Samhain observences

[ViolinGoddess]

I was wondering......what sort of ritual or whatever will you all be doing for Samhain? Do you seek out and honor your ancestors, do some faery magick, divination, etc? What?

Me, personally, I honor the faeries that I ask to come visit me by leaving a meal out for them. Honey, bread, butter, berries. I also honor my ancestors. Or more spesifically, my twin brother and sister who were still born two years before I was born. I don't really do any God/Goddess work because I'm a christian witch and Halloween doesn't have much meaning in christianity. But I'd like to honor the change in seasons more (or at all) but I'm really not sure how to. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to observe Samhain.?

Thanks.
Violin Goddess

[Riceko]

Last Samhain I never really got to do anything... I was busy taking care of everyday life. I dont think I even trick or treated.

But this year maybe I'll go to my friend's house to have a small ritual (we usually spend the whole night trick or treating then eating our candy watching scary movies.)
I also want to honor my ancestors... one in particular... my unborn brother. And my grandmothers.
I cant wait! I dont do rituals very often (I feel I was put on earth to take care of just that. The Earth. So I dont do much magick, etc)

The faeries will get lots of food and love from us two ^-^

And about honoring the changing of seasons... You probably already understand the importance of the chaning seasons to the people who came before us... who lived by the land. Samhain is, of course the day when the veil is thinnest. And when the great harvest will start coming to an end, which I feel signifies "moving on".

So really a great way to celebrate it is by honoring your ancestors and dieties in one way or another. Whether by eating a feast (even a small batch of cakes and some ale) or doing magick.

The god(s) and goddess(es) really do have a sense of humor too. You could always go trick or treating.. then offer them some of your candy :P

[Rudas Starblaze]

Rowan Moonstone and i will be celebrating our wedding aniversary of course. :)

[alwaysfallingup]

I celebrate every year with my coven, and we do something different every year...usually alternating between a very serious ritual that honors those who have passes over and the dark half of the year and a very fun, festive atmosphere where we celebrate lives lived well and the best of the season.

We have done ritual drama depicting Persephone's return to the underwold, journeying to contact the beloved dead, Dumb Suppers, and ceremonies to honor our ancestors. This year, we are thinking about having a fun celebration in a Mexican Day of the Dead style to celebrate life and those who have gone before us.

One of my favorite Samhain rituals we've done, though, is something that might appeal to you. We celebrated Garland Sunday (a traditional Irish to-do) where we gathered together and made pretty wreaths and garlands out of seasonal flowers and apples (a symbol of immortality and the otherworld). We made one for each person we wanted to honor, empowered them, and then each went individually the next day to place them on graves. It was a really joyous celebration and we ate good food and took turns telling our favorite stories about the people we were making the wreaths to honor. It was our very first Samhain ritual, and a wonderful bonding experience.

[MankyCat]

I'm going to dress up and go trick or treating with my nieces and nephew. It's a tradition that feels like the best way to celebrate. But we might be starting another tradition of having the kids come to my place and do the halloween stuff like carving pumpkins and such. I'll probably do some minor stuff on my own (lighting a candle at the window and such), but the kids are the major thing.

I'll have several get togethers with friends throughout the month (at my place) to further celebrate. This is my favorite season and my favorite holiday.:abanana:

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

I always honor those who have recently passed away in my samhain ritual. Last summer my cat, kitt died of old age, then that fall my cat dewey dissapeared, i think i will be marking thier passing each samhain...at least kitt...she was dearest to my heart.

[SilverClaw]

I will be honouring my grandmother ( who pased away 5 years ago) with a ritual and Celberate my sons 4th birthday. It is also a time for me to set my new goals for the year. Also I will be doing a letting go ritual of some of the things that have happened this year as well.

[MariThorn]

I was wondering......what sort of ritual or whatever will you all be doing for Samhain? Do you seek out and honor your ancestors, do some faery magick, divination, etc? What?

Me, personally, I honor the faeries that I ask to come visit me by leaving a meal out for them. Honey, bread, butter, berries. I also honor my ancestors. Or more spesifically, my twin brother and sister who were still born two years before I was born. I don't really do any God/Goddess work because I'm a christian witch and Halloween doesn't have much meaning in christianity. But I'd like to honor the change in seasons more (or at all) but I'm really not sure how to. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to observe Samhain.?

Thanks.
Violin Goddess

Samhain is one of my favorite Sabbats, second being Yule, and then Mabon . . . This year I will be lighting a candle for my great aunt, a witch herself, who passed over this year. We normally have a solemn circle marking the end of the year and the beginning of Winter. Then we do a ritual where we call in all the good fae and astral beings to share our home for the Winter. We always have a feast, and always set a place for whomever decides to come in to visit. A candle is lit in the window and left until we go to bed to show our loved ones the way here. Last year we had at least five loved ones visit who had passed over. It is always a touching time in our home.

As for the Christians don't celebrate it, that isn't true. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox mark All Saints and All Souls. I would check into those if I were you for ideas to involve your two paths. We will be getting up early on the first day of the new year to attend mass. There we will pray for all those who have given their lives for our religion. I think this is something that could even be taken up by witches. As a time to honor those who died during the burning times, or since. We will also start decorating for Yule. LOL As Samhain is over and my Thanksgiving three times o're is done. People just laugh at us, but oddly we have people who stop by for odd visits during that time. :)

Oh yes, we light the first fire of the year on Samhain and give treats to the fae. :fpartyfav

Marithorn

[~Elise~]

Part of our Samhain ritual is to call in the Beloved Dead and the Mighty Dead. Beloved Dead are those who are related to you personally, including friends as well as family. Mighty Dead are those who had an impact on society... Susan B Anthony, John F Kennedy and the like.
No one speaks during this time except for the person calling the list. As each name is called you come forward and light a tealight for them on the Altar of the Dead. (by the time our group has called all in and lit candles--we have almost a hundred lit...very awesome sight.) On that Altar - are rememberances of them, pictures, favorite food, etc.
It is always set in the West. Since we are such a large group, putting their favorite food on the Altar suffices as our Dumb Supper.
We leave circle through the West during this ritual so as to commune with the spirits called--once feasting and divination is over--we go back through the West and exit circle through the East.

We do also set up a space by the Altar of the Dead where you can commune quietly with them or do divination for the coming year. We set out scrying mirrors, cards and spirit board.

Elise

[Jadewynd~]

This Samhain I will do what I traditionally do every year. I will perform a solitary Samhain ritual on the day of Halloween and honor my ancestors that have passed. Connect with my spiritual guides through meditation. I too feel the veil between worlds is thinner between hallow's eve and halloween ,as some others do. Afterward, I have a Samhain dinner plan that involves Lamb and harvested veggies of the season. I can't forget in honor of Halloween and those that have passed celebrate with Black Martini's with my husband! Then last probably dress up for the Village parade here, which is traditional here. I have a costume already; made it some time back. So, it would be nice to wear it for that night.

[ViolinGoddess]

Part of our Samhain ritual is to call in the Beloved Dead and the Mighty Dead. Beloved Dead are those who are related to you personally, including friends as well as family. Mighty Dead are those who had an impact on society... Susan B Anthony, John F Kennedy and the like.
No one speaks during this time except for the person calling the list. As each name is called you come forward and light a tealight for them on the Altar of the Dead. (by the time our group has called all in and lit candles--we have almost a hundred lit...very awesome sight.) On that Altar - are rememberances of them, pictures, favorite food, etc.
It is always set in the West. Since we are such a large group, putting their favorite food on the Altar suffices as our Dumb Supper.
We leave circle through the West during this ritual so as to commune with the spirits called--once feasting and divination is over--we go back through the West and exit circle through the East.

We do also set up a space by the Altar of the Dead where you can commune quietly with them or do divination for the coming year. We set out scrying mirrors, cards and spirit board.

Elise


WOw!! That sounds great! How beautiful! I hope it is a wonderful time.

Violin Goddess

[demonique]

I'm still not sure what to do with myself. Last Samhain, I just worked. I work again this year, but I want to do something anyway - perhaps the next night. I'd feel sort of silly honoring Christian ancestors in a decidedly un-Christian way, so I've refrained from that. Don't know if anyone else feels rather squicky doing that, too, but it is a quirk I have.

I WILL be doing some diviniation, and some honoring of the seasons type stuff. But I'm not sure what else - but reading this thread is good for ideas!

[Nitefalle]

Since Halloweenie is on a Tues. this year, my group will be celebrating the weekend before. We want to do something big and ambitious this year....see stuff fly across room or something, lol. Just generally celebrate that the veil is thinnest. I will personally be honoring my ancestors (I have a photo album that has pictures going back six generations, just from my dad's side) in a private ceremony at home.

[moonbride]

Since Halloweenie is on a Tues. this year, my group will be celebrating the weekend before. We want to do something big and ambitious this year....see stuff fly across room or something, lol. Just generally celebrate that the veil is thinnest. I will personally be honoring my ancestors (I have a photo album that has pictures going back six generations, just from my dad's side) in a private ceremony at home.

This sounds really nice...I may have to steal your idea about the scrapbooks. I've always set a place at the dinner table for my mother who passed away 13 years ago. The kids make a real special deal out of that... they love including her. And I make a really nice dinner as well. Hoping to come up with a few more new ideas this year as well.

[Cerberos]

I think this year is gonna be really different than the previous ones. My aunt and grandmother passed away couple of months ago and I'll be saying goodbye to them.
I'll try at least...

I still can't accept that they are gone and I think Samhain is a good time to bid farewell to them and go on with my path...

[Windsmith]

I'd feel sort of silly honoring Christian ancestors in a decidedly un-Christian way, so I've refrained from that. Don't know if anyone else feels rather squicky doing that, too, but it is a quirk I have.The first year I really marked Samhain, I had the same problem with my Jewish ancestors. They didn't know what to make of it. Now it's just a nice thing they show up for, mostly because they know there'll be food. :)

[StephanieAine]

To the Celtic Christian, Samhain is a time to be spent at the hearth and at the family table, sharing memories of departed loved ones, and leaving a candle at the window (or on a table beside the door if a safe spot by a window isn't possible) in case a departed ancestor happens to be able to drop by for a visit <g>. (And if such a thing can't occur for some reason, then I believe that at least I know that my loved ones who are with God will at least be looking in on us through the veil, knowing we're thinking of them and we would love to be sharing time with them again). The candle can be thought of as a "welcome home" light for them.

I'll be enjoying the light of the hearth and hopefully a special dinner with my daughter (depending on how I'm feeling since I'm going through chemo... my "feast" might end up being a container of yoghurt!). I'll also some time studying scripture and watching a bit of television most likely. (Or maybe I'll pop in here for a visit instead of the telly.)

I won't be leaving the porch light on or purchasing bags of candy, though... I'm not quite up to all of the door-answering that goes on with Trick-Or-Treaters (and besides, to me, the whole Halloween Trick-Or-Treat thing is so far removed from what Samhain is that I guess I just don't feel need to participate anyway. Considering how nutty the world is, there are fewer and fewer children actually going door to door in my city anyway. Most seem to be taken to the local malls by their parents instead. I would have loved that as a kid!)

[~Elise~]

Okay--also keep in mind--that Samhain and Halloween are NOT the same. The date of Samhain moves the same as the equinoxes and the Solstices. The actual date is November 7th this year. We're celebrating it on the Nov 4th

Elise

[StephanieAine]

For me, Samhain is always November 1st - but it begins at sunset on October 31st, since day begins at evening. (And so it ends at sunset November 1st to make it a 24 hour period.)

[Witchy_Momma]

I will particapating in a Samhain ritual writen by a friend for a group of pagan friends. It should be a blast. We will have trick or treating and a reverse trick or treating. We will honor our ancestors with plates of food during the ritual. I can't wait.

Leslie

[RunningRiot]

Halloween is my favorite holiday, along with the Day of the Dead (samhain.) Even though my family is Christian, I managed to convert myself to a pagan at age 8.

Every since I can remember I've been dressing up with my family and going trick-or-treating, then coming home and eating candy with them! Even though I'm 17 now I still practice this because it's one of my personal traditions, but also because it's my way of honoring the spirits. I believe spirits run a little more free this night and you go outside after dark with a mask on to blend in with the crowd- big jip if you use your new guise to get candy, who would refuse the blessings of a spirit? ^_^ I usually watch a scary movie or something too. Carving jack-o-lanterns to guard our house from evil in the new coming year, divination yearly out-looks, obviously honoring the spirits by walking and playing with them. Being in a Christian family I was taught to fear the dead and death, but I over came that a really young age without anyone's help, so I had no teacher- I just went on instinct. So throughout the year (not just Halloween), I wore a small skull totem to honor the dead, then I became somewhat a medium and spoke to quite a few corpses, so it's not scary anymore. I usually just wear a symbol, or offer some tobacco or cake to the dead in general, since I did not know my dead family members well.

[MankyCat]

Okay--also keep in mind--that Samhain and Halloween are NOT the same. The date of Samhain moves the same as the equinoxes and the Solstices. The actual date is November 7th this year. We're celebrating it on the Nov 4th

Elise


Good point. For me, I go with what is easiest to remember and the strongest day for me personally. I always forget the holidays except Samhain, Yule, and Beltane. I'm always forgetting the actual dates they are supposed to be on, so I go with what I will remember. Halloween was based on Samhain (if you trace the concepts and the different names and dates used for that particular time). So... with everything in consideration, I just go with Oct 31. It has never failed me. But thank you for the the actual date. That's great to know and now I'll probably mark that date too. :hehehehe:


Doesn't help that the actual dates always wear me out. Literally. It's like I can feel the lack of energies that I can only assume is caused by so many others (in this realm and other realms) are drawing on in their own workings or tasks. So... I usually feel most energized and more effective before the date itself. It's like the lottery. The less people who enter, the more of a chance you have to win.

[Jolantru]

I will have a solitary celebration for this year's Samhain. Candles, probably a small meal for my ancestors and those who have passed on. I will probably observe All Saints' as well since my in-laws are Catholic.

Cheers,
Jolantru

[ViolinGoddess]

I'd feel sort of silly honoring Christian ancestors in a decidedly un-Christian way, so I've refrained from that. Don't know if anyone else feels rather squicky doing that, too, but it is a quirk I have.

===> I'm christian and I will be honoring my ancestors on Samhain. My mom had still born twins two years before I was born, Rachel and Joshua. ANd I'll be honoring my cocker spanial who pass in May. ALso my father (a presbyterian minister) asked me to honor his friend Lloyd who died of AIDS a few years ago.

A few years ago when I first lit a candle for my brother and sister, it was becauswe a bunchof us at my friends Halloween party were doing it. i really didn't expect anything. But they showed up. It was nice to see them. They look like my mom. We talked, it was nice.

Violin Goddess

[ViolinGoddess]

I'm kind of new to observing Samhain and I don't know all the traditions. What do you usually eat for the feast on Samhain.

Violin Goddess

[StephanieAine]

ViolinGoddess - were you directing that question toward those who practice as pagans, or those of us who are Christian? (I'm not sure whether the food eaten is different and so forth if pagans and Christians are doing it... but who knows, maybe there are interesting differences.)

If you're wanting the Celtic Christian answer, let me know. I was a blabbermouth on the previous page, so I won't add more unless you meant to get a Christian stance! <g>

[AoibhellFaeryMoon]

Samhain is always a big deal for any group that I'm with. Last year we did a ritual to charge up divination tools, and then did the "pumpkin bashing" (we hang a pinata and fill it with runes...whatever rune you get is divined for the next year--that is the second time we did that, and it's a very popular ritual addition).

This year, our Grove is being dedicated into existence, and we are initiating ourselves. We will also have a table for the ancestors--I shall honour my Grandmother who passed this year (whom I thought of as a second mother). Of course, she's never far away---she stays to my right side, and make smart ass comments at innappropriate times.

We will likely be celebrating November 4th or 5th.

[MankyCat]

Samhain is always a big deal for any group that I'm with. Last year we did a ritual to charge up divination tools, and then did the "pumpkin bashing" (we hang a pinata and fill it with runes...whatever rune you get is divined for the next year--that is the second time we did that, and it's a very popular ritual addition).

This year, our Grove is being dedicated into existence, and we are initiating ourselves. We will also have a table for the ancestors--I shall honour my Grandmother who passed this year (whom I thought of as a second mother). Of course, she's never far away---she stays to my right side, and make smart ass comments at innappropriate times.

We will likely be celebrating November 4th or 5th.


The pumpkin bashing is an excellent idea!!!! I so want to try that... one day. 8O

[AoibhellFaeryMoon]

The pumpkin bashing is an excellent idea!!!! I so want to try that... one day. 8O

It's GREAT! The first year was a pinata shaped liked a pumpkin wearing a witch hat. The second time was a pinata shaped like a witch. And we use a little mini besom to bash it....GREAT fun!

[ViolinGoddess]

ViolinGoddess - were you directing that question toward those who practice as pagans, or those of us who are Christian? (I'm not sure whether the food eaten is different and so forth if pagans and Christians are doing it... but who knows, maybe there are interesting differences.)

If you're wanting the Celtic Christian answer, let me know. I was a blabbermouth on the previous page, so I won't add more unless you meant to get a Christian stance! <g>

===> Actually, I was asking the pagan traditions. Since this is a pagan holiday. ALthough I am a christian witch, I was wondering what the original traditions were and then I would incorperate whatever felt right to me. But anyone else who would like to answer is welcome to.

Violin Goddess

[Jolantru]

I would make a small feast with food normally harvested around this time of year. But many of us don't have easy access to own-grown fruits and vegetables. So, think of food that remind you of harvest. Seeds, fruits like pomegranates and autumn vegetables like squash are good ingredients to start with.

This is a good time to sit down and remember what you have done/accomplished too.

Hope this helps,
Jolantru

[MankyCat]

It's GREAT! The first year was a pinata shaped liked a pumpkin wearing a witch hat. The second time was a pinata shaped like a witch. And we use a little mini besom to bash it....GREAT fun!


You're killing me here. You know that. I love it! A besom to bash it. That's lovely!

[Nitefalle]

Oh oh oh, speaking of food.....DUMB SUPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would eat fall foods in general and then have a dumb supper!!! I don't know where/when this originated, but you set out a full meal, as fancy as you want, set out a plate for the spirits of the departed with some food on it, and then conduct the entire meal in complete silence, from start to finish. It's supposed to help focus you on the intent and honor the spirits. I have always wanted to try it....maybe I'll do one myself this year.

[StephanieAine]

===> Actually, I was asking the pagan traditions. Since this is a pagan holiday. ALthough I am a christian witch, I was wondering what the original traditions were and then I would incorperate whatever felt right to me. But anyone else who would like to answer is welcome to.

Violin Goddess

Actually, it's really not a pagan holiday. It's a cultural holiday/seasonal festival... meaning that it comes from the Celtic tradition. It may have originated in pagan times, but that's not to say that the festival itself is pagan. All four of the original Celtic seasonal festivals are cultural.