PP – Samhain With The Kids

By Jodi Lee
~Originally Published October 2000~
(see author/copyright info below)

Please note that our familial circumstances have changed since this article was written. I have removed the paternal influence’s name from the article at my daughters’ request.

As Samhain approaches, we will be delving into the Sabbats area of the book “Circle Round” to prepare for our circle and celebration. This is the first time my children will be joining me in circle for a Sabbat. I feel that they have asked often enough what mommy does out there, and they have enough understanding of the concept of my path to help celebrate and honor our ancestors. But, in the meantime (between now and Samhain), this is what I have planned…

This will seriously cut into their “trick or treat” time, as I celebrate on the 31st of October rather than November 1st. Instead of travelling to their grandmother’s that night, we’ll go the next night, with the girls in their costumes and painted faces, and stay home. They can go out with their dad while I stay home and pass out treats and prepare for our circle. Once they get home, it’ll be circle time. They are excited already, and I am glad they are, as I would love to have them follow in my path (although I don’t hold any illusions that they will…they are just as stubborn and independant as I was ;-) )

Firstly will be our “Dumb Supper”. Our table will be set with a place for my cousin Ollie, who passed away in her mid-eighties last fall. She’s been gone almost a year, and I can still feel her here every day – she gave me the courage at 12 years old to go follow the path my heart went down. And I did, and I will be forever grateful to her.

We will eat our dinner of soup and soda bread in silence, honoring all those who have gone before us. Once the meal is finished, and IF the weather holds nice, we’ll head outside to my ritual space. My husband will light the fire, while I explain again what Samhain means to my path, and myself, and tell the girls a short story.

Care will be the one to sweep the circle (this is not something I always do – but for their first circle, we’ll be going all out), and Rhiannon will set up the candles. All four of us will stand within the circle as I call the winds and the ancestors, and cast the circle. The girls can then speak their minds, if they wish to tell a story, or thank the ancestors, or just sing a song, they can. However they wish to celebrate the New Year, and honor the past, is fine with me.

Rhiannon has asked if we can light candles for their twin sisters, whom we lost in premature birth a year and a half before Rhiannon was born. I have told her that this is a wonderful idea, and she has picked out two tiny pink candles. Care doesn’t seem interested in the candles, she wants to be more active in the casting of the circle (read “Children Are Amazing!” for an explanation of that girl…) and the herbs and crystals I’ll be leaving out for the old ones. She has asked if she can pick them out, and I agreed.

Finally, we’ll have “cookies” and apple juice, which is our “kid friendly” cakes and wine. Rhiannon will pass the cookies, and Care will pass the juice, each leaving a generous portion for the old ones. A moment of silence for those who have gone before, and then we’ll release the circle.

I haven’t decided yet if they should stay in their costumes throughout all of this or not – Rhiannon wants to be a “real” witch again this year (black pointy hat, green face, wart and all..sheeeesh…) and Care wants to be a gnome (ever see the movie Merlin, with Martin Short as Flick? again, I say sheeesh). Perhaps it’s appropriate?
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.

This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.

PP – Raging Hormones Pt.3

Raging Hormones – The Puberty Woes 3 – First Blood Sample Ritual
By Jodi Lee
~Originally Published September 2000~
(see author/copyright info below)

The following is a brief ritual outline that I have written myself. I don’t know if one of my girls, or one of my family members will use this ritual, or want to write their own – but I missed out on doing it for myself, so perhaps I am making it up to myself (at least in my own mind! ;-) ) Please remember, I wrote it as prose, not as an actual scripted Ritual. I hope you enjoy!

The Night of First Blood-

She’s sitting quietly contemplating her body. Relaxed now, most of the excitement over, she plans the evening’s activities. She isn’t giving her mother and family much warning, but they have all gathered here in anticipation. They remember how important this night is to a young girl. And, she knows if she makes an error in the basics, her mom will help her.

She scribbles notes on pages from her diary. Her mother will stand in the center of the circle as she, herself, casts. The cord she has crocheted over the last several months will go ’round her waist, and the other end will be around her mom’s. Grandmother and aunts will be at the directions. She has prompted them to speak their mind as she comes to them – to say something significant to her about her youth, about her future, about memories. Once the circle is cast, she’ll invite them all to come to the “center” of her universe – her mom. All will watch as her mom cuts the cord, releasing her to be her own person. The feast can wait as they share wine and cakes with the Lady of the Moon, and release the circle. After the feast, she’ll surprise them with her magickal name.

The Ritual-

Mom-Center circle
Grandmother-West
Aunt(or friend)-North
Aunt(or friend)-East
Aunt(or friend)-South

Girl- Approaches mom, ties cord around her waist, and attaches the other end to her own waist. As the family settles into positions, she grounds herself. Standing with arms held wide and head thrown back to the Moon, she sees roots growing from her feet, anchoring her solidly to the Earth.

Girl- “Tonight is my First Blood ritual. I thank you for joining me.”

She moves to the West, beginning with the oldest member there, her grandmother. Looking her grandmother directly in the eyes, she tells her of her memories of their times together when she was a child – “…but I am child no longer. I ask as maiden, that the Guardians of the West join my circle, lending their protection, sharing our feast.” Her grandmother then speaks of her memories, and acknowledges she is no longer a child, but a maiden. She kisses her grandmother on the forehead, and moves on.

She casts silently as she moves to each aunt or friend in each direction, recalling memories, calling the Guardians, and hearing the memories of others. As she moves on, she kisses each on the forehead.

Finally, she comes to her mother, standing in the center, with tears in her eyes. She calls on the Lady to join the circle, to help her celebrate this important night.

“Mother, at your feet I learned so many things…you have been my stone, my protector, my shoulder to cry on. Tonight I move forward to a new phase with open eyes and the security you have given me. I am child no longer, I ask that the Lady herself comes to my circle, blesses me with her presence, and shares our joy.” She kisses her mother on the forehead, and signals that the others come to the center now as well, to hear her mother speak.

“I knew you before you were born. I kept you close even after birth. You will always be my baby, my child, my cub – I do acknowledge you as maiden, no longer physically child. My arms will always hold you in love, but now they set you free.” Her mother speaks through tears, and the two of them cut the cord that binds them together. She runs, laughing round and round the circle, the energies raising until they all sit and it’s released.

She opens the wine her father has given her for this night. His only allowable contribution, he chose lovingly. The cakes were made by her hand that afternoon, and they all shared in the joy.

“May you never hunger, nor ever thirst.” the blessing is said as each one takes a sip and a bite. The rest she leaves for the Lady.

After a while of talking, memories, storytelling, laughing and tears, she rises to release the circle in her own way. She runs wild counter-clockwise, spinning in place at each direction, releasing the Guardians in her happiness, knowing they will come again.

The Circle is open, but never broken. So mote it be.
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.

This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.