One of the most anticipated nights of the year has arrived; Samhain, or Halloween, is here.
Traditionally celebrated from 31st October to 1st November, Samhain (pronounced sow-en) is one of many witches' most important sabbats in the wheel of the year.
However, with global and local political unrest, an economic crisis and our individual trials and troubles, many of us are struggling to activate our maximum 'season of the witch' mode this year.
So, if you are finding it difficult to tap into your inner witch and work with the liminal energies of the season, we have some suggestions for how you can celebrate as a busy, tired or just not 'feeling it yet' witch!
But first, let's delve briefly into the history of Samhain.
Samhain is also known as Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Witches New Year, and November Eve. Samhain is Celtic for November; although you will see it stated that it means 'summers-end,' there is little historical evidence for this. In the wheel of the year, it marks the midway point between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice and is opposite to Beltane, another liminal time.
Historians believe that Samhain originates from an Ireland Pre-Christian festival, marking the division between the seasons.
At this time of year, we can sense the onset of winter, temperatures drop, and darkness shrouds us in the Northern Hemisphere.
It was a frightening time for ancient societies due to the risk of cold and illness; therefore, the spirits of darkness and death hovered close.
Communities believed that the Otherworld was closest at this time of year as the barriers between both worlds lifted.
Myth and folklore tell us Samhain was a time of chaos and potent magic, and tales of the supernatural and mystical high-jinks abound at this time from the Pookas of Ireland and the Court of the Unseelie in Scotland.
Divination was also popular at Samhain, with much of it centred around love divination to forecast marriage. Many of the traditional games we may be familiar with, such as bobbing for apples, were originally divination games designed to reveal your true love.
Households would also bake a ring into the traditional food (barmbrack), and the person to find it was thought to be the next to get married.
However, it was also a time of plenty for ancient communities.
Samhain was recognised as the final of three harvest festivals and marked the end of the hard labour of harvest.
The harvest had been brought in from the fields and the animals slaughtered, so there were sufficient supplies for a feast and merry-making. Samhain was also when vital community and state matters were settled, such as the inauguration of a new King.
Over time, Samhain became known as All Hallow's Eve and was later associated with All Souls Day due to the influence of the Christian Church spreading throughout Europe.
We can see many of these themes in our celebrations today, and witches incorporate divination, ancestor veneration and introspection into their Samhain rituals.
However, if you have not yet made plans for Samhain, here are some easy, simple, yet powerful ways you can honour the seasonal energy.
Have a bonfire -
Samhain was one of the four Celtic fire festivals, and bonfires were lit in villages for protection. One of the beliefs about Samhain is that it represents the Celtic New Year and is a potent time to release what no longer serves us. Consider doing some fire magic by writing down all the habits, feelings, emotions or experiences you want to release and burning them.
Carve or decorate pumpkins -
Make jack-o' lanterns and enchant them to protect your home. Pumpkins are one the most significant symbols of Samhain and Halloween, or you could honour the Celtic traditions by using turnips.
Rest –
If we follow the natural energies, we are encouraged to turn our focus inward at this time of year. As the earth withdraws its energies to replenish for the spring, so can we. Spending time in sacred rest can be a powerful way to connect with the season's energy.
Make a Simmer Pot –
A Samhain-themed Simmer Pot, including apples, sage, rosemary, cloves, cinnamon etc., will fragrance your home and call in the Samhain energies. Stir in blessings and intentions to make it magical.
Venerate your ancestors -
Tell stories of your loved ones who have passed to honour their memory. It is believed by talking of our Beloved Dead, we draw their vibration close to us. Telling their stories or looking through old photographs is a simple method of ancestor veneration.
Get outside -
Go for a walk and try to sense the changing energy by noticing the autumn colours, smells, etc. If you can't go for a walk, spend some time in your garden, park or simply look out the window to connect with the elements.
Colour magic -
Try some seasonal colour magic by dressing and wearing jewellery or make-up in autumnal or Samhain colours. This is a simple but effective way of tapping into the magic of the season, and it is perfect for witches who have to keep their practice private. Consider browns, oranges, greens, purple and, of course, black.
Kitchen witchery –
You can incorporate many beautiful correspondences into some kitchen witchcraft, including pumpkins, squash, apples, nuts, seeds, pomegranates, sage, cinnamon etc. You could make traditional Samhain foods such as soul cakes or try a Samhain-themed cocktail with apple or blackberry liqueurs.
Visit a local graveyard and leave offerings for the spirits -
If you live near an ancestor's grave, then visit them, pay your respects and leave an offering you know they would appreciate. Otherwise, visit your local cemetery and venerate the space by cleaning up discarded rubbish or leave flowers on an unloved grave.
Divination –
Use the powerful liminal energies to gain insight into the year ahead. You could use tarot, oracle, runes, a spirit board etc., or work with the fire aspect of Samhain and try your hand at fire scrying with a candle.
Light the way for the spirit world -
Put a white candle on your window to guide the way for any lost spirits. At Samhain, the spirit world is believed to return to the earth plane to walk amongst us, and a white candle honours them and shines a light to guide them to the Otherworld. You can also leave offerings of bread and water outside to show respect.
Set intentions –
Many witches recognise Samhain as the new year, so spend some time reviewing the last 12 months by journalling or meditating and setting your intentions and goals for the year ahead. Keep your list somewhere you can review and reflect on as the months pass.
We hope this has demonstrated that our celebrations do not need to be elaborate, six-hour rituals that have taken weeks of planning.
Also, you can integrate Samhain and Halloween celebrations; for example, you may choose to do a simple solitary Samhain ritual or meditation and go trick-and-treating with your children.
We can combine different elements to develop unique traditions for you and your family.
It's also important to remember that the Samhain energy is not confined to 31st October; it flows across the season, and you are not constrained to celebrating on that date.
Some witches acknowledge Samhain as the astrological cross-quarter date when the Sun is in 15 degrees of Scorpio, which occurs this year on approximately 7th to 8th November.
So, plan your celebrations in a way that works for you and your schedule.
However you choose to celebrate, we wish you the most blessed Samhain.
"As the darkness now draws near,
See the cycle of the year,
As the light now goes within,
Let the hallows dance begin."
(Samhain Blessing)
If you're interested in learning more about Samhain, would like to try working with Spirit, practising shadow work, or want an EXCLUSIVE Samhain magic spell and more....
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