PREPARATIONS FOR SAMHAIN (AKA HALLOWEEN)

This year we have a very special Samhain - it not only lands on a Saturday, but it also lands on a Blue Moon - the second full moon within the month of October. This is a special season indeed. So what can you do to prepare?

Let’s look at the history of Samhain first in order to understand some of the traditions surrounding this day…

Samhain (pronounced Sah-win or Sah-ween), is also known as the Pagan or Witches New Year…this is a time for releasing. Just as the majority of the world who following the Gregorian Calendar release around December 31st in anticipation of the New Year on January 1st, so too do witches and pagans release the old on October 31st in anticipation of their New Year beginning on November 1st.

So how can you integrate this the tradition of releasing into your Halloween/Samhain? Look around your house and begin to purge that which no longer serves you and your family. Is there clutter that you’ve been thinking about getting rid of? Now is the time - clean out your closet and don’t forget about the cupboards and fridge too!

Speaking of food, this is a time of the year when we make offerings to our ancestors who’ve crossed over. It is believed that this is the time of the year when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest - it is the time of the year when the ancestors who have crossed over can most easily communicate with you…And in order to ensure that they come to you, begin by leaving a few food offerings out for them - this is a form of actually inviting them in.

In addition to inviting them in with offerings of food, you may also wish to prepare your altar in a manner so as to tempt them to visit you on the eve of Samhain. What types of things can you put out? Fall colours such as oranges and reds, some coloured leaves and gourds are all great ideas. And of course, pictures - pictures of the ancestors with whom you’d like to connect.

Another way to connect with your ancestors is to prepare stories about the memories you have of them. These stories, shared with family and friends on the eve of Samhain will further entice the ancestors to visit and commune with you.

Further preparations may involve a doll - yes that’s right, a doll. Just as in the story of Vasalissa, you too can make a small doll or protection in the week leading up to the new year. If you are not familiar with the story of Vasalissa, you may read her story here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55131a11e4b0a07e16795c12/t/575825a237013bb4b828aab1/1465394595721/WiseWomanTale.pdf Once your doll is completed, leave it on your altar until October 31. On the eve of the Full, Blue Moon, on the powerful eve of Samhain, request that your ancestors bless your doll with protection for you throughout the year.

Previously I mentioned putting small gourds on your altar. Did you know that the tradition of carving out gourds and putting a candle within is centuries old? It is believed that on the eve of October 31st, people would venture to the cemetery in order to feel close to their loved ones now in spirit. But in those days, there were no electric lights or flashlights to light their way. In order not to get lost, a candle was placed within a carved out gourd. It was further believed that the lit candle guided the spirits to cross the veil. Today we keep this tradition alive by carving out pumpkins and placing them on our front walks to guide the children up to our front doors.

Speaking of kids - isn’t this all about the kids dressing up? So why do we dress up? There are several theories and here are just 2; Some believe that when our ancestors appear to us on Samhain, their appearance has changed - they now appear to us as ghosts and skeletons. In order that the spirits not feel ashamed of their new appearance, those on the living side of the veil dressed up as ghosts and skeletons in order to make the spirits feel more welcome. The second theory is that this is the one night of the year when you can truly set your intention as to whom you would like to be for the next year - for example, dress up like a prince or princess if this is what you would like to manifest over the new year. This theory is likely much later and is less traditional but then again, if it’s fun for the kids - go for it!

One more fun and exciting way to involve the kids and clear the energies of your house is to perform an energy cleansing ritual - this is easier that is sounds and it’s so much FUN! Gather up lots of noise making items such as drums, rattles, even pots or pans and a wooden spoon. As darkness begins to fall on October 31st, open your back door. Then go to your front door with the kids and noise makers. Start to make some noise - lots of and lots of noise…be sure to keep your intentions positive - hold an intention of stirring up and cleaning out old stagnant energies, the old energies of last year. Run through the whole house, circling each room while making noise with your instruments and with your voices, laugh and yell. Make your way towards the back door and with a swish of noise, banish old energies out the back door and slam the door on the past. Be sure to lock the back door too in order to keep the energies out. Now with the kids, rush to the front door, throw it wide open, and call out to welcome in new, positive energies, light the candles in your pumpkins, light some lovely incense and wait for the energy to settle and for the ancestors to arrive.

Now is a great time to gather around the altar and begin your story telling. When you sense your ancestors near, you may ask them questions or request their protection and guidance through out the upcoming year.

Before you close out your Samhain evening, be sure to thank the ancestors and release them on their way by blowing out the candles in your pumpkins.

As always, In Love and Light