As Halloween comes upon us, there are some things I wish to let people know. In the Wiccan/Pagan community Hallow's Eve is our New Years Eve, a night where the wheel of the years begins to turn once again. The Holiday is call Samhain (pronounced; Sow-Wen, or Sew-Wen, or Sahm-hain) and is October 31st. At Samhain Wiccans/Pagans say farewell to the God even though he resides within the Goddess and readies to be reborn at Yule. (Winter Solstice) Samhain Sabbat is also known by other names through out the Pagan Community and world as the; "Feast of the Dead," "Feast of Apples," "All Hallow's Eve," and of course Halloween. This Sabbat once marked the time of the sacrifice and the slaughter of animals to ensure enough food though out the winter months. The God as well fell to ensure our continuing existence. This is a time of Reflection and coming to terms with one thing in life which we have no control -Death.
Samhain Lore & Traditions
Samhain (pronounced Sow-in, Sah-vin, Sahm-hayn, SOW-Wen, Sew-Wen, or SAHM-hain),
Known most popularly as Halloween, marks the end of the third and final harvest, is a day to commune with and remember the dead, and is a celebration of the eternal cycle of reincarnation. Samhain (once again Halloween) is the most coveted Sabbat by the Wiccan (and many Pagan) religions. Samhain is an important night for several different reasons for Wiccans. For the Family Wicca it marks the entrance into the Dark Half of the year, the Witch’s New Year. Witchcraft is a great mystery and some are frightened by us. Many people fear what they do not know or understand, but it is not a night where we capture children to renew our youth, or have live sacrifices to the dark god. We do not even believe in absolute evil.
There are two possible sources for the origin of the Samhain Sabbat's name. One is from the Aryan God of Death, Samana, and the other is from the Irish Gaelic word "samhraidhreadh", which literally means "the summer's end". Samhain marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter for the Celts, with the day after Samhain being the official date of the Celtic New Year. The reason the Celts chose this point in time as their new year rather than Yule, when the rest of Western pagans celebrate it, was because the sun is at its lowest point on the horizon as measured by the ancient standing stones of Britain and Ireland.
In the European traditions, Samhain is the night when the old God dies, and the Crone Goddess mourns him deeply for the next six weeks. The popular image of her as the old Halloween hag menacingly stirring her cauldron comes from the Celtic belief that all dead souls return to her cauldron of life, death, and rebirth to await reincarnation. Samhain is popularly known today as Halloween, a contraction of the words "Hallowed Evening", and it retains much of the original form and meaning it had long ago in Celtic lands, despite the efforts of the Church to turn it into an observance of feasting and prayer for their vast pantheon of saints. The Church began calling it Michaelmas, the feast day of St. Michael, but the old Samhain holiday proved to be too potent a drawing card for one lone saint to combat. So it was renamed the Eve of All Saints, or All Hallows Eve, which precedes All Saint's Day, and is still one of the holiest days in Catholicism.
The pagan Samhain is not, and never was, associated with evil or negativity. It has always been a time to reaffirm our belief in the oneness of all spirits, and in our firm resolution that physical death is not the final act of existence. Though death is very much a part of Samhain's symbolism, this Sabbat also celebrates the triumph of life over death. While it is true that Samhain is no more evil than any other holiday, it is also a fact that evil does exist, and pagans have always been aware of this. Our ancestors sought to protect themselves on this night by carving faces in vegetables to place near windows or at the perimeters of their circle. These were the forerunners of our present day jack-o-lanterns. These carved pumpkin faces are probably relics of the even earlier custom of placing candles in windows to guide the earth-walking spirits along their way. Today it is still a custom in Ireland to place candles in the windows on Samhain night and to leave plates of food for the visiting spirits.
Halloween, plain and simple is our favorite time of year. A true time for witches, Witchcraft itself, and Wiccans alike who feel that on this night the separation between the physical and spiritual realities is it's least guarded and it's veil the thinnest. It is a time for dimensional openings and workings, it is a somber holiday, one of dark clothes and thoughts for the dead, it is said to be the time when those of necromantic talents can speak with the dead and it is certainly a time to remember ones own dead. Witches believe it is a time of endings of relationships and bad situations and it is the time when one can see the glimmer of hope in the future. There are as many concepts attached to this holiday as any other, truly a time of remembrance of our ancestors and all those who have gone before.
Samhain bonfires, called balefires in paganism, were once lighted on every hilltop in Britain and Ireland as soon as the sun set on October 30. The word "balefire" comes from the word "boon", which means "extra". The fires serve the purpose of containing the energy of the dead god, lighting the dark night, warding off evil, ushering in the light of the New Year, purifying the ritual space or home, and being the focus of ritual. In many parts of the British Isles these balefires are still lighted on Samhain to honor the old ways.
Dark Half of the Year
For the Family Wicca the year is split in half, the light half and the dark half. At Samhain the nights become longer and rule over the day. This is the time that the High Priestess runs the coven. The High Priestess represents the Goddess and she is the ruler of the Moon. So during the dark half of the year she takes her place as the head of the family. This simply means that she plans the functions, puts out classes. works with new neophytes, and usually creates the lessons and activities for the children in the family. At the Family Wicca we begin to look to ourselves to see what we can change or do that can help us to create the life we want. We work on personal goals and dreams. We spend time meditating on what our purpose is and what we have come here to learn. On Samhain the Family Wicca does several things to remember our Ancestors. The first thing we do is the Rose Ritual. We chose the rose, because it represents the beauty in life and its thorns represent that all life has pain. Both are needed to be able to appreciate the opportunities we have been given in this life time. We choose a rose for those who have passed away in the previous year (or before then) to remember them on Samhain. This is also the season when everything retreats to the warmth of its home. Animals will retreat to their dens, caves, or holes. Bears will hibernate for the winter. Migration will begin for the birds. People will retreat to their warm houses and fire places. So it is only natural to follow nature’s lead and start to look at that which lays within us. We call that introspective.
The idea that evil spirits walk the earth at Samhain is a misinterpretation of the pagan belief that the veil of consciousness which separates the land of the living from the land of the dead is at its thinnest on this night. This does not mean that hordes of evil entities cross this chasm. Some pagans believe this veil is made thin by the God's passing through it into the Land of the Dead, and that he will, for the sake of his people, attempt to hold back any spirits crossing into the physical plane whose intent it is to make trouble. In nearly all the Western pagan traditions, deceased ancestors and other friendly spirits are invited to join the Sabbat festivities, and be reunited with loved ones who are otherwise separated by time and dimensions of existence.
The Witch’s New Year
This is also the day that marks the eve of the Witch’s New Year that begins on November 1st. After the trick or treating has ended we begin to have a feast to celebrate the harvest. We do a ritual to strengthen our goals and break habits that hold us hostage from our success. We celebrate another year that we have been able to spend with those who mean the most to us.
The New Year for the Witches is one of the most lively and celebratory Sabbats, because it is the night that the world remembers that we exist. All that energy that is full of life and joy is put to good use on this night when we perform our rituals and other fun gatherings. This night is also a solemn one, because it is the night when the Sun God dies to prepare to be born again of the Goddess.
Remembering our Ancestors
We believe that we can communicate with our ancestors on this night, because the Veil is the thinnest at this time of the year. We throw the roses that are infused for a specific spirit into the fire so that our love will be carried to them on that night. We also leave an empty place at the table for any ancestor that may wish to visit the family. Some will leave shoes at the front door so that our ancestors will know we are waiting for them. We also light a candle for those we have lost, and a white tapered candle for the Sun God who has passed to be reborn. Wiccans remember their ancestors that came before them, because we are tight units that form strong bounds that carries over many lifetimes. Some Wiccans will also perform a special ritual to ensure that they will be reunited with love ones in future lives. Although, we make reincarnate in different roles… wife and husband in this life may be brother and sister in another, or cousins, or even just best friends…. we want to share eternity together. Many people have met and felt like they have known each other forever. We believe that is because we have shared many lives together.
On this night we also communicate with our Ancestors on issues we have or to get advice about things we are thinking of doing. We also share with them our great successes and joys in our lives. Divination is very popular on Samhain.
No matter why or what you celebrate on this very important night… all Wiccans have a certain love and appreciation for it. Samhain is the night of the Witches and it is very evident in the way that the world sees this night. Just know that Witches are too busy worshiping, dancing, feasting, and laughing to focus on gathering and killing cattle. That is too much work! We are celebrating the final harvest, so we surely don’t want to go create more work! This is the night when the work is done and we can start to change our focus back on ourselves and await the rebirth of the Sun God. This is definitely a night when Witches feel the most at home.
LORE
Some modern scholars claim that Samhain's traditional 'trick or treat' custom was derived from a ploy to scare away fairies and other mischievous spirits, but it has overtones of being a custom of a much later period, perhaps one which grew up around the Burning Times. During the Burning Times, masking and dark clothing hid the identities of witches going to their covens so that they might escape detection. The mask also had the added benefit of frightening away any inquisitor who might happen upon a lone figure in the woods.
If you pare an apple all in one piece on Samhain night and allow it to fall to the ground unaided, it will spell out the initials of your future mate.
Hang an apple from a string with a coin pushed deep inside and try to bite out the coin without using your hands. Succeed, and your pockets will be full throughout the coming year.
If you walk backward into a dark room while looking into a mirror and eating an apple at the same time, you will see your future mate's face in the mirror's reflection
Don’t forget to leave a libation of food out for ancestors and other spirits by arranging it on a small tray or plate and placing it outside one of your lighted windows. It was this custom of leaving out food which evolved into our modern day 'Trick or Treat
DIVINATION
Hazelnuts were tossed into divination patterns by the Druids and then buried to honor the old gods: Draw a small circle about one foot in diameter on the ground in front of you. Take thirteen nuts and shake them around in your cupped hands while concentrating on your question. Gently toss the nuts in front of you. Those that land directly in the circle have the most bearing on you. If more land in the circle than out of it, you have a right to be concerned about the question you asked. Study the nuts for patterns which you can interpret. For example, if the nuts are all pointing in one direction this could be an indication of a direction you need to take your problem. If they appear in the form of a familiar object, use that information to apply to your question. Occasionally they might fall to appear as letters of the alphabet which you can relate to your question.
Scrying is the art of gazing into an object while focusing your mind on one particular question or issue. The objects used usually have reflective surfaces, such as mirrors, water, or crystals. To scry, focus your mind on one issue or question and soften your focus or gaze - but do not stare - into the surface of the object. After some time, visions should form. These may come either as entire scenarios played out with all the detail of a high-tech movie, or they may be only symbols that you will have to interpret for yourself.
Unlike other divinatory devices the Ouija board does not use the collective unconscious as the source for answers, but relies instead on asking unknown spirits to take over the device. Opening such a portal without having any control over who or what comes has its risks, but you will have to decide for yourself if they are worth it or not.
With practice in meditation and sustained concentration, your altered states can become longer and deeper, and at these deeper states (the theta and delta levels) you can do more advanced work, such as astral projection and regression. These are very natural states. The only difference is that you are seeking to gain control of them. The key to these techniques is in learning to concentrate for increasing periods of time on one idea only.
The humble autumn gourd known as the pumpkin has become the most prevalent symbol of Samhain for both pagans and non-pagans, mostly due to the practice of carving them into jack-o'-lanterns. The jack-o' lantern is at least two thousand years old. The first were made in Ireland, and were simple faces carved in turnips which could be easily carried if one needed to travel during the night. They were designed to frighten away evil spirits who were following deceased loved ones and blocking their way into the Land of the Dead, and also to protect the living. Today, jack-o'-lanterns are still usually carved with leering faces, and are seen as offering protection through the dark October nights.
Faces rather than other available and more abstract designs were not chosen at random to be carved onto the jack-o'-lanterns. The ancient Celts considered the head the most sacred part of the body, and at one time, even held a cult-like veneration for it. In battle the Celtic warriors would take the heads from their enemies and mount them on top of poles to guard their villages and encampments. For them, the head was not only seen as the center of learning, but also as the seat of the immortal soul, and therefore a repository for all knowledge. In death, as in life, it was believed that the attributes of a person of strength and agility (such as a warrior) were able to be used as a continual protective force.
The most famous head of protection was that of the Celtic God, Bran the Blessed, whose noble noggin was mounted high on the site where the infamous Tower of London now stands. As insurance against future invasions, he was turned to face the English Channel, from where the greatest threat to the islands always came.
But despite these ancient beliefs, all jack-o'-lanterns do not have to have faces with eyes, nose, and mouth. There are many creative uses for the pumpkin, and a variety of unique ways to carve them. Visit any craft store or seasonal display area of your supermarket in October and you will find an array of intricate carving tools and patterns for putting detailed pictures on your pumpkin. Many of these are very pagan, with drawings of Death, flying witches, and smiling ghosts the most popular patterns.
Even if you don't have the time or interest to devote to these detailed carvings, you can still make your jack-o'-lantern a little different. Try carving stars, hearts, interlaced knots, or pentagrams instead.
You can cut the top off smaller pumpkins and gourds and use them as candleholders in your home, circle, or for a party. Medium-sized pumpkins can be turned into lovely luminaria to light party guests' or trick-or-treaters' way to your door. Luminaria, a Latin word meaning "lights," are usually seen at Christmas and are made by placing candles or other lights in paper bags. Both of these luminaria have the same function to light the way for night travelers and friendly spirits.
To make luminaria, instead of opening your pumpkins from the top, open them from the side by carving a wide circle in them. Scoop out the insides as you would for a regular jack-o'-lantern. Cut a few small holes in the top to let the heat escape and place a small votive candle in the center. Set these outside with the open sides shining over your walkways. (Be sure to blow them out before you go to bed!)
We “Witches,” do our Ritual outside (weather permitting), under the light of the Moon and stars at the “witching hour,” Midnight. Yes some do to this day do the Sabbat “Skyclad” (Naked), as our ancestors before us have done. Not for any other reason than to be closer to the Goddess, God, and nature. Being this is my first Hallow’s Eve in our new home in Arkansas, and we don’t know many people here, for my son and I it’s going to be a sadly quiet one. For the past 15 years back in Wisconsin, our community there has been blessed with our Annual Party/Trick-or-Treating event. Where everyone did the trick-or-treating, than came by to feast from 5 p.m. to Midnight, at which time those who wished to stay and partake of the Sabbat were more than welcome to do so. Being last years was our last one there, It went well into the following morning. I am looking forward to going into the nearby Forest (2 minute walk) this year and doing our Sabbat there. I wish all a very Merry Samhain, with many Blessings in the year to come. BB )0(
