A Solitary Samhain

Note from Pagan Hare ~ Just to say that this is not my own ritual as I tend to be rather free when I do mine!

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Many covens and circles celebrate this most sacred of pagan holidays as groups, often opening their circles to non-initiates and others who wish to participate. I find myself preferring a solitary ritual, perhaps with some socializing earlier or later in the evening. For me, much of the meaning of Samhain suggests such a practice, though traditionally it is a communal celebration.

Samhain is pronounced as sow-in (in Ireland), sow-een (in Wales), and sav-en (in Scotland). It marks the end of the harvest, the end of the year, and the death of the god. Self-reflection becomes not simply a custom, but a necessity. One cannot (or at least should not) allow the Wheel of the Year to turn without some kind of examination of what has occurred. How have I spent the last year? Did I grow or remain stagnant? Did I live according to the values I claim to embrace? These are questions which must be addressed in solitude and solemnity.

 

Just as Samhain ends the old year, it must begin the new, though many witches do not celebrate the New Year until Yule. Reflection should continue during this dark time, but reflection should be accompanied by a growing sense of the changes to be made and the light to be sought. I sometimes make many lists during this time -- lists of what I have accomplished and what I still want to accomplish, things I have neglected and those I have tended, and other similar lists. Samhain symbolizes both the past and the future, illuminated by the cycle of the seasons, forever linked as steps on the journey we must all make.
 

The Goddess tells us: "And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without." We must look inside ourselves for self-knowledge and for the spirit that will sustain us in life's trials. Silence is one of the keys to seeking truth, for we cannot hear the answers in the midst of this noisy world in which we walk every day, nor in the noise of holiday celebrations however joyous.
 

Samhain is also said to be the time when the veil between the living and te dead is thinnest, allowing us some communication with those who have departed. How befitting this is for such a time of endings and beginnings. Reflections on death can be as instructive as the self-examinations just mentioned. When we think of those who have died, it reminds us of time passing by and of things we could have or should have done. These reminders, coupled with our lists of past and future actions, encourages us to take our New Year's resolutions far more seriously. We know our time is limited, and most of us have much to do in our alloted time. Most of us have to make a living somehow, but death reminds us that we had better spend some of that time in pursuit of our other dreams lest they be lost in the struggle merely to survive.
 

Samhain Ritual

The Samhain rituals I follow change a little from year to year. I don't like to have a set of mandatory words or actions that might prevent me from exploring new possibilities in meaning. However, I do include the traditional Samhain rituals of sharing a feast (even if I am alone) and some form of divination. Since it is best that you write/say your own words in performing rituals, I will only include an outline here.
 

Prepare your house or room
Use black and orange candles, pumpkins (carved or not) and other traditional "Halloween" items if you wish (most are actually traditional for Samhain).
Prepare a table for the Feast of the Dead. It should be covered with a black table cloth and set with black dishes (black paper plates will do just fine). Place a chair at the head of the table, drapped in black cloth, to represent the spirit. The spirit's place is set with a plate with a white votive candle on it. Set places for each of the dead that you hope will join you., and place black votive candles on their plates. Plates for the living (in my solitary ritual, just one) are empty, of course, awaiting the feast food to be served. 


Food preparation
My feast is usually very simple: bread, fruit, nuts, and juice or wine. If you've invited living guests, it is common to make the feast potluck. However, since the actual feast will take place in silence, try not to have too many things that would have to be passed or requested.

Light the candles and turn out the lights

Call the quarters (ask the Guardians of the Watchtowers to witness and protect your circle).

Cast a circle (use whatever method you've been taught).


Invite the deities
There are certain Goddesses that I always invite to my rituals. It seems especially important to invite them on Samhain, as I will want to thank them for their help during the past year, and of course, ask that they continue to help me in the coming year. If the departed loved ones were especially close to any deities, I invite them as well.
 
Feast of the Dead
Light the candles on the plates of the dead and the spirit. The feast should take place in silence so that you can think about your departed friends and relatives. Think of their passing and your hopes for their joyous return. If someone is recently departed, try to put aside your sadness and think of that soul as well and happy in the presence of the Goddess.

Speak in silence an invitation to these loved ones, asking them to join in your feast. Use your own words for this. You know these individuals and can speak to them in a way to which they are likely to respond.

Sit at your table and eat the food you have brought to it. Feel the presence of those who have joined you and rejoice in their presence. Allow them to speak to you of whatever they want to communicate. Take as long as you wish at the table, listening to those you have invited and speaking to them in silence.


When the feast is over, thank your spirit guests for coming, bid them farewell, extinguish the candles on the plates, and leave the table.
 

Banishings and Resolutions
Now is the time to bring out one of those lists! Before Samhain, write a list of things from the last year that you want to banish: bad habits and addictions, unkind feelings toward others, unkind feelings toward yourself .... anything you do not want to carry over to the New Year. Light a black candle and burn the list, asking the Goddess and God to help you get rid of these and all negative things in your life. If you prefer, you can put about 1/4 cup of alcohol in a cauldron, light it, and burn the paper there. Speak to the deities (you can speak aloud now) about your sincere wish to remove these things from your life. Use a banishing chant, if you wish.

Now you should speak to the deities about those things you want to bring into your life in the New Year. I do these things rather informally, but there are many poems and prose pieces in books that you might want to use. Asking the deities for future rewards must be accompanied by resolutions as to how you will accomplish your goals. They will help you if you are sincere in your efforts to help yourself.
    Divination
Because the two worlds are so close at Samhain, it is the perfect time for divination. I prefer to use a cauldron of water for scrying, since the cauldron seems to fit the mood of Samhain (not to mention Halloween tradition). You may prefer Tarot cards, a pendalum, or runes....whatever method works best for you. Obviously, the goal of this divination is to see what lies ahead in the next year.
 

Meditation
All of my rituals include some form of meditation. This is when I ask my personal Goddesses to guide me, advise me, and generally keep me on the right path. I also use this time to thank them in a more personal way than by reciting a poem of thanksgiving. At Samhain, I thank them for all their gifts in the last year and ask them to continue helping me in the New Year.

Sometimes this part of the ritual takes the form of a shamanic journey in which I am taken to a far away place (sometimes familiar, sometimes not) and where I may be given signs that will help me know what I should do (either in general or in specific situations). Take as long with your meditation as you need.
    Thank the Deities
Give thanks to the deities you have invited by offering them food. I usually say something like "all things come from the Earth and to the Earth they must return." Whatever food and drink I offer (usually bread and wine), I eat a little and save the rest to place or pour on the Earth later.


Open the circle

Thank and dismiss the Guardians

Blessed Be!

Pagan Hare's Spiritual Affirmations

Here are some affirmations I have written myself. There are a number of ways you could use them. You could select an  appropriate affirmation as part of a ritual that could be used as a chant. You could choose one for mediation purposes. Maybe you could write each out onto a post it note and post them around your home. When you find one, read it, speak it aloud and allow it meaning to soak through you mind, body and spirit.

Affirmations:

I will remember the beauty of this world and respect all life.

I am loved by many, including myself.

In order for me to respect others I must respect myself first and formost.

I will remember to, respect and love my inner child today.

I will remember that positive thinking can work wonders.

I will touch someone with my love today.

I will remember and respect my true inner self.

I will love myself and others, love the Earth and love life.

I will learn from yesterday, live for today and look forward to tomorrow.

I will learn to share my worries and ease my mind.

I will remember the god/ess within me, s/he is my strength and my love.

I will share my smile today and make both myself and others happy.

Look up to the sky and let your mind, body and soul fly and be free.

My freedom is external, but it also comes from within.

~☆~☆-☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~

 I hope you find these few affirmations helpful.  Maybe they will inspire you to write your own.

Bennachd

Pagan ♡

The 13 Moon Affirmations

The 13 Moon Affirmations


I found these lovely affirmations at a great site called HubPages. These can be performed individually, during each of the full moons, or with a appropriate tree moon. Other ways you could use these affirmations is as part of a ritual for the full moon or as a full moon rite. Or as part of a meditation, what ever feels right to you.

Affirmations Of The 13 Moons


1. I honour the energy of BIRCH, for a new beginning. I am able to change myself as I so will it. Blessed Be!


2. I honour the energy of ROWAN for protection against darksome enchantment. I will not hobble myself with the chains of past failures. Blessed Be!


3. I honour the energy of ALDER, for the protection of my inner oracle. I will listen to The Voice of The Great Goddess within. Blessed Be!


4. I honour the energy of WILLOW, for the lunar rhythms within me as a woman. I will recognize and heed my own body's cycles. Blessed Be! (Man's version: "I honour the energy of WILLOW, for the rhythms of passion that dwell within me as a man. I will recognize and heed my own body's needs. Blessed Be!)


5. I honour the energy of ASH, the wytches wand. I will remember the axiom: "As Above, So Below" - and that I too, play a part in the larger scheme of things. I will link my inner and outer worlds. Blessed Be!


6. I honour the energy of HAWTHORN for cleansing and restraint. I will choose what I place within my body-temple, and empty myself and my life of all that violates my personal well-being. Blessed Be!


7. I honour the energy of OAK, the Doorway to The Mysteries. I will call upon the strength of The Horned One when I feel in need of protection. Blessed Be!


8. I honour the energy of HOLLY, spear of the warrior. I will not remain passive and victimized, but will choose to fight for my own freedom. Blessed Be!


9. I honour the energy of HAZEL, the tree of wisdom. I will heed my own inner intuitions, and will be wise and informed in my choices. Blessed Be!


10. I honour the energy of VINE, the tree of conviviality and celebration. I will love myself and will celebrate life, not seeing the choices I make as deprivations, but gifts. Blessed Be!


11. I honour the energy of IVY, the spiral to centre. I will do all that I do because of my own inner desires. I will listen to myself, and will remain balanced and centred while I do this work. Blessed Be!


12. I honour the energy of REED, the tool of the hunt. I will take direct action when necessary to protect myself, including the "killing" of old patterns, friendships and associations which harm me. Blessed Be!


13. I honour the energy of ELDER which sees the end from the beginning. Throughout many lifetimes I have been here. I have the knowledge that I have changed myself again and again. I will start from where I am now, and continue to persist in my Path. I will succeed. Blessed Be!

Chants and Prayers

We all need a little help here and there, something spiritual either for healing and just gto get back on track and upon our chosen paths. So here are a few chants and prayers to enjoy.

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PAGAN CHANTS


Air I Am
Air I am: Fire I am: Water, Earth and Spirit I am

By Andras Corban Arthen


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The Earth, the Water, the Fire, the Air
Returns, returns, returns.
The Earth, the Water, the Fire, the Air
Returns, returns, returns.

Ah yay, Ah yay, Ah yay, Ah yay,
Ah yo, Ah yo, Ah yo, Ah yo,
Ah yay, Ah yay, Ah yay, Ah yay,
Ah yo, Ah yo, Ah yo, Ah yo

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Healing Chant ~
(author unknown)

Around the Circle, Throughout and about,
Healing within, healing without.
All health come in, all illness flee,
And by our will, So Mote It Be!

http://www.starkindler.org/arion/chants.htm

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PAGAN PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS

Brigid's Healing Well Spell

(By: Elizabeth Paul)

Waters of the Sacred Well,

Make our bodies whole and hale.

Pour Brigid's blessings out to me,

By Her waters healed I'll be!

Brigid's Blessing for a home

May Brigid bless the house where you dwell,
every fireside door and every wall;
every heart that beats beneath its roof,
every hand that toils to bring it joy,
every foot that walks its portals through.

may Brigid bless the house that shelters you.

Hoof & Horn

Hoof and Horn, Hoof and Horn,
All that dies shall be re-born
Vine and Grain, Vine and Grain

We all come from the Goddess
And to her we shall return
Like a drop of water
Flowing to the ocean

We all come from the Godess
And to her we shall return
Like a drop of water
Flowing to the endless sea ( Thanks sorcelle )

Deep Listening

Listening is something we all take for granted to the point that we never truly listen anymore. We think we do, but we don't. We only hear snipets of life, from the TV to iPods. Train announcements to the general chatter of teens on the bus. But it is snipets as we are so wound up in our day to day mundane lives and we are surrounded by so much noise that we have almost become numb to true sound. We have stopped deep listening!

Of course I'm no different really to anyone else. I'm sat here typing away with the TV playing behind me and I'm not really listening at all as I'm focused on this. People will speak to me and I don't really hear them because my mind is elsewhere. And even when we're meant to be listening, we don't.

But an odd thing happend a few days back when I was doing something very mundane. I was making myself lunch, a simple sandwhich. I seemed to have my ears truly open and every sound I made in the kitchen, I heard it. From the peeling back of the margarine tub to opening the fridge door. I was hearing sounds I'd not really noticed that much before. Of course I heard the sounds when ever I did such things, but I never really listened to how they sounded.

So can the same be said when we step out in to the green woodlands or the sandy beaches? Do we truly listen to each step we take and the results of the impact of our footfalls? Do we really hear every rustle of the breeze in the trees or the waves on the pepples? How much do we miss because we have stopped deep listening. I think for the most part it is hard to listen so deeply because our minds, as well as our ears, are so full of life in general. It creates a kind of barrier and the only real way to listen so deeply is to sit quietly, and focus on the sounds around us. To almost block out everything else. Something that can be rather difficult as we are so easly distracted. Things popping in and out of our minds and ears. Mundane and silly little things. But still, it is something we should all try from time to time, to open  up our hearts, minds and ears to the beauty that surrounds us, be we pagan or not. To really listen to those beautiful sounds, no matter how mundane they may be.

Mabon 2009

It has been a while since I last did a full on ritual, on my own! I have had SO much happening in my life the past few years, most of it not very nice as it has involved the loss of a loved ones? And so I found myself feeling lethargic and not feeling like taking too much trouble.


(Alter: The ribbons are attached to my Oak wand. For some reasone I didn't take a picture of this lol!  The pentagle at the back was made from a wood chopping board)

All I have done is make token alters and no real ritual. Nothing of any substance in my opinion. Nothing to make your spin tingle and make you stop amd think! For the past year I have been part of a Heathen group, and think. For the past year I have been part of Heathen eventhugh I am not actually a Heathen. I found myself in this group because I have three very good friends who happen to be Heathen. They could have just as been easily Wicca or Native American. For me the link and being part of a Pagan group was more important, than being part of my "own kind" what ver that bloody means! I've kidded myself, for a while, that it doesn't REALLY matter if I do or do not do a ritual and yet to an extent I think it does matter. I feel I have drifted away from who I am, and that ritual is a part of who we are.


(Alter: to the right of the bowl is my goblet I bought from Steve the Potter at Thornborough and a close up of my pentagle)


My ritual lasted around an hour and took a day to plan, gathering materials and making items of spiritual importance. The preparation, in truth, was part of the ritual. I had the ritual written out before me in black and white, and yet I let it flow in what ever direction it felt it needed to go. I don't cast a circle as my home and garden is already protected from anything that may cause harm, mischievousness and so forth. And so I don't feel any need to do so. It was both moving and powerful and I loved every minute of it. When I started to clear the area I found myself walking, whilst shaking my shaker, deosil in a spiral from the outseid to the centre. It just seemed the right thing to do; and I always believe in going with the flow. When I finished I did the same thing, only widdershins. In both cases I felt very emotional and empowered.



(Alter: Not sure if you can see it. But there's a wood shavings Headgehog poking it's nose out of the basket! My lovely Oak Greenman is sat in front of the basket)


I did all my ritual, with extras and spent much time just thinking. When I'd completed the ritual I invited my parents to come outside and drink some wine and eat bread and giving blessings to the harvest. That was lovely and is something they are more than happy to do. Although they are, in principle, are pagan, they don't do rituals. It's more their belifs and attitudes. It is something they always do for me when I've finished a ritual, no matter how great or small.



(Alter: My beautiful Celtic lady. I use her as a goddess symbol and often place things in her cauldron as offerings. She normally sits on my out side alter, which is hiding under and behind this table alter)


All in all it was a beautiful ritual and I am now going to prepare for Samhain! I don't plan in doing things in small doses again!


May the darkened months be blessed with happiness, good health and prosperity.


Beannachd xxx

What Does Your Notebook Say About You?!

I was watching a programme today about Agatha Christie. They were trying to crack her code, trying to see what made her tick! One of the things they looked at was one of her notebooks (which have never ever been seen by the public before). In this wonderful book they found notes about her books and also shopping lists.

This made me think on how revealing a notebook can be about an individual. So I started to think about my notebook I keep in my bag, what is in it. I will list some of what is in it in a moment...So what's in your little notebook you keep in your bag. The one that goes everywhere with you. The one you use for shopping lists etc...(Not the one you only keep spells or recipes in! lol)

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I went through my book and numbered the pages to make life a little easier! lol So what does

my notebook say about me....(I will add I've had this book for well over a year!)

Page 1:

At the top of the page it says Nana and is followed by a short shopping list of such things as Ham, Chicken and Smoked Haddock (my last shopping list for Nana before she died)

A note of a nusery name "Smiley Faces"..It's bracketd and underlined so I don't forget it

Another shopping list

At the bottom of the page and upside down is a not of "Rouraksh"...No idea what this is! lol

Page 2:

A note of a DS game called "The Settlers" and also "CSI: Dark Motives"

A friends address

A pagan book tittle and authors name

And another book tht is a witchcraft book

There's a couple of notes of YouTube videos "Bill Baily - Chaucer Pub Gag" and "The Usage Of The Word Fuck"

Page 5:

Old Xmas list of families gifts (well some of them lol)

Page 11: 7th Febraury 2008

It's a poem that I have written and curiously crossed out....

Why do I not remember
The things that you have
Said?
Of a life that has long
Since past.

Why is it so hard to have
The voice that I know
So well, speak softly in my head?

Why do all these precious things
Seem as thin as
Smoke?

Right at the bottom of this, not crossed out is:

A number now redundant
In my phone, that will belong
To another some time soon

All this refers to the reacent loss of my Nana

Page 15:

Some notes of old family names on my maternal grandparents side...Family search me thinks!

Page 17:

More notes on witchcraft and Pagan books!

Page 20:

As with page 17

Page 23:

A note I made to ask a fellow Pagan Fedration Officer a question!

Page 24:

Some notes I made about a bannishing spell using herbs etc and a picture and also how to make some magical herb preporations.

Page 31:

Another poem..Not crossed out..dated 18th April 2008

My breath..cold..shallow
Life. Soul. Breath. Darkness

Darkness closing around me
Life the cape of the reaper
Cold, Lifelss and Without
Form.

My breath. Hollow whispers in
My inner soul. It speaks to
Me of things that could.
Should, have been.

Whispers so cold. So Hollow.
So lonely. Hidden. Lost

Note from me: I need to get these written down properly, it was the first time I'd written in ages. One of the things known by only a few...I'm a published poet!

Page 35:

More notes on witchcraft/pagan books (there's a lot of these through out my notebook)and an friends email addy.

Pages 46 & 47:

A list of my brothers PS3 games

Page 50 to 56:

Notes from my reacent Pedriatric First Aid classes

Page 59 - 60

My packing list for my last holiday!

Page 63/64:

Dated 23rd August 2009

A spell I wrote whilst on holiday! Ingredients and words!

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I think that will do for now! lol So what does this say about me then?

Letter Writting To The Lost

A year ago last January I lost my dear Nana Newton (pictured below). I loved her dearly and had come very close to her in the last few years, especially after the loss of my grandad some 15 years ago. It was a terrible shock as it seemed so sudden.


I felt, as we all do when we lose someone dear, that I didn't talk to her as much as I could have, always felt I had the time I guess. The loss is still painful when I think on it enough, as did this pang of regret. So now I keep a sort of diary, though I call it by a different name, "Dear Nana."

It came about because of my job. A year ago last November I had been made redundant and it really up[set her because she knew how much the job had meant to me. We spoke of it frequently when I'd go and see her on a Friday, and it's something I miss. Yes I know, I've already said I didn't feel we spoke enough, but don't we all. But I miss telling of things in my life and really missed telling her about my new job. SO I wrote her a letter, litrally. I never sent it anywhere, just kept it. It felt so good I decided to expand on it and now have a book and every so often I write to my Nana (and Grandad) about things in my life.

SO if anyone who reads this feels a huge whole in their life because of such a loss, try writting to them. It really helps!