31 October (North) 30 April (South):

PRIEST: Cast circle.

ALL: VISUALISE

FIRE LIGHT ELEMENTAL CANDLES AND AIR INCENSE

PRIEST: The lord is Holly, the lord is Oak.
Two sides of one so say our Folk.
The Oak lord goes, the Holly stays
To help us through the winter days.
The Yew is great in age and girth
A symbol of both Death and Birth.
Endings and beginnings it will spin.
At SAMHAIN when the veil is thin.
Three times around we tread.
Releasing mourners from their dread.
A knife to cut the spirit free

( PRIEST MAKES CUTTING MOTION WITH KNIFE)

From bonds imposed by family.
A bow to make the spirit fly ( AIR SHOOTS ARROW UP )
To Resurrection by and by.
A sprig for mourners all we take ( EARTH HANDS OUT SPRIGS )
To give them peace for their own sake.

ALL DANCE DEOSIL AROUND THE CIRCLE.

SPOKESPERSONS DO INVOCATION TO ELEMENTS.

EARTH: Stones for life, stones for death,
Stones are symbols here on earth.
The Old Ones set in circles round
and in lines that march across the ground.
Their power still flows for you and me,
We greet You O Great Ones this SAMHAIN Eve!
We ask by Earth and Sky that You will
Bless our circle round.

WATER: Great Lord and Lady!
Life and Death are Yours to give.
They are also Yours to hold.
There is no ending of this Life, in spirals do we go.
We are born in another world and die to return to Earth, in spirals do we go.
All must have balance and so must we to stop the spiral round.

(TAP THE ALTAR THREE TIMES)

FIRE: Great Mother we are Your children. Keep us from harm.
Great Lady we Wiccans stand in need of your protection.
There are those who are against us by thought word and deed,
On this plane and all others.
Let their efforts fail.
Let their evil return to the lower darkness.
Great Mother we ask for and accept Your protection this SAMHAIN Eve.

MEDITATE ON TAROT CARD (DEATH)

PRIESTESS: I light three candles to the Triple Goddess.

Great Lady of three aspects.
Glorious Maiden, Goddess of Youth and New Beginnings,
the Dawn and the planted seed. (LIGHT THE WHITE CANDLE)
Great Mother, Goddess of Magick and Plenty, Goddess of
Love and Knowledge. (LIGHT THE RED CANDLE)
Dark Crone, Wise Goddess of the Night, Goddess of Death
and Rebirth we ride the snake, and welcome the Goddess
in all Her forms. (LIGHT BLACK CANDLE)

ALL: We welcome the Goddess in all her forms.

PRIEST: I light three candles for the Triple God, Great Lord of many faces, bright Sun King, God of Success and Plenty (LIGHT YELLOW CANDLE).
Horned God of the Woodlands, God of Fertility and Growth

(LIGHT GREEN CANDLE).

Dark Lord of the Underworld, God of Protection and Rest
We welcome the God in all His forms. (LIGHT BLACK CANDLE)

ALL: We welcome the God in all His forms.

AIR: This night is the feast of the Dead. The night of the wheel turning year that brings us to the thin veil this night. The Gates between the worlds stand open this night. We honour those who have gone before. Those whose voices come to us on the whispering wind. All those who wish us well are welcome here this night.

(WATER RINGS BELL THREE TIMES)

CAKES AND ALE

PRIEST: I ask all who have gathered here to join me in this feast.

PASS ALE AROUND EACH TAKING A SIP

PRIESTESS: May we always have good health, prosperity and happiness.

PASS CAKES AROUND

1ST GUARDIAN: May we always be strong in body mind and spirit.

2ND GUADIAN: May the Old Ones give us clear knowledge of the paths we must follow. Blessed Be!

1ST GUARDIAN: We give thanks to all present. May they go in power! So Mote it Be!

ALL: So Mote it Be!

2ND GUARDIAN: Merry Meet. Merry Part. Merry Meet Again.
All dance widdershins around the circle stop and sit.
Earth hands out paper and pens.
Write names of loved ones to be released and bad habits to be banished.
Fire snuff candles before midnight.
At midnight priest lights candle and all walk outside to the fire.
Throw papers and sprig in to fire. Fireworks. Feast. Stories etc.

TOAST:

PRIEST: We ask a blessing on the earth, our home, all who have been here, are here now, and will be here in time to come. We ask the gods to bless us when we come to the end of our own particular dance. So mote it be.

Those attending this rite must bring: their tarot cards, a red candle and one for each person they wish to remember, some fireworks, pine cones, fancy dress ( optional ) , masks, a small gem squash for carving, something to eat and drink.

Festival foods to choose from are: corn bread; garlic bread; pumpkin dish; pork pies / pork dish; curry dish; bean dish; salads: beetroot; potato; green and herb; carrots; beans; peas

Puddings, cakes, cookies: apple dish; nut cakes & cookies; ginger bread; boston loaf; cinnamon; coconut

Other: nuts; olives; pickles; chutneys; etc.

Drinks: spiced wine; ginger brandy; ale / beer; cider; fruit juice

Dress: black; red; white; with red headband