Samhain: A Feast for the Dead
It has finally arrived, the best, most wonderful day of the year! Yes, my magical friends, it’s 31st of October. And that means it’s time to celebrate Samhain!
It is time for the Witches’ New Year and Samhain!
What is Samhain?
Samhain, meaning ‘end of summer’ goes by many names. All Hallows Eve, Halloween, and the Witches New Year to name a few.
This Sabbat is one of the biggest and most anticipated of the Pagan celebrations. It is also the end of the Celtic year, hence being known as the Witches New Year.
So, a few facts: Samhain falls on October 31st, is the third of the harvest festivals, and pays homage to the oncoming darker part of the year.
It is also the second night of the year when the veil between worlds is thinned, along with Beltane. Therefore, this is a prime time to communicate with the other side and honor your ancestors who have passed on.
Samhain: A Little History
Samhain has a rich and wonderful history (our modern Halloween traditions had to come from somewhere right?).
In Celtic countries it was known as ‘The Feast of the Dead’. Food was left on altars and doorsteps for the spirits. This was the night when the dead roamed freely about the earth.
Sometimes single candles were lit and left in windows to help guide the dead on their journey. While some set out extra dinner plates around the table for departed loved ones to once again take their place among them. The fae folk were said to be particularly active playing tricks and it was ill-advised to walk the streets after dark. Maybe, some things are sounding oddly familiar? 😉
At this point in the season, any crops that were left in the fields were not to be eaten but were offered to the nature spirits at Samhain.
There were huge bonfires built, known as ‘bone fires’. The bones from the evening’s feasts were thrown into the fire, hence the name, bone fire.
People then lit their hearths from the fires to symbolize unity. Then the ashes were used to bless and protect the fields throughout the darker months.
Symbols of Samhain
The symbols of Samhain are strong. They are some of the most recognizable of all the Sabbats, in my totally unbiased opinion lol.
So, I have put together here some elements and ideas that I hope will help you to make a most magickal and memorable Samhain celebration.
Uniquely magickal and uniquely yours.
Samhain Gods & Godesses Celebrated:
Goddesses – Ceridwen, Rhiannon, Morrigan, Hecate
Gods – Arawn, Belenus, Hades, Loki
Herbs:
- Marigold – good luck, respect, admiration, attract new love
- Sage – wisdom, dispels negative energy, cleansing, mental abilities
- Cypress – healing, tranquility, calmness, protection
- Heather – luck, protection, immortality, peace
- Mandrake – health, love, prosperity, protection
Incense:
- Patchouli – fertility, growth, monetary success, love
- Sage – wisdom, dispels negative energy, cleansing, improves mental ability
- Myrrh – healing, meditation, increases magical abilities, spiritual opening
- Lavender – happiness, love, relaxation, sleep promotion, cleansing
Crystals:
- Jet – control, health, purification, luck
- Carnelian – happiness, energy, self-confidence, healing
- Onyx – balance, stability, protection, relaxation
- Amber – positivity, cleansing, luck, strength
- Bloodstone – prosperity, healing, courage, stress relief
- Obsidian – clarity, luck, healing, grounding
Colors:
- Black
- Orange
- Gold
- Red
- Brown
- Purple
Creatures:
- Bat
- Raven
- Cat
- Cow
- Dog
- Mermaid
Traditional Samhain Foods:
- Wine & Cider
- Pumpkin Pies
- Root Veggies
- Apples
- Ginger
- Potatoes
Ways to Celebrate Samhain
There are so many possibilities for celebrating Samhain!
Here are a few of my favorites to help ring in the day and night. And month if I am being honest lol.
Perform Some Samhain House Magick
As this is the start of the Witches New Year it is a great time to do some magick within your home.
Do a cleansing ritual, sweep away the negativity, or protect your home with pumpkins. Whatever methods you feel best to rejuvenate and refresh your space for the coming months of winter.
Also, I tend to prefer this time of year to do deep cleaning as opposed to the whole Spring cleaning craze.
The coming months are the ones where we spend the most time inside our humble abodes. It makes sense to make it as positive and cozy as you can before that happens.
Carve a Jack-o-lantern
A long-loved, and oh-so-fun tradition!
Grab a pumpkin, a carving knife, and your creativity, and see what you come up with. I am awful at carving pumpkins. It is so difficult for me! However, October just doesn’t seem complete without it.
Putting lit pumpkins outside of your home comes from the tradition of helping guide the spirits on their journeys.
Build your Samhain Altar
As always you can transform your altar or set up a dedicated one to this day.
Fill it with some of the herbs, crystals, and other items I mentioned above. Perhaps also add some elements that honor departed loved ones.
Make it beautiful and make it yours.
Perform a Ritual for your Ancestors
Perform a ritual to honor and speak with your beloveds who have passed on.
This night is all about the dead and with the veil thinned there is no better time to reach out to them.
Out With the Old
Last but not least, reflect and let go of all the things that no longer hold purpose in your life.
This is the start of a new year with fresh new beginnings. Letting things go is essential for growth, happiness, and moving forward.
Sit quietly and meditate on your life, where you are, and what you might like to change.
Align yourself with a new focus and re-design your goal plan. Start this year feeling light, rejuvenated, and positive.
In Conclusion
Take stock of what you have, be grateful, and make your ancestors proud. Celebrate them with wine, pie, and cherished memories.
Ring in this new year with joy, purpose, and love.
Embrace it darlings, it is a part of who you are and it is our time <3
Blessed Samhain ♥
Photos used on this post by Beth Teutschmann & freestocks on Unsplash
