by John Gibson
Copyright © 1995 John Gibson
All Rights Reserved
May be reposted as long as the above attribution and copyright notice are retained
Items needed:
- cauldron & heatproof base
- alcohol
- matches
- Bi/le image
- salt for Mana/nnan
- grain for Danu
- honey for Bi/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
- two or three people to perform the ritual
The altar table is set at the head of the dining table, with the altar
cloth, the Cauldron of Hospitality and the image of Bi/le. When all are
assembled, the Cauldron is lit.
R1:
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.
R2:
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.
R3:
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.
R2:
Mana/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.)
R1:
Danu, mo bandia, 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.)
R3:
Bi/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. A white, birch-scented
pillar candle is set before the image of Bile, 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.
R1:
Gives an ad-lib blessing
R2:
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.
R3:
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.
R2:
Mana/nnan, a thiarna, Lord of Mists, Gatekeeper, you who lead the dead into
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.
R1:
Danu, mo ba/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.
R3:
Bi/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 Bi/le candle is left to burn.
The offerings for ancestors, land spirits and deities are buried outside.
