ADF styled Samhain ritual

This ritual is from some years back. It was one of the first rituals my old Grove had performed as an office group. We were still in the process of creating a liturgy style that really suited us best. It was for Samhain which we dedicated solely to the Ancestors as it is the time of year when the veil is the thinnest between our worlds. I have since performed a similar ritual yearly with modifications to be more of an ADF Hellenic styled rite.

(note: some of the invocations are simple phrases. this is because we did the majority of our calls from heart and these were the trigger phrases for the 'Call and Response' in our rituals.)

Samhain Ritual from 2008

Procession Song 

Purification of the people

Welcome

World Tree Meditation

Consecration of Place and Time

Offering to the Outsiders:  Outdwellers, turn from our grove!

Offering to the Earth Mother:  Beloved Earth Mother, be in our grove!

Offering to Poetic Inspiration: Spirit of Inspiration, be in our grove!

Recreation of the Cosmos and Establishing Scared Center

Hallowing of the Well: Spirit of the Well, be in our grove!

Hallowing of the Tree: Spirit of the Tree, be in our grove!

Hallowing of the Fire: Spirit of Fire, be in our grove!

Invocation of Raven: Honored Raven, come to our grove!

Opening of the Gate:      Well, Tree, Fire

Portal Song:

CHORUS

By Fire and by Water, between the Earth and Sky

We stand like the World-Tree rooted deep, crowned high. (repeat once)

Come we now to the Well, the eye and the mouth of Earth,

Come we now to the Well, and silver we bring,

Come we now to the Well, the waters of rebirth,

Come we now to the Well, together we sing:

CHORUS

We will kindle a Fire, Bless all, and with harm to none,

We will kindle a Fire, and offering pour,

We will kindle a Fire, A light 'neath the Moon & Sun,

We will kindle a fire, our spirits will soar.

CHORUS

Gather we at the Tree, the root & the crown of all,

Gather we at the Tree, Below & above,

Gather we at the Tree, Together we make our call,

Gather we at the Tree, In wisdom & love.

CHORUS (with gusto)

All: Let the gates be OPEN!

                Let the gates be OPEN!

                Let the gates be OPEN!

Chorus

(Yellow): The gates are OPEN!

Kindred Invocations

Offering to Ancestors:  Beloved Ancestors, accept our offering!

Offering to Nature Spirits: Spirits of Nature, accept our offering!

Offering to the Gods:  Mighty gods, accept our offering!

Song:  Gods & Dead & Mighty Sidhe, Powers of earth & sky and sea. By fire & well, by scared tree, Offerings

we make to ye!

Main Rite

Kindred of Occasion Invocation (Ancestors):

The night grows dark, the stars shine bright,

Hear the call of Hallows’ Night!

The Veil grows thin, we invite you in,

Oh Great and Mighty Dead!!!

Dearly departed, mighty ancestors,

Heroes and heroines of history,

Those that have come before, those that light the way;

Be drawn by our beacon, come to our right, so that we may honor you!

Ancestors! We, the people call to you, hear our prays, accept our offering!

(Light the Ancestral Pumpkin. Give offering of milk and honey.)

Praise Offerings:

Main Offering:

(Light of tea lights and the telling of stories about the beloved Dead. First round for those that have pasted since last Samhain.)

Prayer of Sacrifice:

You who have come to us this night, we give you thanks,

We honor you with right living and by keeping the old ways.

Accept this offering from the living to the dead,

From this world to the Underworld,

Beyond and through the veil,

Come forth and be part of the Great Feast!

Know always you are welcome in our heart, in our homes, and at our tables!

(place the plate of food on the Ancestor alter. Pour a glass of wine for the alter as well)

May you never hunger, may you never thirst!

Taking of the Omen

Cup Litany: 

You among the Mighty Dead, ancestors to us all,
Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the wisdom of
Your great Knowledge!

(All) The gifts of the Ancestors for the people of the Ancestors!

You of land, sea, and sky; both mortal and spirit alike,
You who are the Nature Spirits,
Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the warmth of your Great Kinship! 

(All) The gifts of the Nature Spirits for the kin of the Nature Spirits! 

You among the divine and gods and goddesses of all time,
Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the great Light of
Your Truth!

(All) The gifts of the Gods for the children of the Gods!


In the name of Memory, the preserving shrine.(Well)
In the name of Earth, our common mother.(Tree)
In the name of Truth, the light which has no beginning and no end.(Fire)

May we never know thirst or need while in your service. Awen! (Make sign of ADF sigil over the Waters of Life)


Return the Waters of the Earth: We return the Water of Life so that the land will be better for us having been here. Hail great giving Earth! Keep safe always the sacrifice, keep it ever holy! 

End of Rite

Return the Waters of the Earth:

Thank deity of occasion:

Thank the Gods:

Thank the Nature Spirits:

Thank the Ancestors:

Thank the Spirits of Inspiration:

Thank the Earth Mother:

De-Hallowing of the Fire, Well, & Tree; Close the Gate, and thank Raven:

End of ritual

Song:   Walk with wisdom from this hallowed place. Walk not in sorrow, our roots shall ere embrace. May strength be your brother, and honour be your friend, And luck be your lover until we meet again.