a question about samhain

[licorice whip]

Because I have only recently been re-reading my old books on paganism and been getting involved again, I dont want to do a ritual or anything for Samhain, because I want to learn more about rituals/magick before I really do anything of that sort.

I was thinking though, would just decorating my altar, maybe burning some traditional incense, etc. for Samhain, without actually preforming a ritual, honor the deities? Does anyone have any ideas for 'celebrating' without preforming any magick?

[Raevyn]

That would work really nicely actually. Just setting up decorations and thinking about what the Sabbat means to you is just as meaningful and important as any ritual - also I think it's very appropriate not to do a ritual if you want to do some more research first, and are uncomfortable about it.

[Witchy Cowgirl]

And I agree.

[st0rm]

Originally posted by Raevyn
That would work really nicely actually. Just setting up decorations and thinking about what the Sabbat means to you

thats actually a kind of ritual, not just very formal...

[Pan]

What a lovely idea! Doing that to honour the holiday is actually what a lot of the pagans I know do. They don't do anything lavish because they just don't want to, don't see a point, or don't have anyone to do it with when they want to.

I like to do lavish rituals with all the trimmings.. but that's just me. Sometimes, even I don't like to do ritual.. so I just light a candle on the altar, stick on some incense.. and voila! Instant honouring. ;)

Even just sitting around and offering a few thoughts about the holiday (in liu of what Raevyn said) would be great! Just because you don't know how (or don't want) to do ritual or magick.. doesn't mean you have to ignore the holiday altogether! :D

[Mnemosyne]

I agree with Raevyn. Think about what the holiday means to you. You can prepare a nice meal with foods associated with the holiday. For example, you can have apples, corn, pumpkin pie, pork, cider, etc... Also, if you are into stones, why not place the stones associated with the holiday out? Or is that kind of like a ritual to you? Decorations of the symbols associated with the holiday are fun to have up; they always get me into the holiday spirit.

[Flar's Freyja]

What they all said, and I think that your idea is a lovely way of symbolizing your desire to come back on to this path. While it might be a ritual of sorts, it's not necessarily magick and it can be a way of opening yourself to wisdom and guidance.

And any altar is beautiful and brings such warmth to your home.

[licorice whip]

thank you so much for the suggestions and support, ill definately be decorating and such for samhain now. :)

[HallsOfAvalon]

I think that is a great idea also. Just seeing how this time of year relates to your life is far beyond what allot of Pagans do.

It helps at this time of the year, if you can think about somebody you have lost in your life. Just spend a little time reflecting on them, and your about 90% there. :)