This is the Samhain rite that was held at our house this year. It is a ritual designed for about ten people who know each other well. Samhain Rite Items needed: cauldron & heatproof base alcohol matches B!le image salt for Man nnan grain for Danu honey for B!le milk & bread for the land spirits milk jug libation bowl white pillar candle birch scented oil incense burner & incense votive candles & candle holders images of ancestors & dead ritual feast plates for deities & ancestors suitable music tarot & other divinatory tools Ritualist #1 Three cauldrons that are in every fort: the cauldron of motion, the cauldron of warmth, the cauldron of guests. Tonight we welcome you into our home, and light the cauldron of hospitality, which contains all these three. (lights cauldron) We are come to celebrate the new year, and to remember those who have gone into the Otherworlds before us. Ritualist #2: Tonight we call upon the spirits of this place, of the Duwamish, of Seattle, of the land all around us to be at peace with us, and to walk lightly among us. We call upon the spirits of rivers, oceans, mountains, and forests to be at peace with us and to walk lightly among us. We call upon the land spirits to accept our offerings on this, the night of the new year. (Each person pours out milk and breaks bread into the libation bowl. Each person says:) May the land spirits bless us in this new year. Ritualist #3: On this night, the ancestors walk abroad. The gates between the worlds are open wide. We call upon our ancestors, those known and unknown, to come among us and celebrate our reunion on this night of Samhain. We call upon our loved ones who have passed into the House of Donn to come and feast with us tonight. We call upon the Mighty Dead to assemble here and be remembered. Ritualist #2: Man nnan, a thiarna, Lord of Mists, Gatekeeper, you who lead the dead from the House of Donn into the Plain of Delight, be with us this night and guide the Mighty Dead through the gates to join us in our rite. (Each person tastes salt.) Ritualist #1 Danu, mo b ndia, Mother of Gods, Mother of Rivers, you who embrace the dead as they leave our world for the House of Donn, be with us this night and support the Mighty Dead as they join with us in our rite. (Each person tastes grain.) Ritualist #3: B!le, a thiarna, Tree of Life, Lord of Death, you who rule the dead on the Plain of Delight, be with us this night and guard the Mighty Dead as they join us in our rite. (Each person tastes honey.) Each person, silently or aloud, requests the presence of their personal deity to join us for the night. The altar is set, with each person placing photos or momentos of ancestors and their beloved dead, and lighting votive candles. Each person is encouraged to identify the photographs on the altar. A white, birch-scented pillar candle is set before the image of B!le, along with incense. The Three Realms are acknowledged. Each person tells a story of one of their beloved dead. Dinner is prepared, and the main table is set. Each person assists with dinner, and has brought something to contribute for the feast. Places on the altar are set for the ancestors and the deities. When dinner is served, before any food is consumed the ancestors and the Gods are given their share. The dead are toasted, beginning with those whose names we do not know. Personal toasts are made around the table by each individual. Toasts are ended with the nameless again remembered. Dinner is a party, with music and conversation. After the feast, the table is cleared and the tools of divination are brought out, and those who wish to do so can give or receive readings for the coming year. When the divinations are done, the Samhain blessing is given. Ritualist #1 Gives an ad-lib blessing Ritualist #2: We thank the land spirits, the spirits of this place, and all the spirits of plants, animals and earth for coming among us in peace and blessing our rite. Walk in peace into the new year. Ritualist #3: We thank the ancestors and the spirits of our beloved dead for coming among us in peace and blessing our rite. We remember you in love, for we will one day dwell among you again. We wait for your return to the land of mortals. Walk in peace into the new year. Ritualist #2: Man nnan, a thiarna, Lord of Mists, Gatekeeper, you who lead the dead from the House of Donn into the Plain of Delight, we thank you for your presence this night. May you guide the Mighty Dead through the gates to the Plain of Delight. Ritualist #1 Danu, mo b ndia, Mother of Gods, Mother of Rivers, you who embrace the dead as they leave our world for the House of Donn, we thank you for your presence this night. May you support the Mighty Dead as they return to the House of Donn. Ritualist #3: B!le, a thiarna, Tree of Life, Lord of Death, you who rule the dead on the Plain of Delight, we thank you for your presence this night. May you receive the Mighty Dead into the Plain of Delight. May you give them rest and strength to come to rebirth. The votives on the altar are put out and given to each person to take home and burn for their ancestors and beloved dead. Each person takes their ancestor photos or items from the altar. The B!le candle is left to burn. The offerings for ancestors, land spirits and deities are buried outside.