Happy Samhain with Living Magically
- louiseschenk
- Oct 15, 2024
- 4 min read
As the wheel of the year turns and nights draw in, we approach Samhain, also known as Summer’s End, which is the Witches equivalent of New Year’s Eve.
Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow-win”) is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition to usher in “the dark half of the year” and it is believed that the veil between the physical world and the spirit world evaporates during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and the Otherworld.
There has been a revival of Samhain in its more traditional form with the growing popularity of Wicca where the celebration of Samhain takes various forms, from the traditional fire ceremonies to celebrations that embrace many aspects of modern Halloween, as well as activities related to honouring the ancestors.
Pumpkins are believed to ward off evil spirits and are carved with lit candles inside and placed on doorsteps to protect homes from wandering spirits on All Hallows’ Eve, a tradition that persists to this day. Their origin comes from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain. When Jack died, God didn’t allow him into heaven, and the Devil didn’t let him into hell, so Jack was sentenced to roam the earth for eternity. In Ireland, people started to carve demonic faces out of turnips to frighten away Jack’s wandering soul. When Irish immigrants moved to the U.S., they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.
Read on for some suggestions on ways that you can celebrate and embrace the magic of this particular season.
Create an Ancestral Altar - Create an altar to honour your ancestors. Light a candle for, leave offerings of incense, flowers . Incorporate heirlooms and photographs. Use the space to say a prayer to those who are no longer in this realm.
Clear energies with smudging , an old ancient practice used by witches and Native Americans where the burning of herbs is used for cleansing and purification before sacred ritual. Smudging calls upon the spirits of sacred plants to drive away negative energies, restoring balance and bringing peace into your sacred space.
Have a fire ritual and write a thank you letter to your ancestors for your life and the many lessons shared. Jot down any patterns you want to let go of and release them by burning them .
Leave out an Offering for the Fae - Putting out milk, cream or bread for the fair folk was customary among the ancient celts.
Cover your Clocks and abandon the construct of time completely for one evening to see if you can open your perception to the non physical realm.
Get outdoors and Honour Nature – Walk in nature with the intention of honouring the changing of the seasons.
Fire your senses with Essential Oils
Frankincense - Used for centuries in spiritual practices, frankincense is believed to enhance spiritual awareness and create a sense of inner peace.
Rose - Associated with love, compassion, and comfort, rose essential oil can help open the heart chakra.
Sandalwood -Often used in meditation and spiritual rituals, sandalwood is believed to promote a sense of inner peace, unity, and heightened awareness.
Cedarwood - Cedarwood essential oil is grounding and calming, and can help you feel rooted and connected.
Bergamot - Known for its mood-lifting and calming qualities, bergamot essential oil can promote relaxation and reduce feelings of sadness.
Myrrh - Myrrh essential oil has a long history of use in religious and spiritual ceremonies, and is believed to support deep reflection and connection to the divine or the spiritual world.
Holey Stones
Hag stones are highly protective and have been enchanting people for centuries as they are believed to have magical properties. It’s all in the hole, you see. “The theory goes that only good things can pass through a hole, so while good fortune and good wishes will find you through a hag stone, bad luck and evil thoughts are too big to be able to pass through the hole and become stuck in the middle. This belief may be bolstered by the centuries old belief that magic cannot work on moving water. So, since the hole in a hag stone was created by moving water, it works as a sort of ‘shield’ against spells and the like.”
Hang it above your front door or over a window to keep evil spirits out.
Attach a hag stone to your bedpost to keep bad dreams away.
Tie one to your keys so they will never be lost again.
Getting out and about this season
Wicked Spirits Legacy presents An Evening of Samhain ! Join them at Colchester Castle for an evening of dark history, witchcraft, and magick on 31 October from 7-10 PM. Listen to talks about the darker side of Colchester’s history, the origins of Samhain, and current magickal practices.
Ghosts and Witches Tour 8 pm EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT Starting from The Colchester War Memorial
Experience new depths of fear in a Halloween event based in a REAL Ex Government Nuclear Bunker 125ft underground. Descend into the depths and explore the bunker in a one hour long terrifying experience this October.
Join Crouch Valley this October for a Halloween treat like no other in Essex, as you enter CURSED VILLAGE, will you make it out?Start your evening off by catching a ride to the most haunted place in Essex! Make your way into the town centre and learn about the village from our roaming rotters. They know how to show you a grEAT time!
Join us at Crouch Valley this October for a Halloween treat like no other in Essex, as you enter CURSED VILLAGE, will you make it out?
The Red Lion Ghost Hunt Colchester, Essex
The Red Lion Hotel is haunted by at least 3 different ghosts that have remained at the hotel long after their deaths. For over 200 years the hotel had an instant dismissal rule for any employees caught mentioning the ghosts, in fear of scaring away customers.
However you choose to celebrate I wish you love and light. Blessed be Lou XX
Great read, Lou!
I never knew the story behind the Jack-O-Lanterns, and I love the idea of creating an altar for loved ones.
I can also recommend ‘Cursed’ for a spooky night out! Prepare to scream ALL night! 😂