Halloween-Samhain

Surely Halloween, Samhain is the Sabbat that most fires & enthuses the mind? Modern secular culture has adopted this Christian festival, secularised, popularised & somewhat monetised it. It does though seem to hark back to the Pagan past of Ireland, predating the Christian calendars Rite. As the days darken toward the years end, in times past cattle were slaughtered for the winter months ahead. Thoughts become introspective & naturally turn to those who have gone before. Our Wiccan Rites reflect on those who have inspired us from the past & our own families whether they be biologically connected or not. Modern Wicca calls us to harm none, our sacrifices now are of incense rising to the Gods above & of libation to those below.

As the leaves now fall from the trees, like so many tears & the winds whip through the copses & stark winter woods, we work our Rites in the warmth of hearth & home. Our Goddess & Horned God reflect the season & despite the cold we welcome the coming of winter. In doing so we embrace the seeming cruelty of death, knowing it as the inevitable corollary of life. Our thoughts focus on Elders of the Craft, friends & family who have past to the summerlands knowing they & we will past through its gates on the wheel of life, death & rebirth. We remember the joy of days past & of the hope of life to come.

The Horned lord guides us, the gates are open wide, the dead come forth this night & the faery folk ride!!