I've always loved October - the Autumn leaves, gaining the lighter hour in the morning, and the darker evenings for candles and cosiness. Over the years this has grown, to almost a Christmas like buzz for me. And then I realised...... it's because I love Samhain. Samhain is one of the Sabbats that we commonly refer to as Halloween - 31st October.
On Tuesday, I held, with Carole at the Riverside Rooms, a Samhain Moon Bath Yoga during this practice we talked about the origins of Samhain so I thought I would share them with you. I also brought this into our online practice (check out Revive 29.10) Samhain is pronouced "Sow-win". It marks the start of the Winter season - a winding down of activities such as farming, getting ready for months of introspection. Pagans believed there is a membrane like veil between the world we call Physical and Spiritual. This veil thins most in late Autumn (it also thins in May and June); as it thins, spirits and fae pass through.
Many of the traditions we see with Halloween, come from the ancient festival of Halloween. Halloween itself comes from All Hallows Eve - the Christian Church declared 1st November as All Saints Day (after previously moving it to August) rather than negate the festival of the dead.
The poor would practice "souling" or "mumming" - knocking on the doors of landowners singing songs for their loved lost ones, to which the landowners would gift treats such as soul cakes or flowers for the poor to decorate their lost ones graves. We now recognise this as Trick or Treat.
For some reason there was mischief practiced outside the home - unpicketing fences, taking doors off hinges - this was blamed on the fae and seen as "mischief night" again part of the Trick or Treat tradition.
The sounds of the forest such as wolves or owls would understanably strike fear into villagers and these noises were often called the sounds of the hunt - the hunt between gods as they battled for who was in charge of the next season. Fae were often feared; it was said fae or witches would kidnap persons - so to combat this Celts would dress up as creatures or wild animals around Samhain to scare the fae away. We now recognise this as the dressing up element of Halloween.
During Samhain, the hearth fire - which was a sacred space in the home - was allowed to burn out. There would be a "community" fire in the centre of the village - lit by a wheel creating sparks not unlike a firework - and people would go to the community fire, take a flame, taking it back to their own hearth and lighting their fire. This was considered good luck, and we now recognise this as Bonfire night.
Turnips were carved out with a lump of coal placed in them to create a lantern - this was used to light the way for our departed ones to visit us. A dumb supper was held for them; easily held today. Supper was laid out as normal with 1 or more extra places set for the departed. Food was set out for all places and eaten quietly. The departed's food remained uneaten by mortals - it was considered bad luck to do this. Sugar skulls are often made and a similar principle held with these; being left out for the elements to wash away and the souls to eat. In Ireland, doors and windows were left unlocked and cakes set out.
Halloween was one of Ireland's greatest exports. As many of the Irish moved to the US, the traditions and rituals of Samhain continued. Turnips gave way to pumpkins, purely as they were more readily available. The practice of soul cakes and homebaked goods gave way to confectionary due to the urban legends of poisons or razor blades being part of the treats. The tricks of mischief night were now toilet paper thrown in front gardens.
We can see how what we might consider "woo" is now part of modern culture, as is so many things when we trace them back. I don't know about you, but I feel the connection back to my lineage even more at this time of year. Below are some Samhain practices and readings that you may enjoy. As Samhain is considered the start of the New Year for some, it is also a period of introspection and reflection - for sowing seeds of wishes and plans to come to fruition in Spring. Here is a ritual to set and send out those needs: NEEDS RITUAL
Establish your fire space as sacred and then start your fire. (Maybe this could even be a candle if space is limited) Once steady, write down different needs on paper and then thrown into the fire (ideally individually for stronger effect) saying:
"Spirit of the Samhain flame, see to these needs in the coming year!"
Follow with an offering of the dried herbs - Rosemary, Chamomile and Marigold *
Meditate on the fire before letting it die down
(I've been known to use a herbal teabag contents!)
A PRAYER FOR SOULS REINCARNATED You are dust, you are wind, you are water You are memory of sons and daughters You are in the soil as fodder We may not know what form you take Or if you hang admist the stars We just know you are out there
That some speck of you is ours
During our Samhain Moon Bath Yoga, we had an altar/special space in which we placed photos or mementos of loved ones. You can also write memories and poems should you prefer.
A CANDLE BLESSING
Candle to candle, flame to flame I pass this light, you do the same Against all we fear we stand Brighter, brighter - pass the glow The lighter the flame, the lighter our loads Our burdens lift by sharing our light If the candle blows out, we have our neighbours In the wind and the cold, we share our labours We'll just light up again During our Samhain Moon Bath Yoga, I gave tea lights to all, to represent the sharing of the flame
Thank you Carole and Riverside Rooms for opening your beautiful space to us and organising us all!
"An it harm none so mote it be" #samhain
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