O.T.O. Samhain Ritual – What Is It? Click to learn more.

The O.T.O. Samhain Ritual is a ceremonial rite connected to Samhain, the ancient seasonal turning point associated with the end of the harvest, the thinning of the veil, and honoring the dead. Unlike simpler modern Samhain practices — such as lighting a candle for ancestors, setting up an ancestor altar, or writing down what you wish to release — this ritual belongs more to the world of ceremonial magic.

Opening of the Temple by Fire

Banishing Ritual

Hierophant:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

Hierophant:
Ve Gabolah.

Bell:
Ring 5-5-5-5-5

Priest:
Strike the staff upon the ground: 3-3-3, 5-5-5-5-5, 3-3-3

Return bell and staff to the altar.

Hierophant:
Let all adore the King of Fire.

All assume the god-form of PUER, the Fire of NOX, facing the altar.

All:
AUM

The Hierophant takes up the dagger and, standing in the West, points toward the East.

Hierophant:
Fire within—

All repeat:
TETRAGRAMMATON TZABAOTH
ALGA
BITOM

Hierophant:
In the sacred names and letters:
OIP
TEAA
PDOCEE

In Thy name: IHVH TZABAVTH.

Hierophant:
I declare the sacred fire to be one and eternal, in all worlds seen and unseen.

The Priest lights the censer.

Hierophant:
Glory be to the Light, eternal fortress upon the frontiers of darkness. Blessed Be.

All repeat:
Blessed Be.

The Priest places more incense into the censer.

Hierophant:
Hail those from the caverns of the dark.

(Sign of the Enterer)

Bell:
3-3-3, 5-5-5-5-5, 3-3-3

(Sign of Silence)

Hierophant:
O great and dreaded Lord of Shadows,
He who is God of all Life and the Giver of Life,
it is Thee we invoke.

All repeat last line:
It is Thee we invoke.

Hierophant:
Behold, the West is Ameti, the Land of the Dead, to which many have gone for rest and renewal.

Open wide the gates through which all must pass.
Let the shells of kindred souls return this night,
guided by the sacred fire seen in all worlds.
Descend upon us; all are truly welcome to our festival.
May you remain among us till the first light of dawn,
in peace and harmony.
Approach the walls of our castle.

All repeat:
Approach the walls of our castle.

Bell:
3-3-3, 5-5-5-5-5, 3-3-3

More incense is placed into the censer.

Hierophant:
Hail those from the caverns of the dark.

All repeat:
Hail those from the caverns of the dark.

The contract for sacrifice is taken up.

Hierophant:
Kindred souls here this night, to Thee we give our sacrifice.
Upon this paper we have each written a contract, binding soul to soul.
Into the flames let it be given, and let it be consumed.
It is between you and I, and no one else.

As written, to bind the contract, drink of the wine.

All:
So mote it be.

Others who desire to make a sacrifice may now do so, coming forward one by one.

Each participant places their contract into the flames, repeating the words as before, then drinks of the wine and says:

Participant:
So mote it be.

All repeat after each sacrifice:
So mote it be.

After the final sacrifice, all raise their hands upward, vibrating:

All:
AUM

Hierophant:
Our sacrifices done, I proclaim this evening rite complete.
Love is the Law, Love under Will.

All repeat:
Love is the Law, Love under Will.