Calendar of the Sun 1 Blutmonath Rite of Hela: All Souls' Day Colours: Black and White Elements: Earth and Air Altar: Upon black cloth to the right place four black candles, a skull, bones, a pot of earth, a pile of withered leaves, and a gravestone. Upon white cloth to the left place four white candles, incense, an ivory chalice of mead, a crystal sphere, and a plate of food. Veil the windows. Offerings: Food, drink, and music given to the Dead. Daily Meal: Today's ritual starts at the beginning of Mousika, and continues through until the end of Sponde. Elete and Akte are spent in silent meditation before the altar. No food will be eaten nor work nor washing done until the Dead have their entertainment. Fasting until Dysis. Invocation to Hela Hail to Hel Queen of Helheim Wisest of Wights Keeper of Secrets Keeper of the hopes for tomorrow Guardian of Souls Implacable one of the frozen realm Half the face of beauty Half the face of Death You who feed the dead At your meager table Where everyone gets their fair share, Lady who takes away Yet holds always promise, Teach us to praise loss and death And the passing of all things, For from this flux We know your blessings flow. Song/Chant: Rite to Open the Door of Helheim (Singing then commences, throughout the next several hours. Group singing and soloing alternate. It is acceptable to bring in guest performers from outside, so long as they understand that they are performing for the Dead and not the living, and that they must join the fasting. There will be no applause. Water may be provided. At the end of Sponde, the Dead are thanked and their food put to the side; Hesperis continues as usual, although there will be no food until afterwards.)
[source:paganbookofhours.org]