Samhain - Ritual & Herbal Infusion
Halloween (Samhain) October 31, 2017
Thoughts to Share, Ritual Suggestions, and Herbal Infusion Recipe
Halloween is Witch's New Year. It is traditionally seen in many cultures as the time of year to honor the endings that precede new beginnings. The Celts of Ireland and Scotland, saw this as the beginning of winter and from them we get the name, Samhain, pronounced: Sow, as in: cow, Wane, like the life force that is waning, going underground for renewal.
The veils are thin now... the separation between the worlds of form and formlessness is nearly nonexistent. This is the magical time of death and rebirth, endings and beginnings, transformation and renewal.
Honor your physical Ancestors, including those whose names and life stories you may not even know, as some of these may be most kindred to you. Honor your spiritual Ancestors, too, or even public people who've passed who you didn't know, but whom you respect and are inspired by. It is a particularly special time to remember anyone you love and miss who has passed into the world of Spirit in the last year.
Feel free to ask your ancestors for guidance, generally or on specific matters. Now is the time it is easiest to hear the voices of those who have left their bodies and journeyed on. Many people tell me they have dreams of loved ones around this time of year.
It is also a time to honor the future generations, to create pathways of beauty for those not yet here. May we who are here on Earth join together physically and psychically to use our combined gifts to create a world in which we honor, protect and delight in the sacred web of life. And may you be blessed with discovering for yourself that there is no death, only transformation, and that love never dies, you are always connected in Spirit to those you love.
A Few Ritual Suggestions
Whether on your own or in a circle with others:
~Light a Candle for your ancestors. Sit quietly and remember.
~Meditate and choose something you feel ready to release. This may be an old habit of thought or action, an approach to relationships, a fear, or a judgment that is limiting you. Whatever it is, write it down on paper or traditional white birch bark and give it to the fire, to symbolically let it go, whether to a bonfire, a fireplace, or simply the candle flame. This is an initiation of release and if you do your part, you will be helped.
~Create a plate for your ancestors with food and drink you know they enjoyed when they were alive. Leave it outside for them, or if that's not realistic for you, leave it by a window.
~Ask your ancestors to visit you in dreams and in your meditations. Be open to the possibility that you may also be surprised by signs when you least expect them, by unexpected synchronous moments that happen over the next days and weeks. It is truly the most psychically potent, magical time of year.
Herbal Infusion Suggestion
Robin Rose's Timeless Tea
Pine Needles, (with small twigs, optional) - 1 - 1.5 cups
Ginkgo biloba leaves - 1/2 cup
Artemisia vulgaris, preferably in flower - 1/4 - 1/2 cup
Use dry plants, except for the pine, which can be fresh or dry. Cut the pine up into 1/2-inch pieces, and fill a half-gallon jar with the 3 herbs. Pour boiling water over them, to the top, cap the jar, and let it sit out on the counter for at least 4 hours, You can leave it steeping for 12 hours with no problem. Pour off the tea, squeeze out the herbs and re-heat to enjoy before meditating or engaging in ritual. Add honey if desired.
Pine is evergreen and among the most ancient of trees. Pine evokes the wisdom that there is truly no death, only transformation, and so helps bring peace to our hearts and minds when we are hurting, missing loved ones who have passed into Spirit. And if we are not hurting, pine still helps us to enter more fully into the present moment, where magic happens.
Ginkgo biloba, though not as old as pine, is the oldest flowering tree on mother earth and ginkgo helps us remember ourselves, too, remember our ancient roots in the heavens. We are of the stars as well as of this beautiful earth. Ginkgo biloba brings increased ability to envision and remember, including past lives, and helps oxygen circulate in our lungs and brains, which gives us more mental clarity.
Artemisia vulgaris, whom the Celts called "eldest of worts," is justifiably famous for helping us to open our 3rd eye and see true. I say it is the intoxicant that helps us remember our truest dreams for our lives, and that what we call our 3rd eye can more aptly be called our 1st eye. Artemisia physically stimulates the mind, and is especially gifted at helping us hone our inner vision. She entices us to throw off self - and - culturally imposed mental shackles, inspiring us to greater freedom.
Blessed Be
~*~
