Samhain: An Introduction

Samhain (pronounced "SOW-in" or "SAH-win") was a festival celebrated halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. Samhain marks the transition between the year's lighter and darker halves, representing the end of one year and the beginning of the next. It is often referred to as the Witches New Year.

Brief History

Traditionally, It was a time for making winter preparations. Crops were harvested, and animals were gathered from the fields to be sacrificed or lodged for the winter. Others would light their torches from this fire and use the flames to relight their hearths.

It is a liminal time; the lifting of the veil between worlds meant that Samhain was also considered a dangerous time. Spirits, both kind and unkind, acted with more power in the human world.

During the 19th century, the famine caused the relocation of many Irish to America. They brought beliefs and traditions, such as the carving of jack-o'-lanterns (historically, turnips would have been used, not pumpkins!), now associated with Halloween.

Trick-or-treating is said to have been taken from ancient practices leading up to Samhain. Another tradition was mumming, wearing costumes, going door-to-door, and singing to the dead. Cakes were given as payment. Pranks also have a tradition in Samhain but were typically blamed on fairies in the ancient celebration.

Correspondence:

Colors: black, orange

Plants: apple, beech, pomegranate, willow, witch hazel, yew, catnip, garlic, mugwort, sage, allspice, patchouli

Minerals: carnelian, obsidian, onyx

Magical creatures: fairies

Goddesses: cailleach bheur, Hecate, Inanna, Nephthys, Ishtar

God: hades, Loki, Odin, Pluto

Animals: bay, cat, owl,

Spellwork: crossroads, darkness, death, divination, honoring ancestors, introspection, underworld, release/banishing, visions, the wisdom of the crone