To Write a Letter to the Beloved Dead

In this manner the letter must be written: first, the ink prepared from soot mixed with pale wine; next, the pen made, shaped from a quill never before cut; then, the paper arranged on a table between two black candles. At the top of the paper this inscription should be set:

See now, thou who are mourned, the nature of this mourning: as thou knowest even now my sorrow, so on this paper do I doubly affirm it....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: To Write a Letter to the Beloved Dead

Litany For The Dead

From The Papyrus of Ani, we have this Egyptian litany for the dead:

Homage to you, stars in Heliopolis, men and women in Kher-aha, god of existence, more glorious than the hidden gods in Heliopolis.

Homage to you, o moon-god Iwen in Iwen-des, great god, Harmachis travelling with long strides over heaven, he is Harmachis....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, and can be found in its entirety here: Litany for the Dead

Connect with the Spirit World

On the Eve of Samhain, (the night before Halloween), get a white candle, matches and mirror for this spell. At dusk, go to a haunted area or a place you feel the spirits are especially powerful. Make contact by walking about and allowing your mind to roam. Light your white candle and stare into it saying:

Clear as midnight,
the spirits are bright.

... so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website the Book of Shadows, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com and can be found in it's entirety here: Connect With The Spirit World

Spell to Speak With Spirits of the Dead

To speak to spirits that have passed on, gather together the following:

• Dried amaranth flowers
• Dittany of Crete
• Wormwood. 

I'm sorry to do this to you but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com and can be found in it's entirety here: Spell to Speak With Spirits of the Dead

Words of Power For The Dead

In the Theban Recension of the Book of the Dead is found a Chapter (No. clvi.) which was composed for the purpose of bestowing upon the deceased some of the magical power of the goddess Isis. The Chapter was intended to be recited over an amulet called thet, made of carnelian, which had to be steeped in water of ankhami flowers, and set in a sycamore plinth, and if this were laid on the neck of a dead person it would place him under the protection of the words of power of Isis, and he would be able to go wheresoever he pleased in the Underworld....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, and can be found in its entirety here: Words of Power for the Dead

Memorial Day in Ancient Rome

On 10 May, and again on 31 May, the Roman legions at Duro Europa celebrated the Rosalia. This again connects the flowers of Spring with rituals for the dead, only this time the rituals were performed by military units for their fallen comrades rather than for family members. We learn of this celebration first with a military calendar from Syria.

We do not know if the Rosalia was celebrated on the same dates by other legions throughout the Roman Empire, but we hear descriptions of the Rosalia in other texts suggesting that the Rosalia was common in the Roman army....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Memorial Day in Ancient Rome

Boneset Ghost Spell

Boneset guides ghosts elsewhere, attracting protective, benevolent spirits instead. Boneset may also be used to protect people and animals from "ghost sickness," the illness that some believe may emerge after extended contact with the dead....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, and can be found in its entirety here: Boneset Magick and Lore

Day of Remembrance

The ancient Romans celebrated the Lemuria on May 9, 11, and 13. During these times they honored the wandering ancestral and family spirits. Many modern people still make the trip to the cemetery during the Memorial Day weekend for the purpose of putting flowers on graves, a way of acknowledging and remembering deceased family members.

However, it is not necessary to go to cemeteries to honor your ancestors. In your long lineage, most of your ancestors will not have been buried near you, and some will have...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Day of Remembrance

Appeasing The Ancestors

According to traditional Chinese philosophy, some illnesses or other afflictions, particularly those of a chronic nature, may be caused by unhappy Ancestral Spirits. Ancestors may be aggrieved because a grave is neglected, or perhaps illness and disaster result from a lack of sufficient sacrificial offerings to sustain beneficial energy. These ancestors aren't necessarily malevolent; they just lack enough energy and power to keep harm from your door.

What can be done?

First of all, feed them, and feed them well....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Appeasing The Ancestors

Tomb Sweeping Day

Qingming Festival (also known as Pure Brightness Festival or Tomb-sweeping Day), falls on either April 4th or 5th of the Gregorian calendar. The Chinese respect for filial piety and careful attention to funeral rites is visibly manifested in the custom of ancestor worship. And since ancient times, a day has been designated for sweeping the tomb and honoring one's ancestors. Though different in each family, these rites are usually performed on the first few days prior to or following Ching Ming, one of the traditional solar divisions falling in early April, when the frost retreats and spring returns bringing renewal to all living things.

When visiting the tomb, people usually bring the dead person's favorite food and wine, and paper resembling money . This is in the hope that...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Tomb Sweeping Day

Ghost Good Behaviour Spell

The Eurasian spirit Hecate guards the frontier between the realms of the living and the dead, negotiating the sometimes divergent needs of both parties. Although she may not banish ghosts entirely (you can ask, though!), she can enforce their good behavior. ...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com), and can be found in it's entirety here: Ghost Good Behavior Spell

Calling Your Ancestors

This lovely little spell is great for Samhain.
It would also be appropriate if you celebrate The Day of the Dead.

It is simple but works wonders. It can also be used to protect and cast circles, for guidance, and most of all comfort. It gives me the warmth and guidance I seek WITHOUT fail!!

So sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website Book of Shadows, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com and can be found in it's entirety here: Calling Your Ancestors

Guardian of the Dead Spell

Osiris, Lord of the Dead, presides over the Western Lands, the ancient Egyptian after-life. He may be petitioned to guard the soul of a loved one. Burn frankincense and gum arabica in Osiris's honor; light black and green candles...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Guardian of the Dead Spell

Welcoming The Dead

According to Japanese Buddhist belief, every summer at this time spirits of the dead return to visit their families. O-Bon is a Buddhist ceremony for welcoming back and appeasing the souls of our ancestors.

During the course of this festival, the souls of the dead are guided home, feted for several days, and then sent back to the spirit world.

The formal name of this festival is Ura-Bon. Depending on the region, the Bon Festival may be held one month later, during August 13th-15th....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Welcoming The Dead

Disfest - Disablot

January 31 is Disfest or Disablot which is a day of sacrifice honoring the Disir. The Disir are all the female relatives from the eons of time that have passed over and over see as well as protect their living family members.

In some homes every candle and light is lit in the house...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Disfest - Disablot

Inviting in your Ancestors

For this spell, gather at your altar or sacred space some black cloth, a black candle, a bowl of water, a feather, a citrine, amethyst or lapis lazuli crystal, and photos and mementos from your loved ones who have passed beyond....

I'm so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to the Book of Shadows hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com and can be found in it's entirety here: Inviting Your Ancestors In

Hungry Ghosts

Samhain (aka Halloween) is a magical time of the year. It has Celtic roots. It marks the beginning of the "dark" part of the year. It's also the moment when the "veils" between the realms of the living and dead are "thinned" making communication easier.

You can actually invoke blessings from "hungry" ghosts ...

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