Saying Goodbye to a Familiar

First, I have to apologize for taking so long to post again. Things have been crazier than usual around here. That being said, I have a new ritual for you.

                                                  

I recently lost my best friend to bone cancer. Salem also happened to be my familiar. I have the wonderful opportunity to share my life with hm for many years of which I am deeply grateful. We waited until Samhain to preform the burial ritual. Samhain, as you probably already know, is a time when the veils btween our world  and the spirit world are the thinnest. I prepared his body using an ancient cleansing ritual so that he would have the easiest time possible crossing over. I have wriiten a Ritual for his burial, which I will share with you today.

Color your altar in Red and Black. In many ancient Traditions, red and/or black was used in funerals to represent the blood of the dead.

Preparing the body:
You will need a space large enough to prepare your Familiar's body. You will need Rosemary Oil, a Red candle, and Sage or Cleansing incense to burn and a charm or stone on a string or ribbon that has significance to you and your familiar. Focus yourself, light your candle and your incense, and begin.
Beginning at the crown of the head, rub the Rosemary oil on the body of your familiar. Focus on the cleansing properties. Picture his/her body and aura being cleansed and prepared for the journey ahead. Make sure to cover every part of your familiar's body with the oil. Last, gently use your fingers to spread the oil on his/her eyes and ears. Make a Pentagram on his/her forehead and place a  kiss on the Pentagram. You are sealing the charm by doing this and sending your familiar off with a little piece of yourself. Tie the charm that had significant meaning to the two of you around his neck for him/her to carry with him/her to the Otherworld. Wrap your familiar in  black or red cloth in preparation of the burial.

Color your altar in Red and Black. In many ancient Traditions, red and/or black was used in funerals to represent the blood of the dead.

A Funeral Rite For A Familar (Cat)

You will need:

A picture of your Familiar

A picture or statue of the Goddess Bast, or Dianna, or Freya

A paper pentagram, one for everyone attending, You can find a wonderful way of cutting them here at Pooka Pages.

A bowl of saltwater at the opening of the Circle

A red candle

4 torches, These can be home made or purchased.

Set your circle in watever way seems natural to you using the supplies. The four torches must be placed at the four corners of the new grave.

** Before beginning, please have everyone that will participating write something nice about your Familiar on one of the paper pentagrams to be used during the ritual.

We have come together to celebrate the passing over into a new life of Name of your Familiar Here . He/she has touched each of our hearts in many ways. Samhain is a time to celebrate his life and honor his death. Name of your Familiar Here is not lost to us, but will be a part of our lives in a different way now. He/she is at peace and the spirits are watching over him/her.

In celebration of Name of your Familiar/Pet Here life, please present your pentagram. Read what you have written on it aloud, and place it with him in or on his/her burial cloth.

There is a reason for being here
In this world and this life.
There is a reason for leaving,
When the purposes of this life are done.
The soul must journey beyond
To pause, to rest,
To wait for those who are loved.

The world beyond is a land
Of eternal summer, and of joy,
Far from the cares of this world,
With happiness and with youth anew.

As the Wheel is ever turning from Summer to Winter soul too the soul will keep living, moving on from life to life, from one journey to the next.

 Name of Familiar or Pet Here,
You have crossed over now,
into the spirit realm.
May you walk with Bast,
and I/we will see you again some day.



Mother Earth, we return to you
the body of one of your children.
Her/His spirit will return to her/his ancestors,
and she/he will continue to live in our memories.
We are thankful that we were able
to share our lives with her/him,
and give her/him to your loving arms.



Bast, Sekhmet, we give you back your child.
Noble, regal, honorable cat.
Watch over her, and guide her on her way
to the spirit world.
May she be blessed in your names,
and hunt ever after beside you.

Everyone will now get a chance to approach Salem and say goodbye. Take as long as you need. After ward please return to your space and join hands with the person next to you.

Say:
From the Earth, we are born, and to Her we must return, but our Spirit never dies.

                                                              Blessed Be!

                                                             

 Please leave the torches burning all night (or as long as it is safe to do so). This will light the way for your familir's spirit.