Welcoming Samhain
Samhain is a holiday, or sabbat, where the veil is thin and harvest is ending. We may not be farmers, but the idea of a harvest can be a metaphor for the fruits of our labor. The veil is thinned during this time, allowing us to commune more clearly with deceased loved ones, ancestors, or deities.
Samhain falls on the halfway date between the Autumn Equinox, and the Winter Solstice. The Northern Hemisphere turns cold, and we celebrate the shift from October 31st – November 1st.
Celtic Roots of Samhain
The origins of Samhain can be found in pre-Christian Celtic tradition. October 31st marked the beginning of a new year for the Celts, saying goodbye to the vitality that once ruled the land.
During this time, the veil between this world and the Otherworld is at its thinnest. It’s believed that spirits may wander this realm during Samhain. Honoring ancestors and passed loved ones is one way to embrace this threshold.
Over time, Samhain was appropriated into Halloween. Celts would wear masks to scare away the trickster spirits. This is now commonly a Halloween tradition in households worldwide.
Spiritual Themes of Samhain
The thinning of the veil means that death can be felt more deeply, and we may receive clearer messages from our guides.
Honoring your ancestry is highly recommended during this time. Providing offerings, communing, and researching are ways to reconnect with what has been lost.
Death isn’t the last chapter. In our lives, we face death everyday. When one cycle comes to an end, we begin anew. It’s a chance to release what is not working anymore. Breaking up, changing jobs, or moving cities can all begin chapters only death could have written.
With a thin veil and colder, darker seasons approaching, shadow work and divination are exceptionally effective. Not sure what shadow work is all about? Check out my blog post on it here.
Samhain Correspondences:
Colors: Black, Orange, Purple
Herbs: Catnip, Mugwort, Patchouli
Foods: Apple, Pomegranate
Crystals: Onyx, Obsidian, Carnelian
Final Thoughts on Samhain
Samhain is a time of transition, remembrance, and transformation. How do you tap into the energy of the shifting season? Do you utilize this period of increased intuition to divine? Or perhaps you mirror the darkening days and practice shadow work?