An ancient Pagan celebration marking the end of the harvest season and the start of the long, dark winter months. This is why it’s often referred to as the witch’s new year!
For practicing witches, Samhain is the most holy of sabbats, I personally hold this sabbat above the rest in my practice. Samhain marks the beginning of the Wheel of the Year. (More on the wheel of the year later) It has been associated with death and ghosts for a long time, Samhain is thought to be a time when the veil between the seen and unseen world is the thinnest. Which means that ancestors and spirits come to visit during this time. There are many other cultures around the world that celebrate similarly, including the Latin American celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the dead), as well as Hungry Ghosts day in China to name a few.
Now is a good time to set new intentions and goals for yourself. A time to focus on renewal, and blessings. With winter slowly creeping in, it’s the perfect time to move out any stagnant, stale, or negative energy before the cold sets in.
*If you suffer from seasonal depression or other mental illnesses this is especially useful.
Performing w house cleansing and blessing allows you to have an open house space for you ancestors you are accepting to come back, as well as protection from any spirits you want to keep out.
1. Physically clean your house.
2. Cleanse with smoke or incense. Whatever YOU feel most comfortable with. With your cleansing smoke of choice, walk from room to room to let the smoke float through your space. As the smoke touches each area of your house ask it to cleanse any energy that is negative or is not there to benefit you and your home in a healthy manner.
3. Cleanse with a besom. This is totally optional as not everyone uses this method. However a besom is a tool that can be used to cleanse your house & home of negative energies. You can either make your own or purchase one. (You can usually find a decent sized cinnamon broom at local stores around this time of year) Open a door and begin sweeping holding above the floor, start sweeping as you envision the negativity not serving you any good leaving the space. (you can physically sweep with this as well but I do not recommend doing so)
4. Protect with saltwater. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of salt water and spritz on the entrances to your home. As you do this envision it protecting you and your space from unwanted energies. *Try envisioning your home inside and energetic force field of protection.
When your cleansing and blessing is complete, Grant yourself a few quiet moments to reflect on this experience.
Sleep soundly and perform your intuitive work confidently during this season, knowing that your house has been cleansed, blessed, and protected.
Jack-o-lanterns served as a beacon for departed spirits and those carved with scary faces were thought to keep evil spirits at bay. Halloween costumes were used as a sort of magick trick - if you dress up as who you want to be, it was more likely to come true.
All Hallows’ Eve is a time to commemorate our ancestors and beloved dead to thank them for who we are because of them.
If you want to take time to honor loved ones who have died, you can set up an altar with decorations, photos and other mementos or items.
A simple ritual to connect with your loved ones,
Write them a letter, burn the letter and the collect the ashes in a jar to carry with you. They will receive your letter and you will have it with you for some good luck from them in the new year.
Your altar is a great place to give an offering to any loved ones who’ve crossed over. An offering to your ancestors could be as simple as pictures of them or favorite foods and drinks.
Offer a prayer to ancestors that have gone before you, an invocation to a deity that is important to you, or both.
A Samhain ancestor prayer:
Who lit the way before us
Who gave the first sacrifice
May we stand tall with you
Making you proud in our work
You stood against oppression
You lifted up the downtrodden
You welcomed the stranger
We pray we have your strength
Some food to make for this special occasion:
Cream together butter, vanilla & sugar
Slowly add in flour and mix until smooth
Divide in two parts and shape into flat circles 1/2 inch thick
Place on a greased cookie sheet
Cut 8 wedges in each cake
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes
•1/2 tsp garlic 2 1/2 tsp herbs of choice (I use rosemary, thyme, and basil)
Combine yeast, sugar, salt, 2 tsp butter & water allow yeast to activate 5-10 min
Stir in 1 C flour, herbs, then remaining flour, make sure to mix in slowly.
Turn onto floured surface knead 5-8 min.
Oil bowl, add dough, cover with damp cloth & rise 1 hr.
Remove dough, fold a few times. Twist off knobs, shape.
Place on greased baking sheet (barely touching)
Bake on 350 for 30 min or until golden brown.
*if dough is sticky GRADUALLY add more flour don’t make it dry.
Colors: Black, brown, silver, purple, red, yellow, gold, orange, green, white.
Foods: Apples, pumpkins, meat, pears, dark wine, cider, root vegetables, teas, grains, hazelnuts.
Stones: Smoky quartz, onyx, obsidian, pyrite, amber, carnelian, turquoise, Apache tears.
Symbols: bat, cat, blackbird, cauldron, broomstick, jack-o-lantern, mirror, pumpkin, skull, tombstone, ancestor photo book.
Flowers & Herbs: Calendula, sunflowers, wild gingseng, wormwood, mugwort, allspice, cinnamon, rosemary, sage, apple leaves.
Deities: Ishtar, Horned God, Orsis, Loki, Persephone, Cerrunnos, Dionysus.
Incense: Rosemary, sandalwood, sweet grass, copal.
May all your days forward be abundantly blessed! 🖤
