Get Adobe Flash player

Choose your language

English Chinese (Traditional) Dutch French German Italian Portuguese Russian Spanish

Login or Register

             

Articles

Mysterian Choices: An All Hallows Eve ritual

Five elements and pentagram

Mysterian Choices: An All Hallows Eve ritual

By Zarin

 

   This is the first of what I hope will be ongoing descriptions of the many spiritual processes that exist within the spiritual planetary environment. An opportunity to peruse these possibilities and enable Mysterians to select out those elements they feel inclined to embrace.

   I recently was invited to a Halloween gathering at a Las Vegas home,  that culminated in a Wiccan ritual for the Dead. This is why Halloween (All Hallows Eve) came into existence in the first place. It was essentially a way to greet the spirits of the dead, the Lord and Lady and the four cardinal powers and allow these entities to cleanse the individuals attending this particular gathering. Although I am not a Wiccan, I was invited to join their circle of celebration with no limitations, whatsoever, placed upon me. This gathering was completely inclusive and in no way judgmental. I would hope that other spiritual paths would be as open, but I respect that some rituals are too esoteric, or private, for outsiders to view. What was especially symbolic at this gathering was that many of the attendees were attired in various costumes one might classically associate with Wiccan Lore. I, myself, came as a Christmas tree, which was strangely sychronistically connected to arboreal spirituality. In a way, I represented the “green man” honored among many ancient arboreal cultures.

  The ritual was conducted within a large 100' diameter circular arena completely surrounded by what look like a very low circle of rock and sand. The arena appeared to have been constructed for permanence. In the center of the arena was constructed an altar, upon which were placed water, sage, candles, Wiccan symbols, salt, food and wine. Around the base of the altar were placed swords, special knives, a stained glass representation of the four cardinal directions and other mystical objects.

   We began by everyone assembling into a long line of marchers. Some beating drums, shaking tambourines and I, personally, was given a Native American turtle shell rattle to manipulate with some occasional rhythm.

   The group proceeded towards the previously constructed circular arena with their gentle coagulation of drumming, shaking and jingling. Upon entering the round enclosure, we were advised not to leave it; because once the circle was closed, leaving it would break the powerful spiritual effect it was designed to invoke. Several individuals chose not to enter into the circle and remained outside for whatever reasons they had....only present to view the proceedings.  An option everyone was freely given.

   Once everyone was inside, the circle was magically closed. There were chair height flattened tree stumps placed randomly around inside the circle, for those, who either needed to, or wished to, sit down.

   The ritual began with a song that honored everyone as individual spiritual raindrops, who would always flow towards and return to the Mother Goddess (the Ocean). Invocations were made to the forces, spirits and powers associated with each cardinal direction, starting with North, then East, South and finally West. The circle was now closed and the spirits (hallows) of all the dead were invited to join with us and cleanse us of negativity.  Their presence was also invoked, additionally to grant each attendee a personal wish (one, which was previously written down and placed into an iron cauldron). Invocations were made to the Lord and Lady and a special elderly woman referred to as the “Queen Bee” was singled out for acknowledgement and honor.

   A sage (air)cleansing ritual began and was conducted on everyone throughout the circle by the lady whose home contained the sacred arena. Another cleansing began with fire, then water and finally with earth. The four cardinal directions were then invoked along with other personages and powers associated with each of these directions. Another song was sung in homage to these forces and an invocation to Pan (the Guardian of the Dead) was made.

   After all the rituals were conducted, the written down requests were placed into a sacred fire and burned. To conclude the main part of the ritual, food and drink were offered to each participant. Finally the forces, spirits and powers that had been invoked and made present were released. The circle was broken and everyone was able to depart.

   My continuous impression during this ritual was: that I was experiencing the most ancient of spiritual rites. The gathering of people within sacred circles goes back into the farthest recollections of time. Yet, even today. the sacred circle is common among many ancient cultures throughout the world. It can be found among Native American rites including the round dances seen at Native American Pow-Wows. What is most sad is how the mainstream religions have people lined up in rows and have abandoned the most sacred shape in favor of regimentation.

   The circle is the great binding force of all spirituality and never should have been abandoned. The Moslems, among all the larger religious persuasions, still move around in a great circle at their most sacred site during their annual journey to Mecca. The circle is what truly makes us all feel spiritually united.

   As a Mysterian, I was greatly impressed by the beauty of the Wiccan experience. It's simplicity, honesty, humanity and accessibility. The sincerity of those who attended and took part. The entire experience had greater spiritual implications than what the larger “organized” religions seem to offer. I was able to feel more real spirituality within this less exaggerated process, than I ever have at any of the  more “organized” spiritual functions.

About Zarin

zarinI am a professional psychic.  My mother and father were both gifted psychics, from whom I have inherited my various gifts and to whom I will always be grateful.

 

 

Latest comments

Spiritual Cinema Circle