Samhain – Persephone’s Descent

Samhain – Persephone’s Descent

Initiating the Rite

Light Hestia’s hearth candle and say:

I have come today to honor the Kindred, and to walk the cycle of the year, and explore the mysteries. Mighty Hestia, brighten this work with your fire.

Give offering to Hestia

Purification

Wash hands and face in bowl of water and center yourself for ritual.

Honoring the Earth Mother

Gaia, primal goddess of the world, great mother of all. You were the first to be born from Chaos
and from you all life has formed. With your name, we grow and change. Come forth and dwell in this space.

Give offering to Gaia

Statement of Purpose

The days have grown shorter and cooler, and we now know that Persephone has once again returned to the underworld.  The mysteries tell us that Persephone was gathering flowers in a meadow away from her mother.  A beautiful plant caught her attention and she reached out to pick it, but the earth opened up and Hades grabbed her, put her into his chariot, and whisked her away to the underworld while she screamed for help.  Today we remember this tale, and the impact it has had on the cycle of the year.

(Re)Creating the Cosmos

Sacred well, waters of wisdom, connected to the rivers of the underworld, carry our words to the beloved dead.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor them.  Sacred well, accept our offering.

Give offering of silver

Sacred fire, burning inspiration, your smoke rising to the heavens high above, carry our words to the many gods.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor them.  Sacred fire, accept our offering.

Give offering of alcohol

Sacred center, mighty Omphalos, marking the center of all the worlds, carry our words to all the realms.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor the Kindred. Sacred center, accept our offering.

Give offering of oil

Opening the Gates

I call now to Hermes Psychopompos, guide of the dead.  You who were sent to Hades to help Persphone return to her mother. Swift footed god of the roads, we ask that you meet us at the boundary and guide our journey between the realms.  Come forth and dwell in this space.

Give offering of alcohol

Hermes Psychopompos, I ask that you aid me in opening the gates.  Let the fire, burning bright, open to Olympus.  Let the waters, flowing deep, open to Hades.  Let the Omphalos connect this realm with all others.  Hermes, join your magic with mine and let the gates be open.

Inviting the Three Kindreds

Ancestors, you who walked this world before me.  Heroes, friends, and family.  You helped bring my story into existence, so I remember your existence by telling your story.  Meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Ancestors.

Give offering of apricots.

Nature Spirits, you who share this realm with us.  Dryads, fawns, and nymphs.  Rabbit, lizard, and squirrel.  You share this realm with us, both when we see you and often when we don’t.  Meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Nature Spirits.

Give offering of bird seed.

Shining Ones, mighty Gods and Goddesses.  You who influence my path, and guide those I love on their own journeys.  You form this world and our experiences within it.  I ask you now to meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Shining Ones.

Give offering of wine.

Key Offerings

Blessed Persephone, queen of the Underworld, wife of Hades.  You who were stolen away from your life, and yet thrived in your new role.  You who ruled a kingdom that did not start as your own.  You embody beauty and grace.  Beautiful Persephone, we ask you to join us in this rite.  Welcome, Persephone.

Give offering of pomegranate.

Prayer of Sacrifice

Place dried fruits into the fire.

Persephone, as the world grows darker and the nights grow colder, we share the warmth of our fire with you.  We offer these fruits, a reminder of the bountiful spring that will bless us upon your return.  Let these gifts honor and sustain you through the cold, dark winter.  Persephone, accept this offering.

Take portion of sacred meal

Pour kykeon libations into the fire. 

To all who gather here, we give these gifts in love and respect.  Mighty Kindred, accept this offering.

Omen

Pull 3 stones from Greek Alphabet Oracle for omen

Calling/Hallowing/Affirming the Blessings

In the spirit of *ghosti, a gift calls for a gift. I’ve made my offerings to the Kindred, and in

return they bless these waters. Persephone, let the beauty and grace that you embody flow into these waters.  Let the skills of growth and adaptation be in our lives.  Behold, the waters of life.

Drink from the cup

Working

At this point, I will begin my overnight vigil.  This is a time to remember Demeter’s search for Persephone after her descent, and to remember my own ancestors by the warmth of my fire.

Thanking the Beings

Beautiful Persephone, thank you for joining me here in this rite, and for keeping me company through the night.  We remember your trials, and the gifts you found within them.  Persephone, for your guidance and gifts, we thank you!

Shining Ones, mighty gods and goddesses, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Shining Ones, we thank you.

Nature Spirits, you who share this realm with us, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Nature spirits, we thank you.

Ancestors, you who walked this world before me, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Ancestors, we thank you.

Closing the Gates

I call once more to you, Hermes Psychopompos, guide to the dead.  Thank you for guiding our journey tonight. May our work continue to please you.  Hermes Psychopompos, we thank you.

Hermes, before you depart, I ask that you once again join me in closing the gates.  Let the fire, burning bright, be just a flame.  Let the waters, flowing deep, be just water.  Let the Omphalos standing firm, be just a stone.  Hermes, join your magic with mine and let the gates be closed.

Thanking the Earth Mother

Gaia, primal goddess of the world, thank you for upholding this rite.  May our work continue to please you.  Gaia, we thank you.

Closing the Rite

We gathered here to honor the Kindred and walk the cycle of the year.  This rite has ended, but our exploration of the mysteries continue.  Mighty Hestia, though we extinguish this flame, let your fire burn within us all. 

Extinguish hearth candle

This rite is ended.