So for this Samhain night, for the first time ever, I left offerings to my ancestors and the Goddesses I follow. I spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of foods I would give and how I would arrange it, and just how I would go about it in general. I’m very scared of trying new things and skittish about a lot of stuff in witchcraft, for fear of angering somebody or hurting myself or my family and friends. So I thought leaving some food outside and spending some time praying and reflecting on this past year was a good start.
So I had gone to the store after work and bought everything I needed. Tortillas for plates, cheese, grapes, apples, salami, and a fresh loaf of bread, as well as local apple cider beer that I poured over the ground. (There was a beautiful crow flying around the grocery store isles, I have never seen a bird in that store in my life). I sat with the offering in my front yard after the trick or treaters had trickled down, and I had a nice experience where it feels like I’ve made a piece of real progress.
As I’m getting ready to go back inside, I notice that the offerings are in plain view of any passer by in the morning. I don’t want my parents to see them because they will think it’s weird or suspicious (I’m in the broom closet). So not wanting to move it, I cover it up with container lids and a crate so that it could sit out for overnight and maybe be eaten by wild animals or what have you, I usually always throw my offerings out into my yard with no issues.
I make the mistake of letting my dog out the front, and leaving him for a few minutes, then coming back and finding him with his face stuck all the way in the little fort I had made for my offerings, chomping away at everything. I felt bad, but I had to drag him away from the food, because I was worried about it upsetting his stomach. He was not happy about that at all, but he had had canned food and always has dried food in his bowl, plus treats. This dog has a sensitive stomach that doesn’t fuck around, and I’m not wanting to clean up vomit in the middle of the night. He was so pissed as I held onto his collar until I convinced him to come inside. This dog usually can’t sense a piece of turkey unless I put it right in front of his face, he’s never had an overly good snout or eyesight, his talents being his fluffiness and intelligence. But boy did he find that food real quick.
My point, and learning experience from this very special Halloween, is don’t be afraid to take a chance. If you’re intentions are true, you can never go wrong. And hopefully next year I can have my shit together so I can have an ancestor alter INSIDE and hidden away so that I don’t have to make a fort with plastic container lids, and away from my dogs prying mouth.
What a Samhain to remember! Happy Witches New Year to you and yours!