The Wizards Table

The Rite Of Passing

The purpose of this ritual is to help you in the grieving process, and so that you can say your goodbyes so that you go move on with your life. You can celebrate the relationship you had with the deceased.

It is best to perform this ritual at night, with the night of the new moon being the best time.

For this rite, you will need:

• 1 red candle,
• 1 blue candle,
• 1 yellow candle,
• 1 black candle,
• 1 white candle,
• a small bowl of salted water.

Place the yellow candle at the east quarter of the circle, the red in the south, the blue in the west, and black in the north. Place the white candle in the centre of the circle, on an altar if you have one.

Starting in the west, hold your arms in the air and say, "I call to the spirits of west and water to hear my prayers, and carry them to the spirits of the dead." Light the blue candle.

Move now to the north, hold your arms in the air and say, "I call to the spirits of north and earth to hear my prayers, and carry them to the spirits of the dead." Light the black candle.

Move now to the east, hold your arms in the air and say, "I call to the spirits of east and air to hear my prayers, and carry them to the spirits of the dead." Light the yellow candle.

Move now to the south, hold your arms in the air and say, "I call to the spirits of south and fire to hear my prayers, and carry them to the spirits of the dead." Light the red candle.

Stand in the centre of the circle, facing east, hold the bowl of salted water in the palm of your left hand, and place the palm of your right hand over the bowl and say, "I purify this water in the spirit of love and life". Light the white candle in the centre of the circle.

When you are ready, dip your fingers in the bowl of salted water, and anoint a pentagram on your forehead.

Come now to the centre of the circle, face west, fold your arms in the shape of an X across your chest and say, "I greet thee, Spirits of the Departed. I ask that you hear my prayers, and carry them to {insert name of deceased love one here}". In your mind, form an image of your deceased love one as your say their name. At the same time, invoke in yourself the feelings of love you had for that person.

Speak now as if you were speaking to the spirit of the deceased by saying with feeling, "I greet thee {insert name of deceased love one here} and welcome you to my sacred space. I have come here before you on this night to share with you the memories and feelings that occurred between us". Proceed now to share whatever comes to mind with the spirit of the deceased. Take as long as you need. (The spirits who have gathered will carry your thoughts and feelings to the deceased)

While still standing in the centre of the circle and facing west, say, "It is time now for me to say my farewell to you {insert name of deceased love one here}. I send you on your way with love and peace. You will always have a home in my heart".

Next, splash a few drops of the salted water towards the west quarter.

Move now to the west quarter; hold your arms in the air and say, "I call to the spirits of west and water and thank you for hearing my prayers". Extinguish the blue candle.

Move now to the south quarter; hold your arms in the air and say, "I call to the spirits of south and fire and thank you for hearing my prayers". Extinguish the red candle.

Move now to the east quarter; hold your arms in the air and say, "I call to the spirits of east and air and thank you for hearing my prayers". Extinguish the yellow candle.

Move now to the north quarter; hold your arms in the air and say, "I call to the spirits of north and earth and thank you for hearing my prayers". Extinguish the black candle.

Move back to the west and say, "It is done".

Extinguish the white candle in the center of the circle.