Ritual for Jennifer

This is the ritual we performed after the death of a patient.


Ceremony for ourselves, and for Jennifer*

We’ll bring together things that will help us talk about how we feel about Jennifer’s sudden death. Things that remind us of her. Things that help us talk about our shock and fear. There may be other stuff that we want to talk about that we think may be too difficult or shameful or fearful to share, but bring them anyway, you won’t be forced to talk.

Together, we’ll create a space for all these things in the centre of what will be our circle, making an altar for ourselves and Jennifer. Then we’ll start the ceremony.



With salt and water we cleanse this place and make it sacred for our gathering.
Let the Goddess make this place Her own and keep it pure.


With this athame I draw the circle around us to protect us from all harm,
and claim this place for the Goddess.

Maiden, with your flowers, bless and hallow this place
and make it sweet for the Goddess and her people.

With sweet smelling incense I make this offering to the Goddess
and to the soul of our sister, Jennifer.



Mother of healing
help us to believe in the
place where wounds can heal.

Mother of weaving,
show us that what has been torn
can be mended.

The worst has happened.
How can we believe in hope again?

Jennifer! Jennifer! Jennifer!

Boatman, ferryman,
She has had a rough crossing.
Carry her gently.

Comfort her, Mother.
In your warm arms of night
rock her to sleep.

And in our distress and disbelief
Mother of healing
Comfort us too.



We’ll sit with the bowl of salt water and take turns to speak our feelings into it. Salt and water are traditional cleansers and they’ll help us shed some of our shock, grief, fear, anger and anything else that is causing us pain.

Then we’ll sit with cups of tea and remember Jennifer, talk with her and with each other until we feel complete.
When we’re ready, we’ll join in blessing Jennifer on her journey.

Blessing of the Elements for Jennifer

May the Air carry your spirit gently
May the Fire release your soul.
May the Water wash you free of sorrow and suffering,
May the Earth receive you.


Be free, be strong, be proud of who you have been,
know that you will be mourned and missed, that no one can replace you,
that you have loved and are beloved.

Move beyond form, flowing like water, feeding on sunlight and moonlight, radiant as stars in the night sky. Pass the Gates, enter the dark without fear returning to the womb of life to rest in the cauldron of rebirth.
Rest, heal, grow whole again. Be Blessed.






We turn to the North:
Goddess of the corn, Giver of food,
we give thanks for the life of Jennifer and ask your blessing on us,
your children.

Turn to the East:
Goddess of the rainbow, Bringer to birth,
we give thanks for the life of Jennifer and ask for your blessing on us,
your children.

Turn to the South:
Goddess of passion, Lady of beauty,
we give thanks for the life of Jennifer and ask for your blessing on us,
your children.

Turn to the West
Goddess of the waters, Bringer of the sleep of death,
open the Gates so that Jennifer may pass through
and begin her journey to the sacred isle.



We give thanks for her birth and accept her death,
for we believe that she is traveling home to the Source of all love,
all peace, all kindness and joy.

Farewell Jennifer.

All repeat: Farewell Jennifer

*

The Closing

I wash away the circle of cleansing and return this place
to the physical plane once more.
I call back the circle of protection and return this place
to the physical plane once more.
I call back the circle of colour and fragrance and return this place
to the physical plane once more.


The ceremony is over.
Let our memories hold what our eyes, ears and hearts have gained.

Blessed be.



* The patients name has been changed.

Sources include

Ashcroft Norwicki D. 1992 The New Book of the Dead Aquarian Press

Budapest Z. 1989 The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries. Wingbow Press

Nightmare M Macha The Pagan Book of Living and Dying 1997 Harper Collins

Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids www.druidry.org/

Image courtesy of Kathryn Huxtable www.kathrynhuxtable.org/images/