Samhain

[RubyRose]

Okay, I've got my little ritual all planned out. It just came to me infact.

My understanding of Samhain, is that it signifies death and rebirth, being that it's the end and beginning of the year. 31st October, signifying the end and the 1st of November signifying the start.
Anyway, I've been going through a rough time over the last week, moreso that any other time, and I was thinking, of burning a black candle and writing my fears, doubts and things I want to change, etc on a peice of paper (Haven't quite figured out what I want to say yet) as a ritualistic burning of the old me, kinda like ridding myself of the bad and unhappy and making way for the new, more happier me, if that makes sense ... just wondering what you think.

(P.S. I'm in Australia, so it's 3:38pm on 31 October [sorry I'm not quite sure if America is infront or behind, I know it's 3am in the morning though])

Anyway, I've just created and will be performing my first ritual ... oh and yeah I'm going to be performing it at midnight ...

[Faery-Wings]

That sounds like a great idea. One thing you can add,... when I burn a black candle to get rid of negativity, I usually follow it with a white candle to bring positive energy and the things I want to replace the negative.

Just a curious question... I know you are South Hemisphere-- wouldn't you be celebrating the opposite of Samhain? Or is that just soemthing some Aussies do?

:)

[schadenfreude]

http://www.worldtimezone.com/

I have family in Sydney so I keep this ready!! heh

[tensen]

I've heard of many in the Australia have changed the dates to reflect their seasons.
So Samhain would be May 1st... which means it would be Beltane.

[Morgandria]

yes....I thought most Australians followed their seasons opposite ours and that this Sabbat was Beltaine in the southern hemisphere?

-M.

[RubyRose]

Um, I'm new to this whole Wiccan/Pagan craft and I can't get used to switching Yule/Christmas & Samhain/Halloween ... maybe I'll gradually make the switch ...

[Aidron]

Um, I'm new to this whole Wiccan/Pagan craft and I can't get used to switching Yule/Christmas & Samhain/Halloween ... maybe I'll gradually make the switch ...


That is the best way to do it. Meld the two worlds (your realm of spirituality and realm of your mundane life) until they become perfectly balanced and one.

Try writing on a calendar "Yule" or "Winter Solstice" on December 25th so you will begin to associate Christmas as Yule if you wish. I wouldn't recommend 'marking' the word Christmas out, but do as you wish.

Do this for each sabbat and holiday, and if you really wanna go all out, mark the esbats (full moon rituals) as well.


As for whom celebrates what sabbat or holiday when, those below the equator celebrate the holiday or sabbat opposite of the ones above the equator.

So, if you are in Australia, which I'm 99.9% sure is below the equator, I'm not quite sure how you could be celebrating Samhain now. :hrmm:

[RubyRose]

So, if you are in Australia, which I'm 99.9% sure is below the equator, I'm not quite sure how you could be celebrating Samhain now.

Well as it's the 1st November, its too late to change now, but does it really matter, ::shrugs:: I'm really confused, and worried that I might be taking in association the ways in which I was brought up ... it's hard to think of Samhain being anything but October 31st ... I mean I know there's seasonal differences, that are important in relation to certain Sabbats ... but ... ::shrugs:: I'm really lost ...

[true sadness]

samhain celebrates, among other things, the coming winter and the 'death of spring'. pagans of past held great feasts because the winter would be a time of hardship and little food. so, it makes more sense to follow it seasonally. But I still think that your ritual is a very good idea, regardless of the time of year. :)

[RubyRose]

But I still think that your ritual is a very good idea, regardless of the time of year.


Thanks.

[Ari]

Well as it's the 1st November, its too late to change now, but does it really matter, ::shrugs:: I'm really confused, and worried that I might be taking in association the ways in which I was brought up ... it's hard to think of Samhain being anything but October 31st ... I mean I know there's seasonal differences, that are important in relation to certain Sabbats ... but ... ::shrugs:: I'm really lost ...
As Douglas Adams so succinctly put it, don't panic :D It's the spirit of the rite and the intention that are the most important things - in my experience the Gods don't care terribly much about the finer points of things like dates. Having said that, you'll find that reversal of seasonal holidays is the norm in Australian Paganism. One thing that might help is not to think of Yule, Ostara and Samhain as being equivalent to cultural holidays such as Christmas, Halloween and Easter. Even though there are some common elements and a lot of cross-influence, they're celebrations that are attached to a completely different myth cycle. What mainstream Christians think these days mean is very different to how we see them; they're not really the same at all. Rather than focus on the Sabbats as particular days, it might help to look at the wheel of the year as a whole cycle and see how the seasons change in your area. By looking at what the land around you is doing, you can see how best to celebrate the holidays in a personally relevant way.

[tensen]

Well as it's the 1st November, its too late to change now, but does it really matter, ::shrugs:: I'm really confused, and worried that I might be taking in association the ways in which I was brought up ... it's hard to think of Samhain being anything but October 31st ... I mean I know there's seasonal differences, that are important in relation to certain Sabbats ... but ... ::shrugs:: I'm really lost ...

I apologize if we upset you I don't believe that was the intent
You do what feels right to you.

I imagine there are numerous others that decided to keep the dates of their holidays matching the modern christian holidays, instead of the seasons. That would be their choice.
Perhaps you might chose to discuss things with other Australian practioners.. and from there make your decision based on information they provide.

[RubyRose]

Perhaps you might chose to discuss things with other Australian practioners.. and from there make your decision based on information they provide.

Yeah, though my questions will still be put up on this message board, cause beside's from my SO Rhyce, and a few people I've met from Perth on here, I don't know any other openly Pagan Aussies ... but thanks.

[vespertine]

im open...and aussie ;p

[RubyRose]

im open...and aussie ;p


lol ... hhmmm okay ... I'll keep that in mind