10/31/2024
As the wheel of the year turns and the air grows crisp, we arrive at one of the most mystical times of the year—Samhain (pronounced “SOW-in” or “SAH-win”).
Celebrated on October 31st through November 1st, Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, symbolizing both an end and a new beginning.
This ancient festival, rich in tradition and meaning, is a time to honor the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, connecting us with our ancestors and our inner selves.
🎃 The History of Samhain 🎃
Samhain has its roots in Celtic tradition and is often considered the “Celtic New Year.”
For ancient Celts, this was a time when the boundary between the physical world and the spirit world thinned, allowing souls of the departed to return.
The Celts didn’t fear death 👻 in the way many cultures do today; instead, they viewed it as a natural part of life’s cycle.
This festival was both a celebration and a solemn acknowledgment of death’s place in the grand scheme.
To honor their ancestors and spirits 💀👻, people would leave offerings of food and drink on their doorsteps, light bonfires to ward off malevolent beings, and participate in divination practices.
The tradition of dressing up in costumes may have originated here, as people disguised themselves to avoid recognition by wandering spirits.
✝️ The Christian Influence ✝️
Over time, the Church sought to align pagan festivals with Christian teachings, blending Samhain with their own celebrations to encourage the Celtic people to adopt Christianity.
By the 9th century, the Church established All Saints’ Day (or All Hallows’ Day) on November 1st, a day to honor saints and martyrs.
The evening before All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows’ Eve—eventually morphing into Halloween.
This blending served a dual purpose: it allowed the Church to overlay pagan customs with Christian observances, and it also helped them control the narratives and traditions by transforming pagan practices into something aligned with Christian values.
Despite this blending, the core essence of Samhain remains—honoring the dead, embracing the mystery of the spirit world, and celebrating the cycles of life.
Today, Samhain’s legacy is preserved in both Halloween traditions and the practices of modern pagans and witches who continue to celebrate this season as a deeply spiritual time.
👻 What Samhain Means 👻
Samhain is more than a day on the calendar; it’s a powerful reminder of life’s cyclical nature.
It invites us to reflect on our own cycles—what we need to release, what we’re ready to embrace, and how we can connect more deeply with our intuition.
Think of it as a “soul check-in,” a chance to pause and ask yourself, “What am I ready to let go of?
What intentions do I want to set as I step into this new season?”
Spiritually, Samhain is about honoring those who have come before us and acknowledging that death and rebirth are two sides of the same coin.
It’s a gentle (or sometimes not-so-gentle) reminder that change is inevitable and, like the seasons, we too must allow parts of ourselves to die so that new growth can take place.
🪅Ways to Celebrate Samhain 🥳
Whether you’re new to Samhain or looking to deepen your practice, there are many ways to celebrate.
Here are some ideas to help you embrace the season’s spirit in a way that feels meaningful to you:
1️⃣ ☠️ Create an Ancestor Altar: Set up a small altar dedicated to loved ones who have passed.
Include photos, items that remind you of them, and maybe a candle or two.
Take a moment to remember their impact on your life, speak to them, or simply sit in gratitude for their presence.
2️⃣ 🛐 Hold a Silent Supper: Prepare a meal and set a place at the table for your ancestors.
Eat in silence, allowing yourself to feel their presence and listen for any guidance they might offer.
This is a profound way to connect with those who’ve crossed over and honor their memory.
3️⃣ 🔮Divination and Tarot: Samhain is an ideal time for divination.
Dust off your tarot deck, scrying mirror, or pendulum and ask for guidance on what lies ahead.
With the veil between worlds thin, messages from Spirit may come through more clearly.
4️⃣ 🔥Release Ritual: Write down anything you’re ready to release—old habits, fears, relationships—on small pieces of paper.
Then, in a safe space, burn them in a fireproof bowl or a bonfire if you’re outside.
As you watch the flames, imagine these things leaving your life, making way for new beginnings.
5️⃣ 🏞️ Nature Walk leaves and Reflection: Take a walk in nature to witness the seasonal shift.
Collect fallen leaves, acorns, or pinecones as symbols of the season’s energy.
Reflect on what changes you feel called to make in your life as you enter this quieter, introspective time of year.
6️⃣ 🕯️Light Candles for Lost Loved 🧑🧑🧒🧒Ones: Lighting a candle for each person you’ve lost is a simple yet powerful way to honor them.
As the candle flickers, think of your memories with them, the love you shared, and the lessons they taught you.
🥗 Special Foods, Colors 🟨 , and Herbs 🪴 for Samhain
Samhain is all about embracing the earthy, comforting, and nourishing aspects of fall.
The foods traditionally consumed during this time were often tied to the last harvest of the season.
Here are some foods that will help you get into the Samhain spirit:
🍠 🧅🥕Root Vegetables: Think carrots, potatoes, onions, and turnips. These are grounding foods, perfect for connecting with the earth and honoring the season’s harvest.
🍏🍎Apples: Often seen as symbols of wisdom and the afterlife, apples were also used in Samhain divination games.
Try baking them in a pie or enjoying them as warm cider.
🎃 Pumpkin and Squash: These iconic autumn foods symbolize abundance and nourishment.
Enjoy them roasted, in soups, or as pumpkin bread.
🥖 🌾 Grains: Cornbread, oatcakes, and other hearty grains are great for honoring the land’s final gifts before winter.
🫐Dark Berries: Blackberries, elderberries, and other dark berries embody the mystery of the season and are believed to carry protective energy.
🥧 Adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to your Samhain treats brings warmth and abundance to your meals and enhances the cozy, earthy vibe of the season.
🟦 Colors to Wear 🟪
Samhain colors reflect the earthiness and mystery of the season. Wearing these colors can help align your energy with the themes of Samhain:
🖤 Black : Represents the unknown, the shadow, and the mystery of death and the spirit world.
🧡 Orange: Symbolizes fire, warmth, and the autumn harvest. It reminds us of the bonfires lit during ancient Samhain festivals.
❤️ Red: Represents life and the bloodline, symbolizing our connection to our ancestors.
💛 Gold: Associated with the harvest and the abundance we’re celebrating before winter sets in.
Wearing these colors can help you feel more connected to the season and its energies, making your Samhain celebration feel even more intentional and meaningful.
🪴 Herbs to Use 🪴
Herbs play a powerful role in Samhain celebrations, enhancing rituals and connecting us to the natural world. Here are a few herbs to consider:
🪴Mugwort: Often used in divination, mugwort helps open the third eye and connect to the spirit world.
Burn it as incense or place a small sprig near your bed for dream work.
🌿Rosemary: Known as the herb of remembrance, rosemary is wonderful for honoring ancestors. Add it to your altar, burn it, or use it in cooking to invite memories of loved ones.
🍃 Sage: Used for purification, sage is ideal for clearing your space and setting intentions for the season. Smudging with sage can help you release old energies.
🌱Wormwood: Often associated with spirit communication, wormwood can be burned to invite clarity and connection with the other side.
🪴 Thyme: Thyme is traditionally used for courage and strength, qualities that are helpful as we enter the introspective winter months. Add it to a bath or sprinkle it on your altar for its energy.
🍂 Cinnamon: Besides adding warmth to food, cinnamon is great for abundance and protection. Burn cinnamon sticks or add a dash to your drinks and food to amplify its energy.
Feel free to incorporate these herbs into your rituals, teas, or even your food.
You might also sprinkle them on your altar or in your home to invite their magical properties into your space.
🎴 Samhain 5-Card Oracle/Tarot Spread 🎴
Since Samhain is such a powerful time for introspection and connection, this 5-card spread is designed to help you tune into the energies of the season.
Take a deep breath, ground yourself, and pull a card for each prompt below:
🎴1️⃣ What do I need to release?
This card will highlight what you’re ready to let go of, something that no longer serves your growth.
🎴2️⃣ What lessons have I learned from the past year?
Acknowledge the wisdom gained, even from difficult experiences. This card shows you what you’re carrying forward.
🎴3️⃣ How can I connect more deeply with my ancestors or guides?
Guidance on how to strengthen your connection to those on the other side who are watching over you.
🎴4️⃣What is my focus for the coming months?
As you prepare to go within during winter, this card offers insight into where to direct your energy.
🎴5️⃣ A message from Spirit: A direct message from the universe, your guides, or your higher self to support you as you enter this new season.
After your reading, take a few minutes to reflect on the messages you received.
Write them down, journal about any emotions that came up, and set intentions for the coming months.
Remember, Samhain is about honoring the cycles within you—embracing both the light and the shadows.
Samhain is a time for introspection, gratitude, and honoring the interconnectedness of life and death.
Whether you celebrate with a simple candle lighting, a full ritual, or a cozy evening of reflection, remember that this is a sacred season.
Let it remind you that endings are simply new beginnings, and there is magic in every cycle.
As you welcome Samhain, embrace its colors, savor its flavors, and let the herbs and traditions carry you into a space of peace, connection, and renewal.
This season, take time to honor the journey that’s brought you here, and allow yourself to dream of the journey yet to come.
The ancestors, the earth, and the spirit world are all whispering—will you listen?
PS: As you dive deep into the magic of Samhain and reflect on what’s ahead, remember that you don’t have to walk this path alone.
If you’re seeking clarity, connection, or guidance during this powerful season, I’m offering an 11-question tarot reading for $88.88.
This reading is designed to provide detailed insight and answers, using tarot and my intuitive gifts to help you navigate the energies of the season.
Use the link below or reach out to book your session and let’s explore what the universe has in store for you. 🌙
With Cosmic Love ❤️,
Loy