Samhain

[Chleo]

Samhain is one of the eight Pagan festivals from the Wheel of the Year. It is considered to be the Celtic New Year and it is one of the most important festivals. It is one of the four fire festivals, which also include Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh. Samhain is celebrated on the 31st of October.

It is the time when the God has died and gone to the Underworld to wait to be born again in Yule. Our Goddess is a crone and is mourning the loss. Samhain is a time when we honor those who have left this world and passed through the veil. On this night, the veil is the thinnest between the material world and the spiritual.

In Ancient times, Balefires were burned and many celebrations took place by our Ancestors. Samhain is considered the most sacred and oldest celebration since it honors the cycle of Life and Death.

Attributes to Samhain:

Herbs include: Allspice, Dandelion, Deadly nightshade, Mugwort, Catnip, Ferns, Flax ,Mandrake, Dragon’s Blood, Sage, Straw, Thistles, Wormwood, and Oak

Traditional Colors Include: Black and Orange

Crystals and Stones used: Onyx, Carnelian, and Obsidian

Gods that have to do with this celebration include: Horned Hunter, Cernunnos, Hades, Loki, Anubis, and Osiris.

Goddesses that have to do with this celebration include: The Crone, Bastet, Hekate, Cerridwen, and Baba Yaga.

Foods usually associated with Samhain include: Apples, Hazelnuts, Pumpkin, Squash, Corn, Apple Cider, and Cranberry Muffins

Spellwork and Rituals conducted include: Honoring the Dead, Releasing the Old, Rituals celebrating Death and Rebirth, Divination, and Past Life Recall

Samhain has been celebrated for centuries and is a sacred celebration because it is the honoring and understanding of Life and Death.

Twas the Night Before Samhain
Author Unknown
"Twas the night before Samhain and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, except for my spouse.
The incense, it burned in our cauldron so black,
For Witchcraft and Magick we'd a wonderful knack.

The circle was drawn with the athame of power,
The guardians were called to each quarter tower.
The Lord and Lady attended our rite,
In wonder and glory and power and might.

The dearly departed came as our guest,
To live once again, after their rest.
We bid them goodbye with a tear in our eye,
Such a lovely presence of loved ones so nigh.

The candles danced in the flickering light,
With the Great Rite we bid them all a good night.
The guardians, thanked, have all sped away,
The Lord and Lady, thanked for the day.

The night before Samhain, Gods bless this house,
A circle of wonder 'round me and my spouse."

Brightest Blessings!
Chleo