SAMHAIN & ALLHALLOWTIDE
Happy Halloween and blessed Samhain! At the end of October and the beginning of November, various pagan and Christian traditions overlap to mark the halfway point between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. This “cross-quarter” day leads us into the darkest portion of the year, which is perfect for spooky Scorpio season. As the sun’s power wanes and plants end their life cycles all around us, we observe the holiday associated with darkness and death.
The Wheel of the Year
The Wheel of the Year is a modern invention associated with Wicca and Neopaganism. It represents the cycle of the year broken up into 8 parts by different “sabbats” or spokes of the wheel: the two solstices (Midwinter/Yule and Midsummer/Litha), the two equinoxes (Mabon in fall and Ostara in spring), and their midpoints. These other four festivals are inspired by the Celtic “cross-quarter” days of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.
The modern observance of these holidays is often syncretic, drawing from various times, places and cultures. But they all represent interest in the survival and practice of old folk traditions. For many people today, the Wheel of the Year offers a chance to mark the passing of time outside of the Christian calendar and holidays fueled by capitalist consumption. Observing the turning of the wheel allows us to connect with the changing of the seasons, and gives us regular opportunities to reflect, plan, and gather with community.
Samhain is sometimes referred to as the “Witches’ New Year.” This is especially true for me, since I observe it as the anniversary of my magickal practice. The Wheel of the Year has been a fundamental entry point to my nature-based spirituality and path of witchcraft. In fact, tracking the seasonal cycles of the sun, moon and earth was largely what ignited my passion for astrology. That’s why I continue to write and speak about the sabbats each year, alongside my usual focus on astrological events and concepts.
Samhain
“Samhain” is the Irish word for the months of November. Observed on November 1st, this Gaelic festival is the last of the harvest holidays. Samhain is featured heavily in Irish mythology and in Scottish traditions. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter; herds would be brought from summer pastures to winter ones, and gatherings would be held with feasts and bonfires. It’s seen as a time when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, and when portals to the Otherworld - land of spirits and of the dead - were open (sometimes in the form of ancient burial mounds).
Many different folk festivals have included the traditions of “mumming” and “guising,” but nowadays they are most famous as the precursors to modern trick-or-treating at Halloween. Children would dress up in costumes or disguises and go door-to-door, singing songs, reciting poetry, or performing short plays in return for money or food, especially sweets, nuts or apples (which were also commonly used in divination games, such as bobbing for apples). People often carried carved lanterns (initially made from turnips before pumpkins were introduced from the Western hemisphere). This tradition was also associated with pranks and mischief, especially when the expected gifts were not proffered. The costumes were believed to disguise people and keep them safe from the spirits who wandered the land on this mystical night.
Other Holidays
In the western world, the Christian season of Allhallowtide spans from October 31st through November 2nd. It includes All Hallows’ Eve, All Hallows’ Day (with the “Hallows’” sometimes replaced with “Saints’”), and All Souls’ Day. These holidays focus on remembering and praying for the dead, especially saints and martyrs.
The Old Norse tradition of “Winter Nights” also overlaps with this time of year. It was a three-day festival marking the beginning of winter. Divination was performed to predict the weather for the coming months, and sacrifices were made to honor local spirits.
Another relevant holiday is the Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos. Celebrated in Mexico over the course of several days, this festival is dedicated to honoring those who have passed on. It includes traditions like marigolds (cempazúchitl), sugar skulls (calaveras), sweet bread (pan de muerto) and home altars (ofrendas).
And of course, October 31st is now most famous for Halloween, celebrated in the modern day with trick-or-treating, costumes, and all things spooky.
How to Observe
Sabbats are always a good time to reflect. Look back to the last 6 weeks since the autumnal equinox on September 22nd. What’s happened? How have you grown? Change is often incremental and hard to notice in our daily lives, so we gain a lot of perspective by remembering to reflect at regular intervals.
As a harvest festival, Samhain is an especially important time to reflect on gratitude. Take stock of all the abundance in your life: physical health and material wealth, mental and emotional well-being, spiritual and social connections. Journal about your reflections and everything you’re grateful for. Express your gratitude to people, spirits, the natural world - and don’t forget yourself!
This holiday is an important time to reflect on your relationship to death. Remember your loved ones who have passed from this world: visit their graves, set a plate for them at your dinner table, or spend some time with the pictures and objects they left behind. Honor your ancestors and guides, and the spirits all around you - just remember to maintain your boundaries.
Sabbats on the wheel of year also present good opportunities to plan ahead for the next chunk of time. What are your plans between now and the winter solstice on December 21st? Are there any preparations you need to make for the winter months ahead? Maybe you need to put your garden to rest, preserve the last of your harvest or foraged finds, and fish out some indoor craft projects for the long dark nights to come. Both literally and metaphorically, not all seeds are planted in the sunny springtime; some of them need to rest underground throughout the cold winter, ready to germinate when the warmth and light return.
Rest is another important concept to reflect on at this time. Our capitalist culture encourages a “grindset” of endless toil and labor to produce value, keeping us running on the hamster wheel at any cost. With the current economy forcing many to suffer financially while a few individuals hoard most of the world’s wealth, we sometimes really can’t afford to rest. But even when we can, I know that many of us feel guilty about it. We think that we always need to be productive in order to prove our worth. However, in a society sick with late-stage capitalism, resting is an act of rebellion as well as self-care. So as much as you can, embrace the cycles of nature! If you’re tired, let yourself sleep more, do less, and slow down the pace of your life - trusting that your energy will return in due time. See what magick you notice when you’re not rushing headlong through each day. As a speedy mercurial type myself, this quote attributed to Banksy really resonates with me: “When you’re tired, learn to rest, not quit.” Like the trees dropping their leaves, let go of what isn’t essential in your life, allowing it to fertilize your roots and eventual new growth.
Sabbats are also an excellent time to gather together and celebrate with others. Especially with the harder times of winter on the horizon, community building is essential to support us all in getting through the season. Many of us feel very alone these days in our hyper-individualistic western culture, and yet we feel that ever-present longing for togetherness. We have a lot of grief to hold, and a lot of work to do in preparing for an uncertain future and trying to shape a better world for all of us to survive and thrive. Community and connection with others are crucial for us to maintain hope and help each other carry our heavy loads.
This Samhain is an excellent opportunity for a fresh start. It coincides with a new moon in Scorpio, beginning the first lunar cycle after our recent eclipse season - so now is a good time to resume practices of magick and manifestation. Cleanse your home to invite in new energies. Cast protection spells on your space, yourself and your loved ones. Work with thresholds and transformations at this liminal time. Connect with the season and the elements. Get inspired to cook up some kitchen witchery and cozy, crafty creativity. And don’t forget the two magickal mainstays of this dark season: divination and shadow work.
