A Rite of Passage

A MEMORIAL SERVICE

Excerpt taken from the Witches' League for Public Awareness website.

With the coming of Samhain, my thoughts often turn to those friends, family members, and pets who have crossed the bridge and no longer walk this earth plane with me. During this season, I once again take comfort in their companionship and love as I invite them to join in my rites. These things often lead my thoughts to ponder my own mortality. As a Witch, I have definite beliefs as to how my own transition should be. I shudder at the thought that non-sympathetic family members may be left to plan for this transition time without regards to my desires . Even well meaning friends and family members, without sincere knowledge of my ways, may be left uncertain of how to best fulfill my desires.
I am fortunate because I have a Craft family who, even if they could not prevent my immediate family from planning this time to fulfill their needs more than my own, are prepared to meet my spiritual needs. Though for some this would mean the absence of their physical remains at this rite it should not erase the powerful spiritual needs that will be met. After all our physical body is simply the vehicle we have chosen to learn through in this incarnation. It is our soul that must be freed to make this necessary journey.

What follows is a simple Wiccan memorial service to be used as written or as a catalyzing example to an individuals creativity and needs. It can be used with the presence or absence of physical remains and can be left in the hands of a sympathetic trusted friend, or it can be performed by a beloved friend whose own family is unknowledgeable or unsympathetic to their needs.

Rite of Passage Memorial

A High Priest and High Priestess may be chosen to lead this ritual or various parts may be given to various member of friends and family.

( Light Incense)
(Purify Space)
"By Water, By Earth, By Fire, By Air, By Spirit, Be this circle bound as we desire! So mote it be!"
(Cast Circle)
" I conjure thee, O Circle of power that thou beest a meeting place of truth, love and joy.
A shield against all wickedness and evil, a boundary between the worlds of men and the realms of the mighty ones.
A rampart of protection that will preserve and contain the energy they we will raise within thee. In the names of the Dark Goddess and the Dark Tanist. So mote it be."
(Light Candles)
Black- "O candle of power to this circle give the knowledge and truth in which all power lives. So mote it be."
White- "O candle of light send forth all we do to cause only changes deserving and true. So mote it be."
Brown- "O candle of the mother on whom we all live for all that we take in return we must give. So mote it be."
(Call Quarters)
(Use Silver Branch)
"Great Guardians of the (N,S,E,W,) we call to your powers. Be here in our circle, join our rite. So mote it be.
(Invite God/dess)
" We call to the Dark Goddess, The Crone, The Reaper, The Comforter, Sister in life and death. Be with us, join our rite! Blessed be.
We call to the Dark Tanist who resides in Caer Sidi, Greeter at the gates of Death and Life again. Be with us, join our rite! Blessed be."
(The Rite of Passage)
" Tonight we gather to bid farewell to one who has begun the journey from life into death. Tonight we gather to call the Ancestors, those who have gone before us, to be with us in this rite. We call to the Goddess and God to join us in this rite. We call to the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, to be with us here tonight."
(Light Lavender Candle)
" We call to _________. May you hear our words tonight. Though we know you cannot take any physical gifts with you on this journey you make to the other world, we gather to offer you gifts of energy.
Gifts to guide and ease your journey, Gifts to empower you to cross the bridge and Gifts to bless you when once again you leave the land of Spirit for rebirth to the Land of Life. We offer these gifts into the Cauldron of Rebirth."
(Each coven member and friend places their herb gift into the cauldron and speaks the gift to share with everyone.)
"I offer the gift of (herb name) May it (Purpose) . Blessed be!"
( All offer their gifts individually.)
Hps: "We offer these gifts to you (name) . May they bless you now and always. By Water may your emotions be carried and cleansed. By Fire may your soul light shine brightly in the other world. By Air may your spirit rise and soar. By Earth may you find comfort and peace within Her arms. May the Ancestors light your path. May the Goddess embrace your soul. May the God guide your rebirth. And may the Wheel turn again to bring you there. Merry Part, Blessed Be, and Merry Meet Again."
(A small amount of the mixed herbs are placed in a small mojo for the family and the rest are burned to release the spell.)
( As they are burned the group may wish to chant the following traditional chant):
Hoof and Horn, Hoof and Horn, All That Dies Shall Be Reborn,
Corn and Grain, Corn and Grain, All That Falls Shall Rise Again.
(Move into the symbolic Great Rite. If possible this should be performed by the mourning family members to symbolically reaffirm the power of life.)
M) "As the Athame is to the Male,"
F) "So the Cup is to the Female,"
Both) "And when joined they bring Truth, Love and Life. Blessed Be."
(Bless Cakes)
"May these cakes be blessed with Love, Joy and the Hope of future life. Blessed Be."
(Release Goddess)
" We thank you God and Goddess, You who reign in the Underworld, for joining our rite. Be with us again when we call you forth. Merry Part, Blessed Be, Merry Meet Again."
(Release Quarters)
" Guardians of the N,S,E,W, we thank you for your part in our circle. Return from whence you came harming none along the way. So mote it be."
(Close Circle)
" This circle is open but never broken. May the Blessings of the Dark God And Dark Goddess teach you the value of life! So mote it be!"