Samhain 2006

Roles
HPS
HP
Crone
Quarters 
King of the Dark year

Everyone enters the temple carrying their unlit Jack O' Lantern. When the circle is formed, each person may place their lantern on the ground behind them. (After Quarters are called and before Central Invokation / Power Raising).

Circle is cast by the HP and HPS
Lanterns placed at edge of circle.
Quarters are called.
Central Invocation.

HPS: 	The wheel has turned as we entered the world between worlds. Time runs different here. Tonight we stand upon the threshold, the end of the year. It is a time to honour the beloved dead, to celebrate achievements and to think about what has come to pass. 

It is Samhain... the nights are longer and colder than before. The Crone walks amongst us and her song echoes beyond the veil.

All to form a circle with the four quarters standing on the outside with their Jack O' Lanterns lit. 

The Crone steps into the centre of the circle and begins to sing. Participants echo her every line as they move slowly around the circle. Each time she sings “I am the Guarded Flame...” one quarter blows out their Jack O' Lantern. Order is Air, Earth, Water, Fire. This continues until all lanterns are out and the temple is in darkness.

Samhain Rain (Crone Song)

I am the land that lies
beneath the autumn skies

I am the twisted tree
beyond the endless sea

I am the guarded flame 
I am the Samhain rain 

I am the moon capped wave
that marks the deep sea cave

I am the weathered bone
beneath the mound of stone

I am the guarded flame 
I am the Samhain rain 

Will you wait for me.
Beneath the blackthorn tree?

I am the broken shield 
upon the fallow field

I am the outcast seer
who brings the winter near

I am the guarded flame 
I am the Samhain rain 

I am the child entranced
by the circle danced

I am the secret lore
behind the ancient door

I am the guarded flame 
I am the Samhain rain 

At the end of the song, the Crone invokes the Lord of Death and Resurrection. (Make sure everyone is standing where they started)

Crone:	Beloved, come dance through the Veil of Night
Come dance in my embrace.
Beloved, come lead the spirits home, 
Let me look upon thy face.

Lord of the Otherworld, my King, my Love
Come to me on Samhain Night
I call thee Beloved, between the Worlds
Bring to the Dark, your Light.

At this point the Lord of Death and Resurrection year, steps through the vale, Holding a lit Jack-o-Lantern

LODOR:	I am the Lord of Death and Resurrection. I have answered the call of Samhain.
At the thinning of the veil I have journeyed, ever changing
I am the cycle of darkness set free,
within the season and yourselves
My Guise is different for each of you

To the Maidens, I am the dark and powerful one.

The LODOR walks over to one or two of the younger ladies and gestures with his hand on their chin that they should look into the eyes of the king.

LODOR:	To the Mothers, I am the provider, metering out the provisions to see your children through the winter

The LODOR walks to a woman of age to have children, gently pulling at a purse; he places a gold coin in her hand.

LODOR:	To the Crone, I am the inevitable, be my guise young or old, I am the constant visitor and reminder of what is to come.

The LODOR walks to any elder women in the circle, and removes a dagger from his scabbard and replaces it as he circles her.

LODOR:	To the Youth, I am the one to be usurped, the Dark power not yet understood.

To any young men present the LODOR looks them in the eyes and knocks them back but not off their feet.

LODOR:	To the Warrior, I am the calculating king, who must take the hard line.

To all Men of warring age, he walks to and nods.

LODOR:	To the wise men, I am the cold council, the harsh reality, and the knowledge that soon you could be outside of this circle.

To any other man he walks to he speaks the line circling one of them

Then while looking at each of those in the circle in turn, He says, pointing at the men and women at varying intervals, to highlight his points.

LODOR:	From the  underworld I have come, guide and guardian to those who have gone before.
For this brief time, they may join you.
Hold within your mind the essence of those you would call. Your beloved dead, your teachers from hidden realms.

Crone gives each person their lantern. The LODAR walks amongst them ready to light each lantern with a taper from HIS lantern. 

LODOR:	When you are ready, hold out the image of your ancestors to receive the flame of memory.

All hold out Jack-o-Lanterns LODAR lights flames.  When all lanterns are lit, HPS gives Crone the Cup of the Dead. Crone takes this to each person so they may sip from it.

HP and HPS are given cup  by Crone. They sip and place it back on the altar.

LODAR calls the beloved dead through the veil.

I part the Veil of this world
I part the Veil of silence
I part the Veil for all who enter in love
Light turns to dark once more.

By the mysteries of the deep
By the flames that temper the steel
By the powers of blood and root
I call thee O Spirits of the Beloved Dead
Ancestors and Teachers
I call thee by tides of love
Come and break thy eternal fast this night
So mote it be.

Crone stands guard.

HP and HPS place plates before each person. They then place some food upon each plate.

All to Commune and feast with the dead. 

Allow a few minutes of time for the messages of the dead to come through.

LODAR: 	Before you are plates of food. Please offer them to the Beloved Dead.

HPS give LODAR the Cup of the Dead. It is passed around each person and held for a time over each plate. It then placed in the centre of the circle.

HP gives LODAR plate of bread. This is passed around for each person to have piece.

HPS blesses the Mead and LODAR passes it around for each person to sip.

LODAR:	We thank the Beloved Dead for feasting with us on this Samhain Night. We thank thee by the Guarded flame which called thee home. But now is the time for us to cross the Veil once more. 

Beloved Dead, Ancestors of Spirit and Learning, Shades of Past and Future, we give thee license to depart into thy proper place. Be there love between us evermore.

LODAR goes to the Veil and opens it. He ushers the Beloved Dead through the Veil and follows them. There are more cakes and ale waiting for him on the other side. The Crone closes the Veil behind Him.

Everyone to extinguish their lanterns.

HPS gives the Crone an apple. She splits it with a knife to reveal the star and says:

Crone: 	Autumn is here and the veil is still thin. Now it is my turn to journey to the Otherworld, but before I go I will give to you the Mystery of Samhain. Behold the fruit of life which holds the seeds of death.

She places the apple on a plate held by the HPS. HPS takes it around the circle.

HP gives the Crone a pomegranate. She splits it with a  knife as the juice drips down she says:

Crone: 	Behold the fruit of death which holds the seeds of life.

She places the Pomegranate on a plate held by the HP. He takes it around the circle.

Crone: 	This is the mystery of Samhain. Farewell.

Crone parts the veil and leaves. HPS closed veil behind her.

Farewell quarters. 
Close circle. 
Feast.