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Tuatha de Brighid - Samhain
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A Ritual for a Small Group by Good Folk Welcome to our celebration! Before we begin... This is the yearly celebration of the end of the harvest, the end of Summer’s growth, and the beginning of the cold and dark time of the year. It is also a time of hope as, the hearth fires built up against winter cold, we begin to make our plans for the coming year. The veil between the worlds is thin, and the spirits of our loved ones draw near. It is a time for saying goodbye to those who have departed during the year past, and for making plans for our own future.On the altar place three Brown candles, to symbolize the death of this year’s vegetation. All that remains in the field now belongs to the frost. Two of the candles also stand for the Patron and Matron of the Feast, The Dagda, and The Morrigan. The Dagda is the All-Father, and represents the bounty of the harvest. The Morrigan is the herald of death, and represents the fallowing of the fields. The altar is decorated with corn, acorns, gourds, and grains. Each person should write on a piece of paper the thing they would like to change about themselves in the coming year. A cauldron is nearby. * A white candle, a bowl of water, and a branch represent Fire and Well
and Sacred Tree. Preparing ourselves for our time with the Gods and Spirits The Procession Process to the Sacred Grove and travel around it three times deosil. Light the center Brown candle on altar, and the altar incense. Opening Litanyadapted from Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthews [G] I am the hallow-tide of all souls passing, Awen Invocation [G] From the Gods, and from the Spirits of the Earth, and from the Ancestors, may we have the inspiration of worship and of prayer. By Fire and Well and Sacred Tree
Then cense one another with words like: [B] Pure and hallowed may you be. Earth-Mother and Outdwellers Offerings [G] Earth-Mother we honor you and ask your blessing on our rite. All take a bit of grain and place it in the Offering Bowl, with the same words. At the conclusion of the Rite, the offering will be taken outside and given to the Earth. An offering is made to the Outdwellers according to your own practice, and placed outside the Nemeton.. Attunement [G] rings bell 3 times. [B] As our ancestors once did, so we do today, and so our children will do in the future. We are here to pay homage to the Divine as the Morrigan, Lady of Battle, harbinger of death, fallower of the fields, and The Dagda, All-Father, Lord of the Harvest and source of Life; to the Gods, to the Ancestors, and to the Earth Spirits; to the dark time of the year. Now is the Year’s end, now is the death of the summer’s vegetation. The flowering plants are nearly gone, and the fertility of the earth is ended for another season. Life now banks itself against the winter months ahead.. In the sky, the winter fowl only remain. In the meadow there is silence, as herds rest in the barn, and the soft, silent sound of the first snowflakes are near at hand. This is the Feast of Samhain, the Summer’s End. The Sun is now dim and cold behind gray clouds, and Mother Earth now lies barren. All that remains in the fields after this night belongs to the chilling frost. From this day on, darkness reigns, and the cold of year’s end is here. The Holly King reigns, and the Goddess is now the ancient Crone. This is Summer’s End, this is the Beginning of the Year. The veil between the worlds is thin, and the spirits of the Ancestors draw near. So let us join together as one to make our offerings in joy and thanksgiving. All are seated , and there is silence for a moment. One leads the Two Powers, Body of Light, Four Elements, or other centering meditation as usual. OfferingNaming of the God and Goddess of Samhain [G] Samhain is the ending of the warm times, when darkness overshadows light, when warmth gives way to cold. We make offerings to The Dagda, the All-Father, and to the Morrigan, Goddess of the Darkness. [B] lights a Brown Candle for The Dagda, and makes an offering of oil. [B] Dagdha, God of Life, [All] So mote it be! [G] lights a Brown Candle for the Morrigan, and makes an offering of oil. [B] Greetings, Morrigan, triple Goddess of war, [All] So mote it be! Opening the Gates, Invoking the Kindreds [B] Lights Incense from the Sacred Fire in the Center of the Grove, and then censes the Sacred Well and Sacred Tree. [B] By Fire, and Well, and Sacred Tree, [G] Gods, Ancestors, and Spirits all, Special prayers and/or offerings may be made in honor of loved ones who have died. Pictures of deceased loved ones may now be placed about the altar. All sit and meditate upon the hosts of Spirits they have called. All speak in their hearts to whichever spirits present themselves to them. Offering to the Samhain Deities , [B] The Song of the Dagdha Lord of hunt, and feast, and mirth, [G] The Song of the Morrigan: Triple Goddess, bringing night, Prayer of Sacrifice An offering of bannock is made, and cup of ale,
with appropriate words of praise from the heart The Omen One seeks the Omen through means of choice (rune, ogham, tarot, etc.) and interprets the Omen.
[B] Let us now express our hopes and dreams, our thoughts and prayers for this Earth, our Mother, lighted by the Dagda, darkened by the Morrigan . . . Sit. Holding hands, all express needs, either silently or aloud, followed by a period of silent meditation. The cauldron is placed before the altar. All hold their papers before them.[G] On this night of Samhain we mark your passing, O Sun King, through the sunset into Tir Na N’Og, the Land of the Young. We mark also the passing of all who have gone before, and all who will go after. O Gracious Goddess, Eternal Mother, you who gives birth to the fallen, teach us to know that in the time of greatest darkness there is the greatest light. [B] Lighting a fire within the cauldron, Departing Sun and dying Earth, Wise Dagda and knowing Morrigan, we create this fire within your cauldron to transform that which is plaguing us. May the energies be reversed: From darkness to light! All place papers in the Cauldron’s flames. As it burns, know that your ill diminishes, lessens, and finally leaves you as it is consumed in the fire. Other workings as needed may be done at this time, making use of the energy raised. At the conclusion of this joining, all share the Bannocks and Ale, and other fruits of the season. FarewellingUnwinding and Ending [B] Join we now in chant of Communion and Praise.[All] I bind unto myself today [B] O joyous Dagdha, father of the gods, [All] Farewell, and Blessed Be! [B] Morrigan, Lady of endings, [All] Farewell, and Blessed Be! [G] The Goddess, the God have been honored. [B] So mote it be! [B] leads others three times counter-Sunwise around the circle, in a
journey back from the Otherworld.
Copyright 1998, by Good Folk
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