wiccan-experiences

[wiccan-experiences]

Samhain

October 31st is well on it's way and the Spirits will come to play. Samhain is known as the "Witch's New year, Summers end, and all Hallows eve." And it is in celebration of the death of the God who will be reborn during Yule...Here is the ways you can make Your Samhain Celebration perfect

Samhain (*Note: Samhain is pronounced sowen, soween, saw-win, saw-vane or sahven, not sam-hayne)

Halloween, Winter Nights, All Hallows Eve - October 31st

Other names for Samhain include Samhuin, Samain, Saman, Oidhche Shamhna, Hallowe'en, Halloween, Hallows, Hallowtide, Shadow Fest, Allantide, Third Harvest, Harvest Home, Geimredh, Day of the Dead (Feile na Marbh), Feast of the Dead, Spirit Night, Candle Night, November Eve, Nutcrack Night, Ancestor Night and Apple Fest.

Christian names for it include All Hallows Eve (although some churches fix that as November 7), Hallows Eve, Santos, Devil Night and Mischief Night. It is also called Martinmas, but that is properly the name for the actual cross quarter day which occurs when the sun reaches its power point in Scorpio. Some church calendars fix November 11 as Martinmas.

Samhain (Summer's End) is one of our four Greater Sabbats, the highest holy day of witches. It is a cross quarter day, situated between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. Samhain is a major festival with several aspects. It is new year's eve for witches, as well as our third and final harvest festival. Samhain inaugurates Winter, is the final chance to dry herbs for winter storage, and a night when fairies supposedly afoot working mischief. It is also the Day of the Dead for us as it was for the Celts, Egyptians and ancient Mexicans, the night when we remember our loved ones and honour our ancestors. We also celebrate reincarnation and note the absence the Sun (the god), who will be reborn at Winter Solstice as the Child of Promise. Astrologically, Samhain marks the rising of the Pleiades.

Late October was the nut harvest for Celts, and the time for salting winter's supply of meat. Scholars disagree on this, but many fix this date as the Celtic New Year. November 1 is the actual date of Samhain but like other Celtic derived festivals it is celebrated on its eve. November 1 is New Year's Day for witches, as it was for the Babylonians.

One of the four greater Sabbats, of the Wiccan/pagan year. For the Celts, Samhain was the feast of the dead in Pagan and Christian times, its arrival signalled the close of harvest and the start of the winter season. Fairies were imagined as particularly active at this season. Also called Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess). The Scottish Gaelic Dictionary defines it as "Hallowtide. The Feast of All Souls. Sam + Fuin = end of summer." Eliade's Encyclopaedia of Religion states as follows: "The Eve and day of Samhain were characterized as a time when the barriers between the human and supernatural worlds were broken... Not a festival honoring any particular Celtic deity, Samhain acknowledged the entire spectrum of nonhuman forces that roamed the earth during that period."

Samhain is the Wiccan New Year. This is the time of year when the veil between the world of the dead and the world of the living is said to be it's thinnest. Spirits and souls of loved ones are said to have more power and ability to visit us. This is the time of year for remembering and honouring our dead, and many people will leave a plate of food and a glass of wine out for wandering sprits. (This is often called the Feast of Hecate) Samhain is also a time for personal reflection, and for recognizing our faults and flaws and creating a method for rectifying them.

In the Celtic Tradition, the year begins at Samhain, this is the most powerful night of the year to perform divination. Divination is done in many forms but all seek to establish a look ahead, whether the answer appears good or bad. Samhain is also considered to start the reign of the God or the dark time of the Year when the Sun goes lower each day and begins to weaken.

Decorate your altar with photographs of dead loved ones, pumpkin lanterns, oak leaves, apples, nuts and sage. Incenses associated with this festival include nutmeg, mint and sage, and the colours black and orange.

Samhain is celebrated as the Dia de los Muertos in Mexico (Day of the Dead--usually held on November 1) and All Saints Day (also on November 1) by the Catholic church.

Ritual for Samhain by Scott Cunningham

Place upon the altar apples, pomegranates, pumpkins, spuashes and other late autumn fruits. Autumn flowers such as marigolds and chrysanthemums are fine too. Write on a piece of paper an aspect of your life which you wish to be free of: anger, a baneful habit, misplaced feelings, disease. The cauldron or some similar tool must be present before the altar as well, on a trivet or some other heat-proof surface (if the legs aren't long enough). A small, flat dish marked with an eight-spoked wheel symbol should also be there. (On a flat plate or dish, paint a large circle. Put a dot in the centre of this circle and paint eight spokes radiating out from the dot to the larger circle. - A symbol of the Sabbats, a symbol of timelessness.)

Prior to the ritual, sit quietly and think of friends and loved ones who have passed away. Do not despair. Know that they have gone on to greater things. Keep firmly in mind that the physical isn't the absolute reality, and that souls never die.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast your circle.

Recite The Blessing Chant:

May the powers of The One, the source of all creation; all-pervasive, omnipotent, eternal; may the Goddess, the Lady of the Moon; and the God, Horned Hunter of the Sun; rulers of the elemental realms; may the powers of the stars above and the Earth below, bless this place, and this time, and I who am with You.

Invoke the Goddess and God. (in your own way) Lift one of the pomegranates and, with your freshly-washed white-handled knife, pierce the skin of the fruit. Remove several seeds and place them on the wheel-marked dish.

Raise your wand, face the altar and say:

On this night of Samhain I mark your passing, O Sun King, through the sunset into the Land of the Young. I mark also the passing of all who have gone before, and all who will go after. O Gracious Goddess, Eternal Mother, You who gives birth to the fallen, teach me to know that in the time of the greatest darkness there is the greatest light.

Taste the pomegranate seeds; burst them with your teeth and savour their sharp, bittersweet flavour. Look down at the eight-spoked symbol on the plate; the wheel of the year, the cycle of the seasons, the end and beginning of all creation.

Light a fire within the cauldron (a candle is fine). Sit before it, holding the piece of paper, gazing at its flames. Say:

Wise One of the Waning Moon, Goddess of the starry night, I create this fire within Your cauldron to transform that which is plaguing me. May the energies be reversed: From darkness, light! From bane, good! From death, birth!

Light the paper in the cauldron's flames and drop it inside. As it burns, know that your ill diminishes, lessens and finally leaves you as it is consumed within the universal fires.

If you wish, you may attempt scrying or some other form of divination, for this is a perfect time to look into the past or future. Try to recall past lives too, if you will. But leave the dead in peace. Honour them with your memories but do not call them to you. (Many Wiccans do attempt to communicate with their deceased ancestors and friends at this time... if you must do this... make sure you know how to handle the energies and only do this if you are VERY experienced.) Release any pain and sense of loss you may feel into the cauldron's flames.

Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. Celebrate the Simple Feast. The circle is released.

Magickal Workings: Samhain is one of the most potent nights of the year for magick.

As a cross-quarter day it is a supernatural time, a time outside of time, the night that is not a night, a powerful time of flux and change. This is a good night for: candle magick - astral projection - past life work - dark moon mysteries - mirror spells (reflection) - casting protection - inner work - propitiation - clearing obstacles - uncrossing - inspiration - workings of transition or culmination - manifesting transformation - creative visualization.

Ritual Fire: Bonfires to protect the family, coven or land through the winter darkness - bale fire, to erase mistakes and negativity - torches to honor the dead - extinguish all fires then kindle new fire for a fresh start with the new year - burn incense to get the site - set the torc tenned ablaze, a pyramid of timber called the Fire Boar; save the ashes to use as a base for next Samhain's torc tenned - put a candle in the window to help the spirit of a loved one find its way home - light a candle on the ancestral altar - lanterns, jack o'lanterns or candles outdoors to guide the way for spirits and fairies who are abroad this night - light a fire in the cauldron for protection or transformation.

Divination: Samhain is a power night for divination: read the tarot cards; use the Wheel of the Year spread to forecast the year ahead - cast runes or the I Ching - scry in crystal balls, dark mirrors, bowls of black ink or pools of water - swing a pendulum, asking yes or no questions - eat an apple in front of a mirror at midnight, by candlelight, to scry your future mate.

Meditation: This is a good night for deep reflection and inner work. Meditation themes include: changes, transition, endings and beginnings, passage, return, mortality and reincarnation, chaos leading to reorder.

Spirit work: (by invitation, not summons) This is the night when the veil is thinnest, the gates between the worlds are open. Souls of the dead are said to visit their homes at midnight. Possible workings include: a dumb supper for the beloved dead - ouija - séances - trance possession - automatic writing - bury apples as food for hungry spirits - leave spirit plates of food outside your home - set a place for a missed love one at the banquet or dinner table.

New Year workings: Release the old: bad habits and toxic relationships, illness, failure and poverty; everything you do not want to carry into the new year - sweep negativity and out of your home - end quarrels - settle debts, make amends or restitution if needed - spells for prosperity and security for your family.

Faery Magick: This is a great night for visiting the faery realm but you must return by dawn or remain forever enchanted, unable to return.

Sex Magick: Like Beltane opposite it on the wheel of the year, Samhain is a night when the Goddess descends into women. This is an excellent night for sex magick of all kinds, and the Great Rite.

The symbols of Samhain Include: Black cats, jack o 'lanterns, bats, ghosts, scarecrows, waning moon. The  goddesses of Samhain are: Crone, all crone goddesses, Cerridwen, Hecate, Hel, Oya, the Morrigan, Lilith, Kali, Ishtar, Arianrhod, Rhiannon, Tlazoteotl, Nephthys, Persephone, Beansidhe (Banshee), Inanna, Baba Yaga, Isis, Pomona and Cailleach Beara (Brigid's crone aspect), who is reborn this night. The gods include: Osiris, the Horned God, Herne the Hunter, Cernunnos, Anubis, Odin, Bran, death gods, dying and rising gods. INCENSE: Copal, sandalwood, mastic resin, benzoin, sweetgrass, wormwood: to get the sight, to see the spirits of the returning dead. CANDLES: New candles for the new year: black, orange, autumn colors, or black candles for the Lord and the old year, white candles for the Lady and the new year. TOOLS: Besom, to sweep out the old year and any negativity it had. Cauldron, for transformation. Divination tools: Tarot cards, scrying bowl, rune stones, pendulum, mirror, etc. PLANT: Pumpkin, apple, grain, pomegranate, mugwort, wormwood, Dittany of Crete, acorn, oak leaf, gourds, root vegetables, rosemary (for remembrance). STONE: Obsidian, carnelian, onyx, smoky quartz, jet, bloodstone. ANIMAL: Bat, black cat, owl. ALTAR DECORATIONS: Autumn leaves, fall flowers, pomegranates, apples, pumpkins, ears of corn, sprays of grain, corn dollies, gourds, nuts, seeds, acorns, chestnuts and images of ancestors are all appropriate. Use whatever is in season where you live, whatever feels right and looks good to you. FOOD: Gingerbread, freshly roasted nuts, nut breads, anything made with apples or pumpkin, meat (especially bacon), doughnuts, popcorn, cakes with lucky tokens in them, and red foods because the ancients held them sacred to the dead. DRINK: Mead, apple cider, mulled cider, mulled wine. CELEBRATE: Masks, costumes - trick-or-treating - feasting and partying to defy the coming darkness (bob for apples, roast nuts, pop popcorn) - harvest feasts - rituals to honour the dead - Witches' Ball.

Website these facts are from: http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_wheel_of_the_year/samhain.asp

[wiccan-experiences]

How to do a *Traditional* Full moon Esbat

Full Moon Rituals

Esbats are rituals that celebrate the full and new moons. Some traditions only  practice full moon esbats, some only new, and some do both, some do new,  full, waxing and waning. 

How often and at which moon phase you perform  esbats is up to you, there is not a required number of esbats or a moon phase  that you have to adhere to, and you should follow that which is most  convenient in your schedule and feels right. In most months there will be one  full moon and one new moon, but occasionally there will be two full moons  within the same calendar month and the second full moon of a month is known as a blue moon. Blue moons are times of extra power.

The actual wording and form of esbat rituals are something that best flows from your heart to the heart of the Goddess and are the times that you will hone your ritual writing and performance skills. 

The ritual below combines some of the material from various Eclectic groups I have circled with.

  Featured Book

Supplies

Altar with Elemental representations of Earth (Salt), Air (Incense), Fire (Red working candle) and Water (Water).  Ritual cakes (any natural bread or cake, no junk food) Wine or Ale (anything from the fruit of the vine/grain, fermented or not) Gold and Silver God/Goddess Candles Quarter Candles - Green (North), Yellow (East), Red (South) and Blue (West) Matches or lighter Wand or Athamé for casting circle Broom or Besom for cleansing the circle Chalice or Cup for Libation for God and Goddess Separate Wine Glass or Cup for yourself or coveners Any other items needed for specific spell work

  PREPARATION Take up the besom and walk widdershins around the circle sweeping from the center outward to cleanse the circle of negative energy. Recite this chant as you sweep from the center of the circle outwards: "Sweep out evil, sweep out ill, Where I do the Lady's will. Besom, besom, Lady's Broom, Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom.  Witch's broom swift in flight, Cast out darkness, bring in light. Earth be hallow, air be pure, fire burn bright, as water cures. A sacred bridge this site shall be, As I will, so mote it be."

BLESS THE ALTAR AND TOOLS Pick up the athame and draw an invoking pentagram in the air above the altar. Replace the athame and say this invocation:

"Blessed Be, Instruments of Light, Tools now of magick with power and might."

BLESS THE ELEMENTS AND SPACE Hold your hand over the water and salt and pass your hand over the element 3 times to banish, and then hold your hand steady to bless. Visualize a sparkling light surrounding and infusing the element while reciting:         "Element of (Earth, Water), I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady.          I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be."

Pour the consecrated salt into the consecrated water. Light the red working candle, cleanse and consecrate the candle (fire) as done above while reciting:

        "Element of (Fire), I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady.            I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be."

Use the consecrated fire it to light the incense. Then cleanse and consecrate the smoke from the incense (air) as done above while reciting:

        "Element of (Air), I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady.            I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be." 

Take the water/salt and go once deosil (clockwise) around the circle. While walking the circle disperse the elements using an asperger or sprigs of herbs. Recite: "Powers of Water and Earth this circle grace. Purify, cleanse, and bless this space."

Take up the incense and go once deosil (clockwise) around the circle. While walking the circle disperse the elements using a fan or feathers. Recite: "Powers of Fire and Air this circle grace. Purify, cleanse, and bless this space." CAST THE CIRCLE Face east. Hold your athamé out at waist level. Walk deosil (clockwise) thrice around the circle perimeter charging it with this chant as you visualize the energy coming from your athame to create the circle. Recite one verse for each of the three circles:  Maiden, cast your circle white, Weave a web of healing light. Round and Round the Circle's Cast, Joining Present, Future and Past Mother, cast your circle red, Weave the strands of family threads. This Sacred Space shall now be Bound, As I cast this Circle Round. Old Crone, cast your circle black, Weave the wisdom that we lack. Thrice is the Circle cast this Night/Day and now begins my Magick Rite/Way. Once the circle has been cast, salute in the following way: Take up athame and point it to the sky, while saying, "As above..." Then lower athame to point it at the ground, while saying, "So below." CALLING THE QUARTERS: Starting in the East and moving deosil around to the North, light the corresponding elemental candle, and then invoke the quarter: "Hail Mighty Ones of the Eastern Tower. Guard this circle with your power. Powers of Air weave the round, Between the worlds the power bound.  Till I send it at the last, Guardians keep it strong and fast." "Hail Mighty Ones of the Southern Tower. Guard this circle with your power. Powers of Fire weave the round, Between the worlds the power bound.  Till I send it at the last, Guardians keep it strong and fast."

"Hail Mighty Ones of the Western Tower. Guard this circle with your power. Powers of Water weave the round, Between the worlds the power bound.  Till I send it at the last, Guardians keep it strong and fast." "Hail Mighty Ones of the Northern Tower. Guard this circle with your power. Powers of Earth weave the round, Between the worlds the power bound.  Till I send it at the last, Guardians keep it strong and fast."

INVOKING THE GOD AND GODDESS Light the gold God candle: "I call to the God. Spark of the Spirit Eternal,  Lord of the Wild Hunt, Judge of Gods and Men.  Shining God of the Sun's rays, Who walks with me through all my days, Into my circle, I invoke you, To bless and guide all that I do. Hail and welcome." Light the silver Goddess candle: "I call to the Goddess. Beauty of the Green Earth, White Moon among the Stars, Mysteries of the Waters. Shimmering Goddess of the Moon's light, Who guides me through the dark of night, Into my circle, I invoke you. To bless and guide all that I do. Hail and welcome." LIBATION AND OPENING TOAST Pour some wine into the libation dish and say, "To the Lord and Lady!" Fill the altar goblet with wine. Hold up the altar goblet and say, "I drink to the God and Goddess."  Take a sip from the goblet, and say, "Blessed Be." RITUAL OR SPELL WORK Insert optional ritual for sabbat or intended spell work here. CAKES AND ALE Take up the plate with the cakes and say "May I never hunger." Take a bite, and then say, "Blessed Be." Take up the wine and say "May I never thirst." Take a sip of the wine and and then say, "Blessed Be." Give thanks for one thing that you are thankful for, and request assistance for one thing that you are in need of. RELEASING THE QUARTERS Starting in the North, and moving widdershins around the circle to the East, go to each quarter and say the following release then extinguish the elemental candle: "To all those in the Northern sphere, I release you now, depart from here. I give thanks to all of thee. Depart in peace, and blessed be." "To all those in the Western sphere, I release you now, depart from here. I give thanks to all of thee. Depart in peace, and blessed be." "To all those in the Southern sphere, I release you now, depart from here. I give thanks to all of thee. Depart in peace, and blessed be." "To all those in the Eastern sphere, I release you now, depart from here. I give thanks to all of thee. Depart in peace, and blessed be." THANKING THE GOD AND GODDESS Say: "I give thanks to the God for guarding my circle and joining my rite. Hail and farewell."  Extinguish the gold candle. Say: "I give thanks to the Goddess for guarding my circle and joining my rite. Hail and farewell."  Extinguish the silver candle. CLOSING THE CIRCLE/SALUTE: Take the Athamé or Wand and retract the energy of the circle back into yourself moving widdershins beginning in the north around to the east using the following chant: "Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around. I now Dissolve this Sacred Space and send all Powers back to place. Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around. Stay if you can, Go if you must, with Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Circle Round, now be Unbound as I make my way around. My Work is finished for the Night/Day and now I End my Magick Rite/Way." Once the circle is closed, say the following salute: "The circle is open, but unbroken."

for a less complicated way of doing it (Which I used for my first Esbat):

In addition to the eight Sabbats observed every year, most modern Wiccans and Pagans celebrate a regular Esbat, in which magic is performed and the gods and goddesses of the tradition are honored. Most covens and groups meet at least once a month, and time this ceremony so it coincides with the full moon. The word Esbat is of French origin, from s'esbattre, which loosely translates to "frolic joyfully." In addition to frolicking, this is a time to commune with the gods of your tradition. In some groups, the Esbat rite is followed by a Cakes and Ale ceremony. You may also wish to tie this in to Drawing Down the Moon.

First, if your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so at this time. If you don't normally cast a circle, at least take the time to ritually purify the area by smudging or asperging. This will establish the space as sacred. You'll need a bowl of water and a moon candle for the altar. This is traditionally a white unscented pillar-style candle. You can decorate the moon candle with sigils or inscriptions etched with a hot knife. Adorn your altar with lunar symbols -- mirrors, silver ribbons, white crystals. Feel free to substitute the names and attributes of the deities of your path in this incantation.

Turn to the altar, and hold your arms open wide. Tilt your head so that your face is skyward -- after all, this is a celebration honoring the full moon. Say:

Goddess of the moon, queen of the night, keeper of women's mysteries, mistress of the tides, you who are ever changing and yet always constant, I ask that you guide me with your wisdom, help me grow with your knowledge, and hold me in your arms. At this time, light the moon candle, and take a moment to reflect upon the gifts you have in your life.

Hold the bowl of water to the sky. Say:

The moon is the symbol of the mother, and she watches over us day and night. She brings the changing tide, the shifting night, the flow that changes women's bodies, and the passion of lovers to their beloved. Her wisdom is great and all-knowing, and we honor her tonight. Keep your watchful eyes upon us, great mother, until the cycle returns once more, and bring us to the next full moon, in your love and light.

Take a few moments to think about the things in your life which have changed in the past moon cycle. Are there people who have come into your world that you're thankful for? Have you ended a toxic relationship? Have you experienced good fortune at work? Meditate on all the things you have to be thankful for, as well as the things you would like to see change for you by the next full moon. When you are ready, close the circle and end the ritual. If you choose, you can move into healing rites or magical workings, or a Cakes & Ale ceremony.

Tips:

Use the moon water over the next month for watering plants, making offerings, or doing spellwork.

Where I found this:

http://blessedbe.sugarbane.com/fullmoons.htm

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/wiccanandpaganrituals/ht/Esbat_Rite.htm

[wiccan-experiences]

Strangest thing...

So, last night I finally got the time to go outside to do something I had never done before--and for all who do not know, this was my first ever Full Moon Esbat...I was so nervous and afraid I would mess it up but it went well (However it did take a good amount of time to try to light the candle since a good amount of the matches were duds) But in the end it was worth it, I felt calm and collected and spoke the words I needed to and I honestly felt the love of the goddess wash over me as I did so...But I was also shaking because it was freezing outside. However, I didn't have the proper materials to do the full traditional ritual (But it isn't important of making the ritual perfect, just doing it out of love for the goddess is the best thing to do.) So all I could improvise with was sea salt to cleanse the spot, a scented candle in a jar (White, of course), water and matches.

Of course, to my surprise, I had a little helper. My little Sister (Aged 9) Is extremely fascinated by my belief and religion and so, she decided to help me. And this tiny act of kindness genuinely surprised me. My little sister was raised to be Mormon and she was recently baptized (February 2, 2014). But regardless of that, She was very open minded to my religion, which made me very proud of her since most kids her age are a bit...stubborn. I have a feeling she'll grow up into a fine, beautiful young woman, Blessed be, little sister.

Anyways, so my little sister helped me out, carrying the water and the candle while I carried the salt and matches and we went to the little table outside and we set it in front of the moon--which was in clear view and we began the ritual. It was simple, but the match lighting was really complicated, but we did it and I closed my eyes and said the words I needed to with passion..After the ritual was over,I closed the circle best I could (Even though it was done very Amateurishly, but I'll get better the more times I do it especially if I use different techniques. And I learn quickly from mistakes), and my sister and I quickly went inside and eventually went to bed...

Now this is where the story gets weird.

You see, last night I had an amazing dream involving the blood moon lunar eclipse (Which, Ironically, happened last night while I slept). The moon was so beautiful and I couldn't help but stare as the shape changed... However, it turned out my dream self was having a premonition...and a woman--Seemingly a High Priestess of the moon, approached me and was going to give me a special mission before I awoke because of my alarm clock...At school, I wrote about this dream in my dream journal so I wouldn't forget it,  and eventually, when my sister returned from Excell (After school Program), I asked  her if she had a similar dream since I was curious--and surprisingly, her dream was just like mine. Same plot, same occurrence...

She was approached by a Priestess like me during the blood moon and this priestess was going to give her a special mission as well--but before she could hear the mission....She awoke.

This is odd because my sister and I have never had the history of having the same dream...Not even close...But the fact this dream happened after we preformed the Esbat...Makes me wonder something... But not even I know what occurred...

Either way, I honestly felt the bond between my sister and I strengthen and I can't wait to do more rituals with her in the future.

Blessed be all.

With Love,

Ryuketsubara