Samhain is the end/beginning of the old Celtic year. The end of the growth period and the beginning of the process of restitution or death. The leaves are falling and the earth Mother is preparing to withdraw natures energies, She is embarking on Her journey as the beautiful and wise old Crone.

It is a time for reflection and repose. It is a time to review and to look back at your own personal harvests. It is a time to rest and go within. It is also the time of year when the veils are thin between this world and the hidden worlds.

Standing facing the North West call to Kerridwen.

"Kerridwen, Wise Crone Mother, Mother of bone and stone, Cutter of Ties, join me and watch over my rites this Samhain night." Visualise Kerridwen within you and your circle and say.

"I breath you in, hail and welcome Kerridwen"

GOING WITHIN
Spend some time in candle light, watch the flames flicker and allow yourself to become still inside. Breathe deep and close your eyes. Now visualise yourself at the mouth of a cave, it is dark and as you enter all around becomes dark and cool. At the back of the cave is a small still point of light, it begins to grow into a fire, you approach. Sitting by the fire is an old woman. She wears a necklace of bones and has long flowing white hair. She is scary at first until you look into her eyes and see that she is wise beyond time. Now sit with her, watch her actions and listen to her words.

You may also like to remember those who have passed beyond the veil at this time. Loved ones and relatives who have been through the death process and given up their physical form. Light a candle in their honor and leave them a cake and a warming brew.

When you are ready to close your ritual begin by thanking Kerridwen for her presence and slowly bring yourself back to normal waking state.

Standing facing North call to Arianhrod.

"Arianhrod of the Silver Wheel, Mother of Air I call to you, join me and watch over my rites this Solstice day/night/eve"

Visualise Arianhrod coming into your circle.

"I breath you in, hail and welcome Arianhrod"

Now simply sit in the stillness of the Winter Solstice energies, it is a time to look inwards and reflect. To think about the inner life, the stillness of your Soul and the mysteries of this earthly existence. When you are finished you may wish to write down any thoughts or inspiration.

When you are ready. Thank Arianhrod and bid Her farewell. Then blow out your candle and declare your circle closed.

Other Yule suggestions: create a Yule log, visit a windy wild place, write your worries on paper, dance over them and tear them up and scatter them to the four winds.

For this ritual gather many candles around you as Imbolc is the festival of first light brought back after winter by Brigid. Leave the candles unlit until you have called in the Goddess.

Standing facing Northeast call to Brigid.

"Brigid, Maiden, Healer, Swan Goddess, my Inspiration I call to you, join me and watch over my rites this Imbolc day/night/eve. Come and rekindle my fires Lady of the Smithy"

Visualise Brigid coming into your circle and as She does begin to light your candle saying.

"I breath you in, hail and welcome Brigid"

Now write a poem or a story dedicated to yourself expressing all that you have carried through Winter, your thoughts, fears, anything at all that springs to mind. Ask Brigid for inspiration in the coming months as the light gathers and the seeds of your life begin to grow. When you've finished, fold the letter/poem up and place it somewhere unusual to be found again at a later date.

When you are ready. Thank Brigid and bid Her farewell. Then blow out your candles and declare your circle closed.

Other Imbolc suggestions: Create a Bridie doll or a Bridie cross from last years corn. Write all your dreams and desires down on separate pieces of paper and plant them in the earth imagining they are seeds - then sit back and watch them grow!

For this ritual gather anything golden around you such as cloth, candles, clothing. You will also need some good dancing music!

Standing East call to Artha.

"Artha, Great She Bear, Mother of Fire I call to you, join me and watch over my rites this Ostara day/night/eve. Come and strengthen my courage"

Visualise Artha coming into your circle saying.

"I breath you in, hail and welcome Artha"

Start your music and for a moment allow your body to be still. Be totally in your body with your eyes closed and think for a minute of the things in your life you fear and worry about. Now slowly begin the dance first moving your head and shoulders, then hands and hips, then feet and legs until your whole body is dancing and moving. Allow your body the freedom to do as it wishes. As you do this imagine you are dancing away your fear, stamping them out with your feet and flicking them away with you hands. Then begin to take deep, deep breaths and visualise a golden light which represents pure courage. Now dance and breath this in!

When you are ready. Thank Artha and bid Her farewell. Then blow out your candles and declare your circle closed.

Other Ostara suggestions: Make plans for the coming months, Ostara is a great time to plan as the day is in balance with the light and all of nature growing so now is a time for your to write down your growth plans!

For this ritual dress in reds and pinks and surround yourself with beautiful things such as flowers, scents, crystals and have in front of your a mirror as big as you dare!

Standing in the Southeast call to Rhiannon.

"Rhiannon, Lady of my Heart and Soul, come fill me with your love this Beltaine day/night/eve. Come ride to me on your White Mare and charge me with your love"

Visualise Rhiannon coming into your circle saying.

"I breath you in, hail and welcome Rhiannon"

Now sit in front of the mirror and declare your love for yourself! Talk to yourself in the mirror and tell yourself how wonderful you are, tell yourself of al your qualities and strengths, really go to town with your love making! Such words as "I love you" may start you off if you find this difficult.

When you are ready. Thank Rhiannon and bid Her farewell. Then blow out your candles and declare your circle closed.

Other Beltaine suggestions: Do something fun and childish to express the Maiden within you. Make love with your loved one. Wash your face in the morning dew. Light a candle and make a wish for a new love to come into your life.

Domnu's Festival of Water at Litha, the Summer Solstice, around 21st June.

For this ritual wear golds, yellows and whites. You will need, three ears of corn, a ribbon and time to think.

Standing in the Southwest call to Ker, the Great Goddess as Harvest Mother.

"Ker, Mother of the Corn, Mother Goddess of abundance and growth. Mistress of my harvest, come unto me this Lammas day/eve/night."

Visualise Ker coming into your circle saying.

"I breath you in, hail and welcome Ker."

The three ears of corn represent your past, present and future. think about the harvests you have reaped, those you wish to let go of, those you are thankful for and those yet to come. Our harvests can be financial, emotional, spiritual or mental harvests. Lammas is the first harvest and a time to give thanks and to cut down the fruits of our labours. Now bind the corn with the ribbon, binding in as you do so all your wishes and best intentions for now, all of your dreams and seed thoughts for the furture, and all that belonged to your past that you have to be thankful for.

Now spend a few minutes thinking about the abundance in your life.

When you are ready. Thank Ker and bid Her farewell, give her an offering of your love, then declare your circle closed.

For this ritual wear earthy tones of orange and brown. You will need, a path to follow, be it in your local park, a woodland, hillside or in your city.

Standing in the West call to Brigantia Gaia, the Great Earth Mother.

"Brigantia Gaia, Mother of Earth, Mother of sticks and stones, mud and good green grass. Mistress of my body, come unto me this Mabon day/eve/night."

This is a meditation of connection to the Earth and all you need to do is to say or sing this traditional Goddess chant to yourself to bring the Earth Mother into your body. This will help you stay grounded and connected to Her, body and soul as the wheel of the year turns

"Mother I feel you under my feet, Mother I hear your heartbeat".

When you get to the end of your path and when you are ready, thank Brigantia and bid Her farewell, give her an offering of your love, then declare your walk over.