Blessed Samhain

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One of the best known aspects of the Celtic Crone is the "Cailleach" (old woman, hag), and as we enter into the threshold which leads us into the dark half of the year, She has much to teach us about the darkness. The other great gateway to the Celtic year, Beltaine, initiated us into the light, bringing sunshine and communion. At Beltaine our lessons were those of relationships. As we enter the dark half of the year, Samhain, our lessons are those of separating and allowing to die that which is no longer useful or relevant in our lives. This is the time we must start clearing the way for the wheel forever turns, and we will once more find ourselves entering into the sunlight.

"ON HALLOW-MASS EVE, ERE YON BOUNE YE TO REST,"
"EVER BEWARE THAT YOUR COUCH BE BLESSED."
"SIGN IT WITH CROSS AND SAIN IT WITH BEAD,"

Sing the Ave, and say the Creed.

"FOR ON HALLOW-MASS EVE "THE NIGHT HAG SHALL RIDE,"
"AND ALL HER NINE-FOLD SWEEPING ON BY HER SIDE."
"WHETHER THE WING SING LOWLY OR LOUD,"

Sailing through moonshine or swath'd in a cloud.

"THE LADY SHE SATE IN ST. SWITHIN'S CHAIR,"
"THE DEW OF THE NIGHT HAS DAMPED HER HAIR:"
"HER CHEEK WAS PALE, BUT RESOLVED AND HIGH"

Was the word of her lip and the glance of her eye.

"SHE MUTTERED THE SPELL OF SWITHIN BOLD,"
"WHEN HIS NAKED FOOT TRACED THE MIDNIGHT WOLD."
"WHEN HE STOPPED THE HAG AS SHE RODE THE NIGHT."

And bade her descend and her promise plight.

"HE THAT DARE SIT ON ST. SWITHEN'S CHAIR"
"WHEN THE NIGHT HAG WINGS THE TROUBLED AIR,"
"QUESTIONS THREE, WHEN HE SPEAKS THE SPELL,"
"HE MAY ASK AND SHE MUST TELL."
"THE BARON HAS BEEN WITH KING ROBERT HIS LIEGE,"
"THESE THREE LONG YEARS IN BATTLE AND SIEGE."
"NEW ARE THERE NONE OF HIS WEAL OR HIS WOE,"

And fain the Lady his fate would know.

"SHE SHUDDERS AND STOPS AS THE CHARM SHE SPEAKS;"
"IS IT THE MOODY OWL THAT SHRIEKS?"
"OR IS THAT THE SOUND BETWIXT LAUGHTER AND SCREAM,"

The voice of the Demon who haunts the stream.

"THE MOAN OF THE WIND SANK SILENT AND LOW,"
"AND THE ROARING TORRENT HAD CEASED TO FLOW;"
"THE CALM WAS MORE DREADFUL THAN RAGING STORM,"
"WHEN THE COLD GREY MIST BROUGHT THE GHASTLY FORM."

BY SIR WALTER SCOTT

The above poem by Sir Walter Scott highlights another aspect of the Caileach's power at Hallowwen; she can grant oracles. To the Celts, Samhain was always the most significant time to practice divination because this was the chief holiday of the spirit nights. Divination customs and games often featured apples and nuts from the recent harvest. And because the veil between world's is so thin on this day, it is also a prime time to attempt spirit contact.

Also try this free pdf e-books:

Aleister Crowley - His Secret Sin
Correllian Times Emagazine - Issue 26 October 2008 Vol 1 Blessed Samhain
Leo Ruickbie - Halloween And Samhain

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