| What is Samhain? | | | | For Wiccans and witches it is common to change the |
| Samhain is the Wiccan and Pagan festival that is | | | | layout, tools or colours of your altar from the |
| known to most as Halloween - the night forever | | | | beginning of October to welcome in the new season. |
| more associated with witches! While Halloween is | | | | But for Samhain itself you can arrange your altar with |
| largely celebrated by most as a bit of light hearted | | | | a display of photos, heirlooms or tokens of affection |
| fun there is actually a more serious and in fact | | | | for lost loved ones in order to honour and remember |
| historical side to this important festival. Samhain is the | | | | them. |
| old Irish word for summer's end and to the Celts this | | | | If you are not a Wiccan or are looking for a more |
| marked the start of a new year. It was on this night | | | | general way of celebrating, you can use the mood |
| that the veil between the worlds of the living and the | | | | and character of this time of year to inspire some |
| departed were said to be at their thinnest so it was | | | | thoughtful contemplation. As the earth seems to go |
| regarded as the festival of the dead. To our modern | | | | into hibernation to conserve its energy until spring, so |
| sensibilities this may seem a little morbid but in fact | | | | you can decide to spend an evening taking stock of |
| this was a evening of celebration; a time to be | | | | what has happened over the previous 6 months. As |
| reunited with lost loved ones. | | | | the sun leaves our lives, so too is it useful to look at |
| However, this was not only a festival for the spirit | | | | the shadows of your mind and heart, to reflect on |
| world, it was also to mark the change of the season | | | | what needs to be done to turn things around. |
| and the symbolism of death was called upon heavily. | | | | To brighten up your home or altar, you cannot beat |
| The onset of winter means that life withdraws back | | | | the warm glow of gold and orange candles to signify |
| into the ground and the people prepare themselves | | | | the colours of autumn. It represents the colours of |
| for the harsh and baron months of winter. | | | | the leaves as they fall from the trees and candles |
| What is Samhain to Wiccans/Pagans? | | | | also bring light to the evenings that are quickly |
| Samhain is one of the 8 witch's Sabbats, or more | | | | drawing in. |
| specifically a cross quarter festival. For many, | | | | This is also a perfect time for scrying. If you are not |
| particularly those of Celtic traditions, it is the biggest | | | | familiar with this method of divination, using a mirror |
| celebration of the year. It is both a time to honour | | | | or reflective surface, it may not be the time to start |
| the universe and for merry making. To Wiccans, | | | | it as it does take a little practise. But it can connect |
| Samhain is also very important for its part in the | | | | you with the spirit world and this of course is in |
| Wheel of Life. This is the legend of the God and | | | | keeping with the spirit of the evening! |
| Goddess who are in an endless cycle of birth, | | | | If you will be performing spells for Samhain you |
| growth, death and rebirth as exemplifies the changes | | | | should be focusing on banishing spells. The stillness of |
| of the seasons. At Samhain, the God dies and his life | | | | the earth during winter is also a time of recuperation |
| is celebrated. | | | | and so getting rid of negativity in your life should be |
| How to Celebrate Samhain | | | | where you concentrate your energies. |