First Samhain

So in an attempt to take part in my first Samhain I put together a basic offering and meditation.

I also (after doing a good bit of research) chose to write my own incantations instead of using other Samhain spell. I did this with two intentions.

The first to personalize my experience and to create some craft from within.

The second to explicitly not summon anything. By inviting and welcoming instead of outright calling to or on any spirits I wanted to avoid reaching out to anything or anyone that was unfriendly or potentially more powerful than I could handle as a beginner.

The incantations, a welcome to be read as I prepared my offering;

and a farewell to close my connections;

came quickly and naturally. Which was both exciting and encouraging!

I lit all the candles, then the incense. Spread the smoke to cleanse my space and then set it down to burn. Next I began to prepare my offering, simply an apple but the best I could do that was both appropriate and discrete, by cutting it in half. One part for myself and the other for the spirits, so that I could share the space with them. The spirits part I cut into four to represent each stage of my life so that it was shared between those who had been a part of it as I have experienced many loses in my 24 years.

I cleansed the pieces with more smoke, then ran my labradorite around the space to encourage positivity. I left it out to be blessed and will return to it later.

Then I took up some sea salt, with the intention of purifying the space for good and true spirits and protecting it from anything unwelcome. Though I took steps to avoid that, it is Samhain and I figured the extra step was better to be safe than sorry later.

I placed the salt over the offering with my intention strong, and took more to lay an open circle around the offering and my incense. I did this naturally, feeling that it would guide those the offering was meant for and protect it from those it was not.

After I was finished with my preparation I recited my welcome-taking a bite of my apple half in between phrases to build connection. After I finished I sprinkled more salt and using the palm of my hand guided the incense smoke over the offering.

Now I am sitting in front of my makeshift space, after finishing my half of the apple, taking in the time that passes and getting a feel for what is taking place. I have felt warm and protected on multiple counts at this point and will continue to meditate until midnight when I will recite the other half of my incantation place my offering outside to be taken by nature and blow out all candles!

I feel so empowered by my choice to take part, however small, in my first Samhain! Here’s to many more!

(Note; I am very very much a beginner in this so any comments or feed back will absolutely be welcome! Blessed be everyone!)