The History
Samhain (pronounced saah-win) is a Gaelic word that translates to “summer’s end”. It is is a time-honored tradition followed by witches, Wiccans, ancient druids, and countless other modern pagans across the world.
The pagan festival originating from Celtic spiritual tradition marks the midpoint between fall equinox and winter solstice. It’s the time of year to finish the season’s harvests and bring the cows in from the pasture. The Celtic year is divided into two halves – the light and the dark. Samhain marks the beginning of the dark part of the year, when people prepare for the less abundant season ahead.
Samhain is one of four Greater Sabbats. It is a cross quarter day, situated between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. Samhain is a major festival with several aspects. It is new year’s eve for witches, as well as the third and final harvest festival. Samhain inaugurates Winter, is the final chance to dry herbs for winter storage, and a night when fairies supposedly afoot working mischief. It is also the Day of the Dead, the night when we remember our loved ones and honor our ancestors.
Despite occurring at similar times and containing similar themes, Samhain and Halloween actually are not the same holiday. Halloween, short for All Hallow’s Eve, is celebrated on and around Oct. 31 and tends to be more family-focused. On the other hand, Samhain is more religious in focus, spiritually observed by practitioners. In the northern hemisphere, many Pagans celebrate Samhain from sundown on October 31 through November 1. Others hold Samhain celebrations on the nearest weekend or on the Full or New Moon closest to this time.
Samhain Rituals
Typical festivities include bonfires, dancing, and feasts. Many people still hold a variation of the “dumb supper”, eating in silence to honor deceased ancestors.
As another way of respecting the passing of loved ones, altars are built and offerings are made. Decorate your altar with photographs of dead loved ones, pumpkin lanterns, oak leaves, apples, nuts and sage. Incenses associated with this festival include nutmeg, mint and sage, and the colors black and orange.
As it is known as the Celtic New Year or Witch’s New Year, celebrators like to reflect on the events and goals of the past year. It’s a time of contemplation, to remember the past and plan for the future. Reflect on you and your life over the past year. Review journals, planners, photographs, blogs, and other notations you have created during the past year. Consider how you have grown, accomplishments, challenges, adventures, travels, and learnings. Meditate. Journal about your year in review, your meditation, and your reflections.
Make a bonfire outdoors when possible or a fire in a fireplace or a small cauldron. Write down a habit that you wish to end and cast it into the Samhain flames as you imagine release. Imagine yourself adopting a new, healthier way of being as you move around the fire clockwise. Fires are considered to have cleansing, purifying, and protecting properties—bringing light to a night filled with darkness.
Resources:
Gaia
Sea Witch Botanicals
White Goddess