Samhain, woo hoo!

[*Adia*]

Merry Meet everyone,
I'm new pretty much a newbie, although I have posted a couple of messages...anyways, as you all know Samhain is coming up. Since I'm pretty much new to this, i"m not too sure how exactly I should celebrate it. I was wondering if anyone could/would possibly share stories, rituals or ceremonies that they have done or do..as it might give me a couple of ideas of my own. I"m sooo excited but also confused and nervous at the same time. Any help would be appreciated!:))
Blessings,
Adia

[Keron]

Start looking for orange and black candles immediately. If you can find it, get a copy of Through the Veil by Isobel Bird-- it's all about accepting death through Samhain or something like that. Haven't read it yet-- getting it tomorrow.

[MammaStar]

In addition to candles, and really it's not all THAT urgent. You can put out a "mute supper" plate of bread and beer. Also bury an apple in the garden as an offering. A candle in the window, I use electric for safety, to help guide the spirts into Summerland.

Those are just a few ideas for you. Just remember to honor the Goddess & God in your own way. That's what makes your rituals, spell, all your workings special.

[Emy]

Well, here is a link to a ritual outline that could come in handy when designing your own ritual.

http://www.witchs-brew.com/shadows/spells/outline.html


As for rituals, in Scott Cunninghams book Wicca, A guide for the solitary pratictioner you can find a samhain ritual... If you haven't got it, hang on and I will post the ritual here :)

Blessed be

[Socharis]

Well start off with a ritual, from one of the messages above, then after, have one big party. Thats what i normally do anyway :D

[Emy]

Here is a few others about making your own rituals
http://www.thedance.com/wicca101/ritual.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4177/structure.html


As for samhain rituals and other info on samhain, here comes a few links... :
http://www.iit.edu/~phillips/personal/grammary/flame.html
http://www.spiritonline.com/files/messages/9/25.html?967095556 (that link carries info on several sabbats)
http://www.lunarshadows.net/shadows/frames.html (search for a samhain ritual among the articles)
http://www.wiccanpoet.com/sam.html
http://www.paganpath.com/samhain/samnewrite.html
http://www.geocities.com/lavenderwater37/samhain.htm
http://www.mothersmagic.net/sabbats/samhain.html
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/samhainrit.htm
http://www.pathcom.com/~newmoon/samhain.html

Hope you can find something useful there :)

B*B

[Nyx]

If you are overwhelmed by all the materials and the process of actually writing a full ritual, a period of quiet meditation, would also be suitable for Samhain.
This can be done with candles and incense, or without, if your living/finiacial situation doesn't allow for the use of such items.


~~Nyx~~

[Little Styxx]

Im taking from your whole situation on being a newbie, that youre a teen. And if so, I think I could help you out. For me, and most of the teen Wiccans/Pagans I know, doing ritual is always intimidating. What to say/do, how to say/do it... all these expectations that you think you have to meet in order to practice a "good" ritual. Well from what Ive learned and come to practice myself is that ritual is what you make of it. All the things you do and say are going to be sacred and correct in their own way. Someone else said it, and forgive me for not knowing who :), but writing your OWN rituals and spells is a lot better then getting them from a book. It comes from YOUR heart and is your own feeling.

But as far as Samhain goes, this year for me is the first year in 5 that I'll be doing my own ritual. And it isnt even that elaborate. All I plan on doing is lighting a Black Pillar candle and saying a prayer to let the God and Goddess know that the flame and light are there to welcome and honor those who have passed through the veil. Ill be leaving out some food (fruits, breads, etc.). Its that simple. Just know that whatever you do, and whatever you say, it will be sacred to the God and Goddess. Good luck!!

[Wise]

I know this isn't completely relevent but all this talk about Ritual made me think of it sorry if you don't like what i have to say or thinks it's not an appropiate place to put this .I've just picked this book up and must recomend it. it's called "The complete Idiots guide to Wicca and Witchcraft" I am reading this book and liking it alot it has eveything in it so check it out!.