Samhain, the third and final harvest, is one of the major festivals of the Wheel of the Year. For many Pagans it is the most important festival. The harvest is complete, it is the end of the cycle of birth and growth, the point of death. Traditionally the veils between the worlds are at their thinnest and it is the time to honor and offer hospitality to our ancestors.
Colors of the Season
Traditional colors of the season are black for death and endings, orange for fire and the bounty of the final harvest, and purple for insight and inspiration.
Plants of the Season
Pumpkins, Gourds, Apples, Nuts, Berries, Mugwort, Rosemary, Marigolds, Chrysanthemums.
Symbols
A cauldron, photos of deceased relatives and loved ones honor the passage to the Summerland and the Ancestors, the besom broom, black candles.
Additional suggestions for celebrating.
Take a walk in a natural area near your home. Observe the colors, aromas, sounds, and other sensations of the season. Gather some natural objects and add them to your altar.
Samhain is a fire festival. If possible, have bonfire outdoors or light a fire in your fireplace or even a small cauldron. Write down a habit that you wish to end and cast it into the flames seeing it being released.
Use Tarot, Runes, Scrying, or some other form of divination to seek guidance for the coming years.
Have a craft day. Gather leaves and make leaf prints, carve a pumpkin or a turnip, bake a sweet treat.
Tap into the Halloween interpretation and pile up on the couch with a bag of candy and your favorite horror movie.
Find a way to celebrate that brings you happiness.
Suggested Ritual
Start by creating the altar. While setting up your altar anoint the items and yourself with the Samhain oil. Think about those departed by death from your life, (family, friends, pets) as you place photographs of them on your altar. Offer them your hospitality and welcome their presence into your home.
For those who have lost loved ones in the past year, Samhain rituals can be an assistance in the grieving process and an opportunity to spiritually commune with your loved ones.
Blessed Samhain
