At Samhain, we invite our ancestors to share our feast with us and, naturally, we want the table to look nice for them. Just as we put out the “good china” when we invite the living to reunion dinners, we like to make a special place at the altar and our feast tables even for those who are attending only in spirit. The simplest and least expensive way of making a special plate to hold the ancestors’ portion is, of course, with paper plates and crayons. One advantage is that little children can do this quite easily, and it’s artistically non threatening even for adults! It’s certainly possible to use drawn-upon colored plates at more than one ritual, too. Yet for those who want something that looks and feels a little more permanent, and perhaps even stores a little more of our own energy, following is another idea for a special offering plate to honor your ancestors and the other spirits with whom you share your Samhain.
Before you use this plate on your altar, you need to consecrate it, even if you made it in a Circle. It’s not that there’s anything “bad” or “profane” about the plate that needs to be gotten rid of or cleansed, it’s just that anything you’re going to use as a sacred tool should, out of respect, be properly prepared before you use it. (It’s kind of like the need to season an iron skillet or pot before you cook food in it.) Consecrations are usually performed as part of a Circle, and can certainly be done in a Circle cast especially for the occasion, rather than at a Sabbat or Esbat.
When the Circle’s been cast, the Quarters called, and the Goddess and God invoked, bring the offering plate from the altar to the center of the Circle. From there, introduce the object to each Quarter in turn. (If your altar is at the center, then move to each edge of the altar as you face each Direction.)
“Hail, East! By breeze and gale, I bid you recognize this plate, and know that it is sacred to me. Witness that I consecrate it now and dedicate it to the service of the Gods and the Ancestors.” “Hail, South! By spark and blaze, I bid you recognize this plate, and know that it is sacred to me. Witness that I consecrate it now and dedicate it to the service of the Gods and the Ancestors.” “Hail, West! By ripple and tide, I bid you recognize this plate, and know that it is sacred to me. Witness that I consecrate it now and dedicate it to the service of the Gods and the Ancestors.” “Hail, North! By mote and mountain, I bid you recognize this plate, and know that it is sacred to me. Witness that I consecrate it now and dedicate it to the service of the Gods and the Ancestors.”
Now set it on the floor or ground at the center of your Circle, and
say:
“Goddess of Earth, Great Mother, know this plate, and know that it is sacred to me. Witness that I consecrate it in Your name, and to Your service and the ancestors’.”
Hold it above your head and say,
“Horned One, Herne, You who die and are reborn, know this plate, and know that it is sacred to me. Witness that I consecrate it in Your name, and to Your service and the Ancestors’.”
Now return to the altar (or stand before it facing North or East, as you prefer) and sprinkle a bit of salt on the plate. Next, pass it through the incense smoke. Then either pass it through a candle flame or drip a bit of candle wax on it, whichever is most meaningful to you and least awkward at your altar. Then sprinkle the plate with water, and finally, with salt again. Set the plate in the center of your altar and say:
“Plate, you are a creature of Earth, and I charge you with all the Elements to be ever faithful to the Goddess, from whose body you are made. I create you for the Ancestors, and charge you to work no ill, and to bless the work you do with the blessings and intentions that make you holy.”
Now you can use the plate; in fact, you should. Consecrate Cakes and Ale in your usual way and use the plate to make an offering of a portion of the feast. This immediate use of the tool seals its purpose in its aura.
