Samhain Rite #1

[Labrys]

The new moon has come...the charcoal bed had burnt the fragrance of coffee beans into the night air for the nameless Iraqi and Afghani troops whose names never reach American newspapers, even when they die alongside our own men and women. 

A cauldron of whiskey has been burnt while I read the names of the dead Americans and other Coalition troops aloud, striking the brass temple bell at each name.

Hail and farewell, for all the lost and gone.

[Sorsha]

This is Great and I love the pic you used with it!
Brightest Blessings!
~~Sorsha~~

[Labrys]

This is Great and I love the pic you used with it!
Brightest Blessings!
~~Sorsha~~

The picture is one we took of the cauldron of burning alcohol.  This one is from the altar where I held the list I read from in my left hand, coiling it up as I went, and struck the brass bell with my right hand for each name.

[Labrys]

Day Two of my three day Samhain...and best done by day and light: the Garden Harvest.  Ok, all the herbs are trimmed back and dead-headed for winter.  All that remains, garden wise is a bit of weeding.  And for the Minotaur-husband to harvest the last of his tomatoes for the salad tomorrow night.

With the herbs, I made five harvest dollies.  They smell wonderful.  Four are pretty much undefined, tho' with various magical attributes by stint of the individual components....these will be for my guest families tomorrow night to individualize and carry away with them.

I prepared them in advance because slight rain is forecast tonight and tomorrow; working for everyone to make their own tomorrow in possibly inclement weather as the fire burns could be a bummer!  So now, all they need do is brighten their chose doll (2 in herbal skirts, 2 bound into legs for male dolls) with ribbons and selected feathers, blossoms, etc ....and a copper amulet of their own making, and "waken" her/him with a triple drink blessing for the winter.
Each guest will get a card detailing the magical potential of the herbs in their own dolly.

Mine is ready and awakened with ale and the tasking to hold the joy and bounty of summer and fall harvest through the long dark winter ahead.  I will make my own copper amulet tomorrow night.

Samhain blessings....and yes, yes, pictures later!

[Lark]

Thank you so much for sharing your Samhain with us.  I think it helps those newer to this path to see that this is not just about the superficial or the sparkly but about deeper meaning, pain, loss, and grief.  It is this kind of ritual work that is well thought out and full of spirituality which is really at the heart of what we do.

-Lark-

[Labrys]

You are, of course, very welcome, Lark.  Our first night held a bit of a surprise for me.  My husband, normally a very side lines kind of guy about this stuff, came out to take pictures of the flaming cauldron.  But then, all finished, he stayed.  I worried, but I was deep into a very long list and could not stop reading...I was afraid he thought he had to stay because I hadn't told him otherwise.

But no, later when I asked him he replied that "I had to hear the names...so very many names.  I couldn't walk away."

So yes, acknowledgment of loss and official grieving is a very large part of our end of the year Sabbat.

[Crescent Moon]

Perfect Lark!  Very beautifully thought out and done. The pictures speak volumes.  Thank you so much for sharing.

And being caught up with everything in my daily life, I'm glad that you reminded me that I too need to clean the garden in preperation for the coming winter. 

And thank you also for reminding us all we can all help honor even those we did not know who have gone before us.

[Rowan CedarWolf]

Absolutely beautiful Labrys! Thank you so much for sharing this. It is stunning.

[Rowan CedarWolf]

The picture of the list is very moving. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It is very stirring.

[Labrys]

The picture of the list is very moving. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It is very stirring.

I didn't realize, as I was reading and rolling it into my hand, that the Minotaur-husband was taking pictures. (Gee, for once in my life utterly focused??!)  I found the image remarkable, as well.  Glad you liked it...will tell the photographer.  It took the entire roll of paper from a little machine we have.  Rolled up tight..it is about an inch thick.

[Sorsha]

The picture of the list is very moving. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It is very stirring.

I didn't realize, as I was reading and rolling it into my hand, that the Minotaur-husband was taking pictures. (Gee, for once in my life utterly focused??!)  I found the image remarkable, as well.  Glad you liked it...will tell the photographer.  It took the entire roll of paper from a little machine we have.  Rolled up tight..it is about an inch thick.

Wonder how many "Christians" took the time to do something like that? But, we're so evil.
It was a beautiful gesture, very kind and giving! Props to you!
Have a Bright and Blessed Samhain!!

[Labrys]

Wonder how many "Christians" took the time to do something like that? But, we're so evil.
It was a beautiful gesture, very kind and giving! Props to you!
Have a Bright and Blessed Samhain!!

I am sure they have their own days for memory.  This is mine.  I prefer to live my life, doing my job than to worry about if or how others do theirs.

[Labrys]

And night #3:
It is officially the morning the rest of the world calls Halloween. 

But my Samhain is done and over.  Every dish washed and put away, every glass shining on its shelf.

We initiated my new horn with mead to welcome toast our guests.  The table was filled with mix and match china and cups for water, cups for wine or mead.
Outside a tray of mugs sat by the electric "cauldron" simmering grape juice and spices to warm us if the night air was chill.

We ate soup, which was too cool, and salad and bread of the dead and cheese.
We ate a wonderful roast and had garlic mashed potatoes and green beans.  We drank good red wine and laughed and filled ourselves with one of the things most holy to me---hospitality and welcome. 

Then to the fire we went, I called my circle of family deities.  We lit the fire.  The drum was drummed, the horn---new made, was blown, the brazen rattle was rattled and the dog howled at.  As we howled and made noise, the fire suddenly came to life and leapt high into the night air, showering sparks at the moonless sky.  The guests accepted their harvest dollies  by firelight, stood at the altar and  embossed copper plates to attach and bright ribbons and leather ties to customize.  Some guests walked their harvest lord or lady around the Labyrinth after parading them around the fire.

I took a horn of mead and a big chunk of bread of the dead to the heart of the walk, and said a winter good-night to the dead of the last year.  We drank hot mulled juice and threw bits of cinnamon into the fire.  Each of us said our private goodbyes to the old year, to the dead we held in our hearts....and said vibrant hello to the new year.  We let the Labyrinth take from us our heaviness....and we laughed and rollicked and ate barmbrack and black elder sauce.  Finally tiny glasses of Scotch made their way to the fire, and we watched the coals glow in the blackness. 

When every guest was gone, and the Minotaur=husband (who works tomorrow) sent to bed, the son and I carried the dishes into the house.  I sent him to bed, too.  And then glass by glass, I reabsorbed the effort spent in the last several days.  As I washed and dried and put away, every partial glass of wine or mead, or mulled spiced fruit was poured out beside the outside altar.  The ruby red bubbled glasses that were my grandparents were  lovingly put away...they brought my family ancestors to the celebration and reminded me of the grandfather I adored.  The china is away, the iron skillet dries upon the stove.

 And finally, as I just finished up all put the last few pots and pans, while putting glasses away, a travel coffee mug toppled off its shelf and fell into the wine glasses upon the counter.  One broke....and all I could see in my mind's eye was the glass stomped beneath the groom's heel at a Jewish wedding....well, there we are, then, mazel tov! The blessing of the night---a night that flowed naturally and joyously from the solemn to the boisterous----sealed in with breaking glass.  That glass at weddings is broken to recall the sorrows that went before, before moving confidently onward to joy, what better image could I end my evening upon?

The house is peaceful, only a flicker of candle in glass to remind me of what went on.  The winter can close around us, we have planted the new year in our hearts with laughter and camaraderie, and in the dark it will send its fertile shoots through our lives!

Blessings of Samhain to all!  And to all a good night. 
(pictures later)

[Sorsha]

Wonder how many "Christians" took the time to do something like that? But, we're so evil.
It was a beautiful gesture, very kind and giving! Props to you!
Have a Bright and Blessed Samhain!!

I am sure they have their own days for memory.  This is mine.  I prefer to live my life, doing my job than to worry about if or how others do theirs.

Point taken.  Thank you for correcting my manners which stink! 
Sounds like you had a wonderful Samhain! Can't wait to see pictures!
Brightest Blessings!
~~Sorsha~~

[Crescent Moon]

Oh Lark what a beautiful end to your Samhain!  Can't wait to see more photos.  Yes please give the photographer a hardy pat on the back for a beautiful job on the photos.

Many blessings to all for the coming new year!  Blessed Samhain to all!