REQUIREMENTS:
Masks
A rope
A large feast
A small fire or candles
Jack-o-lanterns as decorations
Papers with writing defined by the user
Samhain marks the beginning of a new Wiccan Year, and as such, the celebrations afterward are often jovial, champagne and streamer type affairs, but the actual Samhain holiday represents a dark time for Pagans. It is Persephone's descent and subsequent deflowering in the realm of Hades, a time when darkness is upon us and our voices are raised not in mere celebration but in pleas of mercy, "let the hay grow enough for one more harvest," "make winter easy," "bring peace to my house," "Protect us from the harsh winter winds."
Circle is cast as the sun sets, and the area should get steadily darker during the ritual.
Leader:
"Now is the last setting of the sun upon the year that was, and we travel downward into the year that is. As the sun sets and the new day begins, the circle turns once more and the veil that separates the living from the dead is thinnest. We mask our faces so the dead may not find us, inviting only those we love to accompany us into this circle and into our feasting tonight."
(Two coveners suspend a rope, tied in a large circle, forming a doorway with it. The leader cuts a space within the door with the Athame, and the group parts.)
Leader:
"Enter, friends, loves, family, and all who wish to celebrate this night with us, let all be welcomed within that possess the spirit of goodness and live by our law, The Wiccan Rede."
All:
"An it harm none, do as you will."
Leader:
"Let all who do not wish to be a part leave now."
(Pause. The Rope is dropped and a pentacle drawn where the door had been.)
Now are all met within this circle to turn the wheel of the year once more. The fires are lit in the center of the circle, and each persons brings forth their "sacrifice."
This is not, as some may think, a living creature killed for enjoyment, but a piece of paper detailing a resolution for the new year. Written on this paper are things like "Cigarette Smoking," "Co-dependency," "Guilt over a friend's death," things that one sacrifices for the benefit of Self and Universe, and those things which we "sacrifice" to honor the Gods.
When the paper is burned in the fire, there is no "turning back," that thing is destroyed, and a commitment is made. If what is given up is a material possession, it must be dealt with before Yule, preferably by donating to charity privately. No one knows what is written but the person who wrote it and the Gods, so no one may "make" you give something up. In an older trad the "sacrifice is of something that binds the soul to this plain, a hurt or guilt."
Samhain is a fresh start.
After all the papers are brought out, the leader speaks:
"Now we give up that which binds us, guilt, addictions and pains, to make a new start before the gods. Into the fire with them! That they never follow us again! into the pure fire of the Gods cast all your troubles that you better meet the trial ahead, for now is the darkness of the year and the time of testing! Sage is thrown onto the fire. Be cleansed! Breathe deep of the knowledge of the Circle that is Life, Breathe Deep of the love of the Gods and be free of your Bonds. As the Goddess has decreed, Arise, Excel, Be Free!"
(Coven begins to hum and chant softly, building through the following.)
Leader (over rising voices):
"Awaken the new year with the strength of your voice, bring forth the Magick and bring forth the night! Begin with a Whisper and holler with Might, Shake the Earth, Sky and Waters this glorious night, Be it ever as right as the Goddess decreed, Arise and Excel, Arise and be free, by the powers we're given... "
