Poems, Blessings and Invocations

INVOCATION TO THE DEAD
Birago Diop

Listen more often to things
Than to beings
`Tis the ancestor's breath
When the fire's voice is heard
`Tis the ancestors' breath
In the voice of the water

Those who have died
Have never, never left
They dead are not under the earth.
They are in the rustling trees
They are in the groaning woods
They are in the crying grass
They are in the moaning rocks
The dead are not under the earth

Those who have died
Have never, never left
They dead have a pact with the living
They are in the woman's breast
They are in the wailing child
They are with us in the home
They are with us in a crowd
The dead have a pact with the living

THE CASKET OF ANCIENT SPELLS

On Monday will come the great storm
Which the airy firmament will pour,
We shall be anxious the while,
All who will hearken.

On Tuesday will come the other element,
Heart paining, hard piercing,
Wringing from pure pale cheeks
Blood, like showers of wine.

On Wednesday will blow the wind,
Sweeping bare strath and plain,
Showering gusts of galling grief,
Thunder bursts and rending hills.

On Thursday will pour the shower,
Driving people into blind flight,
Faster than the foliage on the trees,
Like the leaves of plants in terror trembling.

On Friday will come the dool cloud of darkness,
The direst dread that ever came over the world,
Leaving multitudes bereft of reason,
Grass and fish beneath the same flagstone.

On Saturday will come the great sea,
Rushing like a mighty river;
All will be at their best
Hastening to a hill of safety.

On Sunday will arise the pale moon,
In memory of beautiful Arianrhod,
When she opened the Casket of Ancient Spells,
And released the waters of the Eye of the Deep.

Document Copyright © 1993, 1997 by Mike Nichols

Samhain Blessings

Fill a big basket full of the Candy that you will pass out to Trick or Treaters. All will circle around the Basket, (This can be done either during your regular Ritual for Samhain, towards the end, or where ever you feel it would be appropriate) or any other night that your town lets the Children go around town for treats.

All join hands,
Each person will say: Hand-to-Hand, Heart to Heart.(As they join hands).
Parent/Priestess/Priest: Lady and Lord, We ask for your Blessing upon these sweet confections. We know that there are those whom do not share in our joy and love. Lady and Lord, we only want to wish them Love, Peace and Harmony.
All say: Hand-to-Hand, Heart to Heart. (Repeat this as many times as needed until you feel enough energy is needed to charge the Candy with only good thoughts and feelings) then all members should focus this raised energy into the Candy.

Document Copyright © by Michelle Balsley

"'Twas the Evening of Samhain" 
By Cather Steincamp

'Twas the evening of Samhain, and all through the place,
There were Pagans preparing the ritual space.
The candles were set in the corners with care,
In hopes that the Watchtowers soon would be there.

We all had our robes on (as is habitual),
And had just settled down and were starting our ritual,
When out on the porch there arose such a chorus,
That we went to the door, and waiting there for us,

Were children in costumes of various kinds
With visions of chocolate bright in their minds.
In all of our workings, we'd almost forgot,
Though we'd purchased some candy (we'd purchased a LOT).

And so, as they flocked from all over the street,
They all got some chocolate or something else sweet.
We didn't think twice of delaying our rite,
Kids cannot have this much fun every night!

For hours they came, with the time-honored schtick
Of giving a choice: a treat or a trick.
As is proper, the parents were there for the games,
Watching the children and calling their names:

"On Vader, on Leia, on Dexter and DeeDee,
"On Xena, on Buffy, on Casper and Tweety,
"To the block of apartments that's just down the road;
"You'll get so much candy, you'll have to be TOWED!"

The volume of children eventually dropped,
And as it grew darker, it finally stopped.
But as we prepared to return to our rite,
One final child stepped out of the night.

She couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen.
Her hair was deep red, and her robe forest green,
With a simple gold cord tying off at the waist.
She'd a staff in her hand and a smile on her face.

No makeup nor mask, nor accompanying kitsch,
When we asked who she was, she replied, "I'm a witch.
"And no, I don't fly through the sky on a broom;
"I only use that thing for cleaning my room."

"My magical powers aren't really that neat,
"So I won't threaten tricks; I'll just ask for a treat."
We found it refreshing, so we gave incense cones,
A candle, a crystal, a few other stones,

And the rest of the candy (which might fill a van).
She turned to her father (a man dressed as Pan),
And laughed, "Yes, I know, Dad, it's past time for bed."
Then she started to leave, but she first turned and said,

"I'm sorry for further delaying your rite.
"Blessed Samhain to all-And HAVE A MAGICAL NIGHT!"

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