Ritual Preparations
Since spirits and faeries run free today, you may wish to take extra
precautions in protecting your home and sacred space. Clean the floors with
basil-steeped water to wash away any negativity from the old year. Hang gorse
near your windows or doorway, and cast white beans around the circle to banish
both ghosts and bad luck.
Gather pictures of, or memorabilia from, people in your life who have
passed over, and put these in the sacred space at the western point. For the
three other points you will need a knife or scissors, a candle, and a symbol of
transformation.
Carve a pair of back and white candles to represent what you want to
release and gather for the new year, respectively. Also find a crystal to use
for scrying, (quartz and obsidian are two good choices), have self-lighting
charcoal for the brazier (or cauldron), and write messages on pieces of paper
for your loved ones who have passed over (one piece of paper for each individual
you wish to contact).
The Altar
Cover the altar in a black or orange cloth. Decorate it with traditional
Halloween touches, such as an iron cauldron, bats, owls, brooms, and skeletons.
Add a pomegranate to represent the cycle of life-death-rebirth at one side of
the brazier; place your messages to loved ones on the other. Put the black and
white candles at opposite sides of the table's surface.
Invocation
Begin the ritual when it is totally dark outside. This invocation begins
with a prayer that opens the way for the spirits of beloved friends and
ancestors to join you:
"Lady and Lord, pull aside the veil; the edge of time where all
things begin and end. open a gateway to my loved ones that they may join me in
this rite."
Cast the circle starting in the West, the region where several cultures
believe afterlife abides.
West~I, ______come into the circle of Water, a circle of might, to sing
of my family on this holy night." Place a familial token on the western
point to welcome those spirits.
North~I come to the circle of Earth, the circle of peace, so wandering
spirits may be released. Place a knife or pair of scissors here to symbolize the
freeing of ties. (Some spirits linger in the Earth plane because they feel
compelled to watch over loved ones.)
East~I come into the circle of Air, a circle of change. Let the old be
transformed, by spirit rearranged. Leave an emblem here of what you plan to
transform in the ritual using the black and white candles.
South~I come into the circle of Fire, a circle of song, as the light
grows shorter, and night grows long. Extinguish a candle at this point of the
circle to represent the season's darkness.
Center~I come into the circle of the Ancients, a circle of light, and
welcome familial spirits, this All Souls' Night.
Light a central candle, any color you choose, to represent the Spirit's
presence.
Meditation and Visualization
Hallows is a time for remembering, and for journeying into our own
subconscious. This sojourn unlocks the keys for integrating our past, and
handling the present more effectively.
For this meditation, sit with the crystal you have chosen and close your
eyes. Think of one person, now deceased, whom you would trust as a guide, and
ask silently for his or her guidance.
Breathe deeply and slowly. Feel the energy of the crystal in your hand.
For now, let it sit idly here, lending its insightful power to the mediation
process. If it helps, lie on the floor with the crystal resting on your Third
Eye while you meditate.
Envision all those friends and family members who have passed over in a
circle around you, linking hands. Let their love become a magic sphere that
holds you in this place between worlds. As you feel this protective, caring
energy grow, the crystal will begin to get warm. When this happens, open your
eyes and take the crystal in hand.
Think now of one question that has been nagging you. Direct that
question into the crystal. Look at the surface of the stone, and let your gaze
become naturally blurry. Watch for images to appear. You may see literal
portraits, symbols, or clouds in response to your question. Portraits and
symbols have to be interpreted by you. Generally bright or white clouds in
moving up or to the right are good omens, while those appearing dark, or moving
down and to the left are negative portents.
After you receive your answer, whisper your thanks to the spirits who
watched over you, and to the stone. Make notes of the experience you had in your
ritual journal.
The Ritual
Stand before your altar, saying:
"I welcome the Old Ones, I offer hospitality to kindly guiding
spirits in this sacred space. Those of you who chose to join me here, I beg a
boon. Into these fires I place message for people close to my heart."
Place the pieces of paper on which you've written your messages to
departed loved ones into the cauldron of fire.
"Impart these words gently to ______(fill in with the names of
those you wish to contact). Carry the smoke of love love and memories with you
into the next world when you return."
This is a good point in the ritual to look over old scrap books and
revel in positive memories. Allow tears to flow freely, along with laughter as
part of the circle of life.
Next, light the black candle saying,
"Death is a part of life. Today_____ (fill in whatever you've
chosen to release) dies within me. This is not a loss, but a liberating change
that I welcome and accept."
If possible, dance the circle counterclockwise at this point to release
negativity. Keep moving until you feel finished casting the shadows fro your
life.
Light the white candle, saying,
"From death to the old ways comes life anew. I light the candle of
_____ (fill in with a characteristic you hope to gain) that it may always shine
in my heart." Dance, or walk, the circle clockwise to draw positive energy,
and bring light to the darkness.
