Samhain is a time for remembering our loved ones that have passed on to the summer-lands, a time for giving thanks to them and for letting them know how much we love them and care about them. It is a time for looking into the past, for learning from our ancestors and listening to what they have taught us.
Samhain is the perfect time for divination, scrying and Tarot. You may hear many describe it as the time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest- the time when we have the greatest chance of communication with the other side- with spirit.
As the wheel of the year demonstrates, along with all of natures cycles- although this is a time of year representing death- with death comes new life...with death comes rebirth. This is often celebrated as 'New year' in many pagan traditions- following death a new life starts and with it- a new year.
Colours of Samhain
Golds, bronzes, browns, Oranges, Black- any colours assosiated with autumn.
Herbs/incense
Allspice, sage, catnip, basil, clove, camphor, apple, Myrrh.
Crystals
Obsidian, Carnelian, onyx, Amber, Jet.
Animals
Cat, bat, owl, Crow.
Things to do at Samhain
- Make a list of all the things you wish to achieve in the next year (and review last years list- have you achieved everything you set out to achieve? if not- add it to this years list!!)
- Dig out pictures of relatives that have passed on and pop them on your alter- pay them a little respect and spend a while with them at the center of your thoughts.
- Make photo albums, photobooks, collages- all of your loved ones- and treasure them!
- Scrying- this can be both fun and informative (I will be covering scrying in more detail in a future post)
- A samhain feast is a great idea- this way you can include all of your family without 'weirding them out' too much if they are not pagan. Invite the fam over for dinner in memory of your late loved ones. Get everyone to bring old photos, old photos hold more energy than imaginable!
- Carve pumpkins... this isnt just a commercial thing either- history tells that a candle lit inside the pumpkin left on the window ledge on Samhain night guides the spirits of our loved ones back home to us!
For me personally, if I had no time to do an of the above- the core of this celebration for me is to say thank you to my family that have passed on, to let them know that I still think of them ,that I still appreciate their presence, and most of all...that I still love them!!
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