Samhain Well Wishes

We are approaching the time of year called Samhain (pronounced saa-wen). It comes from an Old Irish word meaning “summer’s end,” and marks the end of harvest and transition into the dark half of the year. In some of the places my ancestors come from, this is the shift into the season of dying, dreaming, singing, storytelling, and digesting all that has transpired under the big sun. It is also a time when the Otherworld is most tangible to humans, spirits walk, and the dead dine with the living.

It’s a potent time to connect with the multitudes within yourself, the running connections of generations, matter flowing from one form to another and the single element of water that runs through us all.

Over the past year I have strengthened my spiritual practice and relationships with the spirit world. As part of that practice I’ve decided to prepare a simple ritual for Samhain and do it with family. I offer it to you as well if you so desire.

Samhain Fire Ritual

Traditionally, communities would extinguish their hearth fires, only to relight them from the sacred communal new/pure Samhain bonfire. The flames were not only a symbol of protection but also a means of communicating with the otherworld.

In this ritual, I invite you to create a smaller replica with candles and fire as available.

Build a fire. From the new flame, each person take their candle and light from the communal flame. This is meant to be a pure flame and the fire and life that connects us all.

Take your candle and place inside a carved pumpkin to ward off malevolent spirits. Let the candle burn all the way down.

While your candle is burning, prepare a feast/meal to share with your loved ones beside an altar. Food to consider: pumpkins and squash, bread, salt, apples, rosemary, root vegetables and nuts.

Prepare a sacred space adorned with photographs, heirlooms, and tokens of your ancestors - blood, chosen, and creative lineages apply here too. As you arrange items, send love to the departed and honor the connection of life within the thin veil of the season.