My Experience

Part of the ceremony at the spiral dance is to speak the name of the dead. Macha NightMare has had this honor for the last ten years. They collect the names by others submitting them via the Internet.

During the Samhain Sabbath ceremony after the circle has been purification and evoked by song, drum and dance. At this moment of time litanies are offered. They speak the names of the dead. As they say the beloved dead they are witnessed and honored.

Not only do they honor there dead, Macha NightMare adds names of people that influence society ( I wish I had a pencil to write down the names and learn more about the person) by looks through the obituary column and adds some of these names with fact.

When they present the names in the Samhain circle, Macha NightMare take a deep breath then says a few words of honor and invocation. They talk about why they want these souls present. She starts to name the dead not fast with carefulness and accurately. Not all of the names are simple to say. They stop at moments to hear if the names ring in the air. She moves around the circle singling out people as she says the name.

People often wail or cry quietly. Graces (priestess who welcome celebrants, tend to those in need or openly mourning, guide people in the spiral dance, keep aisles clear) throughout the space watch to help mourners with embracing arms, tissues, and sometimes ashes. As the list goes on, grieving builds. There are those that call out the names. They believe there Beloved Dead come among them for a last parting before the final crossing over. They believe they are with them that night.

Not only does this sermon happen they also welcome the new children to the group.

The other part of the sermon is all of the alters that are present

 

 

 

 

Water Alter

 

 

Alter to the beloved dead