While the ancient Celts certainly considered this an important time of year, we can’t be certain if they honored ancestors on this night. Regardless, it has become a custom for many modern Wiccans, Witches, and Pagans to perform rituals at Samhain for ancestors. For this ritual, you will create a candle to honor a departed loved one using a sigil created specifically for that person.
The act of creating a sigil is part of the magic. Burning it, in this case on a candle, releases its energy. There are many ways to create a sigil, and the preparation is a key part of the ritual.
In this case, you’re creating a symbol that expresses something about the person you wish to honor. Of course, you could just write that person’s name on a candle, but where’s the symbolism in that? Go deeper and incorporate things that remind you of that person’s character.
One easy way is to combine the person’s initials with simple symbols of things they loved. For example, I have an aut whose initials are S.G.W.F.T. (first name, middle name, maiden name, two married names). You can use more or fewer letters. Practice on paper first. Find a way to link the ltters together. Next, think of things he or she enjoyed. My aunt loved owls, I could draw an outline of an owl into the sigil or just a pair of large owl eyes. She was a singer and loved music, so I could add a music note too. You get the idea. Spend some time creating the sigil and, when you have it perfected, you can begin the spell and carve it into the candle.
You can use a taper or votive candle, but it may be easier to carve on a larger one, such as a pillar size. The choice is yours. White is a good color for this candle, but you can also use brown or black.
You can make several of these – one for each person you wish to honor – and decorate your altar with other mementos such as photos, special items, and flowers. You can honor relatives, friends – anyone you wish, even if it’s not someone you knew personally but admired from afar. As long as you have a way to convey that person’s name and something of their personality to the candle, it works. The goal is to celebrate the life of someone you miss.
Anoint the candle and engrave it with a crystal point or other tool of your choice. The point is to focus your energy while creating the sigil and then allow the candle to burn out.
As you light each one, say these words and insert the name of the person you’re honoring.
Light the way for [person’s name], wherever [he/she/they] may be; their memory lives on, they are part of me.
Follow this by saying whatever other words you desire. Let the candles burn out or relight them each night until they do. [1]
Resources
[1] Llewellyn’s 2022 Sabbats Almanac: Samhain 2021 to Mabon 2022
Adana Luna 