The Witch's Grove

Hermes Psychopompos

This is how you construct a Spirit Vessel.

As Samhain approaches, I’ve been getting a number of requests to post the rest of my Samhain ritual. Unfortunately, it’s all in my grimoire but it’s not typed up so I hope you can all read my handwriting 😅

If you have any questions about it, please don’t hesitate to send me a message.

Samhain Ritual Part 1 - Calling the Ancestors

The sigil above represents a cemetery and was created by @qedavathegrey ​. You can see their post about the sigil and it’s ideal uses here.

To complete the first part of this ritual you will need:

a cauldron or cast-iron cooking pot

graveyard dirt (from the cemetery of an ancestor or from the grave of an ancestor if you can)

purified water

candles (mullein is best) and matches

salt

Herbs associated with the dead which are safe to burn (dried apple chips, bay leaves, wormwood, mugwort, myrrh, frankincense)

Any pictures or messages that you would like to send to your ancestors

If you are performing the ritual at the graveside of one of your ancestors, first clear the grave and headstone of any debris. Place candles on the headstone and around the grave (if you are doing the ritual at home, place the candles in a circle).

Sitting in front of your ancestor’s grave (or inside your circle). In a cauldron or cast iron pot, place a layer of salt and then a small mound of graveyard or grave dirt in the pot. Pour a little of the purified water onto the dirt in the pot so that it is damp. Make a small hole in the centre of the mound and place your chosen herbs and incense associated with the dead which are safe to burn (dried apple chips, bay leaves, wormwood, mugwort, myrrh, frankincense etc.)

Light the herbs on fire – they should settle into a light smoulder.

Say Formal Message – “We have come here on this night when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest, to honour those who have come before. We offer thanks for the teachings and lessons bestowed upon us and we pray that they have found comfort and rest in the realms of the dead.”

“Open wide, I pray thee, the gates through which all must pass.  Let my dear ones who have gone before, return this night to make merry with me.  And when my time comes as it must to all living things, I ask that Death, the giver of peace and rest, allow me to enter thine realms, for I will come gladly and unafraid; for I know that when rested and refreshed among my loved ones, I will be reborn again.  I ask that once I rise anew, let it be in the same place and at the same time as my beloved ones, and may I know and love them once more.”

Stand and turning anti-clockwise, face west (as the sun sets) “The west is the land of the dead, to which many of my loved ones have gone for rest and renewal.  On this night, I hold communion with them; as I hold the image of these loved ones in my heart and mind, I send welcome to those who have crossed over.”

“Beloved ones, in this time, when the veil is at its thinnest, I welcome you to spend a day with your descendants. I ask that you remain at peace, and grace us with your presence.”

“I call upon thee, name of ancestor you are calling. Relation to your person.  When they died (day/month/year).”  (Repeat as necessary)  “I wish you well and ask that you watch over me. Please do not judge my actions for my time is not yours and our lives are very different.  Do not despair for this is the path I have chosen.”  

Burn offerings for ancestors (photos of family, poems, food and drink) and talk to ancestors (informal). If you’re calling relatives who have passed on that you knew in life, converse with them as you did while they were alive. However if you did not actually meet this ancestor in life then you should introduce yourself. This conversation should be relatively informal (you are related after all however it’s best to be polite and respectful at all times.

~ Marci

Ready your gathering baskets and your best shoes for traipsing, witches - it’s time to greet the Flower Moon!

Flower Moon

The Flower Moon gives us the fulfillment of the first flush of the Pink Moon, with fragrant blossoms greeting us at every turn and heralding the merry month of May. The floral name for this particular cycle is shared by a number of indigenous nations, include the Algonquin, Anishnaabe, and Dakota. Other names include Budding Moon and Frog Moon (Cree), Planting Moon (Dakota and Lakota), and the Moon of Mulberry (Choctaw).

European names for this moon include Milk Moon (Anglo-Saxon) and Hare Moon (Celtic, allegedly). Some modern pagan circles also call it the Grass Moon as well, since the flourishing of grasslands is more common in some areas than the appearance of flowers.

This full moon peaks during daylight hours in the Western Hemisphere (around 9:53am EDT), so the moon may appear to be full on both the nights of the 22nd and 23rd.

What Does It Mean For Witches?

As we pass the spring rites and move toward the summer season, it’s the perfect time to celebrate your growth and the ways in which you want to flourish. This is the season for romance and love, and not just that which comes when we put on flower crowns and go a-Maying. This is a time to love ourselves as much as each other, to celebrate our bonds, and to be reminded of our own beauty and strength. Remember the things you love about yourself and consciously take a moment to remind your loved ones how much you care for them.

It is also a time to celebrate fertility, be it animal, vegetable, mineral, or spiritual. Put new plans into action, start that project you’ve been meaning to do, embark on that new hobby or activity you wanted to try. If you have a long-term goal or a big project, now is the time to outline your path to completion and plan how to direct your energy so you don’t burn out halfway through. Don’t hold back - break through the walls of imposter syndrome and anxiety, indulge in your creative urges, and let your inspiration soar. What you choose to plant and nurture now determines what you will harvest later in the year. And above all, remember to have FUN!

What Witchy Things Can We Do?

If you’ve been feeling the urge to do some flower-related magic, now is the perfect time! Familiarize yourself with the wildflowers in your area and if possible, maybe grab your basket and scissors and go on a foraging trip. Remember to properly identify flowers before picking them, don’t overharvest, and don’t take anything from private property without permission or from national parks full stop. You can press the flowers with a notebook and something flat and heavy, or you can dry them in hanging bunches, in a cardboard tray, or in a low-temp oven for later use.

This is also a good opportunity to get your hands in the dirt and connect with the land where you live. If there are plants in your care, take a little time to do some pruning and watering. Check them for spring pests and treat where needed. Give them some love - talk to them, sing to them, encourage them to grow tall and strong and abundant. Bless them as you tend their plots and reaffirm your commitment to be a good caretaker.

As an exercise, try making flower crowns, garlands, bouquets, wreaths, or centerpieces using plant correspondences, flower language, or color magic for a desired effect. This can be done with real flowers or silk ones, depending on how long you want to keep them around. Try your hand at making flower water with roses or other blooms - it makes a wonderful base for moon water!

Experiment with recipes for dishes and drinks that use edible flowers too! Whether it’s color-changing butterfly peaflower tea, sweet and peppery nasturtium, adorable pressed pansy shortbread cookies, or the tried-and-true comforts of chamomile, flowers have many tasty secrets to offer. Don’t be afraid to add botanicals to your health and beauty routine as well! (Just make sure nothing’s going to negatively interact with your meds or irritate a pre-existing condition. Safety first!)

Whether you do so with your near-and-dear, your witchy circle, or by yourself, celebrate everything that blooms - including you!

Happy Flower Moon, witches! 🌕🌼

Further Reading:

Additional Lunar Calendar posts by Bree NicGarran

Flower Moon: Full Moon in May 2024, The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Moonrise and Moonset Calculator, The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Flower Meanings: Symbolism of Flowers, Herbs, and More Plants, The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Floriography, the Language of Flowers, AllFlorists.co.uk

Flower Power: Flower Moon Spiritual Meaning and Stunning Magic, The Peculiar Brunette

How to Dry Flowers 5 Ways, MasterClass, June 7, 2021

DIY Floral Water or Hydrosol, Patti Estep, Hearth and Vine, July 4, 2021

17 Edible Flower Recipes, Better Homes and Gardens, March 8, 2022

Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living, Dorothy Morrison

Didn’t look like a yoda