It is October and the growing darkness is palpable here in Massachusetts. As I went on my morning walking, I allowed my inner child to come out. I playfully kicked the autumn leaves as their warm hues swirled around me. The sun’s rays shone down like amber as woodsy scents on the wind cleared my mind. Winter will be here soon. It’s time to turn within.
As Pagans, each year during this time we are told to “go within.” But, what does that really mean? How do we go about it?
The way I teach my students is to describe the Dark Time as “tomb space and womb space.” By “tomb space” I mean honoring loved ones who have passed on. By “womb space” I mean deep connection with Mother Nature and restful, nurturing meditation.
Here are two rituals I created. You can do each one once, combine them together, or do each of them as an ongoing process until Spring Equinox.
These rituals are done in the dark so I created an acronym for each to remind you what to focus on. You can light some candles but I invite you to try these rituals in complete darkness.
Tomb Space Ritual
This ritual honors loved ones who have passed away.
Place items that remind you of your loved ones on your altar.
Put on some of the supportive music listed below if you’d like.
Create sacred space. I like to do this by casting a circle around my ritual room.
Turn off all lights and sit comfortably in front of your altar.
Wrap yourself in a weighted or heated blanket to symbolize the presence of the ones you are honoring. With every step, sink into the comfort and warmth of the blanket and your memories.
Call the name of one person at a time.
Use the acronym “tomb” to prompt your ritual.
T – What did this Ancestor teach you?
O – How can you be more open to embodying this wisdom?
M – What moves can you make to embody this wisdom?
B – What are you becoming through this process?
Here is an example of how this might be done:
I’ve created my altar and added items that remind me of my grandmother.
I say, “I now honor you, Grammie.”
T – “What did you teach me? You taught me the importance of spirituality, and keeping it in balance with everyday life. You embodied the divine through acts of love for family and community. Thank you.
O – How can I open to embodying that wisdom more? I can keep work, spirituality, and family time in better balance. I can be the love I wish to see in the world.
M – What move can I make to embody that wisdom? I can slow down and make time for loved ones and be more present.
B – I am becoming a more balanced and present person in honor of you.”
Each question should be asked with plenty of time for reflection. You can repeat these same steps while honoring another loved one. You can honor as many people as you’d like.
After going through the steps, I like to use a voice recorder to remember anything my Ancestors, the Divine, or my own intuition had to say. Alternatively, you can light candles at the end and record thoughts in a journal. Or, close circle, turn on the lights, and journal.
If you have not yet, close sacred space.
Womb Space Ritual
This ritual honors Mother Nature and your connection with Her. In this Dark Time, that connection helps you to rest and restore.
Place items that remind you of your connection to nature on your altar.
Put on some of the supportive music listed below if you’d like.
Create sacred space. I like to do this by casting a circle around my ritual room.
Turn off all lights and sit comfortably in front of your altar.
Wrap yourself in a weighted or heated blanket to symbolize womb space, and being protected and supported by Mother Nature as you rest and restore.
W – How is the Mother Earth/Goddess/divine feminine working through you to bring Her goodness to the world? What have you accomplished this past year? Celebrate those accomplishments.
O – How can you have more oneness with Nature, with the divine feminine, with the divine within?
M – Meditate upon these things. Like the previous ritual, you can think about “moves” you can make to embody this wisdom. But this ritual is much more about rest and quiet reflection. (Slow, thoughtful moves rather than fiery action.)
B – What are you becoming through this process?
Each question should be asked with plenty of time for reflection. With every step, sink into the comfort and warmth of the blanket. Feel Mother Earth supporting you.
As I mentioned before, I recommend using a voice recorder to remember anything my Ancestors, the Divine, or my own intuition had to say. Alternatively, you can light candles at the end and record thoughts in a journal. Or, close circle, turn on the lights, and journal.
If you have not yet, close sacred space.
I hope you enjoy these rituals. I certainly think we need more rest and reflection in this hustle-bustle world! Take more time for pause, silence, self-discovery, as well as good soup, good music, and good friends during this Dark Time!
I will leave you with this brand new poem and a list of links to some wonderful seasonal music.
Winter’s Sleep
The sweet oaky wafting of woodsmoke begins
Leaves dance a fire-spiral twirling on the wind
The days grow shorter
And I upon my quest
Have fought a good fight
And could use a good rest
Darkness, take me in your arms
Sing a silent song
Night, wrap me in your cloak
All the winter long
Let me rest and restore
Let me delve in the deep
Let me grow in the shadows
Let me soundly sleep
After my rest, I’ll take up my quest again
Mother Earth, wrap me in your blackened cloak
Til then-Jenna Greene, 10/25/24
Some supportive background music with no lyrics (for during the meditation portion):
Connect to Mother Earth by Inner Lotus:
Calling In the Ancestors by Larimar Sound Alchemy:
Root Chakra by Calm Whale:
Some supportive background music with lyrics (for after the meditation portion):
My Samhain Night song:
Samhain by Lisa Thiel:
Samhain Eve by Damh the Bard:
Come To the Labyrinth by SJ Tucker:
My Harvest Song:
For more information about Jenna Greene, including her collected articles here on Pagan Song, her bio, and links to Jenna’s sites on the web, check out Jenna’s page on Pagan Song.
Cover photo is a quote by Katherine May
For many more articles for the Samhain season, please visit our Samhain page, where all the articles about this Sabbat published here on Pagan Song over the years are gathered.
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