© Jennifer Runham-Stark, January 31 2009
Items Needed:
feather (optional)
bowl of salt water
3 rose quartz crystals (unconditional love)
3 moonstone crystals (healing, connection to Goddess)
3 amethyst crystals (heightened spiritual connection)
white candle for Goddess
candle for the departed (their favourite colour, or blue for male/pink for female)
purple candle for loved ones left behind
9 black candles to banish negativity
knife (to carve candles)
incense
Ritual:
Carve an ankh on one side of the white Goddess candle and the hieroglyph for Nephthys (seen in the images on this page, crowning Her head) on the other side; if you can’t fit this on the candle, write both symbols on a slip of paper and place it underneath the candle’s holder. Carve the name of the deceased on their candle. Carve a heart on the loved ones’ candle. Carve an ankh on each of the black candles. Place the departed and loved ones candles in the centre of the altar with the Goddess candle, forming a triangle or pyramid with the Goddess candle at the top point. Place the crystals in a circle around these candles, alternating rose quartz, moonstone, and amethyst. Then place the black candles in a circle surrounding the crystals and triangle of candles, so that you end up with a triangle enclosed in two concentric circles. You can decorate the space with pictures of the deceased, or cherished items that bring fond memories of him/her.
Purify the space and participants with salt water, sprinkling it either with your fingers or with a feather. Light the incense and black candles. Cast the circle. Call the elements. Invoke Nephthys, lighting the Goddess candle and saying:
“Lady of the House of the Gods,
Guardian of the departed,
Goddess of transition,
Transformation and magick,
Nephthys, hear this plea!
Come to this space, come to me!
Daughter of Nut who
Sparkles in the night,
Daughter of Geb whose
Body we walk upon,
Blessed Nephthys, hear this plea!
Come to this space, come to me!
Loyal sister of Osiris,
Protector of His body and soul,
Twin sister of Isis,
Loving Queen and Priestess,
Beloved Nephthys, hear this plea!
Come to this space, come to me!”
Light the candle for the departed, saying:
“Gone from our sides is _______________,
Gone yet never forgotten.
S/he has passed through the
Veil between our world and
That of the dead; s/he
Stands before You, needing
Guidance to her/his next life.
Wrap your comforting wings
Around _____________, bringing
Peace to her/his heart, healing
All ills, soothing all troubles.
There is no pain. There is no
Suffering. There is only
Love, hope and serenity.
We entrust our loved on
To you, beloved Lady,
Knowing s/he shall come to
No harm, and shall be reborn
At a time of her/his choosing.”
Light the candle for the loved ones, saying:
“Still in this world dwell
Those whose hearts ache
Now with sorrow, longing
For ____________ who has departed.
May they feel the warmth
Of your breath upon their
Tear-stained cheeks,
And the loving weight of your
Mighty wings about their shoulders.
Wipe away their tears.
Bring a song to their hearts
Once again. Let their minds
Fill not with sadness, but joy,
Celebrating the life that was
Shared with them by ______________.
Truly they have been blessed
With countless hours of love;
May their souls dwell upon it,
Rather than pain and longing.”
Ask the participants to share fond memories of the departed. When everyone has had a chance to share, have them all say in unison, “Safe journey to you, dear one!”
Close by saying:
“Beloved Lady,
She brings calm once more,
She who reveals that which
Is hidden in the moonlight,
Blessed Nephthys,
We whole-heartedly thank you.
Blessed be!”
Thank the elements. Open the circle. Extinguish the candles.
Share a feast featuring the favourite dishes of the deceased, and continue to share fond memories. Play music that was loved by the deceased, dance if you so choose, play games that brought you joy with the deceased. An extra place should be set at the table in honour of the departed. Have each person place a bite of food from their plate onto the plate of the deceased; likewise, have them place some wine/juice from their glass in the deceased’s glass. If possible, bury these offerings with the body/ashes of the deceased, along with the remnants of the ritual; if not, bury them in a hole on the property of the deceased.
Funerals of the Pagan kind 