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Samhain 2016
Written by Mary Jean Pierson
INTRODUCTON (MJ Pierson)
In paganism we often honor the directions to form a circle or sphere. It is our way of recognizing the presence and sacredness of all life and particularly the place in which we perform our ritual. In addition to the traditional directions there are correspondences. This is how East has come to be known as Air and yellow, North as Earth, etc. These correspondences are not universal. Native Americans use the directions but give different aspects and colors to each direction.
Today, for Samhain, we are going add another level of correspondence talking about the pagan understandings of aging with the many roles women and men play over the course of their life. Our calling today will include these ages and rolls of humans as we recognize this sacred space.
EAST –YELLOW
Spirits of the East, colors of yellow, elements of air.
You represent the formative times of our lives; the maiden, the lad, the youth.
Learning, discovery, play, development; these are the tasks of the young.
We call upon you eternal child, that you may witness and bless our service.
Hail and welcome!
All: Hail and Welcome!
SOUTH – RED
Spirits of the South, colors of red, elements of fire.
You represent the productive times of our lives; the Mother, the Father, the Parent.
Creativity, productivity, passion, nurturing; these are the tasks of parenthood towards our children, our work, or the world.
We call upon you eternal parent, that you may witness and bless our service.
Hail and welcome!
All: Hail and Welcome!
WEST – WATER
Spirits of the West, colors of blue, elements of Water.
You represent the reigning part of our lives; the Queen, the King, the Sovereign.
Mastery, competence, leadership, guiding; these are the tasks of the mature adult, the sovereign.
We call upon you eternal majesty, that you may witness and bless our service.
Hail and welcome!
All: Hail and Welcome!
NORTH – EARTH
Spirits of the North, colors of green, elements of Earth.
You represent the ageing part of our lives; the crone, the mage, the wise one.
Instruction, knowledge, mentoring, grace; these are the tasks of the wise ones.
We call upon you wise ones, that you may witness and bless our service.
Hail and welcome!
All: Hail and Welcome!
BELOW–FIRMAMENT
Powers Below, color of orange, element of the firmament.
You represent the warrior; warriors can be found in any age, any gender, and any situation.
Surviving, hunting, combating, seeking justice; these are the attributes of the warrior.
We call upon you warriors, that you may witness and bless our service.
Hail and welcome!
All: Hail and Welcome!
ABOVE – SKY
Powers Above, color of indigo, element of the sky
You represent the soul, the person we are before we are born and after we pass away,
Depth, immortality, faith, essence; these are the attributes of the soul.
We call upon the souls, that you may witness and bless our service.
Hail and welcome!
All: Hail and Welcome!
WITHIN – SPIRIT
Powers Within, color of purple, element of spirit.
You represent the spirit within, that which ties us each to the other and to the universe.
Ageless, timeless, eternal, infinite; these are the attributes of spirit.
We call upon you spirit, that you may witness and bless our ritual.
Hail and welcome!
All: Hail and Welcome!
Welcoming the Goddess and God
Female (Kimberly Tenai): “Feminine Devine, Wise Crone, this is your time to rule. Darkness and decay begins to envelope the world and death knocks upon the door. Bring to us this day your wisdom and clarity and envelope us within your love. Challenge us to look into ourselves and reflect upon what we find. We invite you witness this day to watch over us within our circle.
Hail and welcome.”
All: Hail and Welcome
Male (Brad Baron): “Masculine Divine, Lord of the grain, thou you leave us for a time, we know that you will soon return! While we mourn your passing we rejoice and await your return at Yule! Through your sacrifice we live and understand that death is a natural part of life. You show us that there is no true death for we shall be reborn. The wheel of life forever turns.
Beyond : The chalice is already lit, as the symbol of all that is. It is all that is beyond our knowing; beyond male and female; it represents infinity.
