5/31/2010 - The Samhain pages have been added
Samhain
Typically on or around: October 31st
The Pagan New Year
The Samhain pages are currently under construction. Please check back to see our progress.
Typically on or around: October 31st
Also Called:Halloween (October 31) - in American
traditions; Samhain/All Hallows Eve (November 7th) - Celtic traditions;
Martinmas/Old Hallowmas (November 11) - Scottish/Celts traditions;
Shadowfest - Strega traditions.
The Wiccan New Year represents the complete circle of the seasons and is the
last of the three harvest Sabbats. Although the traditions celebrate Samhain
on different days, they are the same festival with the same celebration and
intent.
It is a festival of thanks and gratitude for the year past. A time to look
back at the lessons you learned, the spiritual evolution you traversed and
the special unions you made. A time to thank the God/Goddess for the bounty
you received and shared.
Represented by black candles to ward off negativity, gold to recognize the
Sun God essence and orange to represent the joining of the higher and lower
forces within and without.
On the night of Samhain the veil between the spiritual world and the
physical world is at it's thinnest. Therefore many will conduct rituals to
honor the dead or those they lost during the past year. Many Witches believe
this is the best time to communicate with those they lost or wish to
converse with on the other side. Divination is especially heightened on this
night, but extra caution for positive forces should also be heeded.
Jack-o-lanterns, gourds, cider and other "Halloween"esque items can be used
to decorate your home. Along with large golden-yellow mums in and about the
house.
It is also a good time to buy a new broom, change the wardrobe, the curtains
and colors in your home.
The last of the 3 harvest festivals, and the celebration of the Witch's New
Year. Many witches look upon Samhain as the festival to renew the Wheel of
the Year. The Celtic pagans believe this is the time with the God of the
Witches year dies and is mourned by the Goddess. It is a time when the
people are cast into darkness as they awaid the rebirth of the God at Yule.
Many people call this time the Night of the Dead, which can be a dramatic
phrase for the one time during the year when the veil between the living and
spiritual world is at it's thinnest. It can be looked at as the night when
past relatives and friends walk the earth and share their knowledge and
wisdom with the living. It is a night when much spiritual growth can be
achieved and blockages that hold you back can be broken.
For many this is the most important festival of the witches year. It is very
sacred and represents the time between October 31st and the Yule sabbat for
a witch to turn their attention inward for growth, knowledge and spiritual
advancement. A time to take stock of what you have learned and what you have
left to accomplish. Also known as Hallowmas, Hallows Eve, Samana and
Samhuinn.
Sabbat Symbols:
The colors of the festival are black and orange. Black to represent the time
of darkness after the death of the God. Orange to represent awaiting the
dawn of his rebirth at Yule. Jack-o-lanterns originated from the custom of
lighting candles for the dead to follow as they walk the earth and it's
still a wonderful custom today. Treats also originate from an old custom of
leaving cookies and other foods out for those relatives to enjoy as they
shared this one night of embodiement. Feeding the dead is still widely
practiced in Celtic lands.
Preparations:
Traditionally Sabbat festivals begin at sun set on the eve of the Holiday.
You can use the daytime hours of this holiday eve to search and harvest that
perfect pumpkin, and gathering wood and straw for a balefire (make it safe
and please keep a fire extinguisher handy).
Clean your special ceremonial cauldron and some witches like to create a
ceremonial mask. Costumes are a Samhain tradition as well. You may enjoy
spending a few days in early October gathering some simple craft supplies
and then spend the 29th making some whimsical masks for the festival night.
Clean your robes and layout your festival garments.
Your alter can be decorated in shades of black and orange. We like to use
one black candle for the Ceremonial center piece and four light orange
candles for the four quarters. I also like to include a black table cloth
covered by an orange lace cloth. If you like crystals on your alter, try
Kyanite (a black stone) which can be an excellent attunement stone, good for
meditation and aids in past life regressions. Obsidian (Black snowflake)
used to sharpen both the internal and external visions. It teaches one the
truth of oneself in relation to their ego, depicts the contrasts of life and
death; day and night, darkness and light, truth and error. And if you can
find it, Orange Tourmaline Works as a protective shield - it transforms and
consumes negative energy without releasing it into the atmosphere. It also
has to do with visions and "seeing" with compassion; good for the eyes,
teaches to expand limited concepts of thinking; relates to aspirations for
higher love. This is a very complete stone.
If you notice, all of these stones work for the individual. They are chosen
to help a witch go within and look at themselves from a point of compassion
and truth. To honesly see the negative patterns that might be creating
blocks and to embrace oneself with love to release the old and to help
transform the soul/mind/body to a life of spiritual balance.
Gold or brass serving trays and goblets for ritual offerings are also placed
on or around the alter for easy access. Arrangements of early fall flowers
and foliage should also be included to recognize the harvest part of the
festival. If your alter is outside or you have space on your interior alter,
you might include baskets filled with all the examples of this seasons
harvest from the previous two sabbats.
Festival Ritual:
There are several ways of conducting a ritual. Each witch should learn many
different methods and then construct your own within the boundaries of the
festival
Links to Samhain information.
If you would like to use the Ancient Pathway Imbolc Ritual, you can access that information here.
Ancient Pathway Samhain Ritual
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