SAMHAIN 1996 RITUAL

Takes place in a cave.

Pre-ritual: Cleaning out the cave.  Performing a cleansing spell for the cave.
Setting up the altars. Persons with stations will set their accessories at
their stations.  We'll sit down for meditating and grounding.

Station 1:  Guide will begin the metaphorical journey into the underworld and
set the mood for the  ritual.  Station guardian will pass out paper and
pencils, so that the        participants can write down a trait or habit
which they want to lose.  After writing down a trait, each participant will
take a seed, which will represent a trait or quality that they want to
cultivate. Guide will then lead us to other stations.

Station 2:  2 Station guardians will plunge the athame into a pomegranate,
split it, and explain the symbolism of this fruit.  Then they will pass out
seeds to the participants.

Station 3:  Station guardian will first pass out stones (lapis lazuli and
hematite) and then explain their significance.

Station 4:  The 2 station guardians will perform a skit depicting the dying
god and the mourning goddess.

Station 5:  The Station guardian will pour mead to appease the dead. 

(ENTER CIRCLE AREA)

Casting of the circle:  High Priestess will outline the circle 3 times with
incense and salt as the group chants "The Circle is Cast."

Invocation of elements : will be done by the "Spirits of the Directions"
chant, and the four watchtowers will stand at their respective corners.

Invocation of the god and the goddess:  will be done by lighting candles
(HP and HPs).   A candle on the large altar will be lit to welcome our
ancestors.

Raise Energy:  The group will chant "Blood of the Ancients."  More chanting,
dancing, and drumming will be done to raise energy for ourselves and others
present for the coming year. Then we'll fall to the ground to ground
ourselves.  (Pause to rest)

Meditation: Guide will tell us to meditate on the trait we want to get rid
of.  After brief meditation, we will throw our paper into the fire.  During
this time we will sing a Samhain song.

Ritual Feast: 2 participants will conduct the ritual feast.
Leftover bread and mead will given as an offering to the gods.

Release Powers: Elements and godforms will be released by group chants --
first the "Releasing the Spirits of the Directions" chant, then the
"There is no end to the Circle" chant.

Opening of the circle:  by HPs.

Feasting.

Cleaning the cave.