To introduce this topic briefly, I’ll remind that some time ago I took on the assignment of opening portals between worlds and keep these portals open with the purpose of allowing the Other to come through, re-enchant our world as it once was and should be. [1] Also, I am shifting toward a calendar of holidays that is based primarily on the Pleiades. The focus of this holy day and the accompanying ritual are different. No portal opening takes place this time and, while the Pleiades and the Fairy Powers they represent are a significant presence, they are not the main focus of this ritual.
I the previous post, “Chasing Stars”, I talked about pinpointing the moment when the Pleiades sit on the horizon line in East-Northeast just after dark. This happens in interval Oct 26 - November 2. During this interval the Pleiades emerge on the horizon later and later with each passing day but the delay is very small, of only about two minutes. Because visibility depends on location, surrounding landforms, buildings and tall trees, I prefer to take into consideration this entire window of opportunity rather than a one-day-only chance to observe the stars and hold a ritual [2].
I hold my ritual on October 31 or November 1st. These dates align with Samhain, with transitioning into a new year, with fairy beliefs and ancestor veneration practices from several cultural trditions. Also, from where I live, I can observe the Pleiades shortly after they raise above horizon on these dates. My Samhain ritual centers on land spirits, Hidden People, Fair Folk, ancestors, Fairy Gods connected to this time of the year and to fairies, and seasonal Liminal Powers.
Mythology.
In my personal mythology, this is the time when the Seven Queen and the Hunter meet and hold their Winter Council. The Queen of Winds [3] and the Hunter [4] partner up and jointly lead the Fairy Cavalcade across the sky throughout the coming months. Some of the dead are in the Cavalcade alongside other fairies. The Seven Queens ride along, with the Queen of the Winds and Hunter in the lead. The Hunter also fulfills the role of protector. The Fairy Cavalcade begins its journey in the East-Northeast, reaches zenith in November during Culmination and continues to travel Northwest in the night sky. At Samhain we make offerings to the Queen of Winds and the Hunter and ask for their protection through the winter ahead. We honor fairy monarchs and deities connected to fairies and the seasonal tide, Elves, Land Spirits, fairies and ancestors. The offerings we make to them are an expression gratitude for their presence in our spaces and for the gifts they grant.
Recommendations for ritual
If I decide to hold the ritual when the Pleiades are visible from my location, I have to wait about another hour or a little longer after dark. Chose the timing that feels right for you.
Please adapt the ritual described here to suit your beliefs and style of practice. Whatever you do, make sure that it fells authentic to your beliefs and is comfortable to you. I sometimes find other people’s recommendations for practice to fit perfectly with my own beliefs and personal taste, in which case I gladly incorporate those ideas and then credit the sources. Other times I chose to do things which are entirely my own. This ritual is based on recommendations made by Morgan Daimler in their books “Living Fairy” and “Traveling the Fairy Path”, on Cat Heath’s approach to setting sacred space as she talks about it in “Elves, Gods & Witches” (see “Resources”) and on what I learned from my own grandmother. But in developing this ritual into the form described here I followed primarily what my elven guides recommended.
I suggest that you get familiar with the script in advance and prepare your tools and offerings beforehand.
Elaborate your ritual components and celebratory aspects as much as you like. If there are any parts that do not resonate with you, change, adapt or skip entirely. The focus is on the fairy allies, Fairy Gods, Goddesses, the Pleiades, and the seasonal tide but the way you express this focus is entirely up to you.
What you need for ritual
- bowl with herb-infused water (you can use dried herbs or a couple of drops of herbal oil);
- cup, horn, or any other vessel with fresh water for offering to the Powers of the cardinal directions.
- cup, horn or any other vessel with fresh water or any other libation you feel it is suited (juice, wine, etc) for the Fairy Goddesses that are associated with the Pleiades, and for any other Fairy deity or Fairy monarch you are devoted to, if you chose to invite any.
- food offerings for the Fairy Goddesses associated with the Pleiades and for any other Fairy deity or Fairy monarch you are devoted to, if you chose to invite any. For offerings, I usually have little cakes, or fresh bread and butter, fresh fruit, or a portion of what I have cooked for myself and my family. It doesn’t have to be a lot, you can make the portions small, but whatever it is, it shall be the best quality you can afford.
- candle in a jar or a lantern
- the script for the ritual
- any other items you wish to use: ritual blade, want, staff, figurines for the altar, extra dishes or bowls, etc.
Outline for the ritual
- Stand at the center of the space where the ritual will take place. Face the direction that you would usually face when beginning a ritual. I face East because it is the best positioning I can get for the minimalistic altar I set up for occasions such as this.
- Announce what you are about to do using words like: “I am hallowing this space. In this sacred space I will hold a ritual to honor the Seven Queens, the Leaders of the Fairy Cavalcade, Liminal Fairy Gods (name them here if you are inviting anyone. For example, I invite An Dagda and Freyr), elves, fairies, land spirits and ancestors.”
- Turning to the left (counterclockwise), walk a spiral path starting at the center of the space and gradually expanding toward the periphery. I have a copper bowl filled with water in which I soak herbs I know are agreeable to fairies and Fairy Higher Powers. I sprinkle water on the ground as I walk around and repeat my intention out loud.
- When you reach the periphery, walk counterclockwise one full circle to mark the outer boundary and sprinkle herb-infused water on the ground. In my experience, sprinkling the herbs-infused water it makes the space feel hallowed and welcoming for the Powers that I seek to invite. In folklore, walking counterclockwise has been associated with calling in fairy beings.
- Get the bowl or cup with fresh water for offering:
Face East, pour out a little water, and call "to the Powers of the Rising Sun",
Turn to face West, pour out a little water, and call "to the Powers of the Setting Sun",
Turn to face South, pour out a little water, and call "to the Powers of the Midday",
Turn to face North, pour out a little water, and call "to the Powers of the Midnight",
I entrust this space to ground and keep"
Put aside the dish with the remaining water.
- Light up the candle. Circumambulate and say these or similar words:
"Fire I carry as I go around
Holy this space, sacred the bound,
I light the path for those returning/visiting
The way back is easily found.”
After circling once, put the candle somewhere safe so you won't trip over it. From this point onward, it is a good idea that no one moves past the circumference of the sacred space. (Use discernment: if you have an emergency, by all means do whatever you need to do even if this involves you or someone else leaving the ritual space. Make amends once the emergency has been resolved. I will debunk this is a separate post.)
- Pause and feel the energy in your space.
- Now it is the time to acknowledge the Pleiades and the Powers they represent. Stand at the center of your space or wherever your altar and offerings are. Say this or similar words:
"I welcome the Seven Queens shining brightly in the night sky.
Queen of Winds
Queen of the Greenwood
Queen of Waters
Queen of Sacred Earth and Ancient Stone
Queen of Flame,
Queen of Horns,
Queen of Wings and Talons,
We welcome you, and ask for your blessings. From your celestial realm watch upon us with benevolent eyes.
Hail the Queen of Winds and the Hunter, leaders of the Fairy Cavalcade!
We honor you and humbly ask that our homes and loved ones by spared from loss and damage throughout this winter.
With joy and gratitude, we offer to you fresh water (or whatever libation you prepared) and (any food you have prepared for Them)"
Pour out some of the libation and scoop some of the food for Them.
- If you have a particular Fairy deity, fairy queen or king that you are devout to, then you can invite them to join. You can say these or similar words:
"I welcome you, Name(s) and Title(s). Enjoy these offerings, a small token of my love and gratitude."
Pour out more of the remaining libation and food.
- Welcome the fairy-beings of the place and your own allies among fairies. You can say these or similar words:
"I welcome you, Fair Folk, Hidden Folk, and all my fairy allies and guides. Enjoy these offerings, a small token of my love and gratitude."
Pour some of the remaining libation and food.
- Welcome the ancestors and offer them food and drink. Whom you consider ancestors may or may not be part of your human family or blood relatives. An ancestor can be anyone you feel you have a close bond and would consider family. When including this step in your Samhain ritual, please take into account the religious beliefs and practice of those people. Make sure you don’t do anything they would find offensive. If those who you call ancestors are not comfortable having offerings made to them in this fashion, then do something special for them separately, outside this ritual.
- If you have any other offering, such as song, dance, reading aloud something that you chose for the Fairy Queens, your Other guests and ancestors, you can deliver that now. You can burn incense or fragrant herbs with your offerings or as a self-standing offering to those you are honoring.
-You can now sit and meditate, contemplate, journal, or simply enjoy being in the space and sensing Their presence.
- Express your gratitude for the presence and support coming from those you honored in this ritual.
- Walk around and scatter some leaves or dirt to restore a neutral feel to the space.
Make merry and feast. Be careful about what food offerings you leave outside. Make sure it is not toxic for the wildlife or the vegetation around. Alcohol is damaging for herbs and animals and chocolate is poisonous for dogs and the canis family in general (wolves, coyotes, foxes, etc.), so best burry those items.
Tell your Fairy and invitees and other guests that they may stay or leave as they wish. A while ago I learned the formula “In good will and perfect trust/ stay if you will, go if you must.” I like it and still use it, although I occasionally play around with the wording.
Happy Samhain, may the light of The Seven shine bright on your path, and may ancestors and fairy guides be always at your side.
Daniela
Notes:
[1] Part of my task was to find the days when the Pleiades are first visible at night fall in the night sky in late autumn. Based on observations, this is a period of time between October 30 and November 6. The name for the holy day is the Autumnal Rising.
[2] Portals open naturally at various times and in different locations. They may follow natural cycles or features in the landscape. The process can be supported and enhanced through ritual action which makes the portals stronger and permanent or semi-permanent which means that their energetic influence increases in the surrounding area or even wider.
[3], [4] See the post "On Liminal Powers and Fairy Gods"
Bibliography and Resources
Books:
Carding, Emily “Faery Craft: Weaving Connections with the Enchanted Realm”, 2012
Daimler, Morgan “Travelling the Fairy Path”, 2018
Daimler, Morgan “Living Fairy”, 2020
Seo Helrune, “Essays from Crossroads: A 2016 Collection” , 2016
Simina, Daniela, “A Fairy Path: The Memoir of a Young Fairy Seer in Training”, 2023
On-line resources:
Daimler, Morgan “Fairy Priestessing: When Your Spirituality Swallows You Whole” https://lairbhan.blogspot.com/2018/07/fairy-priestessing-when-your.html
Daimler, Morgan “Liminal Gods- Deeper Theology”, January, 2021 https://lairbhan.blogspot.com/search?q=Liminal+Gods
Daimler, Morgan “Speaking Stars”, https://speakingstarlight.blogspot.com/2020/12/
Daimler, Morgan “Another Approach to Holidays” https://speakingstarlight.blogspot.com/2021/11/an-other-approach-to-holy-days.html
“The Fairy Dwelling on Selena Mor” https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/swc2/swc216.htm
“The Fairy Queen”, The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0576, Page 414, https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes
Simina, Daniela “Chasing Stars” https://whispersinthetwilight.blogspot.com/2022/10/chasing-stars.html
Simina, Daniela "A Fairy Path", 2023 https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/authors/daniela-simina
Classes:
“Elves and Witches: A Survival Guide”, with Cat Heath. For questions about registration and access to recorded material contact Cat Heath at seo.helrune@gmail.com
“Mound Magic: Elves, Necromancy, and Adaptation” Parts 1 and 2, with Cat Heath. For questions about registration and access to recorded material contact Cat Heath at seo.helrune@gmail.com
“Pleiades: Exploring the Significance of Stars in Ireland and Globally” , with Morgan Daimler, available at https://irishpaganschool.com/p/stars
“ Fairy Magic – Foundations” with Daniela Simina. For registration and details check Daniela Simina Author Page on Facebook.
