Samhain

Samhain is a celebrated on October 31st and has been taken on by millions around the world over recent years (ok it has been commercialized and has had the meaning completely altered) ...but even so, almost every non-pagan will recognize this celebration as 'Halloween'. Although Halloween is  known for being a fun and light hearted celebration , for people of the pagan path however, this is also a very serious and important time of year. (don't get my wrong, we all- pagan and non-pagan alike- enjoy having a good laugh at this time of year) we just also celebrate the root meaning of this festival- a time for appreciating our loved ones who have passed on, giving thanks to them, along with our ancestors, for all that they have given to us. As with most of the Sabats, pronunciation does differ from person to person- I have always pronounced this festival 'Sow-en'.

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)
  

Spirit work- working directly with spirit and contacting our loved ones directly is not for everyone- many people have very mixed opinions about this and it is often a subject up for debate. My personal thoughts are that as long as you are not hurting anyone, you are respectful to spirit and you have good intent - then it may be something you wish to try. I have had some incredibly amazing messages through spirit board work. I would suggest that if it is something that you are new to, then make sure you have some experienced friends with you to guide you- you may have the best intent at heart- but you cannot always choose the spirit that comes through- and they sometimes like to play with your mind a little believe me! It not only your loved ones you can connect with in this way- your spirit guides, totem animals- you never know perhaps even your goddess or god may come through- its a whole world of mystery!!

• 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!

Dress up!! Have fun!! Just because we celebrate the core reason of samhain, it dosnt meen we cant participate in the 'Haloween' that society has created- in a way its kind of refreshing that a pagan festival has become one of the years most exciting and looked forward to days- especially for the children!!  Plus its the one day we can wander around wearing our favourite cloaks and dress 'normally' and no-one would bat an eyelid! We can even take our brooms for a spin and save on the petrol!!

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!!

Wishing you all the brightest blessings this Samhain!

Wheel of the Year and the Sabats

The wheel of the year describes the cycle of the seasons. Throughout this cycle there are 8 main celebrations called 'Sabats'. Sabats are celebrated to honor the god and the process of birth, life, death and re-birth. 

Pagans often celebrate their New year at Samhain. (31st October) Samhain is more commonly celebrated as 'Halloween'. Millions go out dressed in capes and hats without really realizing the origin of the celebration.

It has become very commercialised in recent years- it therefore is important for us to uphold our traditions and beliefs and to educate others when possible. Samhain is a time to pay respects and celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have passed on. It is believed that on this day the veil between the two worlds is at its very thinnest- so some like to use this opportunity to communicate with friends or relatives who are no longer with us.
Scrying and divination is very effective at this time of year.





Yule or Winter Solstice (21st December) is a where the return of the sun is celebrated. The legend of the holly and oak king tells how from midsummer to midwinter the Holly king rules the land (hence the connection with holly used at Christmas time). From midwinter through to midsummer as the light returns- the Oak king then regains his reign over the land. Both kings are just different faces of the one Sungod sometimes looked at as brothers.  At yule the Oak king is re-born. Traditions include the decorating of a yule log, decorating a yule tree, kissng under the misletoe, and exchanging gifts.

Often covens may re-enact the battle between the Holly King and the Oak King

 
Imbolc or Candlemas (February 2nd) actually translates to 'in the belly' or 'ewes milk' and refers to the start of spring and the birth of new things. The Strength of the sun god continues to grow.

The Celtic Goddess Briget is often honoured at this time- she is the goddess of poetry, of healing...and of midwifery! Traditionally many candles are lit at this celebration to welcome in the spring. Throughout the year I try to save up all the leftover candle wax to be melted down and made into new fresh candles for the year ahead (just a little something I enjoy doing myself).





Ostara or Spring Equinox (March 21st-22nd) is named after the goddess Eostre- the Goddess of spring and fertility.

This is a perfect time for anything fertility related- from sowing seeds to starting a family. The goddess Eostre was often pictured with a rabbit or a hare at her side- which has been adopted in more recent years to give us our all famous 'Easter Bunny'. Due to the link with fertility- the Egg is also one of the Goddess Eostre's symbols- which has also been taken on to bring us our 'Easter Eggs'. The female fertility hormone Estrogen also originates from her name. 

Popular crafts at this celebration include painting Ostara Eggs and potting plants to be given away as gifts. 








Beltane (April 30th-May1st) is also known as 'May day'. It is a festival of union- and commonly handfastings (pagan equivalent to marriages) are performed.  The legend now tells how the young god has grown and matured into a man- where the goddess and the god now become united as lovers. Maypoles and maypole dancing are very common traditions at this time of year. The weaving of the ribbons reinforces the unity between male and female.  

Maypole at Dovedale Camp

Litha/Summer Solstice (21st-22nd June) is the time of the year where the sun god is most powerful. This is the longest day of the year- and with the sun gods peak, the threat of returning to the darkness is looming and the reign is handed over to his brother the Holly King. It is tradition to stay up on the eve of the solstice to watch the sunrise. Bonfires are sometimes lit to represent the light and heat of the sun at this peak time.



Lammas (August 1st/2nd) was the very first Sabat I ever celebrated so it always stands out as being special for me. I performed my very first ritual and self dedication on Lammas so it holds a special place in my heart. Lammas is all about the harvest and the gathering of the crops.

The story goes that the Sun god sacrifices his power to the healthy growth of the crops leaving him weakened- and dieing- a self sacrifice for other to survive. Often corn dollies are made, and fruit and vegetables are gathered and placed on the alter. Making Lammas bread is another tradition- and I have had some fun with this one (my baking skills leave much to be desired). I like to go berry picking and spend time in nature appreciating what mother earth provides for us. I always become motivated to eat everything fresh rather than processed and find myself looking to local markets rather than supermarkets. 




Mabon (september 21st-23rd) is the autumn equinox and the second harvest. At this time there is equal day and equal night and a time to give thanks for the harvest we have received. The leaves begin to change colour and natures beauty is to be appreciated at this time by spending time outside. At mabon we mourn the sun god as he begins to weaken and fade away- but rejoice for what he has brought us and have faith in his return.

....the cycle then repeats itself, and is on going. The cycle of birth followed by death followed by re-birth.