Samhain Sabbat – The Celebration of the Third and Final Harvest
Samhain (pronounced SOW-in) is one of the Greater Wiccan Sabbats. Generally celebrated on October 31st, it is considered the Witch’s New Year, representing the finishing of one full turn of the seasonal year.
The symbolism connected to the Samhain Sabbat is that of the third, and final, harvest (the meat harvest), and marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter. It is a time marked by death when the Dead are honoured, and is from ancient Celtic origins when it was the Feast of the Dead.
It is believed that on this one night of the year that the veil Between the Worlds is at its thinnest point, making this an excellent time to communicate with the Other Side, or the spiritual realm.
Associations for representing Samhain may include home-made Jack-O-Lanterns, bale fires, masks of all kinds, the Besom (magical broom), the cauldron, and the waning Moon as well as:
Altar decorations – might include small jack-lanterns, foods from the harvest, and photographs of your loved ones that have passed from this world (this includes any pets or animals that have passed as well).
Colours – associated with Samhain are best known as orange and black, however red, brown, golden yellow, and scarlet are also appropriate.
Altar Candles – should be black, orange, white, silver and gold.
Stones – associated with Samhain are obsidian, onyx, and carnelian.
Animals – bats, cats and dogs.
Mythical Beasts – Phooka, goblins, Medusa, Beansidhe, Fylgiar, Peryton, Erlkonig, and Harpies.
Plants and Herbs – Mugwort, allspice, sage, gourds, apples, and catnip.
Traditional Foods – beets, turnips, squash, gourds, apples, corn, nuts, gingerbread, cider, pomegranates, mulled wines and pumpkin dishes of all kinds. Meat is also traditional, especially pork (if you are vegetarian, tofu is also traditionally correct).
Ritual actions to keep in mind while celebrating the Samhain Sabbat include change, reflection, endings and beginnings, honouring the Dead, the wisdom of the Crone, the death of the God, and the celebration of reincarnation. Some leave a plate of food outside their home for the souls of the dead, place a candle in the window, and burying apples in the earth is believed to guide the dead on their journey to the lands of Eternal Summer. Spellwork for protection and neutralizing harm are often done during the Samhain Sabbat celebrations as well.
As Samhain represents one full turn or the Wheel of the Year, it is considered to be the time for getting rid of weaknesses, or anything unwanted. A common ritual practice is for each person taking part in a Samhain ritual to write their weakness or whatever is unwanted in their lives on a piece of paper or parchment and toss it into the cauldron fire on the altar, or into the outdoor bonfire. Other favoured activities include divination, past life regression or recall, spirit contact (including seances), meditation, astral projection (also know as ‘flying’), and the drying of winter herbs, although this would most likely take place during the day of Samhain and not during the evening and nighttime festivities.
Samhain, know in it’s form as Halloween, is also the most popular Wicca or Pagan Sabbat or celebration observed by the non-Wiccan and Pagan community. It involves parties, trick-or-treating and many other festivities that partly carry on the traditions of the Old Ways. So whatever your own unique way of celebrating Samhain, whether it be a celebration of the Old Ways, the newer ways, or a combination of both, have a festive and safe Samhain.
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