We gathered together this past weekend to celebrate Samhain and the turning of the wheel of the year, as the final harvest should be – with family, friends, feasting and faith. Everyone gathered on Saturday for our annual general meeting, followed by a hearty supper, and then a short trek to “Woodhenge” our private ritual structure in rural Nova Scotia.
A separate ancestor altar was set up, lined with photos and mementos of our honoured dead, in the hopes to build stronger ties and connections to those who have come before us. Our ancient fore-bearers had a significantly different relationship with death and the afterlife than most do today in contemporary North American culture. We seek to better understand what and where we have come from, and express gratitude (or at least some greater understanding) for how it has shaped our lives.
As the year's cycle renews itself in darkness once again, we acknowledge and cherish the blessings of the year. At the same time, we also look for signs and omens of what changes need to be made in our lives. For that reason, the main working in our Samhain ritual was a fire cleansing of things we wish to purge from our lives – whether they be bad habits, negative emotions, or unfavourable circumstances. These things were written by each individual member on paper and tied to a circle of yew, and these circlets were hung on a large wicker man constructed for ritual. After all of the praise offerings were given and omens taken, the wicker man was lit, and we stood as a grove to watch the flames burn the negativity from ourselves as we enter the darkness of the year, the months of both introspection and cozy togetherness.
Our omens for the ritual were as follows:
Omen 1: How Have Our Offerings Been Received?
Onn (Gorse) – A tenacious and vibrant flowering shrub with yellow flowers, heavy in pollen and a strong scent of honey. In the absence of any contradictory signs during ritual, the Gorse is a strong positive omen of acceptance, a joy and abundance of blessings.
Omen 2: What Blessings do the Kindreds Bestow in Return?
Ruis (Elder) – A versatile tree that can easily regrow damaged branches and root rapidly. Similar to the yew, it represents the end in the beginning, and the beginning in the end – extremely fitting for this time of year as the wheel of the year renews itself. As a blessing bestowed, Elder grants us the strength to grow, heal and adapt and guides us to the strength to find the good in life's changes.
I leave you with an ancestor prayer (Slightly adapted) from Rev Michael Dangler, and wish you all a blessed Samhain.
Ancestors! Oh Honoured Dead!
When you were born,
The Earth became your body,
the stone became your bone,
The sea became your blood,
The sun became your eye,
The moon became your mind,
The wind became your breath.
When you passed to the Otherworld,
Your breath became the winds of change,
Your mind became the inspiring moon,
Your eye became the sun’s sweet gaze,
Your blood became the pulsing sea,
Your bone became the steadfast stone,
Your body became the nurturing earth.
When we were born, you did the same for us:
You called forth the earth and rocks;
The sea arose and the sun descended;
The moon shone down and the winds sang.
For those who come after, we shall do as you did for us.
When we are gone, we shall do as you did before.
Ancestors, we honour you
