Samhain
Nov 1/Oct 31
Pronunciation: Sow-wen/Sah-wain
Aka:Halloween
Symbolism and Legend
Samhain is the night before the beginning of the new year. In ancient Ireland where only two seasons were recognzed, Samhain was the beginning of the dark half of the year. The word Samhain is is the Celtic word for "summer's End". The fact that the Wiccan year begins on the day when the God dies, is only natural. As to be reborn at Yule the God must first die.
All crops had to be gather prior to sundown on October 30th. As it was thought that phookas (ill-tempered, shape-shifting hobgoblins that delight in tormenting humans) claimed anything still left in the fields. Samhain is a night of hearty, lusty celebration of the end of the harvst season
Dieties & Mythical Beings
- Caillech
- Ceridwen
- Cernunnos
- Dagda
- Keli-De
- Lugh
- Lyr
- Macha
- Morrigan
- St. Peter the Apostle
Prayers
Samhain Chant
by Starhawk
A year of beauty. A year of plenty.
A year of planting. A year of harvest.
A year of forests. A year of healing.
A year of vision. A year of passion.
A year of rebirth.
This year may we renew the earth.
This year may we renew the earth.
Let it begin with each step we take.
And let it begin with each change we make.
And let it begin with each chain we break.
And let it begin every time we awake.
Rituals & Traditions
Samhain rituals almost always include a symbolic death of the god.
In many Wiccan Traditions it is customery to fast for 24 hours prior to the Samhain ritual.
Jack-o-Lanterns in Ireland were originally carved from turnips rather than pumpkins. They were thought to offer protection against any baneful spirits that might be wondering the land on this night.
For herders, was the time all but a few animals kept to breed the following year were slaughtered. This eliminated the problem of having to feed the entire herd throughout the winter and helped to ensure enough food for the winter.
Wiccans feel that the veil between the physical and spritual worlds is thinnest on Samhain. Making it a great time to invite your ancestors that have passed to visit. It is also an excellent night for divination of any sort. It is common to leave a candle in a window and a plate of food to help and guide spirits to the Summerland. Samhain is also an excellent time for past-life regression. It is also traditional to set a place at the table for recently deceased loved ones.
Samhain marked the apple harvest. Prior to Samhain it is customery to cut an apple in half and pour your ilness or bad habits into. Then put the halves back together and bury them.
Personal Focus
This is a time to reflect on the past year, and what changes you would like to manifest in yourself and your life.
Samhain is also a time to communicate with the deepest part of our selves, and reflects on our personal ghosts or demons.
Making peace with the past
Getting rid of negative things in your life, settling old debts, releasing old grudges
Colors
- Black
- Brown
- Indigo
- Orange
- Silver
- Violet
Decorations
- Acorns
- Apples
- Besom
- Cauldron
- Evergreen branches
- Photographs of deceased loved ones
- Pumpkins
- Squashes
- Statue of Goddess in her crone aspect
Food & Drink
- Ale
- Apples & Apple Cider
- Bram brack (dark loaf or cake made with dried fruit
- Corn
- Cranberry Muffins
- Fresh Meat (esp. Pork)
- Mugwort Tea
- Mulled wine
- Nuts (esp. Hazelnuts)
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Colcannon (a mashed potato and onion dish.)
Oils
- Basil
- Camphor
- Clove
- Frankincense
- Lilac
- Yarrow
- Ylang-Ylang
Incense
- Apple
- Heliotrope
- Mint
- Nutmeg
- Sage
Herbs & Teas
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