This is the ritual we did to close last night’s gathering at The Welcoming Circle. Feel free to adapt it for yourself or your group. It was written by Tree Higgins, my co-facilitator who died last year. We did it in her honor and memory.

SAMHAIN DIVINATION RITUAL

Calling of Quarters —Tree Higgins

Hail, Guardian of the East! Keeper of sacred winds
that carry our love beyond this realm.
Hail, Guardian of the East, stand and protect this sacred circle!

Hail, Guardian of the South! Bearer of the Phoenix
who dies in fire and is reborn of his own ashes!
Hail, Guardian of the South, stand and protect this sacred circle!

Hail, Guardian of the West! Keeper of all the rivers of crossing!
Hail, Guardian of the west, stand and protect our sacred circle!

Hail, Guardian of the North! Keeper of the earth
from whom all things rise and all things return!
Hail, Guardian of the North, stand and protect our sacred circle!

Anointing—Tree Higgins

I will now anoint those who are willing so that the light once shared with the departed
may shine for awhile here.

(While anointing) Let the love you have been given
and the love you gave
be the light that shines through the Veil.

Ancestor Ritual—Tree Higgins

The Veil is thin and our departed loved ones near.
We stand here and now to honor those
who have passed from our sight but not our hearts
and to honor our ancestors whose sacrifices and choices
made it possible for us to be here today.

We will take a moment in silent reflection for those we have lost. (PAUSE)

I will give each of you a paper to write a name of the beloved dead on so it can be offered up in reverence and honor. If you need more than one paper, please help yourself. (Hands out papers and pens)

When you are ready, you may bring it to the candle and burn it. Whisper your words to the one on the other side of the Veil as you release the scraps of paper.

(After they bring forth the scraps of paper)

We send these with respect and love to the other side of life.
We send joy for the good things we shared,
honor for the struggles we shared
that ultimately made us stronger
and we send that sense of wonder
that connected us when you were here
and still endures now that you have moved on.

Hail the Ancestors who made us.
Hail the dead who loved us and with thanks
we now let you go again on your new paths.

Blessed be those who remain here with us now.
Blessed be those gone beyond.
We can all walk in balance now.

Releasing the Quarters—Tree Higgins

Hail, Guardian of the North! We thank you for your watch.
We release you now. Please go freely on your way.

Hail, Guardian of the West! We thank you for your watch.
We release you now. Please, go freely on your way.

Hail, Guardian of the South! We thank you for your watch.
Please go freely on your way.

Hail, Guardian of the East! We thank you for your watch.
Please go freely on your way.

Now the circle is open but it is never unbroken
because ti is a circle woven in love.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!

Copyright ©2018 by Tree Higgins