When we lose someone we love to death without the understanding of what death is, we become victim to emotional grief. This is normal and the pain should gradually fade with the passage of time.
We never get over our loss but we do eventually get used to it. But there are times when we wish we could visit with those who are gone just one more time…
As it so happens, there’s an app for that! Well not literally an application but a set of procedures that we can use to communicate with the dearly departed. It exists in different forms in different cultures and has existed since time immemorial.
Necromancy.
You see, death is not a real thing. The “spirit” for lack of a better word is outside of this world and also exists outside of time itself (which is also an illusion). You can know this for certain by attaining Enlightenment or by simply dying yourself. But you don’t have to have a sure knowledge of this in order to successfully commune with the dead. The belief that you can do this will suffice. And the stronger that belief, the higher will be your level of success.
Which brings us to a ritual that exists in different cultures in different forms. It’s origins and history are murky at best. Which makes it perfect for our purpose. It’s called The Dumb Supper. Just a word of advice, keep it solemn, keep it respectful and ground yourself in your love for the one you are summoning. If you get scared, that fear may open the door for something frightful to manifest instead.
It is traditionally performed at midnight on Samhain or Halloween night when it is believed that the veil between the worlds is thinnest. However you can perform it anytime you wish. It may help to pick a day that was special to the person you wish to summon such as a birthday or an anniversary. What we are looking for here is symbolism that not only applies to the desired spirit but also to death itself. We want to thin the Veil, not open it.
The Ritual
Do try to perform it at midnight. Not only for the symbolism but also that is a time when you are least likely to be disturbed. Seven days before the night you intend to hold the ritual, take some time each day to think about the person you want to visit you. Remember them and the times you shared when they were alive. Reach out to them in your mind and talk to them. Tell them that you are inviting them dinner and tell them the night and time you will be expecting them.
When the night for the ritual arrives, set out a table with settings for two people. You must make the tablecloth and as much of the tableware as possible black. Place a black candle on the chair opposite the one you will be sitting in.
Consecrate the area in whatever way you like. Cast a circle, burn some sage, say a prayer of protection. Whatever makes you comfortable.
You will prepare a meal of the food and drink that was loved by the person when they were alive. Make sure it is something you like as well. Have it prepared ahead of time.
When the time comes, dress yourself completely in black and sit down at the table at least half an hour before midnight. It’s called The Dumb Supper because you must conduct the entire ritual in complete silence. Spend the time thinking about the spirit who will visit and believe as strongly as you can that they will be there. When midnight arrives, light the candle (which should be the only light in the room), serve the food and pour the drinks at both place settings.
In your mind and heart, welcome your guest but do not say a word. Just keep yourself open to anything that might happen. After you are done eating and drinking, you may converse with you guest in your thoughts. Do not actually speak aloud or the spell will be broken. The spirit’s response can come in many different ways. It may be immediate or it may arrive soon after. It may be conscious or unconscious depending on your level of sensitivity.
When you feel that the visit has ended, silently remind the spirit that it no longer lives in this world and cannot stay. Bid the spirit goodbye and close the ritual with some form of “Amen” or “So Mote It Be”. Turn on the lights and clean up. Try to restore a sense of normalcy.
Pay close attention to your dreams and synchronicities for the next few days. Otherwise you might miss some messages. Be sure to write down any experiences because, like dreams, they may swiftly fade from memory.