Fwd: [HOKS] How To Hold a Samhain Rite honoring animals:

How To Hold a Samhain Rite to Honor Animals
From Patti Wigington,

This ceremony is designed to honor the spirits of the animals - both
wild and domestic. Man's relationship with animals goes back
thousands and thousands of years. They have been a source of food and
clothing. They have protected us from the things that lurk in the
darkness. They have provided comfort and warmth. In some cases, they
have even raised and nurtured our discarded children, as in the case
of Romulus and Remus. If you have animals in your home -- pets or
livestock -- this is their night. Feed them before you feed the
humans in your family. Put some food out for any wild animals that
may happen by as well.

Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Varied
Here's How:
If you have a pet that has passed away during this last year, you may
want to include a photo or keepsake of them on your table during this
rite.
Prepare a stew for your family that includes small amounts of as many
different meats as you may have available -- beef, pork, game,
chicken, etc. If your family is vegetarian or vegan, designate a non-
meat ingredient to represent each animal and adapt the ritual as
needed, eliminating lines that reference the eating of animals. When
your stew is ready, gather the family around the altar table you
prepared during the previous night's Harvest End Ritual.

Place the stew pot in the center of the table, with a large serving
spoon or ladle. Make sure you have some good dark bread to eat as
well. Each member of the family should have a bowl and spoon handy.
Say:
Samhain has come, and it is the end of the Harvest.
The crops are in from the fields,
And the animals are preparing for the coming winter.
Tonight, we honor the animals in our lives.
Some have died that we may eat.
Some have provided us with love.
Some have protected us from that which would do us harm.
Tonight, we thank them all.

Go around the family in a circle. Each person should take a scoop of
stew from the pot and place it in their bowl. Younger children may
need an adult's help with this. As each person gets their helping,
say:
Blessed are the animals,
Those who die that we may eat.
Blessed are the animals,
Those we love and who love us in return.
When every family member has their stew, each takes a piece of bread.
As they do, say:
As the Wheel of the Year continues to turn,
The harvest has ended, and the grain has been threshed.
The animals sleep for the winter.
We thank them for their gifts.

Take your time finishing your meal. If you have pets, don't be
surprised if they come visit while you're eating your stew tonight --
animals tend to be very aware of the spiritual plane! If there is any
stew left over, leave some out for the spirits. Any extra bread can
be thrown outside for the wild animals and birds.
zSB(3,3)
Tips:

If you want to mix a bit of stew in with your pet's everyday food,
it's a good idea to check with your veterinarian first.

What You Need:
An altar table
A pot of stew
Some hearty dark bread

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/samhainoctober31/ht/Animals_Samhain.htm

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Rev JP Vanir theUVUP ChrstVampyre
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