A theme that unites Samhain’s aspects—harvest, reunion, and New Year’s—is transformation. This theme is so strongly at the core of this holiday that it has survived even into the secular celebration: for most non-Pagans, dressing up in costume is what defines Halloween. This ritual highlights Samhain’s power of transformation. For this ritual, you need very little. If you are casting a formal Circle, put your altar at the edge of the Circle (at whichever Quarter you feel is appropriate: there are good reasons to place it at West, North, or East). If it’s possible, a grouping of candles in the center of the circle (on a small table so they can be moved later, if necessary) is very nice. Rather than Quarter candles, though, there should be very subtle marks on the floor, made with chalk, tape, or paper so that no one trips on them. Whether or not you conduct this as a formal religious ritual, the Directions should be invoked. (This is something a family or a non-Pagan group can do without over-emphasizing Wicca, should there be a need for discretion.) If you are working with young children, you may need to phrase things a bit differently—you’ll know how to convey these ideas without frightening anyone. From the East, call in the “crisp breath of inspiration,” so that everyone can feel the nip in the air as invigorating. From South, call in the “warmth of the hearth fire,” so that everyone can appreciate the coziness of a family gathering. From West, call in “memories and promises,” for it is good to appreciate our ancestors and their legacies. From the North, call in “the blanketing snows,” so that, as the harsher views of Winter are obscured, we can all take time to rest and reflect. A coven performing this ritual should cast the Circle, call the Quarters, and invoke the Goddess and God as they usually do, although the following invocations of deity may be substituted, with the singular pronouns a solitary would use changed to plural ones: “Triple Goddess, You who are all and ever, I hail You! As Winter begins, I am warmed by the flames beneath Your cauldron. Your magics stir in my veins. I am cleansed as Your tears of grief become tears of joy. I am stronger for the transformation that is Your blessing at this season. Triple Goddess, in whom we are all and ever, I invoke You! Hail and welcome!” “Horned One, You who die and are reborn, I hail You! As Winter begins, I am warmed by Your courage. Your faith stirs in my veins. I am cleansed as Your blood becomes bounty. I am stronger for the transformation that is Your blessing at this season. Horned One, You who show us how to die and be reborn, I invoke You! Hail and welcome!” Should you prefer them, here are rhyming alternatives:
Triple Goddess, ever, all I welcome You into my hall.
The flames beneath Your cauldron warm my heart as well, The magics that You’re stirring the turning Wheel bespells. The joy You spin from tears of grief,
Offers me the same relief;
They cleanse my soul and lift it from a wintry bier,
Made strong by transformation, I do invoke You here!
Horned One, back to life recalled,
I welcome You into my hall.
You have love and trust of dancing,
though the tune but faint remains.
Your blood now turns to bounty
and Your courage stirs my veins.
You befriend my soul and guide it
From a wintry bier,
Made strong by transformation,
I do invoke You here!
