We’re fast approaching Samhain, a beloved fall holiday landing about halfway between Mabon and Yule. It’s a time for contemplation, preparation, communication, and mischief. As the progenitor of many autumn traditions, and considered by many as the Witch’s New Year, Samhain remains a pretty Big Deal.
Samhain officially starts at sundown on October 31, and it lasts until sundown on November 1. As a pagan festival originating from a number of Gaelic traditions (in particular Irish and Scottish festivals), Samhain is typically seen as a blend of harvest, fire, and divinatory practices. Many witches believe that the veil between the physical world and the spiritual world thin during this time (and again during Beltane), allowing for interactions between humans and the Otherworld.
Ancietn Celts in Ireland celebrated Samhain as one of the most significant of four quarterly fire festivals. A number of Neolithic passage tombs in Ireland align with the sunrise around Samhain. This includes the Mound of the Hostages at the Hill of Tara and Cairn L at Slieve na Calliagh. Early Irish texts present Samhain as a celebration lasting three days and three nights. During this time, members of the community were required to show themselves to local kings. Quite a number of Irish myths and stories begin during Samhain celebrations.
Many rural communities observe Samhain as the time to move cattle from the high pastures back to the low pastures for winter.The community chose which animals to sacrifice for the winter stores, and the fires were lit in celebration of the end of the harvest season. Many regard the Samhain bonfires as having protective or cleansing powers.
As a festival of liminal time, ancient Celts believed the Aos Sí, the fairies, could more easily enter the mortal world during Samhain. Many gifts and sacrifices were offered to placate these sometimes mischievous spirits. With this custom came the belief that the spirits of the dead and lost loved ones returned to the world to take comfort in their mortal homes. As such, many families set plates of food for the departed, or even conducted what would become known as “Dumb Suppers”. In a Dumb Supper, special places were set for the dead and guests remained silent throughout the feast.
Inevitably, the Catholic Church moved to reconcile these popular (and pervasive) rituals by co-opting Samhain fr the date of the All Saints’ Day festival. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory officially moved the All Saints’ celebration to November 1, with All Souls’ Day following on November 2. This decision allowed the traditions and customs of Samhain to continue into modern times. Many similar festivals honoring the dead appear all over the world, one of the better-known being the Day of the Dead.
There are many ways to celebrate Samhain:
Altar for the Ancestors - plan and create an altar for relatives and friends who have passed. Light candles in their memory and give thanks. Take time to sit and meditate, and remember to record any messages or signs received.
Feast of the Dead - prepare a feast for Samhain. Be sure to include a setting for the Dead, either on the table or your altar. You can add more solemnity t this ritual by making it a Dumb Supper, where guests dine in total silence. Once the feast is complete, return the contents of the offering plates to the earth.
Bonfire - make a giant fire! You can do this either outside or create a smaller fire in your fireplace. Even setting a cauldron to brew can honor the spirit of this fire ritual. Take advantage of this time to cast any spells requiring fire magic.
Divination - scrying, especially with fire or mirrors, will yield quicker results during Samhain
Communication with the Otherworld - with the veil between worlds at its thinnest, communication with the dead should come easier. Be sure to remember your wards and protections, and never invite something unknown into your home or circle!
Herbs - Acorns, Apple, Allspice, Angelica, Catnip, Chrysanthemum, Cinnamon, Gourds, Hazel, Nightshade, Marigold, Mint, Mugwort, Mullein, Nutmeg, Pomegranates, Pumpkin, Rue, Sage, Turnip, Wormwood
Colors - Orange, Black, White, Silver
Offerings - Apples, Pomegranates, Pumpkins, Gourds, Hazelnuts, Acorns, Gingerbread, Cider, Soul cakes
Stones - Amber, Beryl, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Garnet, Hematite, Jasper, Jet, Obsidian, Onyx, Smoky Quartz, Tourmaline
Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996.
Anthony Murphy & Richard Moore. Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland’s Ancient Astronomers. Liffey Press, 2006.
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