Samhain/All Hallows Eve

Samhain

Southern Hemisphere April 30

Northern Hemisphere October 31

The God "dies" on Samhain. He leaves this realm of existence and returns to the Summerland to be recycled and cleansed in the cauldron of the Goddess. The veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is thinner than usual at this time of year, being that the God is within the Goddess, who is still part of the world of the living. This is a reminder that the two realms are not as separate as they seem to be.

Symbols

Jack-o'-Lantern
Balefire
Besom
Masks
The Cauldron
Waning Moon

Colours

Black
Orange

Deities

All Crone Goddesses
The Dying/Dead God

Activities

Divination
Past life Recall
Contacting Spirits
Burning the Ancestral Chair
Meditation
Drying the Winter Herbs

Taboos

Travel after Dark
Lighting fires before the balefire is set
Eating grapes or berries

Animals

Bats
Cats
Dogs

Stones

Obsidian
Onyx
Carnelian

Foods

Apples
Squash
Pork

Plants

Apples
Mugwort
Gourds
Sage
Allspice
Catnip
Field Corn

Attunement teas

Apple Cider
Angelica
Catnip
Indian Hyppo
Sage
Valerian

Ritual Oils

Frankincense
Basil
Yarrow
Lilac
Ylang-Ylang
Camphor
Clove

Mythical Creatures

Phooka
Goblin
Medusa
Beansidhe
Fylgiar
Peryton
Erlkonig
Harpies

Spellwork appropriate for Samhain

• Spells for neutralising harm
• Protection spells

SAMHAIN ALTAR

Before pumpkins were available from the New World, Celts would have used hollowed-out turnips. Today, however, this festival can be marked by black altar cloths, carved pumpkins or jack 'o lanterns, a white candle to represent spirit, and a black candle to represent the ancestors. Always light the white candle first to honour the great mystery. Display crystals that enhance psychic powers, such as aquamarine or clear quartz, and burn fumitory to dispel any stuck energies, followed by wormwood to invite spirit guardians to come forward.