This Ritual shall be performed during the evening 
    hours, sometime after Sunset. Sweep area, starting in 
    the North and moving deosil, with your magickal broom 
    to cleanse the Circle area and "sweep away" any 
    lingering negative energies. Set up the Quarter 
    candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red, 
    West-Blue) and/or other items symbolizing the elements 
    at the Four Quarters. Set up your altar as desired, 
    and face it to the North, covering it with the 
    orange-and-black altar cloth. Place all of the items 
    listed below in their proper places upon it. For this 
    ceremony, decorate the altar with photographs, 
    obituaries and other mementos of loved ones who have 
    passed on (Family, Friends and Pets), and whatever 
    else feels right. In addition to your usual tools and 
    props, upon the altar should be: 

    Orange and/or Black Altar Cloth 
    Photographs, Obituaries and other Mementos from Loved 
    Ones (Family, Friends and Pets) who have passed on... 
    Three Candles in Holders for the Triple Goddess (1 
    White, 1 Red, and 1 Black - placed on the Left side of 
    the Altar) 

    Three Candles in Holders for the Triple God (1 Yellow, 
    1 Green, and 1 Black - placed on the Right side of the 
    Altar) 
    Cauldron with a Black Candle inside 
    An Apple and a Bolline (or other Sharp Knife to cut it 
    with) 
    Food and Drink of your choice for sharing the Feast 
    with the Departed Ones... 
    Incense, Autumnal Blend using any combination of the 
    following, or simply use one alone: 

    Mint, Nutmeg, Sage, Apple, and Heliotrope 

    When all is set up, take a shower or bath for 
    purification and don your ritual robe or other ritual 
    attire. Be sure to wear your magickal jewelry. Sit 
    quietly and meditate for a little while - to ground 
    and center before beginning the Ritual. When you feel 
    ready to begin, play some quiet peaceful music for the 
    ritual. 







    Cast the Circle... Sit quietly meditating within the 
    cast Circle for a little while... When you feel ready, 
    begin by turning to the three candles on the left side 
    of the altar, saying: 


    "I light three candles for the Triple Goddess... 
    ...the Great Lady of Three Aspects." 

    Light the White Candle, saying: 


    "Glorious Maiden, Goddess of youth and new beginnings, 
    dawn, and the planted seed... 

    Light the Red Candle, saying: 


    "Great Mother, Goddess of magick and plenty, love and 
    knowledge." 

    Light the Black Candle, saying: 


    "Dark Crone, wise Goddess of the night, death and 
    rebirth. 
    I welcome the Goddess in all Her forms." 

    Turn to the three candles on the right side of the 
    altar, saying: 


    "I light three candles for the Triple God... 
    ...Great Lord of many faces. 

    Light the Yellow Candle, saying: 


    "Bright Sun King, God of success and plenty..." 

    Light the Green Candle, saying: 


    "Horned God of the Woodlands, 
    God of fertility and growth..." 

    Light the Black Candle, saying: 


    "Dark Lord of the Underworld, 
    God of protection and rest... 
    I welcome the God in all His forms." 

    With the Wand in your power hand, tap the Cauldron 
    five times. Raise your arms over the altar and say: 


    "Dark Goddess, Lord of Death, I ask Your blessings. 
    Lift the Veil for me so that I may greet 
    my Loved Ones who have passed on, 
    Friends, family and pets who have 
    gone ahead into your realms. 
    Let only those who wish me well enter this Circle." 

    Touch the plate (or basket) of food with the Wand, 
    saying: 


    "This is the night of the Feast of the Dead, 
    the night of the wheel-turning year that 
    brings us to the Thin Veil. 
    The gates between the worlds stand open this night. 
    I honor my Loved Ones whose voices 
    come to me on the whispering wind. 
    The Veil is lifted this night so that all may 
    once more rejoice together in fellowship. 
    All those who wish me well, welcome to my Circle 
    As we eat, may we remember the 
    eternal presence of the Gods, 
    and may we remember that what we call death 
    is but a fleeting existence 
    in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth." 

    Place the plate (or basket) of food on the Pentacle. 
    Light the black candle in the Cauldron, say: 


    "I ask all who have gathered here 
    to join me in this feast. 
    This is a time of remembrance 
    of all those gone into the realm of 
    the Dark Mother and the Dark Lord. 
    May I always have good health, 
    prosperity and happiness." 

    Eat a little of the food and drink some of the fruit 
    juice. Anything left after the ritual must be placed 
    outside or buried. 

    Sit silently now and think of family, friends, and 
    pets who have departed this Earth. Pick up and look at 
    the photographs. Savor this time with them. When you 
    feel that you are finished, say: 


    "The Thin Veil has been lifted. 
    My Loved Ones have come to the Feast of the Dead. 
    I thank them for their presences 
    and words of comfort." 

    Pick up the apple and say these words: 


    "Beautiful Maiden, you are the dispenser of the seed 
    of life, 
    Life that awaits, hidden in the Sacred Cauldron. 
    Fruitful Mother, your ripeness of power nurtures the 
    seed 
    Bringing it into existence and helping it grow. 
    Dark Mother, your Magick Cauldron is 
    the well of death and rebirth, 
    An experience each of us undergoes again and again. 
    Let there be no fear in me, for I know your 
    gentleness. 
    Here is the secret symbol of life in death and death 
    in life, 
    the hidden, mystical symbol of the Triple Goddess." 

    Cut the apple crosswise to reveal the hidden pentagram 
    in the core. Incline your head toward the altar and 
    say: 


    "My deepest thanks to the Triple Ladies, 
    and to the Triple Lords. 
    May I always walk in peace beside you." 

    Eat part of the apple. Place the remainder outside 
    (after you have completed your ritual) as an offering 
    to the birds and animals. 

    Turn back to the Goddess candles and say: 


    "The Wheel of the Year has turned, 
    the harvest has come again. 
    I have sown many thought-seeds since last Samhain. 
    Let the good be harvested; 
    Let those that would hinder or harm me be cast aside. 
    The Triple Goddess has covered me with Her gentle 
    hands, 
    guided my steps, heard my desires. 
    For this I give Her honor and love." 

    Turn to the God candles and say: 


    "The Wheel of the Year has turned, 
    the harvest has come again. 
    Once more I stand before the Thin Veil, 
    before the gates that divide the worlds. 
    The Triple God has protected me with His sword, 
    guided my steps, heard my desires. 
    For this I give Him honor and love." 

    Now tap the Pentacle gently with your Wand, saying: 


    "Give me clear knowledge of the path I am to follow. 
    Hear my desires, O Great Ones! 
    Guide me and protect me. 
    Lead me to greater knowledge and fulfillment." 

    Sit in silence while you ask what you need of the 
    Gods. Also listen for spirit guidance that may come 
    from those in the Summerland. When you feel you are 
    finished, say: 


    ""All love and honor to the Great Goddess and the 
    Horned God! Blessed Be!" 

    When you have finished, the time has now come to 
    Release the Circle. 

    Now is the time for meditation and any spellworkings 
    you may need or desire to end your Sabbat 
    celebration... Appropriate Spellwork to consider for 
    this turn in the Wheel of the Year is any for 
    protection and neutralizing harm - these are 
    particularly warranted at this time of year, because 
    Samhain is considered to be a good time to boost your 
    confidence and security. 

    If no spellwork is to be done at this time, then 
    proceed with the Cakes and Ale Ceremony, followed by 
    Releasing the Magick Circle. 
Samhain Ritual #9