THE SOBER WITCH BLOG

There are so many fantastic rituals that are made even more potent during Samhain. Visiting a loved one’s resting place and leaving an offering, holding a silent supper with your family to honor those who have passed, or just engaging in your passed loved one’s favorite, healthy activity and inviting in their presence are all fantastic options.

One of my favorite Samhain rituals that I’ve been doing for the past 7 years or so has been fire scrying. After a session of fire scrying, I often feel like my soul has been cleansed and my passions re-ignited.

This personal tradition began due to my husband and I’s camping trips often falling on the week Samhain. Fire is always a powerful scrying tool, but as you can imagine, those campfires we would have (especially those on Samhain night) always felt more powerful with the astral realm feeling closer due to the thinning of the veil.

2023 was the first year in quite some time where we were not out camping during Samhain, which prompted us to get a low-cost fire ring for the backyard.

If you can afford to buy one and have the space to safely have a fire ring in your backyard, get one! I cannot recommend it enough. However, if this is not possible you can get a similar effect by simply (and safely) grouping some candles in front of you. I like having a couple pillar candles and 1 or 2 tall stick candles as it add more visual stimulation for my hectic mind to focus on.

Of course, when it comes to flames the darker we can made our surrounding the better. BUT please be careful! If using candles indoors for this ritual, consider casting circle prior to lighting the candles and then darkening the room of artificial light. Or use battery-operated candles!

TOOLS NEEDED FOR THIS RITUAL

1. Source of Fire (fire pit, candles, fireplace, etc. )
2. Paper and pen for notes
3. Optional: Object or photos of loved one if wanting to connect with someone who has passed on

SUGGESTED STEPS

• Determine your source of fire and formulate a question to ask your loved ones, ancestors, or deity. If you don’t have a question, think of intention you would like to hold during the ritual. (For instance, “I am enveloped by the love of my ancestors.”)
• Cast circle, invite in the elementals and any deity or deities you wish to work with. The Crone goddesses like Baba Yaga and Hekate are popular deities to work with during this time of year, and for good reason.
• Breathe as you would in meditation, deeply and rhythmically. The 4-2-4-2 breathing technique is my go-to, wherein you inhale for 4 counts, hold for 2 counts, exhale for 4 counts, hold for 2, and so on. However, choose the breathing pattern that works best for you.
• Once you feel peacefully centered, invite your loved ones or ancestors into your circle.
• Begin to focus in on your fire, watching the flames flicker about allowing that primal sensation to awaken deep within you.
• Let your focus on the flames of your fire source soften and your thoughts come and go as they will, without judgement.
• Allow yourself to get into a slight state of natural trance, focusing on the flames, and then ask your question if you have one or just hold your intention.
• Sit for as long as you feel necessary and make notes of anything that comes to mind that feels important.
• When ready, thank your ancestors and bid them farewell. Thank your deities and the elementals, and close circle.
• Properly and safely extinguish your source of fire.

I hope you have a wonderfully spooky and sober Samhain!!