This is an adaptation of the Rite celebrated by Tangwen’s Grove at Samhain of 2004. Because some members of the Grove were not physically strong enough to be outside in the cold, it was celebrated in a well blessed and consecrated empty room, by a large hearth fire. While we weren’t washed over by the elements, the dark quiet of the room allowed for powerful focus.
In preparation for the rite, the area is blessed and consecrated. The fire is lit in the hearth. In the centre is an empty black cauldron surrounded by nine nite-light candles. Each member of the Grove has with them a symbol of what they wish to release, something that expresses an aspect of their lives or emotional states that they do not want to continue carrying.
The Spirits of Place are called : Spirits of this Place, with our feet upon this ground we ask that you honour what we do here. Accept our presence, for we come in peace and with reverence.
The Call for Peace is made. The Grove member who calls first asks if there is peace, and then affirms that there is peace – within this place and within those present, and between all, spirit to spirit.
The Temple of the Grove is then cast with three circles. A circle is cast around the Grove, establishing a temple that is sacred, and will not disturb or be disturbed by anyone, in body or spirit. A circle is cast within the circle of people, drawing all present into the focus of the Grove’s intention. And a circle is cast around the cauldron at the centre.
The circle is consecrated with incense and with water.
The four directions are honoured. A member of the Grove calls to the spirits of the North, honouring the earth, darkness, winter, and the powers of death. Another calls to the spirits of the East, honouring the skies, wind and breath, the spring, and the powers of new life. Another calls to the spirits of the South, honouring the fire, light, summer, and the powers of the wild. Another calls to the spirits of the West, honouring the seas, rivers and wells, water, blood, the autumn, and the powers of emotion.
The purpose of the Rite is then declared: We have gathered here for the Rite of Samhain, Summer’s End. Our harvest is in, the nights grow longer, and the winter lies before us. Another cycle of growth comes to its end tonight. Let us speak of the journey that has brought to this time and place.
Each member of the Grove meditates on the year that has passed, of the hopes they held for the future last Midwinter, of their dreams for a new cycle, of what they began, nurtured and cared for through the spring and summer, acknowledging what they were proud of by Midsummer, what they harvested of those achievements, accepting the wonderful, the painful, what was lacking and what they have in excess to their needs. Some may speak aloud, some give thanks and make offerings.
Just as the seasons of nature within us reflect those around us, let us now consider the journey of the sun, the stars, the moon, the forests and the seas, the meadows, fields and gardens.
The Grove speaks then of all that inspires them through the cycle of the year, speaking of the lush growth of summer, of what is already dying back and what still needs to be cut back, by frost, wind or blade. The beauty of this time is acknowledged, this time of storms and cold wind, and each person speaks of the wisdom they seek in the falling of the leaves, the dying back of the herbs, the claws of the frost.
A few then call out to the storms of Samhain, with prayers to the wild wind, in words, screams and keening cries, inviting the spirit of the winds to enter into the temple and touch those present. As the wild winds come, a Grove member (dressed appropriately) moves around the circle, holding the energy of the wind spirits or deity; she carries a basket of fallen leaves and encourages each person to put into the basket what they wish to release of the year that is now passed, what they do not wish to take with them into the next cycle. With prayers made to the spirits of the hearth fire, she then burns each leaf and each symbol on the hearth fire, to the keening songs and sloughing prayers of the Grove.
The Ancestors are honoured, with herbs placed upon the fire: Hail, Ancestors of Blood, at this time when we close the year, we call to you. You who have taught us, who have walked with us through this closing year, know that you are honoured here.
There is silence as we make our thanks and give offerings.
Hail Ancestors, you who would teach us, who would guide us through this cycle to come, hear our call. This circle cast is peace welcomes you, in peace. Let us feel your presence.
There is a period of quiet as the ancestors join us and those who can hear, listen to their guidance.
A simple drum beat begins, and a member of the Grove leads the circle into a vision that crosses time, speaking of our ancestors of the land, those who faced the winter without the comforts of modern life, leading each person to feel the power of winter and our instincts for survival. Through her words and the drum, we feel the connection. The journey ends with the chant: We are our Ancestors!
With the old dead present, within us and around us, the old cycle is declared ended. The candles are all extinguished, leaving just the glow of the hearth fire. A Grove member speaks of the coming weeks to the Winter Solstice, one year ended and another not yet begun: This is the time of darkness! This is the time when we honour the mysteries of the unknown and the unknowable, of that which has no language, no order, no beginning and no end, the darkness of the seemingly infinite universe, the darkness between each thought, the darkness within each atom of being. Let us acknowledge the darkness, welcoming its embrace and its power.
Each member of the Grove is invited to come to the centre and drop into the darkness of the cauldron a statement of their strength and power, that which they seek in the darkness of potential, knowing that what they give into the dark will be nourish their souls at the deepest level.
In the twilight of the hearth fire, the port and parkin are blessed (Tangwen usually has bread and mead, but this year we decided on a sticky dark cake and a sweet dark liquor). Offerings are made to the ancestors and to the land, and the feast is shared with all those present, in body and spirit.
Prayers are made for those who have died through the last cycle, and those who may not make it through the cold of winter. Any other prayers and offerings are made.
The rite is then closed, with thanks given to the spirits/deity of the darkness, to the ancestors, to the spirits of the four directions, to the spirits of place. Those who were invited to join the circle are bade Hail and Farewell. Peace is affirmed within the Temple of the circle and, when all is still and focused, the circles are uncast. First, the circle around the cauldron, allowing the energy and prayers of the centre to wash through the Grove. Then the circle of the Grove is released, and finally the temple circle itself is uncast, allowing the energy of the circle to flow out into the web of connection.
The rite is ended with thanks given to the spirits of place.
The Grove then shares poetry, songs, stories and feasting!