Samhain (pronounced "sow-in") is a traditional Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is celebrated on the night of October 31st and into November 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. Some of you may note November 1st as All Saints Day. This is a Christian holiday that is a day dedicated to praying for the souls of the departed who are believed to be in Purgatory.
While Samhain is known around the world as the cultural Halloween there are a few things that you might want to know about the festival as it pertains to your spiritual practice. This is a time of strong ancestral connection: Samhain is often seen as a time when the boundary between the living and the dead is thin, and it's believed that the spirits of deceased loved ones can more easily visit the living. Many people use this time to honor their ancestors, setting up altars or leaving offerings for them.
If you have an ancestral altar, please take the time to tend those altars more than usual. You may choose to work with my Legacy oil which is perfect to allow your ancestors to assist in bringing in generational wealth for future generations. If you have an ancestor that needs spiritual elevation or you want to take your veneration to another level; Elevate is perfect for that. They are both offered on this month's BOGO.
Tarot readings or other forms of Divination are especially potent and informative during this time. Samhain was considered a particularly auspicious time for divination and seeking knowledge of the future. This is also a great time to get an Ancestral Guidance Reading. I am offering these this month for the Reading Special.
Traditionally, Samhain was a time of feasting as the final harvest festival of the year. People would gather to enjoy the fruits of their labor and share food with one another. Apples, nuts, and other autumnal foods were common in these feasts. You may want to consider hosting a Dumb Supper for your ancestor and dearly departed. A "dumb supper" is a traditional and somewhat mystical ritual that is often associated with various forms of folklore and paganism. The primary purpose of a dumb supper is to honor and commune with deceased loved ones, ancestors, and spirits.
Here's a general overview of how a dumb supper is typically conducted:
- Preparation: Participants prepare a meal or feast, often with traditional foods associated with the season or their cultural heritage. The meal is usually made with care and attention to detail, and it may include offerings of favorite foods and drinks of the departed.
- Setting the table: A special table is set for the meal, often in a quiet and dimly lit room or outdoors. The table is usually adorned with candles, flowers, and symbols that represent the ancestors or spirits being honored.
- Silence: The term "dumb" in "dumb supper" signifies that the meal is conducted in silence. Participants sit down to eat in complete silence, emphasizing the solemn and reverent nature of the occasion.
- Invocations and prayers: Before or after the meal, participants may recite prayers, invocations, or chants to invite the spirits of the deceased to join them. These words can vary widely depending on individual beliefs and traditions.
- Communion: During the meal, participants may imagine or visualize the presence of their ancestors or loved ones. Some may leave an empty chair or place setting for the spirits to "join" the supper.
- Messages and reflections: After the meal, participants may engage in a period of reflection or meditation, allowing for any messages or signs from the spirits to come through. This can be a personal and emotional experience.
While the dumb supper is not a religious practice in itself, it is often incorporated into modern Pagan and Wiccan celebrations, especially those centered around Samhain, as a way to remember and pay respects to ancestors and those who have passed away.
Today the ancient Celtic traditions of Samhain have evolved over time, they have contributed to the modern celebration of Halloween. Many Halloween customs, such as carving pumpkins (originally turnips), trick-or-treating, and telling ghost stories, have their roots in Samhain.
It's important to note that Samhain has been adapted and incorporated into various contemporary pagan and Neopagan practices, including Wicca and other nature-based spiritual traditions. These modern interpretations may vary in their specific rituals and beliefs while still honoring the essence of Samhain as a time to celebrate the changing seasons, connect with ancestors, and acknowledge the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead.
I plan to work with my ancestors even more this month and conduct community readings as often as I can. In the October Collection, there are candles that are designed specifically for working with your ancestors this month. I will be burning my own candles to assist with guidance for the end of this year and into next year. I hope to build connections with my spirit team as well. This process will be helped with increased time in meditation to cut out distractions from incoming messages.
What are your plans?
Blessed Samhain!