After a ritual bath in salt water to cleanse your body and soul of any impurities and negative energy, put on a long, black ceremonial robe (unless you prefer to work skyclad, as many Witches do), wear a handcrafted necklace of acorns around your neck, and place a crown of oak leaves around your head. Begin by casting a circle about nine feet in diameter, using white chalk or paint. Place thirteen black and orange candles around the circle, and as you light each one say: "Samhain candle of fire so bright Consecrate this circle of light." In the center of the circle, erect an altar facing north. On the center of the altar, place three candles (white, red and black) to represent each phase of the Triple Goddess. To the left (west) of the candles, place a chalice filled with apple cider and a dish containing sea salt. To theright (east) of the candles, place a censer of herb incense and a small bowl ofwater. Before the candles (south), place a brass altar bell, a consecrated athame, and a red apple. Ring the altar bell thrice and say: "In the sacred name of the Goddess and under her protection is this Sabbat Rite now begun." Sprinkle a bit of salt and water at each compass point around the circle to cleanse the space of any negativity or evil influences. Take the athame in your right hand, and say: "Harken well ye elements Air, fire, water, earth By bell and blade I summon thee On this sacred night of mirth." Dip the blade of the athame into the chalice of apple cider and say: "I offer to Thee, O Goddess This nectar of the season." Return the athame to the altar. Light the incense and the three altar candles, and say: "Three candles I do light in honor of Thee, O Goddess: White for the Maiden, Red for the Mother, Black for the Crone. O Goddess of all things wild and free, Strong and loving, fair and just, This sacred temple I raise to Thee In Perfect Love, In Perfect Trust." Pick up the chalice with both hands and pour a few drops of the cider onto the apple and say: "To the Womb of the Mother Goddess The Horned God now returns Until the day when he is reborn again. The great solar wheel Once again turns. The cycle of the seasons never ends. Blessed be the souls of those who have journeyed beyond To the dark world of the dead. I pour this nectar in honor of their memory. May the Goddess bless them With Light, Beauty and Joy. Blessed Be! Blessed Be!" Drink the remaining cider, and then return the chalice to its place on the altar. Ring the bell thrice, and then uncast the circle by extinguishing the orange and black candles, starting at the east and moving in a couterclockwise direction. Take the apple from the altar and bury it outsid in the earth to nourish the souls of those who have died in the past year. The Samhain ritual is now complete and should be followed by meditation, divination by crystal ball, the reciting of mystical Goddess-inspiredpoetry, and a Witches' prayer for the souls of all family members andfriends who have passed on to the Spirtual Plane. Samhain Ritual #7