 The 4 photos below are from our Public Celebration for Samhein 2003 (sorry for the quality, but they were scanned from proofs of photos by the Cotswold Standard). Once again, we were delighted to be asked to organise this Celebration by the Friends of the Rollright Stones, and to be able to make use of their stunning Neolithic sacred site. They also kindly provided us with a large fire-bowl for our ceremonial fire - a necessity for such a cold and autumnal day! The Ceremony began with a challenge by the Gatekeepers, asking us: "By what right, and to what purpose do you come to the stones" - Veronica's response: "By right of our Ancestors, and to join them in fellowship at this their festival!". We were then led through the gate and precessed around the circle; there was a call for peace in the Quarters and throughout the land, and the Elemental Guardians where called to Witness.   Samhein marks the onset of winter, and is the Pagan festival of the Dead - where we remember the ancestors, friends and relatives who have gone before us. To mark this, each participant was invited to write the name of a person or thing on a "Scroll of the Dead"; the scroll was then placed on the altar. Members of the Cotswold Pagan Society then enacted a masked psychodrama that celebrated the twin spirals of Death and Rebirth: of the King of the Waning Year and the Dark Mother. Veronica called us to remember the Ancestors - and a traditional offering was made to them by placing bread, salt and honey into the fire.   Everyone was given an opportunity to share and to give to the ritual during our customary passing around of the "Talking Stick" - this was followed by the traditional sharing of honey oatcake, apples and mead - offered around by Veronica's Squire: Ben. The "Scroll of the Dead" was placed upon the fire - and as the smoke arose, we all sang and remembered friends, loved ones and those who had gone before.
The ceremony was closed with a recitation of the "Druids prayer", and a thanking of the Elemental Guardians. We then precessed back through the Gate - and the ceremony was over... Afterwards we all gathered around the fire-bowl - watching the sun set and the moon rise above the stones. It was a beautiful day, and we thank all who attended - and who helped to make it such a great experience. (For a listing of other events organised by the Cotswold Pagan Society - and links to further reviews - please see the Listings page.) All contents and graphics ©:
Updated July 2004 |