Samhain Ritual?

Question

Hi All!

I'm looking for a simple Samhain ritual for this year. Every year I seem to always have work or class getting in the way of performing anything. Usually has ended up in the scenario of me sitting/standing quitely in the mists of studying students or arguing customers and attempting a silent prayer to the God and Goddess for a few brief moments.
But this year I actually have cleared my schedule on Samhain!! Can someone help, please? I wrote something myself... but I'd like some input from others too.
Thanks in advance!!!

Blessed Be

Thanks Kallan!!!

Answer 1

You could create a simple altar with apples and pomegranates and perhaps some fall leaves on it.. put pictures of your deceased relatives on it along with some candles and incense to honor them.
You could put out some food and drink for the spirits after dark.
Divination for the coming year is always a popular thing to do on Samhain night.
Of course, carving pumpkins (originally turnips) is a very Samhain thing to do.
If you need any other ideas, feel free to email me through my profile.

Samhain blessings to you!

Answer 2

I'm thinking of doing a simple libation to Haides and Persephone as well as the other Chthonic Gods and Goddesses such as Hecate on that day. This is even though Samhain is not a part of traditional Hellenic Practice because this seems to be a day that many cultures devote to the dead and the Gods of the Underworld....

Answer 3

In past Samhain rituals, groups I've joined had carving pumpkins or apples (apples are easier). We also light candles to honor those who have passed on in life. This could also be in honor of things in your life you wish to let go. One guy lit a candle for his marriage that was ending in divorce.
This is also a traditonal time to do some form of divination such as Tarot or scrying.
Have a great Samhain!

Answer 4

This isn't simple--but, perhaps you can take parts of the celebration and include it in your ritual. (For example the New Year's Prayer/Petition part--see below.)

The Samhain celebration I observe combines my family’s traditional American Indian observance and my Wiccan practice.

It begins with cooking food for what the Menominee and Ojibwa call a "Ghost Feast." Favorite dishes of relatives who had died are prepared as well as special dishes to represent our ancestors. For example, a meatpie is made to honor our French-Canadian ancestors and wildrice is made to honor our Ojibwa and Menominee ancestors and my Irish grandmother prepares corned beef and cabbage. (The food should not be "tasted" as it is prepared).

A fire in the backyard. The large dining room table was set with a white table cloth and white candles are placed around the room. All the plates and glasses, except for one set, are placed upside-down on the table. The one plate and glass that is not upside-down was placed at the head of the table. That place was set for any spirits who chose to join in the feast. The veil that separates the earthly world and the spirit world is at its thinnest during this time of year, and the spirits are the guests of honor.

Invited guests bring food that represents their ancestors or dead relatives. Everyone who brought food had been instructed not to taste any of the food as it was being prepared.

Everyone is given paper on which to write a "New Year's Prayer/Petition".

All the food is laid out in the kitchen and every cover on every pot is lifted. A large glass jar is filled with water. All the white candles are lit and the lights are turned off. A prayer is said over the food and water, a special “spirit plate” (which was a paper plate) is prepared. A small portion of every item that is served, including the butter, salt, the drinks and water from the jar are placed on the “spirit plate”. A pinch of kinnikinnik (Indian tobacco) is put on the plate.

Everyone goes outside to the fire and a circle is cast. We sing "The Cone of Power" song: "Circle round the fire to raise the cone of power to bring what we desire, so mote it be. Weave the magic by the moonlight, dance the circle all night long. Weave the magic by the fire dance and sing the witches' song" (I wish I could transmit the melody). As the song is repeated over and over the song is sung faster and faster with more intensity as we visualize the raising of the Cone of Power. The spirit plate is the placed the in the fire, along with boughs of cedar. Everyone places their New Year's prayer/petition into the fire. The energy raised is sent to the fire, to energize our prayers/petitions. We also send energy of blessings to our family and friends that are not present. We earth (ground) the power, and the circle is opened.

While everyone remains outside, one person (usually me in recent years) goes back into the house. The plates and glasses are turned over. The lights are turned on, and everyone re-enters the house.

The large glass jar with water is passed around and everyone takes a drink from it. It is continued to be passed until all the water was gone. Then everyone takes is instructed to take at least a small portion of everything that had been prepared. We eat.

After the feast we go back outside to the fire and do some drumming and singing (and dancing round the fire). I also give Tarot readings to anyone interested. Because this is also a Native American ritual, it should be noted that absolutely no alcohol is served.

Answer 5

I have a November Eve ritual, but it would not be valid out of a Wiccan context.

Answer 6

Invite your deceased relatives (or maybe just one) to be with you in circle. After all, reconnecting with family members that you miss is what its about.

Haven't lost anyone? Call upon your ancestors.

Oh ...

And stick with the pumpkins. Turnips are a BIITCH to hollow out enough for a candle!

Answer 7

The best thing i can think of is to meditate, prepare an alter for the deceaced, and divination.

I prefer meditation, but the later two are really getting more towards the old ways.

Blessed Be.