It feels like just yesterday I was writing my post on Mabon, but Samhain is almost here already! I’ve been having a pretty tough time lately, with quite a lot going on that started around Mabon. I’m excited for Samhain, for new beginnings.
Here is a compilation of info on Samhain from my Book of Shadows!
🍂Date: October 31st, the same day as Halloween! This is the halfway point between the Autumn equinox and the Winter solstice.
🍂Basics: The veil between the spirit world and the physical world is the thinnest on Samhain. In the traditional Wiccan religion, the Goddess is going to the land of the dead, where she will be with the dying God. The dying God represents the Earth during the autumn season, beginning to die off in preparation for the winter. She opens the door to the world of the dead, which is why the veil is the thinnest during this time. Samhain is the third and final harvest festival, signaling the end of the lighter part of the year.
🍂Reflect on: With the thinning of the veil, this is the best time of the year to reflect on ancestry and those who came before you. Give thanks for the sacrifices of your ancestors, and the witches that came before you. The Wheel of the Year is coming to an end. Reflect on the past year and all of the good and bad that has come with it, knowing even the bad parts are important to your growth in the end.
🍂Corresponding herbs and foods: Rosemary for healing, good health, and help with memory. Sage for purification, spirituality, and cleansing. Mugwort for divination and spirit work, insight, and ancestral connection. Apples for protection. If you cut an apple in half, you’ll see 5 seeds symbolizing the protective pentacle. Pumpkins are also used for protection, carve faces into them and place them in front of your house to ward off evil spirits.
Visit a graveyard. Honor ancestors, even if they’re not directly related to you. Clean up unattended graves and talk to the people resting there! Leave small offerings to show your appreciation for the people that came before you.
Samhain is the best time for divination, making this a great time for tarot, runes, scrying, and more.
Spend time outside, observe the beauty of the fallen leaves and enjoy the harvest season before it passes!
Celebrate life! Trick or treat with your family, go to a party, enjoy being alive. Honor the dead by living your life to the fullest!
🍂What I’m doing: I don’t really know my plans yet, but I will be spending lots of time with friends and family! I’ll be doing a Samhain ritual for sure, giving thanks for the year and honoring ancestors. Since Samhain falls on Halloween, I’ll be celebrating that as well! I’ll dress up and probably go to a Halloween party. I’ll be celebrating Samhain throughout the week it falls in, just to make sure I can do everything I want to! I’ll definitely visit a graveyard and do lots of divination and spirit work!
Thank you so much for reading! Have a blessed Samhain and October!
Sources: Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials: Samhain
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