Samhain Rituals Triskellion's Samhain Ritual This is the 1994 Samhain ritual of Triskellion Coven. Written by Catherine Osborne. (With some stuff lifted from Starhawk, The Spiral Dance.) Cast: Crone, Oak Lord, Holly Lord, Quarter Wardens, Lord(Lady)Death, others. The Rite: A large circle is formed, with the wardens in their places. The Crone is in the North and the Oak Lord in the South. The Holly Lord is outside the circle. We sing in a round to the tune of "Rose, Rose": Holly and Oak Two sides of one, so say our folk One goes down, the other stays Help us through the winter days. This is meant to build concentration and as an aid to meditation. When the North feels ready, he lights his candle. Now two things happen simeltaneously. The Crone and the Oak Lord move to the center of the circle and light the fire. Meanwhile, the East walks 'round the circle and lights her candle from the North's, then returning to her place. The South goes to the East and the West to the South in the same manner. When the candles are lit, the Crone douses the (first) fire and the singing stops abruptly. The Crone sits by the ruins of the fire and the Oak Lord progresses through the quarter between North and West. The Holly Lord enters from the same quarter and goes to the Crone. The North walks to the West, touches candles, and returns to his place. Random Person #1: The Circle is open, yet unbroken. This is a time which is not a time, in a place which is not a place, on a day which is not a day. We, the people of Triskellion, welcome the Holly Lord. All: We welcome him. Lead us, Lord. Holly Lord: Follow me, I am here. Person 2: Be the Guide. H. L.: I am the Guide, the Gate is open. Person 3: Be the Guide. H. L.: I am the Guide, the Way is clear. Person 4: Be the Guide. H.L.: I am the Guide, Death is no barrier. Person 5: Be the Lord of the Dance of Shadows. H.L.: I am King in the Realm of Dreams. All: Be the Lord of the Dance of Shadows. H.L.: I am King in the Realm of Dreams! Everyone sets down whatever they have been holding and we do the spiral dance. Then we pass cakes and wine. Finally, we stand again in the circle. Each person has a small candle in their hand. Person 6: Follow him, for he is here. Death: The Comforter, the Consoler; Heart's Ease, and Sorrow's End. Death takes a candle and a large yew branch to the center of the circle. She lights the candle and steps back. We stand in reflection, remembering those who have died. When we feel ready, we step forward and light our small candles from the big one. We take some yew and cut a slash in it for each thing or person we wish to remember. The branches are placed in a pile. When all the candles are lit, we hold them in the circle. Death: What is remembered, lives. All: What is remembered, lives. Death: What is forgotten, dies. All: What is forgotten, dies. Death: What is remembered, lives. All: We remember. The Crone and Death move to the center. The Crone holds up a pomegranate, saying, "Behold the fruit of life." Death splits it with the knife, saying"Which is death!"He holds up an apple, saying, "Behold the fruit of Death."The Crone cuts it crossways and, showing the five-pointed star to the assembly, says, "Which is Life!." The fruits are placed near the branches with any leftover cakes and wine. Death: Through me, all passes out of life. Crone: But through me, all may be born again. Person 7: Everything passes, changes. Person 8: Seed becomes fruit. Person 9: Fruit becomes seed. Person 10: In birth, we die. Person 11: On death, we feed. Death: Know me, but be free of all fear. Crone: For my womb is the cauldron of rebirth. All: In us, the circle is ever turning. We turn to our neighbors and say,"Blessed be." The last part of the rite is joyous. It is the new year. Holly Lord moves to the center of the circle. H.L.: Take me as your leader, for winter is my time. All: So do we accept you. H.L. lights the yew branches. The wardens blow out their candles. North: The circle is open. All progress out after cleaning up. We go trick or treating.