For this ritual little is needed but to which much may be brought. I will use a few simple tools.
Seasonal fruit – pomegranate is perhaps best and very appropriate but any late autumn fruit will be fine
A small white piece of paper and a pen or pencil
A cauldron – Actually any heat proof disk will suffice.
The Ritual
Cast the circle. – This may be as formal or informal as you wish or have need of. Samhain is a night as uniquely suited to works of high magik, and scrying the past and future as it is to acts of quiet contemplation of your self and the year past.
Invite the God and Goddess to attend the ritual.
Face your altar and say
"As light of summer dies I mark the passing of the horned god from this land.
As he dies so must all, but I remember that death is but the passage to rebirth.
As the land was full and ripe now it rests the harvest having been gathered.
We thank you O Goddess for the bounty of the land, for it will sustain us through the night."
Now take a piece of the fruit and eat. As you do think on the year that has been and its bounty, remember those that have passed on in the last year and wish them well on their journey to the Summerlands.
Place one candle in the cauldron and light it.
Now take the piece of paper and on it write one thing in your life that you would be free of. Be it hate or illness, Anger or pain. As you watch the flame holding the piece of paper say.
"On this night when summer dies and the darkness stands before all I would see that which harms me die also.
Dark mother guide me through this time of darkness to the light."
Now light the paper from the candle in the cauldron, drop it in and say
"As the fire consumes this paper so may it burn away that which is harmful."
As it burns watch it closely and know that as the paper is consumed so the ill is consumed also, until finally as the flames die so does the ill.
If you wish you may attempt scrying or other works of divination – this time of year is especially good for such.
T
hank the ancestors for the honour they bring in their presence and bid them fair well.
Close the circle and enjoy your harvest feast.