celebrating samhain: what, when, where, why & how.
If you are new to 'The Wheel of The Year', then it may seem a little overwhelming, as there are eight festivals during the year to get one's head around. Do not fret, as I am here to help you with the navigating of it all. I will help you by breaking it down. We are going to start at the very beginning. At the 'Witch's New Year'- Samhain.
What is Samhain?
"Before there was the Halloween that we know today, people celebrated the days from October 31st - November 2nd as Samhain. Pronounced “sow-win”, the Gaelic word translates as “summer’s end”.
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.
A large community bonfire was integral to the celebration of each new season. Ancient Celtic tribes held four fire festivals each year, one for each equinox and each solstice. Fires were thought to have protective and cleansing powers."
https://seawitchbotanicals.com/blogs/swb/what-is-samhain-the-history-of-the-pagan-celebration
"Celebrators of Samhain believe that it’s a time of year when the barriers between the physical and spiritual world break down, allowing more interaction between the living and the dead. The doors to the Otherworld - the realm of deities and the dead - are opened, allowing spirits to more easily enter our world.
This liminal period enabled both ancestors to visit their families and malicious spirits to haunt townspeople. The customs of Samhain include rituals to welcome ancestors and honor deceased loved ones while also taking action to thwart off and protect against the evil spirits."
https://seawitchbotanicals.com/blogs/swb/what-is-samhain-the-history-of-the-pagan-celebration
Samhain is also known as the 'witch's new year' because the wheel has completed a full circle.
When is it celebrated?
Traditionally, Samhain is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on the 31st of October to the 1st of November. In the southern hemisphere, it is celebrated on the 30th of April to the 1st of May.
"Others hold Samhain celebrations on the nearest weekend or on the Full or New Moon closest to this time. Some Pagans observe Samhain a bit later, or near November 6, to coincide more closely with the astronomical midpoint between Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice. Most Pagans in the southern hemisphere time their Samhain observances to coincide with the middle of their Autumn in late April and early May, rather than at the traditional European time of the holiday."
https://www.circlesanctuary.org/index.php/celebrating-the-seasons/celebrating-samhain
"Before there was the Halloween that we know today, people celebrated the days from October 31st - November 2nd as Samhain. Pronounced “sow-win”, the Gaelic word translates as “summer’s end”.
Where is it celebrated?
All over the world, Witches, Wiccans, Druids, and other Pagans across America, Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere, recognise and celebrate Samhain.
Why is it celebrated?
Traditionally, Samhain is celebrated because it is observed as the third and last harvest of the year. The last of the harvest is preserved and many animals were (or still are) slaughtered to preserve their meat for food in the coming cold months. Samhain is also one of the times where the veil to the spirit realm is lifted. This allows passed love ones to visit their families, but it also allows unwanted spirits to visit us as well.
Offerings are using left on window sills or at graves, as an invite for passed loved ones to visit. Samhain is a time to honour the dead and to reflect on and appreciate how death is necessary in our lives. Pagans, Witches, Wiccans and the like, appreciate that without death there is no life. Balance is everything. There is an awareness that life will return again next Spring. It is a time for deep reflection and rest.
How can I celebrate it?
I thought you would never ask. :)
Suggested ways to celebrate Samhain:
Pay respects to your ancestors, passed love ones and the forgotten dead. Create an altar with photos of passed love ones, items passed down from generations, symbols/meanings of your heritage, food offerings and items that honour those who have passed.
Make jack-o-lanterns. This is a long standing tradition of Samhain. Pumpkins and/or turnips were carved with scary faces and then we’re left outside to scare away negative spirits or to discourage them from entering the home.
Host a supper with loved ones. This includes inviting passed loved ones to supper by setting a place at the table for them. Some like to hold a ’Dumb Supper’, which is eating dinner in silence out of respect for the deceased.
Practice any form of divination. Samhain is the perfect time for this, as the veil to the spirit realm is lifted and contact with spirits is much clearer. It is also one of the safest times of the year to hold a seance, because the lifted veil allows passed loved ones to protect us much easily. Please show respect to all spirits. Do not mess around with them.
Visit the grave of a passed love one or just visit a graveyard and pay your respects. Place flowers or offerings to honour the dead.
Cast spells. Samhain is a powerful time for casting spells. Especially the most powerful ones. E.g. Banishing, protection, sex and love spells. But remember to cast your protective circle in order to keep out the negative.
Wear black. This another way that you can show your respects for the dead and for your appreciation and gratitude for the death of what no longer serves us. Black is also a protective colour. Witches traditionally wear black as a form of protection against negative energies and psychic attacks.
Wear scary costumes. Traditionally this is to ward off negative spirits by confusing them by wearing a ghost, zombie, or any form of 'deceased costume" in order to blend in with them. By dressing as the deceased, you are also putting yourself in their shoes to honour them on Samhain night.
Declutter, clean and tidy your altar. This helps to clear the energy of your magickal workspace so that you can enter the new (witch) year with a clean slate.
Harvest your edible garden. Traditionally it is considered bad luck to leave any crops out past this time, as this is seen as offerings to the dead. This is believed to bring bad luck to the next harvest.
Create a Samhain altar. To honour the meaning behind this festival, turn your altar (or create a separate altar) into a Samhain altar. See below for ideas for your Samhain altar.
Magickal tools and items that represent Samhain
Food and Drink
Animal meat and food products (or animal meat substitutes)
Roasted seasonal foods e.g. potatoes, pumpkin, parsnips.
Pumpkin- pies, seeds, bread, soup etc
Anything corn related
Anything apple related
Mulled wine, spiced wine, & cider
Crystals
Black Tourmaline
Obsidian
Smoky Quartz
Clear Quartz
Granite
Amber
Any dark crystal
Herbs
Bay
Garlic
Apple Leaf
Calendula
Rosemary
Incense
Cinnamon
Mint
Nutmeg
Myrrh
Items
Cat statues
Cat whisker
Feathers
Crow Statue
Cobwebs
Spider statues
Photos or belongings of passed loved ones
Bones
Skulls
Black, gold, orange and white candles
Pumpkins
Ouiji Board
Divination Tools
Wand
Salt
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. I hope it was helpful to you. Please feel free to share and like it if you liked it.
RESOURCES:
'Wicca' by Harmony Nice
'The Complete Grimoire' by Lidia Pradas
Do you celebrate Samhain? What are some of your Samhain traditions?
Blessed be
Cassie xx
#samhain #samhainblessings #howtocelebratesamhain #learnaboutsamhain #whatissamhain
