SAMHAIN (HALLOWEEN)
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OCTOBER 31
One of the four major Sabbats-a time of endings and beginnings. The veil between the realm of this plane and that of the spirit realm is very thin. Souls are leaving this plane and souls are reincarnating. Darkness increases, Goddess reigns as the Crone and the God passes into the underworld to become the seed of his own rebirth.
Also known as Halloween, All Hollows Eve, Day of the Dead, All Saint's Eve, Celtic Winter, Feast of Spirits, Celtic New Year, and Samhuinn.
For more detailed information about this Sabbat Click Here for Mike Nichols essay.
Purpose: to honor and celebrate passed ancestors, to celebrate the concept of passing and rebirth, honor the knowing that as things die so they shall be born again.
Symbolism & Representations of Samhain
Color: Black, Orange, Red, Brown, Golden Yellow
Herb/Scent Frankincense, Basil, Yarrow, Lilac, Clove, Camphor, Mugwort, Allspice, Sage, Catnip
Stone: Obsidian, Onyx, Carnelian
Foods: Apples, Pumpkin Pie/Breads, Beets, Turnips, Hazelnuts, Corn, Gingerbread, Pomegranates, Cider
Animal/Creatures: Bats, Cats, Goblins, Ghosts, Spiders, Medusa
Goddess: any Crone or Underworld Goddess-Hecate, Lilith, Psyche, Morrigu/Morrigan
God: any death God or Underworld God-Arawn, Cronus, Woden, Hades, Nefertum
Others: Jack-O-Lanterns, Photo of Loved Ones Departed, Statue of Goddess in Crone Aspect, Cauldron, Besom, Masks
The Samhain Altar can go up anytime before Samhain; I usually put mine up several days before and I always leave it at least three days past the Sabbat. I decorate my home pretty extensively during this Sabbat, often leaving many of the harvest symbols through this time, but the Altar pictured here is the one I set up specifically to honor Samhain and is the one I light while giving out treats. After all the little goblins have gone and are safely tucked into their beds I add any tools I need for spell work and perform my Samhain Rite at this Altar.
Spell work includes those of protection. I commune with spirits if they wish to make themselves known to me. I honor the Crone in prayer and chant and ask her to aid me in putting to rest those things I need to leave behind. These could include habits, ways of thinking or outdated projects. Anything that I need to let go of in order to allow for new births.
- Samhain Sky Wall Hanging
- Samhain Symbols Wall Hanging
- Samhain Broom An Altar
- Samhain Cauldron The Treats
- Samhain '2002' Altar from 2001
Betsy Foster
© October 2001
- The Yule Altar
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- The Ostra Altar
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- Back To About Ritual Altars
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