(Ancestor portal is available during day, and to gather people for ritual, tell the story of the pumpkinseed and death, and other stories as needed.)

PS: Welcome everyone to our Samhain ritual! Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a hard time coming to terms with my own mortality. Even after all the Samhain rituals I’ve participated in, I found the reality of sudden and unexpected death very unsettling. I did not want to believe that death is waiting around the corner, but I could not get past the fear of losing the friends and family and life that I love dearly. All the knowledge that life is a cycle, always turning, did not comfort me this time. I searched for my faith that life is more than this physical body, that beyond my death life will continue and that I will still be a part of it.

P: No living creature will survive forever, yet life has gone on for millions of years. Life is more than all of us, yet would be less without each of us. We each need to find individual meaning and satisfaction in our lives, but more than that we contribute to Life as a whole. Chances are we will never know our effect on the whole, but we can understand that we are a part of the Great Spirit of Life. At Samhain we honor the point of change in the earth between life and death, summer and winter. The seasons change and we follow the harvest pattern. We honor our ancestors and beloved dead because our thoughts are on our own human limitations and mortality. We remember that our lives are but moments in time.

North: I am the ancient one, seeing my mortality ahead with clear understanding. I have lived a full life of wonder and joy and sadness. I love my life enough to give it up so that another may come after me to delight in the magic I have experienced. I give back my body to the earth so that others may live. I return my soul to the universe so I may be forever.

East: I am the new born one, just a seed full of potential. I was birthed by one with much love. I am fragile but cannot be cautious. I must break through the shell and extend roots or I will die without having lived. I have faith that the earth and her Spirits will help me thrive and grow strong. I give my body and my soul to the earth in trust that I will live.

South: I am the strong one, full of life. With the help of Spirit I stretched my roots deep into the nurturing earth and she has smiled upon me. With that grounding I grow toward the light of the sun, straight and tall, taking in all that surrounds me. I drink the rain, I withstand the storms, and I bask in the warmth of the day and rest at night. With the others around me I am fertilized and prepare to bear fruit. I offer my body so that life may continue. I pray that my soul learns enough through experience to pass that knowledge to the next generation.

West: I am the passing one, heavy with fruit, which carries new life. Through sharing I was blessed with the chance to pass on my strength and love to the future. My body is strong enough to support the fruit, but only for a short time. I give them my energy and I grow weak. But they need my life to survive the winter, which I will not see. I hold them close and teach what I can. I am full of life and glad to have my body a part of the next generation. Part of my soul will be found in those I hold connected to me right now. And life continues.

PS: In the sun and the moon, in the earth and the tree, in the mountain and the ocean, in the life and the death we find ourselves wrapped in duality that only masks the continuity of our lives. Lord and Lady, this Samhain help us to see beyond this moment in time. Through your eyes may we see the balance of the sun and the moon on their paths. May we see the earth and the tree each in turn feeding the other, the mountain’s height matching the ocean’s depth. May we see the magic of life given to us by our ability to die. We give you thanks for your gifts to us today. Hail and welcome.

P: All living creatures do follow a cycle of renewal, but in their own time of course. We live today with all its joy and beauty, knowing full well that change will be constant in our lives. All we can do is make responsible choices for ourselves and make the best of what comes our way. What we choose will influence the future. Those who become parents soon discover how to live for more than just us. The new life soon takes priority. But this really applies to all of us, whether we have children or not. Each of us is leading to the next step, the future. We become the foundation for others. What will you be remembered for?

PS: Who knows for sure what happens during death? All we know is what remains in our world after a loved one dies. A life ends and the body is returned to the earth. Those of us left behind in this world grieve. We are the ones who must continue life in spite of the great loss of friendship. Everything changes. A hole is left inside us by this sudden change. But over time, after the mourning period, the rebuilding begins. Little by little other people and other activities fill in the empty spaces. The overall shape of our lives has been changed because of the death, but after the grief we are no less whole.

P: But any loved one who has touched our life is still a part of us beyond death. After the sadness and the pain we still hold them in our heart. We are healed of our pain when we can remember the person, as we loved them. We hold that person’s memory with honor. Death should not change the gladness that they were a part of our lives. We have to hold that part close and carry it on with us to the future. We still need to make our lives worth living.

PS: On the grand scale, the purpose of life seems to be to continue life. Through living and dying each of us contributes new and unique experiences to the universe. The sheer diversity of all living creatures is beyond all comprehension for us, so we concentrate on our own part. As humans our abilities go beyond mere physical reproduction of life and the ending of it. For us, life is about what we see and do, how we feel, how we live our lives. But when our winter comes and death claims us, where is our seed to be planted in the spring to be reborn?

Here Death comes to take people a few at a time out to the maze. The maze persons are already in place at this time.

Four people are in maze representing the quarters.

First is the north, who is old, tired, in dim light. Has a basket of seeds (acorns?) to give away to participants.
Second is the east, who is small, seeming bold but nervous, in a more lighted area. Has a bucket of earth with a sign saying “Plant seed here” and a cauldron of tarot cards to give away to participants. Will remain hidden until people plant the seed, then come out to speak.
Third is the south, tall, strong, independent and in a well lit area. Has a tray of puzzle pieces to give away to participants.
Fourth is the west, middle aged, wise, content, but with less light. Cakes and ale is set up to be given to participants.

North: Please, you must help me. Winter is almost here and I am almost gone. All I have left to give of myself are these seeds. I brought them forth but cannot see them through. Please take them with you, safe and warm. They are all that I hoped for. You will know what to do when the time comes. (gives a seed or two)

East: (after people plant the seeds) Oh thank you! Thank you for taking care of me through the winter. I might not have survived without you. I guess we all need some help getting started. I can feel the earth supporting me now and giving me her strength. I can’t wait to grow up and help other people like you helped me. You and I are both full of possibility you know. I think I know what my path is, but would you like to see a moment of your future? (lets person choose tarot card) Now you must continue forward. We both have a lot to do.

South: Hi! I’m so glad you came. I’ve been waiting for you. Everything has been great. I’ve met lots of people and learned a lot. Lots of fun! But people keep giving me these things (points to puzzle pieces) and I don’t know what to do with them. I’m just holding on to them hoping to find out where they belong. Hey! Wait a minute – this one right here reminds me of you. I think you should take it. (gives each person a puzzle piece) Cool! Well, I know you’re busy, so I won’t keep you. See you soon!

West: Ah yes. We meet again. I knew we would. It all makes sense now. Of course we end up together. We needed each other all along. Come and join me in cakes and ale to share the bounty of Life. In sharing may we never hunger. (feeds person half a piece of cake and returns half to the earth) In sharing may we never thirst. (gives a drink of ale and returns some back to the earth) Look at all that we have done together. This will continue long after you and I are gone. The fruit we bear is healthy. You are much loved. The next step is up to you.

Life :Gives a little speach welcoming people back to a new life, annoints people on the forehead with rosemary scented water, gives a great warm hug, directs people back to the path to the barn. As people return, put the puzzle pieces together. When all return to the barn continue ritual.

P: So, when our winter comes and death claims us, where is our seed to be planted in the spring to be reborn? Right here. Look around you at the friends and family in this circle. All afternoon you have been exchanging seeds with people you talked with. That is exactly how we live on beyond our death. When I die all my experiences and feelings and dreams are gone with me. Except for those I shared with you and other people in my life. To those close to me, I give you my life. If I have made an impression on your life, then when I am gone I will live in you. And since I live in you, I also live in the hearts of all the people you touch in your lifetime.

PS: That is why we remember our beloved dead and ancestors at this time of year. Those who came before us are a part of us whether we know their name and their face or not. We acknowledge the hands and the words and the hearts that affected who we are today – some were gentle, some harsh. And as we have shared a part of their lives, we remember those who came before them to share and shape their lives. All of us are part of the Great Life that began before time. Pieces of the infinite. How’s that for a legacy?

P): Our ancestors have shared their lives with us and are still with us in our hearts and across the veil. But their time on this earth is past and it is our time to make sure that our seed will survive the winter. Our forefathers and foremothers have helped to make us ready to go to seed. How is the seed planted? To begin, it must be given freely. Perhaps through a hug, a smile, a phone call. Very simply reaching out to the person nearest you. Talk about your family, your fears, your love, your dreams.

PS: Those you touch will continue affecting others long after our physical body is spent. Your life’s spirit will live on even as you join your ancestors in passing away from this world. In this is your legacy. By exchanging seeds we symbolize the continuity of life and the true magic that goes on when we gather as a community. Blessed Be.

P: Lord and Lady, we thank you for being in our hearts today. The love we share began with you before the beginning of time. Here we stand together in front of the dark winter. Help us be thankful of the seeds we have to give away so that life may continue to grow. Help us be thankful of the seeds people have given to us so that we may continue to grow. The seeds we hold are a piece of the whole of Life. More than we can imagine, although we hold all of it in our faith. Thanks to you, life is beautiful in its simplicity yet infinite in its possibility. Hail and Blessed Be.

North: From Death
East: To Birth
South: To Fullness
West: To Passing

(N&E&S&W together): We fulfill the destiny of life. Spirits we thank you for sharing in our lives throughout the cycle. Hail and Blessed Be.

All: Merry we met, merry we part, merry we meet again.

People take home puzzle pieces after ritual.
(Puzzle was a big round puzzle of the Tree Of Life, to show how each person is a part of the whole of Life

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