Sabbats - Samhain
Welcome back to the Sabbats series on my blog! This time we’ll be covering Samhain (pronounced sow-wan), which occurs on the 31st of October each year. This holiday can also be known as the witches’ New Year, or the dropping of the veil (which I’ll cover more later!).
Samhain is an old Celtic festival originating from around neolithic times, but it can be seen in early Irish literature from the 9th century. It was celebrated then by activities such as opening and visiting burial tombs, feasts, and bonfires. Now, it’s still celebrated with feasts and working with those who have passed. Some witches may also light smaller fires, and I’m sure larger covens or groups would celebrate with some kind of bonfire.
On Samhain, it is believed that the veil between this world and the other side is at its thinnest. This makes it the perfect time for all kinds of divination. Personally, I love this Sabbat for tarot readings. Because the veil is so thin, it makes communicating with the dead that much easier, so some witches will even use Ouija boards.
Another more common tradition is to set up an ancestor altar. This would involve images of loved ones who have passed, items they liked alongside crystals, fall decor and candles. These loved ones would be prayed to (if that’s the witches style) or just spoken to.
Other traditions include going on a walk in nature, carving pumpkins or turnips, lighting black candles or carrying black crystals for protection and setting intentions for the year ahead.
Personally this year I prayed to those who have left me, set intentions for the new year and done a couple of tarot readings. This year was a pretty chilled out Samhain, and I took the kids trick or treating which they loved.
Samhain was actually the first Pagan Sabbat I celebrated when I first turned to Paganism. For that reason, it holds a special place for me and I find myself enjoying it more year on year. Next year I am hoping to be able to do a cleansing bonfire in a fire pit in my back garden. I feel its very important to start the new year off with a cleansed mental state and to remove any stagnant energies.
Do you celebrate Samhain? Let me know in the comments!