SABBATH SERIES: SAMHAIN

Spooky Samhain Salutations witches! Before we dig in, I want to begin by saying this series is meant to be a compass, not a guide on the “correct” way to celebrate the wheel of the year. Each witches path will look different to the next, even if you are building your coven with a few other friends! I always compare witches to fingerprints, or snowflakes because not a single one is the same, and magick works through us uniquely, because you are unique. So as you pull out your grimoire and quill, be sure to take notes only on things that resonate with you. Listen to your intuition and let it be your guide. With that reminder set, lets unravel the mysteries of this most sacred, and feared, Sabbath; Samhain.

New Year, New Intentions, Old Appreciations

Well, witches, our New Year is finally upon us! *cackles into the darkness of the New Moon Sky * Stepping outside today, Pumpkin Spiced tea* in hand, I immediately felt the crisp air against my cheeks, as I gently tucked my scarf tighter over my shoulder. Looking out over the city landscape, the suns halo gently making it’s way into the sky, knowing the New Moon energy isn’t far behind. I took a deep breath in and noticed the comforting smell of crisp, cold leaves. One of my favorite smells; chilled unearthed dirt, with a faint sweetness to it. With each new breeze a maple leaf was plucked from its branch and, without haste, floated down to the earth. It’s in this moment that I dare not breath, make a sound, or blink due to worry that in an instant autumn will pass me by.

I hear the children bustling their way to the school up the street, dragging and kicking their feet against the piles of leaves that cover the sidewalk. I can’t help but make note of each new costume that walks past my gate, each one with its own uniqueness and spooky quality. I’m brought back to my childhood and how exciting it was to bask in the energy of the season with friends; school parties, handmade costumes, candy exchanges, pumpkin carving, bobbing for apples, making cutie catchers, or attempting to cast ‘love spells’ on our crushes…the spirit of Samhain was always present throughout my life, and I continue to carry it with me all year long.

There are so many bewitching ways to call in the new year, and I will be sure to guide you through a few of my favorite. But before we do, I strongly believe that we should gently dip our toes into the cursed swamp that is the history of Samhain, and how it came to be one of the most beloved Sabbaths of the year.

Descending into the Dark

The third and final harvest, and fourth and final fire festival in the wheel of the year; a marker of the years cycle coming to and end. It is the final symbol of our descent into darkness to live out our winter in cold, and uncertainty. We gather the last of our crops, forage the remaining goods, and prepare for winter. However, the fire of Samhain is meant to remind us to carry this light into the darkness, and through the unknown, because it can be in our darkest moments that we receive the greatest insights. It is one of only two times that the veil is at its thinnest allowing us to communicate with those from the beyond with a clearer connection. This time of year is marked as The Season of the Crone- the elder woman who is all-knowing, and in her time of sharing knowledge, but taking no shit! The ‘Crone’ symbolizes a time of rest, when things begin to transition physically, and expand spiritually. Many of us may find ourselves more susceptible to introversion, reflection, and preparation for the cold ahead.

Dancing between the Past & Present

Celebrating Samhain now looks much different from how the first Pagans celebrated. We dress up in costume, maybe a character from our favorite show, or celebrity. We go trick-or-treating, carve pumpkins, or go out with friends to a neighboring party, sharing drinks, food, snacks, and maybe a scream or two… But that doesn’t mean we have to abandon the old ways all together! In fact, most of our modern traditions have origins dating back further than you may suspect. One of the oldest traditions that is still alive today is storytelling; keeping the myths, folklore, and legends alive is what continues the traditions of the past. So here I’ll share a few of the origin stories, but first ill begin with how pumpkin carving became so popular; here is the story of …

Jack O’Lantern or The Tale of Stingy Jack

The story of Jack is one that is heavily influenced by the church. Celtic Pagans did not believe in ‘heaven or hell’, ‘God or the Devil’, they were/are Polytheistic- something to keep in mind here. The lore goes that Jack, the stingy fellow of the nearby town, was always getting his way out of things but using tricks and manipulation. One day Jack decides to call upon the Devil to sit and have a drink with him. Why he decides on the devils company is not fully explained. Jack, although known throughout the town, was a man of few to no friends which made him a lonely stranger, but his behavior is what made it so. Regardless, he asks the devil to join him and, the devil being the gentleman that he is, accepts his invitation and joins him at the local pub for a pint. When the bill comes, Jack is out of cash, so he tricks the Devil into turning into a coin to pay for the drinks. However, once the Devil does so Jack pockets him right next to a cross of silver keeping the Devil trapped in this form! Jack, knowing the Devil is furious and will try to retaliate, strikes a deal with him that if Jack releases him the Devil cannot mess with him for a full year, and, if Jack were to die within that time, cannot claim his soul. The Devil agrees and is released, they part ways for a full year.

Years end rolls around and before the Devil gets a chance to claim him, yet again our Tricky Jack traps the Devil up a tree by enticing him to pick a piece of fruit. I know, I know, but the Devil has always been a curious fellow, and Jack was a master manipulator. What keeps the Devil up there is a cross that gets carved into the tree, and yet again Jack gets the opportunity to strike a deal. This time Jack demands ten years of no interactions…well, before our ten years reach their end, Jack reaches his. God doesn’t accept his soul into heaven for being such a menace, and the Devil, being sour from the tricks that Jack played on him, refuses him into the gates of Hell. Instead, the Devil sends Jack away, back to the earthly plain in the dead of night, with nothing but a lump of burning coal to light his way (that’s more than what God provided). It was here that Jack found a turnip, carved a face into it, and placed the coal inside as his only friend to roam the rest of his days with. Townsfolk back then, and even to this day, claim to see the lanterns light flicker in the dark of night, the ‘Jack of the Lantern’ roams each Samhain eve.

What is a Dumb Supper?

One of my favorite traditions is preparing and presenting a Dumb Supper. Now as silly as the name sounds, it’s actually quite an intense, and beautiful ritual. Originating in Celtic Paganism, a Dumb Supper is where you take photos of loved ones past and place them around the table (or on an alter). You can lay out items that once belonged to them, or things you know they loved when they were in the land of the living. You then lay out a plate (either one for each person, or one for the whole) and place real food there for them to eat. It’s a way to honor them, and welcome them to take a seat at your table. Because Samhain is a time where the veil is thinnest, it is believed that the passed loved ones have an easier time coming through the veil, and communicating in much clearer and intentioned way. You can host a Dumb Supper any time of the year, and honor your ancestors daily; this will actually make your connection to them much stronger! But the tradition surrounding Samhain (and Beltane) is more potent and practiced due to the thinned veil between worlds, so take advantage!

Other Cultures and Their Holidays of Mentioning

* I am not culturally associated with the following, so please seek education from the correct ancestral background for further knowledge and respect. *

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos translates to Day of the Dead, and takes place on November 1st through November 2nd. It is a day observed worldwide, with it’s origins rooted in Mexico. Dia de los Muertos honors the loved ones who have passed by visiting their graves and decorating them with candles, pictures, flowers, food, and other meaningful trinkets. There are similar crossovers from a Dumb Supper to Dia de los Muertos; laying out food, music, activities, and items for the deceased to partake in. It is an invitation for those in the beyond to cross back over into the land of the living for a day/night of love, remembrance, and celebration. The infamous sugar skulls are a must when mentioning this colorful day. They carry multiple meanings; a representation of a passed loved one, created in celebration of the deceased ones lives (not their loss), can be worn as a mask or placed upon a grave or alter as a symbol for each departed loved one. Many may recall the movie Coco and how beautiful the connection was between the dead and the living. Well, from what I’ve been told by loved one who celebrate this heartwarming tradition, it was a great representation of their practices, and history, and what a gift we get to see a glimpse into such a beautiful world.

The Ghost Festival

On the 15th night on the seventh month in the Lunar calendar, the Ghost Festival takes place. Its name varies across eastern asian countries, but the meaning of this holiday remains the same. Unlike Samhain, this festival does not take place in October, instead it varies between August and September. But, similarly to Dia de los Muertos, it is a festival that honors, celebrates, and remembers their loved ones passed. An interesting fact is that the celebration for The Ghost Festival lasts an entire month, and is observed more as a ‘duty’ than a celebratory event. Samhain, and Dia de los Muertos are seen by its participants as joyous, exciting, and a way to connect with those from the beyond. In the case of The Ghost Festival, it is said to be considered an ‘unlucky month’, filled with worry about evil spirits or unhappy passed relatives who may seek to cause trouble, in other words haunt the living. The concern is that when one honors their loved ones spirits, an evil spirit may have attached themselves to their pathway back to the living. With much worry, and superstition, there are myths and stories that hold this fear even to today.

Deities of the Dead

The Morrighan

A Celtic Goddess of life, death, rebirth, magick, fertility, and destiny- think the three witches of fate in the Hercules story wrapped up in one shapeshifting Goddess. Also known as ‘the Phantom Queen’, ‘The Guardian of Death’, she is associated to ravens through her ability to shape-shift, and fondness of taking their form, it is no coincidence that she too is sharp, savvy, and intimidating. She is a very complex goddess associated to many forms of polarity; life/death, fertility/war, destiny/magick. Due to her duality she is seen as a ‘neutral’ deity, as if one extreme cancels out the other. Though don’t let the word ‘neutral’ fool you, she is a Goddess of her word and will follow her intuition in making decisions whether it be in your favor or not. She follows no one but herself. A grim reaper knows their duty.

Samhain is said to be the day that The Morrighan and Dagda, the Father of Tuatha de Danaan, became intimately bound through the physical act of coitous. He sought her help to remove enemies from their lands, and upon this union a contract was struck, and with her Magick the enemies were push out to sea. This triumph was the declaration of a ‘new year’, making Samhain the witches/pagans New Year hence forth. This is one of the many reasons why ‘The Guardian of Death’ plays such an important role during Samhain.

Hekate

Many new witches may be familiar with Hekate but not realize it. In modern mythology she is depicted as the three-bodied goddess, or in Wicca ‘Maiden, Mother, Crone’. Although this is not Hekates true history, it is still something to consider in ones craft. Greek mythology is where Hekates story takes us, and similarly to our Celtic Goddess The Morrighan, she is also depicted as a ‘neutral’ deity. I warn you, not to take ‘neautral’ so lightly. Hekates powers are of deep magick, a sorceress who oversees the night, dogs, and ghosts. Many have equated her to the devil, or at least working along side ‘him’ as she works with dogs, those similar to the ones that guard the Underworld. However, let me shed some light here. Remember our dear Persephone from our last Sabbath Series Article? Well, Hekate is sympathetic to Demeters agony, who seeks Hekates guidance in retrieving her daughter from Hades, which is exactly what Hekate helps her to do. Torch in hand, she sought out Persephone, and reunited mother and daughter, but as you know she could not stay, so she became Persephones companion in the Underworld. Again, a very complex Goddess indeed!

Hades

Many of us grew up watching Disneys Hercules and with that have a very specific idea of who Hades is. Well, I hope I can shed further light into who he really was and why he is so important during Samhain. Hades is the God of the Underworld, in Greek Mythology. Now Greek Mythology is not directly linked to Celtic Paganism, however, the connection Hades holds is that of a place where souls go. It is here that his connection becomes so important. When the veil is thin, it is said that the Gates to the Underworld become much more lax, if not entirely open, it’s a quite complicated realm to say the least. And in the realm of the beyond/underworld, there aren’t as many rules put into place to keep one in or out; which is why Samhain is a feared holiday associated with ‘The Devil”, and worry of Evil prevailing. However, Hades holds the scales of ‘good and bad’ and helped to keep the other Gods/Goddesses in check of their moral standing- I guess that’s why he was so good at his job- which doesn’t sound so evil to me. His association to death, spirits, ghosts, demons, monsters, and fate are what make him such an important Deity during Samhain.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Samhain Activities

Now that you have a few deities to consider summoning for your Samhain festivities, lets cover some options on what to do with their blessings, how to honor them, and simply to bring in the darkness of the seasons.

• Carve Pumpkins - Wear them on your head with your finest threads and take some spooktacular vintage photos

• Make a Turnip Lantern

• Bake Soul Cakes

• Cast a spell (or two)

• Host a Dumb Supper

• Look through old family photo albums & family trees

• Perform a Séance - Know what you are doing, use trusted tools, and make sure to close the portal afterwards

• Burn Black Candles for protection from dark energy/entities that wish to cause mischief

• Go Trick-or-Treating of course!

The Thinning of the Veil: How to Celebrate & Honor Dead

Bring the energy of Samhain (back) to life with some of these items by placing them around your alter, workspace, or outdoor area for an enhanced energetic connection to the dark and mysterious that follow on this night.

• Creatures: Crows, Black Cats, Horned Owl, Locusts, Moths, Toads, Bats, Spiders

• Colors: Black, Orange, Grey, Blood/Deep Red, Purple, Silver

• Food items: Pumpkins/Gourds, Turnips, Pomegranates, Oranges, Apples, Soul Cakes

• Cauldrons - make a simmer pot with some of the flowers, herbs and food items listen here

• Witches Hat - A fun activity for you and friends; decorate pointed hats while drinking midnight margs!

• Crystals: Black Obsidian, Smokey Quartz, Dragons Blood, Garnet, Opal, Bloodstone,

• Besoms (broom) - Make one of your very own to add to its magickal abilities

• Flowers & Herbs: Cinnamon, Wormwood, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Garlic, Cloves

There are so many ways to honor this very sacred Sabbath, but choose what calls to you. After all this is your practice, and witchcraft is very personal, so start creating traditions that feel authentic to you!

Until next time, stay spooky darklings xx

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