Samhain, The End of Harvest and Witches New Year
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At one time in Gaelic history, this was exactly what it meant – the end of harvest season.
Yes, Samhain is an original Gaelic celebration spelled Sammhuin in Scots Gaelic, not Celtic as you may have imagined. The Gaelic Goddess Cailleach has been long known to herald in the beginning of winter. Of course, nowadays it is celebrated by almost all Pagan people. It is technically celebrated on November 1st, although the true beginning is October 31st as All Hallows Eve, the night, of course, when the veil between worlds is the thinnest and the best time to contact those long gone.
Celebrations include burning bonfires, mummer’s plays, guising – costuming and visiting homes for treats, feasting, and connecting with one’s ancestors. It is a time to not only celebrate the end of harvest time but also the beginning of winter based on the Celtic Calendar. The Irish and Welsh, insular Celts, were next to have begun celebrating Oíche Shamhna [Ireland] or Calan Gaeaf [Wales]. If you happen to live down under, at this time you will be celebrating Beltane.
I have found that it seems most solitary witches seem to set up an ancestral altar alongside their working altar and the working altar gets a passing nod to the end of harvest with a few related things and colors. And, the pagan families I know and have known set up the family altar more in the end of harvest sense with beautiful small pumpkins, gourds, apples and the like but only a few pictures or artifacts of most recently passed family as a nod to ancestry. Mind, I realize this is not always the case with all solitary and family pagans.
What if you are a solitary witch with no desire to visit beyond the veil but would like to honor your ancestors? Perfectly alright! Every witch has his or her methods. If you are unsure what to do or how to set up an ancestral altar, it is easy. You will need to determine how many photos you would want to include. You can frame them or simply place your photo album open on the altar space. Place white candles on the altar. I normally place one on each corner of my altar. Be sure not to have the altar near anything flammable such as window curtains. Do you have any artifacts, personal items belonging to some of your ancestors? You can use anything you find meaningful. Offerings are nice to include…can be anything you would know they enjoyed – food, wine, cigarettes.
Divining is a very popular way to contact the ones who have passed on amongst many witches for Samhain, particularly solitaries. Many may use a pendulum to dowse for yes or no answers from the Old Ones. Some do a tarot reading to get answers to questions they have wanted to ask. And, for some, the Ouija board is a popular way to go. Just mind you are properly protected and grounded. And yes, you can use a Ouija board alone but again, be very careful you know what you’re doing. I have gotten valid and good insights divining this way.
An old ancient rite tells of writing a message to our departed loved ones on a piece of paper and casting it into the cauldron's fire. As the paper burns, your message is released and will be acknowledged by the recipient. You can also write your intentions for change and renewal in this same fashion.
You may celebrate Samhain and honor your ancestors in any way you find comfortable for you. All that ever really matters is that how you do it means something to you. How I celebrate may help you if you are new to this and need a few ideas, however, they are only ideas and I don’t mean to tell you what you should do, for there is no ideal “should”. No right or wrong, just your way.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy All Hallows Eve and a Happy Samhain.
Yes, Samhain is an original Gaelic celebration spelled Sammhuin in Scots Gaelic, not Celtic as you may have imagined. The Gaelic Goddess Cailleach has been long known to herald in the beginning of winter. Of course, nowadays it is celebrated by almost all Pagan people. It is technically celebrated on November 1st, although the true beginning is October 31st as All Hallows Eve, the night, of course, when the veil between worlds is the thinnest and the best time to contact those long gone.
Celebrations include burning bonfires, mummer’s plays, guising – costuming and visiting homes for treats, feasting, and connecting with one’s ancestors. It is a time to not only celebrate the end of harvest time but also the beginning of winter based on the Celtic Calendar. The Irish and Welsh, insular Celts, were next to have begun celebrating Oíche Shamhna [Ireland] or Calan Gaeaf [Wales]. If you happen to live down under, at this time you will be celebrating Beltane.
I have found that it seems most solitary witches seem to set up an ancestral altar alongside their working altar and the working altar gets a passing nod to the end of harvest with a few related things and colors. And, the pagan families I know and have known set up the family altar more in the end of harvest sense with beautiful small pumpkins, gourds, apples and the like but only a few pictures or artifacts of most recently passed family as a nod to ancestry. Mind, I realize this is not always the case with all solitary and family pagans.
What if you are a solitary witch with no desire to visit beyond the veil but would like to honor your ancestors? Perfectly alright! Every witch has his or her methods. If you are unsure what to do or how to set up an ancestral altar, it is easy. You will need to determine how many photos you would want to include. You can frame them or simply place your photo album open on the altar space. Place white candles on the altar. I normally place one on each corner of my altar. Be sure not to have the altar near anything flammable such as window curtains. Do you have any artifacts, personal items belonging to some of your ancestors? You can use anything you find meaningful. Offerings are nice to include…can be anything you would know they enjoyed – food, wine, cigarettes.
Divining is a very popular way to contact the ones who have passed on amongst many witches for Samhain, particularly solitaries. Many may use a pendulum to dowse for yes or no answers from the Old Ones. Some do a tarot reading to get answers to questions they have wanted to ask. And, for some, the Ouija board is a popular way to go. Just mind you are properly protected and grounded. And yes, you can use a Ouija board alone but again, be very careful you know what you’re doing. I have gotten valid and good insights divining this way.
An old ancient rite tells of writing a message to our departed loved ones on a piece of paper and casting it into the cauldron's fire. As the paper burns, your message is released and will be acknowledged by the recipient. You can also write your intentions for change and renewal in this same fashion.
You may celebrate Samhain and honor your ancestors in any way you find comfortable for you. All that ever really matters is that how you do it means something to you. How I celebrate may help you if you are new to this and need a few ideas, however, they are only ideas and I don’t mean to tell you what you should do, for there is no ideal “should”. No right or wrong, just your way.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy All Hallows Eve and a Happy Samhain.
