Denton CUUPS Samhain Circle

Saturday October 31, 2009

Ritual begins at 7:30 PM



Almanac

Moonrise at 7:40 p.m.

Moon phase: Waxing 95% full

Sunset at: 6:38 p.m.



Setup


Inside: Black chairs inside sanctuary arranged loosely in a semi-circle.


Outside: Altar tables with Jack o’ Lanterns. Center altar with god and goddess candle holders, silver for the Lady, Gold for the Lord. Small cauldron with cloth liner. Basket of corn kernels, bread, and hot cider.



Bonnie: informal opening statements.


Please mention that we are going to be circling outside without chairs. That there will be a circle dance if people are able and willing and that a chant will be used.


Fire, fire, burning bright

Take from us this Samhain night

Things we neither want nor need

That from this chaff shall grow new seed.



Formal Opening statements:


John: We gather on this Samhain night to worship as our ancestors did in days of old, and as our children might yet do in time to come. To celebrate the ending of the old year, the time of completed crops, fallow fields, of the coming of winter, and of death. For the year, like all living things is finite.


Adryna: Our ancestors knew that death was always waiting, because death is a part of life. All things that have begun must also end. Tonight we are going to ask you to take the time to think of those things in your life which have come to an end this year, but also to think about those things that you wish to be done with.


Bonnie: In our modern world, when food is plentiful throughout all the seasons, when fresh fruit in October, November and even December is as close as the nearest grocery store, it is hard to remember when the seasons mattered. When the end of harvest season, Samhain, meant you had all that you were going to gather for the winter to come.


Michi: In times not so distant, when our forefathers and ancestors were farmers, it was the custom in the British Isles, and in much of Europe that a portion of the harvest, a small token, was left in the fields as a gift to the gods in thanks for their bounty, and to ask that the next year be fruitful. The stalks of grain, wheat or rye, and later maize, were taken and made into an image of a man, John Barleycorn, or in earlier days of the god of the waxing year, of Lugh, of Cerenunos, of Frey. And these “corn gods” were then sacrificed upon the bonfires that lit the fields on Samhain night, to mark the old years’ passing, and to signify that the time of winter and rest was upon the land, and that the god of growing things had died, to be reborn again at Yule.


Cynthia: Tonight we celebrate the end of the year, the end of those things we wish to be rid of, and the passing of what we have lost during the year, and in previous years. A person, friend, family member, loved one, acquaintance, human or otherwise. And to a lesser extent to recall or morn the loss of things that had meaning to us.


John: Tonight we are going to in some small way, pay homage to our ancestors and their beliefs in life and in the ending of life. And of the new life that can be found after death as the great wheel spins again. But the world that our ancestors knew was not the comfortable world we have today, which even in these trying times provides us with shelter, with food, and with the conveniences we have grown so accustomed too. So tonight, we leave those comforts behind and venture outside these walls, and into a different world, an older and newer one, outside of time, outside of structure, and outside of everyday. Please join us in a grounding and centering meditation before we begin our journey outward.


Dolores: Grounding Meditation


John: The rest of our ritual will be outside, so as you are able, join us in the circle that has been set up outside.


(Leads everyone outside where the circle is set up with the bonfire burning in the caldron.

Wait until everyone is seated and then the callers take their places at the elements.)


Jamie: Guardians of North, Spirits of Earth, stone and soil, mountain and cave, Lady of the Outer Darkness Lord of the Land, grant us on this night of endings and beginnings your strength and stability. Merry met, and blessed be.


All: Blessed be.


Sami: Guardians of the East, Spirits of Air, wind and cloud, breeze and gale, Lady of Morning and Lord of Light, grand us on this night of endings and beginnings your inspiration and clarity. Merry met, and blessed be.


All: Blessed be.


Ashley: Guardians of the South, Spirits of Fire, flame and warmth, hearth and blaze, Lady of Smithcraft, Lord of Song, grant us on this night of endings and beginnings your creativity and passion. Merry met, and blessed be.


All: Blessed be.


Michi: Guardians of the West, Spirits of Water, stream and rain, lake and oceans. Lady of Tides, Lord of the Westerning Sea, grant us on this night of endings and beginnings your surety and soothing. Merry met, and blessed be.


John: Lord, we light this candle in your honor, Hunter, Warrior, Sage. That we might honor you on this the final harvest festival, and give thanks to all you have given in the year that is passing. (John lights god candle)


Cynthia: Lady, we light this candle in your honor, Mother, Wise One, Crone. That we might honor you on this night of Samhain, and give thanks to all you have given in the year that is passing. (Cynthia lights goddess candle)


Sami: It was the custom to light lanterns, first carved in turnips and later into pumpkins or other gourds in order to drive away those spirits that had come to cause mischief, or do harm. Tonight we light the lanterns we have carved to both welcome those that come in peace and protect against those who would come for ill.


Ashley lights small torch from the cauldron and passes it to the caller for north (Jamie).


Jamie holds the torch aloft and begins the chant. “From hand to hand the circle is cast, from last to first and first to last.” And passes the torch to the next person in the circle. When the torch comes back around to North he/she passes it back to the cauldron tender who places it in the ground opposite the corn god.


John: In times not so long gone, what we do here tonight had to be done in secret. Not so long ago, there were oaths taken to walk into a circle’s sacred space.


Adryna: Share with no one outside this circle what you see, hear and do tonight.


Jamie: Share with no one the names of those gathered here.


Sami: Always remember the four laws of Magick: To know, to will, to dare, and to keep Silent.


Michi: Harm none and do as you will.


Cynthia: Many have gone before us, many who were true to the craft, or to the older ways, or to their own gods and yet died for it.


John: Many have gone before us who were cursed and cast out as witches who were not but suffered and died for it just the same.


Adryna: Many were the women and men who were punished or killed for simply being different or outspoken or contrary.


Sami: We take a moment now to remember those on whose shoulders we stand, who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. Who died for the narrow mindedness of others and inspire us yet to be ourselves and to do more.


Adryna: <Rings bell three times>


Sami:

Autumn leaves falling from the trees

calling me to a place hidden deep within my mind

Red and gold, flaming patterns in my soul

Leading me to a road that I can’t seem to define

Hear the wind whistling in the distance

Taste the dandelion wine

It is the end of summer

The last resistance

October country on my mind.


Cynthia: Tonight is the night of Samhain, when the year dies, when the veil between the worlds is thin, when the Lord of the Harvest, the God of the Hunt makes his annual journey to the Isle of Apples across the westerning sea, to be reborn at Yule.


John: The corn god goes to the fire, an offering to the elements, and to the Lord and Lady to ask that the harvest of the old year will sustain us until the new, and that the harvest of the next year shall be more than enough for us to continue.


Adryna: Harvests are not just grain or gardens, hunts are not just for game, for meat to be eaten. We have each hunted for something this year, a skill, a job, a lover, a friend, a place to belong, a home. We have each harvested something in the year, a project finished, a task completed, something new learned, something new attempted. The hunt and the harvest continue.


John: Not all our hunts or our harvests physical or not are successful. Each year we try at something and do not succeed. Each year the tools and precepts of our lives change, some we outgrow, some we no longer wish to have with us. Take a moment to think of what it is that you carry with you that you no longer wish to. What would you leave behind, in order to find room for something new?


Michi: We are going to pass around a basket of corn, take a handful and hold it in the hand you write with. Name it as something that you wish to leave behind you, out loud or to yourself and the gods it matters not. Name it and cast it into the cauldron that follows the basket.


Sami: walks around with basket of corn kernels. About ten people behind Adryna walks around with cauldron.


<When all corn kernels are gathered up, Adryna takes cloth out of the cauldron and binds it with cord and attaches it to the corn god.>


Cynthia: In order to be rid of the dross of the old year and not take it with us into the new we are going to join hands and do a spiral dance widdershins. Take the hand of the person beside you. If you can not join us in the dance please take a step into the circle and as you can clap to keep time and join us in the chant.


Sami:

Fire, fire, burning bright

take from us this Samhain night,

things we neither want nor need,

that from this chaff shall grow new seed.


(Repeat as the circle moves. At least 9 times, growing faster and faster. On last repeat Dolores casts corn god into the cauldron.


<Place everyone facing west into a loose wedge shape. Cover pumpkins on other altars and torches at cross cardinals. Fire in cauldron remains as does torch and light at west.>


Drummer: begin drumming


Cynthia: Tonight we journey westward in mind and spirt. We seek as faintly as we are able to journey with the god of the harvest toward the land of rebirth to listen to those who have gone before us, family, lovers, and friends. Listen to the drum and let the sound carry you with it. Join us as we walk the path to the western sea. See yourself on the edge of a forest, tall trees ancient and broad stretch before you. With only one path between them. Take hold of the rope as it is passed to you and with your mind walk into the woods. Along the path deeper and deeper into the woods. Feel the dead leaves and pine needles crunch beneath your feet. Smell the scent of the end of growing things.


(Michi, walk the outside of the circle with incense of pine)


Sami: Feel the wind on your face as you walk. Hear the calls of the insects and the birds, the owl, the grackle, even the screech of the bat. Let the wind clear you mind, taking with it all but the sound of the drum and our voices.


Ashley: Feel the fire as it warms you, as the torch before you leads you along the path and the trees grow thinner. Listen, and you can hear the sound of waves somewhere ahead. Walk out of the trees and onto the beach before you.


Michi: On the shore there is a dock, and at the dock rests a boat. Grey sailed and high in the water. At it’s prow is a tall figure, cloaked in shadow but for the crown of antlers upon his head. If you would finish the journey and seek what is new, step aboard the ship that awaits in your mind. If you would not, wait upon the shore and watch us sail.


Cynthia: Let the sound of the drum as the boat takes sail onto the dark water. Listen to sound of the waves on the hull, listen to the drum and the beat of your heart. Feel the cold wind off the water, feel the warmth of the fire in the cauldron between you. Feel the strength of the wood of the boat beneath you...Let the darkness of the sea surround you. Sea spray and mist so thick you can taste it, blotting out the stars, covering the moon. Until only the boat and the flame and the sea and the wind remain.


Singers: Turn your eyes to the western skies

Away from the smoke of years gone by.

A thousand fires, on a vast dark sea,

To guide your way to eternity.


Sami: Land ahead.


Michi: Land ahead.


Adryna: Land ahead!


Lee: Land ho!


Drummer: stops drumming


Cynthia: The horned lord is gone from the prow of the boat. Off to the land of rebirth to await the new year to come at Yule. We of the living world can only visit this place in our minds. But if you listen, if you would learn what it is the gods and the spirits would tell you, then listen to the voices about you. Listen to the voices on the shore. Listen to your heart and those who would guide you. And do not discount the voices just because they tell you something you do not want to hear, or because they tell you of good that you do not think you deserve. Or because they tell you of work you must do. Or they tell you of joy you do not believe. Listen.


Drummer: begins drumming again softly


Cyn, Michi, Ashley and Sami go about and cut the cord binding everyone. When everyone is free.


Cynthia: Our time in the land of the dead is done. All that we need to learn in this place is within us. Your binding to the old year are severed and burnt. Look to the sky and the stars for new directions, open your eyes.


Give everyone a few moments, uncover the lanterns at north east and south. Relight the cross quarters.


Sami: Samhain Song


Cynthia: The harvest is over, and with what we have harvested we give thanks to the lord of grain, and the Lady of growing things. We give thanks to elements of earth, and air, and fire and water, and spirit for their blessings on our harvests, are hunts, and our lives.


John: In their name we have made this bread and brought this drink. We pass it about both in their honor and in thanks for those who have made this journey with us tonight and throughout this year. May the year to come bring you blessing.


Michi: May you never hunger, may you never thirst. May all that is bright, beautiful, and full of blessing fill your life.


Pass bread and drink:


Sami: Samhain song, softly but loud enough to be heard.


Cynthia: Let us now give thanks to the elements, and the Lord and Lady.


John: Lord, we thank you for your presence and your blessings. Thank you for the year you have given us, and may your journey to the realm of light be peaceful until your return. (John extinguishes god candle)


Cynthia: Lady, we thank you for your presence and your blessings. Thank you for all you have given us in the year that has passed. (Cynthia extinguishes goddess candle) Hail and farewell!


All: Hail and Farewell!


Michi: Spirits of North, East, South and West;

of Earth, Air, Fire and Water

We thank you for your presence in our circle,

We ask for your blessing as you leave

Depart we ask in peace

Harming none upon your way

Merry Meet Merry Part

And Merry Meet again

Blessed be.


All: Blessed be.


Ashley pulls the small torch from the ground and walks it around the outside of the circle counterclockwise and then extinguishes it.


Benediction / Formal Closing


Cynthia: “The circle is open, but unbroken,

May the peace of the Goddess and God

Go in our hearts.

Merry meet, and merry part.

and merry meet again.

Blessed be.”


John: Rings bell three times “The rite is ended. Go in peace, walk in wisdom.”



Informal Closing (John)


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