#simovane

I have some traditional recipes. BUT...

These cookie/biscuit like cakes are really simple and easy to make and can be left as offerings at your altar, at the base of a tree, or at a loved one’s grave. The simplest recipe I found only needs:

1 stick of butter, 1 ½ cup sugar, 1 ½ cup flour, and 1 egg.

We privately wrote our faults onto a piece of paper, then folded it up for later.

We lit our carrying candles from the parlour fire which was never supposed to go out. http://www.catsmeowmysticalshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1014 We carried these out over the freshly swept door step.

In my mother's household and the corrupted Madrian household in Burtonport, Ireland we made besom brooms and ritually swept over the door steps and swept the fallen leaves up for a bonnie fire.

"The Besom Broom

The besom is used as this time both practically and symbolically. It sweeps away the last of the Autumn leaves, but is also used ritually to sweep out the old, to clean and clear away old energy, creating space for the new. Traditionally besoms are made from birch twigs - the birch is associated with purification and renewal.

You can make a besom at this time of year by gathering a large bundle of birch twigs tied together. Drive a broom handle into the middle of the bundle - ideally hazel or ash." http://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/samhain

Then we all lit papers sticking out of the bonnie fire. Usually, we had to stand back afterwards, whilst the flames were encouraged with some petrol!

The first ritual action was to throw our fault notes into the bonnie fire. This was a solemn and silent action. These would rise up in the smoke to Dea to help us overcome.

Then we would pray for our departed loved ones.

"Loved ones who have recently died are remembered and their spirits often invited to join the living in the celebratory feast. It is also a time at which those born during the past year are formally welcomed into the community." http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/samhain.shtml

We were singing a silly little ditty, banging saucepan lids with spoons and laughing around the fire, so I asked afterwards why we were singing about Simovane (Shim - oh - vane)* goblins and witches and was given the following explanation. Giggling and laughter being a sign that we are one with Her divine laughter - remembering how our spirits are created in every moment. It really did turn the Feast day into a spiritual experience for me.

Important thealogy of the scary imagery

All of the frightening images of goblins, witches, the use of the colour black, ghosts etc. symbolises the darkness of ignorance and being spiritually lost. It symbolises the unknown which is illuminated by the light of the lanterns and the bonnie fire. Fire on Earth is directly linked to Spirit and the Holy Mother Mari as the supernal Sun. The lantern guides us along the pathway to our Divine Mother and Eternal Life.

Here is a nice list of symbolism, many of which also occur in our Faith. http://artofmourning.com/2011/01/30/symbolism-sunday-the-lantern/

We ate a dinner of baked potatoes and sausages.

Then served a Rite of Sacrifice.

The second year, I had been initiated into the Madrian Faith after a year and a day. Then I was welcomed at Samhain Feast of the Dead into the Ekklasia for a second time. Since I had been initiated, we were attending a Great Rite for communion.

[Note: * Simovane (Shim-o-vane) is an older Celtic word for Samhain (Sow (as in cow) inn). ArchMatrona Ghrian has mentioned that another pronunciation for Samhain (usually pronounced Sow-inn) is also Shah-vin. And I have found this here:(http://clubs.ncsu.edu/spm/FAQ/11pronounce.html). It is also the Irish for November.]