknowledged the other paths we are starting to walk down. Thank you.

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