Samhain New Years Eve Ritual

 

This ritual will be worked around a center fire pit.  I've used outdoor barbecues, presto logs in a foil hearth (when all I had was a small concrete patio), as well as a large out door fire pit.  Flexibility works.

Begin with a ritual bath in salt water to cleanse your body and soul of any negative energy or if you don't have a bath tub simply put a little salt on a bath sponge and scrub yourself in the shower.  I've never been much on wearing black but Samhain seems to require it.  Anything black would be appropriate (I've improvised over the years- though as I've gotten older I've come to see the need for something more formal and reusable. As for jewelry and other accoutrements it all depends on your time and your imagination.  You can make a necklace of acorns or of jet and amber, but none of that has ever resonated for me.  I have a marcasite ring with a piece of jet that has been handed down in the family for at least three generations that I wear.

Sweep the area, moving widdershins   Don't worry that you are somehow doing something negative.  You are doing this to create a space where time can be more fluid.  In fact if you are intending to invite the ancestors you might count the years back as you sweep.. Outline your circle with salt. Aim to get a circle about 9 feet but any size circle will do

Light the central fire saying

"Samhain Flame of blazing light
Illuminate my circle this very night."

In front of the fire, erect an altar facing west. On the center of the altar place a chalice filled with apple cider or wine and a dish containing sea salt, a censer of herb incense, a small bowl of water, a brass altar bell, a consecrated athame (you'll need the knife to cut the apple so it has to be sharp enough to cut), and a red apple.

Invoke the Guardians of the watchtowers

Guardians of the watchtower of the west, hear my call
The veil is thin tonight and we/I would call on those from the other side
Stand guard for us/me so that none of bad intent may enter this circle

Guardians of the watchtower of the south, hear my call
The veil is thin tonight and we/I would call on those from the other side
Stand guard for us/me so that none of bad intent may enter this circle

Guardians of the watchtower of the east, hear my call
The veil is thin tonight and we/I would call on those from the other side
Stand guard for us/me so that none of bad intent may enter this circle

Sprinkle a bit of salt and water at each compass point around the circle to cleanse the space of any negativity or evil influences.

 

Call the Goddess of this night with the ritual chant repeated nine time

Hecate, Cerridwen, dark mother take us home
Hecate, Cerridwen let us be reborn

If there is anything you would like to remove from your life, before you enter the circle write in on a black piece of paper with silver ink.

In this time when past, present and future all conjoin I know that I am in a place of choice.
I ask the Lords and Ladies of Change to bare witness as I consign (this bad habit) to the flame.
This (habit) has no place in my life and I would see it gone before the new year.

 

Take the knife and slice the apple.  If there are others sharing your circle hand them a slice being sure it contains at least one seed.  Taking the seed from the apple slice and speak the words of positive change that you wish the apple to carry for you.

In this time when past, present and future all conjoin I know that I am in a place of choice.
I ask the Lords and Ladies of Change to bare witness as I plant this seed in the ground.
As the water and soil nourish this seed I will nourish this positive change in my life
 

Ring the bell three times

"As the New Year is born, we are all reborn
With new hopes and dreams.
Guide me in the future as in the past.
Give me strength and courage,
Knowledge and fulfillment,
Assist me as I attempt to achieve my goals.
Tonight and throughout the coming year"

Thank the Guardians of the watchtowers:
 

Guardians of the watchtower of the north,
Thank you for your faithful presence. 
No harm has come to us and our purpose is done.
For this you did come, and with our thanks you may go.

Guardians of the watchtower of the east,
Thank you for your faithful presence. 
No harm has come to us and our purpose is done.
For this you did come, and with our thanks you may go.

Guardians of the watchtower of the south,
Thank you for your faithful presence. 
No harm has come to us and our purpose is done.
For this you did come, and with our thanks you may go.

Guardians of the watchtower of the West,
Thank you for your faithful presence. 
No harm has come to us and our purpose is done.
For this you did come, and with our thanks you may go.

 

The inspiration for some of this ritual is based on a ritual by Akasha