Samhain

SAMHAIN! HALLOWS EVE! DAY OF THE DEAD! 

What do these holidays all have in common?
Samhain (sound out slowly as Ss-ow-en/Ss-ow-in/ or Ss-ow-een for the correct pronunciations . Then put them together!) is a time of year, much like Beltane. When the veil between worlds is at its thinnest. Hallows eve specifically (also known as Halloween) and the Mexican holiday “Día de Muertos” includes the very essence of Samhain on single days and are within the same week at the end of October. It is believed that during this time spirits, death and evils are free to roam. In the 1770s a writer characterised Samhain from a holiday into a deity personification mistakenly- however, Samhain is not a deity, merely the celebration of ancestors, visiting spirits and the looming winter. Decorations follow this theme within altars, decorations and dress.

On Hallows Eve (31st Oct),  individuals dress as spirits, animals, goblins and ghouls as a method of protection against evil spirits or fair folk who wish to "spirit" individuals away into heir realms. Pumpkin carving ( formally turnips and squash carving) is also a protective act, and 'trick or treating' was originally named souling. This is where visitors (usually poor) would offer prayers, protective talismans and aid to deceased family members in return for food and water.

On Día de Muertos/ Day of the dead (2nd Nov) Individuals visit family graves, decorate graves, feast/party, have ancestral Altars and believe their ancestors visit them as well as pray to allow safe journeying to the spirit world. Samhain is a time for reconnecting with spirits, honouring the fallen. As well as a perfect time to do shadow work and divination.

So what can you do to celebrate? Well first do some further research. Traditionally this time of year is celebrated with Autumnal colours like Orange, Golds, Reds, Browns. As well as cold colours to represent death and other colours that represent spirits. Black, White, Silver and Purple all come under this theme. Skulls, family photos of deceased members, protective talismans and rituals honouring those who have been lost as well as protecting those who remain from other forces other from illness and danger are all pretty common. Dumb dinners where all members are silent during a feast of food is a common tradition to celebrate and dressing up as the dead, as scary or ugly creatures is commonly associated with this time. If you do decide to do a Dumb dinner. Prepare seasonal autumnal fruit, veg and meat dishes, as well as decorate using a black theme. Think of it as a happy 'wake' where everyone is silent. Of course, this does mean as a hostess you will have to be intuitive of what your guest requires. Additionally, opt to have a spare chair which nobody except spirits may sit on. It would be rude to host a feast for the dead and not provide them with somewhere to sit after all. What kind of crafting is good this time of year? Shadow work, spirit work, divination crafting and protection magic is particularly strong at this time of year. You should also ward your house and think about leaving offerings to appease evil forces and leave you alone. What deities/energies can I work with this time of year? As Samhain symbolises a lot of death and spirit related content. Look to that as a theme. Samhain is also the final Harvest to the end of the year so any deities such as Hades, Persephone, Hekate, Demeter, Yama, Osirus, Anubis and many others are all suitable. again please do your research and protect your home from death, evil/ unwanted forces and illness first before calling on any of them for any works you wish to do with them. Also please don't wish death on anyone at this time. You might regret your decision .