Feast of the Ancestors

Feast Of The Ancestors

(October 31st/November 1st)

To most people Samhain and the Feast of the Ancestors are one and the same. This is because most of our Hallowe'en customs center on the dead. It was believed the veil between the worlds was thinnest on this night, so the spirits of those who died during the year could pass over. While this "door" was open people believed travel between the world of the Living and the Dead was possible. That's why they put candles in the window, to guide their loved ones way to the next world. People also left treats and plates of food on the doorstep for the spirits. In England they went "a-souling" on this night, asking for little "soul cakes" and offering prayers for the dead in return. This was certainly a precursor to our trick or treat customs today. People also took to disguising themselves in costumes and masks as protection against any evil spirits that might be roaming on this night. This is another custom that has survived to our times. There is so much information about this most Pagan of all holidays that it can't be done justice in this small place, but there are many fine books you can read to get more information about Samhain and Hallowe'en customs around the world.

SPECIAL NOTES: Set up a separate table to honor the Ancestors. It doesn't have to be elaborate, a countertop will do, a chair seat or even a box. On it place objects that hold special memories for you. A wedding picture of your grandparents, a storybook your mom used to read to you, the ceramic elephant your favorite uncle gave you when you were little. Remember, heirlooms don't have to be priceless to anyone but you. A family tree is also good for helping to spark discussion of your ancestors. Set an extra plate at the table in honor of the ancestors because during the ritual you will be inviting them to join you. Place a separate candle in front of the plate. The color of the candle will depend on what is significant to you. Black for death. White for Spirit. Blue for remembrance. Red for love. Whatever you choose be sure you explain to your children the significance of the color. It is fitting for the family to dress in dark clothing if that's possible, since this is a feast for the dead. Easier still, tie on black arm bands made of ribbon or paper. The kids usually like that.

EXTRA SUPPLIES: Three taper candles, one white and one black, to use in discussing the change of season, and a third the color of your choosing to put in front of the ancestors' plate. You should have apple juice for the toast and a bowl of apples for dessert. The safety lighter, quarter candles and bell.

Begin your ritual by ringing the bell to establish Sacred Space. The child chosen to be Bell Ringer rings the bell three times and says:

I ring the bell

To cast the spell

Let sacred time begin

1 - 2 - 3

So mote it be

Let sacred time begin.

Then an Adult casts the Circle by saying:

Great Mother,

Weave around us

A circle of radiant light

Where we can honor

Our Lord and Lady.

Protect us, guide us and love us.

Tell the kids to imagine a silvery-blue light surrounding the table to create a Circle. Explain that this "Circle of Light" means we want to make this a sacred place to honor the Goddess and God. Explain that a Sacred Place doesn't have to be a church. It can be in your dining room, a special spot in the forest, or even at school, as long as you show the respect and honor the Goddess and God deserve by creating your Sacred Space first. Next we "Call the Quarters." Explain that this is asking the Ancient Ones to add their powers to ours to make our Circle stronger.

The child chosen to be Candle Lighter lights the yellow candle and says:

I call to you

Ancient Ones of the East

Guardian Spirits of Air

To witness this ritual and guard this Circle

The child chosen to be Candle Lighter lights the red candle and says:

I call to you

Ancient Ones of the South

Guardian Sprits of Fire

To witness this ritual and guard this Circle.

The child chosen to be Candle Lighter lights the blue candle and says:

I call to you

Ancient Ones of the West

Guardian Spirits of Water

To Witness this ritual and guard this Circle.

The child chosen to be Candle Lighter lights the green candle and says:

I call to you

Ancient Ones of the North

Guardian Spirits of Earth

To witness this ritual and guard this Circle.

Next the Adult says:

The Circle has been cast

The Ancient Ones have been called

Now it is time to welcome

The Goddess and the God.

Great Mother,

Whose symbol is the bright night moon,

Heavenly father,

Whose symbol is the fiery sun,

We ask you to join our family

For this Feast of the Ancestors.

Once again we light the seasonal candles first. Ask the kids what the colors represent. Some of the things we discussed for black were death, cold, dark and winter. For the white: life, warmth, heat and spring.

When you're ready the adult places the third candle in front of the empty plate, explaining it is the ancestor's candle. Explain why you chose the color you did. Now say:

This is the last night of Samhain

The Feast of the Ancestors.

As the veil between the worlds thins

We pause to remember those

Who have gone before us,

To give them honor

And to invite them to share our Samhain meal.

Now the adult prepares a plate for the ancestors and places it in front of the empty seat. Explain that by setting an actual plate we are remembering that the dead still have a place in our world. Although they have passed on to another life, they live on through us. Light the ancestor candle.

Ancestors, Old Ones

You who have given us so much

We welcome you to our home

On this night of the New Year.

Help us to see the great truth,

That life never really ends

But only changes form.

Our bodies were created from your body

And your blood flows in our veins.

Through us your lives continue

And for this reason we stop tonight to remember

And give you honor.

Explain to the children what this means. That their bodies actually contain part of the body and blood of their parents, and grandparents and all the ancestors. Depending on the age of your children you can keep it very simple or go into more detail abut DNA and genetics. It's a wonderful way to create a link between them and their ancestors, people they never met but still owe a debt to.

Ancestors whose names we do not know,

We remember you tonight as well.

Your names have not come to us through time

But you are with us still.

You live on in the children of your children.

And tonight we pause to give you honor.

Pour a glass of apple juice and place it in front of the ancestors' plate. Now fill everyone else's glass. When you're ready say:

We welcome the ancestors to our home

To our feast

And drink to them

In memory, in gratitude and in love.

Raise your glass in salute and say:

To the ancestors!

Everyone else toasts too saying:

To the ancestors!

Now serve the meal. While you eat talk about those people who are important to you who have passed over. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, special friends. Talk about who they were and where they lived. What they did and when they died. Having a family tree or written history makes it easier to do. If you don't know your genealogy ask your parents. They should be able to give you at least the names of your grandparents and great-grandparents. That would allow you to give your child 4 generations to start their family tree. It's a wonderful gift. As you talk, stress that death is as much a part of the cycle of life as birth is. It's not something to be feared because life never really ends, it just changes form. If you have younger children you also want to be sure you reassure them that the spirits of the ancestors are not something to be afraid of either. These are their great grandparents and great-great grandparents. People who love them.

When the meal is finished clear the table except for the bowl of apples. This apple ritual is a shortened version of Ceisiwr Serith's, which can be found in his book, THE PAGAN FAMILY. The adult says:

For three days we have talked about death.

The death of plants, of animals

And of those who went before.

But our way is the way of life.

So on this first night of the New Year

Let us take a minute to celebrate life!

Pick up the apple and say:

This fruit of the apple tree is dead and yet...

Cut the apple in half through the middle (not down from the stem) and show everyone what is inside:

Hidden inside is the sign of our Goddess

The star of our faith.

Our Lady has shown us with this fruit...

Put the two pieces back together again to make the apple whole again:

That life never really ends

But only changes form.

You can pick out some of the seeds and explain how the fruit has fallen and died, but the seeds will mean new life, new trees and new fruit when spring returns. Finish up by saying:

The Feast of the Ancestors is now over.

As the veil falls between our worlds

And we go our own way

Know Ancestors that we will always remember you

And give you honor

For the life you have given us.

Now it is time to close the ritual. Explain to the children that the ritual is over. Now it is time to thank the Ancient ones for their help and their guidance.

The Candle Snuffer says:

Thank you and farewell

Ancient Ones of the East

Guardian Spirits of Air

Go in Peace.

( Extinguish the yellow candle.)

The Candle Snuffer says:

Thank you and farewell

Ancient Ones of the South

Guardian Spirits of Fire

Go in Peace.

(Extinguish the red candle.)

The Candle Snuffer says:

Thank you and farewell

Ancient Ones of the West

Guardian Spirits of Water

Go in Peace.

(Extinguish the blue candle.)

The Candle Snuffer says:

Thank you and farewell

Ancient Ones of the North

Guardian Spirits of Earth

Go in Peace.

(Extinguish the green candle.)

Then the Adult says farewell to the Goddess and the God:

We thank you God and Goddess

For sharing this special time

With our family.

May we keep you in our hearts,

And follow your path of love

Every day.

Blessed be!

Now the Bell Ringer rings the bell three times to release the Sacred Space and says:

I ring the bell,

Release the spell

And Sacred Time will end.

1 - 2 - 3 So mote it be,

Until we meet again.

Explain that this is the signal that Sacred Time is over. The Circle has been released and the Sacred Space is no more. That means the dining room goes back to being just a normal dining room.

Now the Adult says:

The Circle is open

And yet it remains a Circle.

Around and through us

Always flow its magical powers.

This ritual is over.

(Note: At Mabon you hung a bundle of corn on the front door. Because the harvest season is officially over I usually take the corn down now and put a winter wreath up in its place, in honor of Old Man Winter.)