Cyber Cauldron

One of the activities that are common during Samhain is the Mute Supper. The mute supper is a meal held in silence followed by a session of divination.

The Mute Supper is held on the eve of Samhain and is done to honour your ancestors. The Mute supper can be held by yourself or with a group (friends and family or even with your coven). If holding the Mute Supper with a group it a fun idea to make it pot luck (everyone attending brings a dish).

Traditionally you should set a seat for each of your ancestors although this can make a very big table for groups although I have found that if you create an Altar to honour ancestors decorated with pictures and memorabilia and place this behind one of the chair you set at the table. Insure that this chair like the goddess chair is well decorated.

It is traditional when setting the table to use black tablecloths and black plates; the head of the table should be set for the Goddess (and or God) and a place at the table should be set for your ancestors. The host of the Mute supper should sit at the foot of the table facing the seat set for the deity.

There are rules for the Mute Supper ritual-

The supper should take place in Sacred Space.
All dinnerware and the tablecloth should be black.
No one may speak during the course of the supper
Candlelight or lamplight should be used.
All must bring a written prayer for each ancestor honoured.
Each living guest should bring a divination tool.

Before the ritual, place a black votive candle at the seats of all deceased family members and a white votive candle at the head of the table. Cast a circle, call quarters or ritually clean the area as you see fit.

Place your hands on the shrouded chair at the head and invite the Spirit to your feast. Walk around the table touching the ancestor’s place, while explaining that the feast is in their honour.

If doing this with a group the guests should enter the room in silence, they then should place their prayers for each of their ancestors under the ancestor’s plate. All living guests should then join hands and pray silently for the blessing of the meal and those present, both living and dead. Afterwards, the host or hostess serves the Goddess then the ancestors, then the living guests from oldest to youngest.

Since no one can speak during the course of the meal, the host or hostess must attend to the needs of the guests by passing food around the table. (Food could be placed at both ends of the table to make serving easier).

When the meal is over, the living again join hands and ask for the Blessing of the Spirit on the living and the dead. They then leave the room in silence. When the guests are gone, the host or hostess closes the circle and/or the quarters, after which the guests may return to assist in cleanup. At this time, guests may discuss any impressions they received during the feast.

When the table is cleared, the guests break out their divination tools. They may pair off or do a group reading. Allow the candles to burn until the last guest has gone home, then snuff each candle.

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