Samhain Ritual

Needed:

  • Incense made of Frankincense and Myrrh or Lavender
  • Basil and rosemary
  • 2 black or white candles
  • Black altar cloth
  • Bell
  • Chalice of milk
  • Dish of barley
  • 81 black beans
  • Bowl of spring water
  • Towel

This ritual should be performed barefoot. Although if you can't the Goddess will understand.

Cast your circle. Light the candles and say:
"Blessed Be thou, creature of light"

Light the incense. Bless the barley. Say:
"I bless this grain in the names of Demeter and Kore."

Invoke the Goddesses going counterclockwise. Begin with the North:
"I call upon rich-haired Demeter, Mother of Harvest, Giver of Eternal Life. Bless me with your protection, Mother, and aid me in these rites."

Leave an offering of barley for Her. Move to the West. Say:
"I call upon Hecate, Witch-queen, the hag of the crossroads who walks with Death. Bless me with your protection, Mother, and aid me in these rites."

Leave an offering of barley for Her. Move to the South. Say:
"I call upon Vesta, sacred Hearth and Flame, Guardian Goddess of home and nations. Bless me with your protection, Mother, and aid me in these rites."

Leave an offering of barley for Her. Move to the East. Say:
"I call upon Isis, Black Madonna, compassionate Queen, whom our fore-mothers worshiped from Asia to the Atlantic. Bless me with your protection, Mother, and aid me in these rites."

Leave an offering of barley for Her. Return to the altar. Say:
"Hail Persephone! Queen of Earth and the underworld. In this time of growing life (or for Samhain say in this fading time) renew our hearts, and purify our homes."

Toss a handful of barley onto the altar, Say:
"I offer this grain in thanksgiving to Persephone, Conductor of Souls. I ask you to lead my departed kindred into your realms of peace."

Lay your hands over the chalice of milk and bless it by saying:
"I bless this cup in the name of Persephone, Queen of the Dead. Shades of my ancestors, known and unknown, I offer this cup in thanks, for all your care, and all your gifts. Depart in peace to your abodes in the Earth, knowing that all is well."

Place your hands in the sign of the Yoni (an upside down triangle). Rinse your hands in the water three times in the water and dry. Take nine beans into your mouth. Make the sign of the Yoni again, turn around counterclockwise, spit the beans out through the opening in your hands. This a symbolic rebirth for spirits. Say:
"These I send forth. With these beans, I redeem myself and mine."

Do this nine times. when you have used all the beans, turn away from them and avert your eyes, giving the spirits a chance to pick them up. Keep still for the space of thirteen heartbeats. Take up the bell and ring or strike it nine times, say after each strike:
"Shades of my ancestors depart."

Then say:
"It is done! Blessed Be!"

Thank the Goddesses and open your circle. Bury the milk and candles. Walk away without looking back.