Samhain is often the most awaited holiday for witches and pagans. A sacred time for divination and the gathering of communities. During Samhain, we can communicate with the dead.
It falls at the end of October and early November, halfway between the autumn equinox and winter solstice. This traditional Celtic New Year was a time to celebrate beginnings and say a fond farewell.
This comprehensive article covers all the basics and has lots of ways that you can celebrate Samhain. I also have a family article with specific ideas if you have children in your life.
Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links to products and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. This money helps us pay our writer’s and website expenses.
History of Samhain
The ancient Celts celebrated Samhain throughout what is now Great Britain and western Europe. The Irish still refer to the month of November as Samhain.
Samhain pronounced saah-win or saa-ween, is also known as Calan Gaeaf, Nos Cyn Calan Gaual, or Oie Houney. Written accounts of the holiday date back to the 9th Century.
Samhain is very ancient and was celebrated 2500 years before the Celts invaded Ireland. The ancient people who inhabited these lands celebrated the harvest and brought the animals in from summer fields as the dark days approached.
In Leinster, Ireland the Mound of the Hostages has been dated by archaeologists to be a 5000-year-old Neolithic site. The door to this tomb aligned with the sunrise during Samhain.
Lifting The Veil
For many of us, we want to connect with our ancestors and learn more about our heritage. Samhain is the time when the veil is lifted between the human and spiritual world.
This is a time when divination and prophesy powers are strong. There are many ways to connect with your ancestors (see below)
The Celtic Otherworld
The Celtic deities lived in the Otherworld along with the dead. The Celts believed this to be a place of abundance, everlasting youth, and joy.
It is often described as a world that lies alongside our own. During Samhain, the veil that separates the Otherworld from the Human world grows thin. This is the time of spiritual connection.
Liminal
We often hear the word liminal or transitional during this time. The liminal time of day between light and darkness is an important time for magic. Liminal spaces between water and earth such as shorelines are considered good places to meet with deities or spirits.
The liminal or in-between transactions from the Otherworld. Samhain doesn’t belong to summer or winter but is a transition time.
“The stars are out, your feet are bare.
Your arms are raised into the air.
No one told you what to do.
You knew the way, the Way knows you.
So let it go. Release it down.
Heart and blood and bones to ground:
Remember Witch, Remember. ”
Correspondances
Symbols: Ancestory, bonds, communicating with the dead,
Culture: We typically associate with Celts but cultures all over the world have days for the dead
Color: Black, brown, gold, orange, purple, silver, and yellow
Planet: Moon
Divination: Scrying, tarot
Tarot: Death, Hanged man, Magician
Elements: Earth, fire
Tools: Besom, cauldron, pendulum, runes, scythe
Animals: Bats, black cats, coyote, crow/ravine, jackal, moth, owl, scorpion, stag, spider, and vulture.
Mythical Beings: Banshee (beansidhe), goblin, harpees, Medusa, púca (pooka)
Herbs: Bay, Cloves, mugwort, myrrh, nettle, rosemary, sage, sweetgrass, wormwood, yarrow
Flowers: Chrysanthemum, marigold, strawflowers
Crystals: Bloodstone, Carnelian, Hematite, Moonstone, Obsidian, Onyx
Wood: Cedar, Hemlock, Yew
Deities: Arawn, Baba Yaga, Bast, Cerridwen, Coyote, Dis Pater, Hades, Hecate, Loki, Morrigan, Osiris, Persephone
Items For Your Samhain Altar
Colors: yellow, gold, orange, brown, black, and silver.
Photos of deceased family, friends, or people you admire.
Family heirlooms.
A family tree.
Items that symbolize your heritage or the country your family comes from.
Grave rubbing, skulls, bones.
Scythe
Acorns, corn, nuts, wheat.
Apples, pumpkins, squash, turnips
Deities symbolizing death (see above)
This is my ancestor's altar. It contains family mementos and items connected to my human and animal ancestors. I keep it up all year and at least month a month I give thanks to my ancestors. Photo by Ame Vanorio
Magic
Astral projection
Balance work
Banishing
Connecting to your ancestors
Fairy Magic
Grave gardening
Letting go of unuseful things or people
Mirror spells (reflection)
Past life work
Reflection on the past year and planning for the next year
Seeing the unknown
Seeking guidance through divination for the coming year
Shadow work to heal the inner self
Visit a cemetery and honor those resting there
Communicating With The Dead
Dumb Supper
This is a great way to involve family or friends in the pagan community. It is a serious event so you may want to prepare your guests by giving them expectations.
The purpose of the Dumb supper is to invite our ancestors (Spirit) into our homes for a meal. We share a quiet reflective meal with them. The quiet is important because it allows us to listen and have communication on their level.
The term dumb supper doesn’t refer to your intelligence level. The word “dumb” here means silent. This is a silent supper that we have with our ancestors.
Traditionally the decor for the table is black and the only lighting used is candles. You will need a metal plate or small cauldron next to Spirit. However, keep in mind that how you plan and decorate for your dumb supper is up to you.
Personally, I avoid disposable kitchenware because of its negative impact on the environment. You can choose to purchase a black dinnerware set for pagan holidays and black flatware.
When setting the table the place setting at the head of the table is reserved for the spirits. Some people also like to put out a tea candle for each spirit they are honoring or inviting.
Cleanse your space. After decorating your table you should cleanse the space. Turn off your electronics so that they don’t interrupt or inhibit the spirits.
Everyone should prepare by writing a short note on a postie to their ancestor. The note may be a question or something you wish to share with a deceased friend or family member.
When entering the room each person stops at the Spirit’s chair and offers a silent prayer and welcome to the spirits.
Once everyone is seated you may choose to join hands and offer a silent thanks to the spirits and deities for the meal.
Food is served to start with Spirit and then going eldest to youngest.
After a silent reflective meal each person takes a turn and goes to the Spirit’s chair. They burn their postie over the cauldron and honor their ancestor. After your turn, you take your seat.
When everyone has burned their note get up and leave the room once again stopping at Spirit’s chair and wishing them a silent, warm goodbye.
Watch a video of my Dumb Supper setup.
Family Ritual to Honor Your Ancestors
A Dumb Supper may not be feasible if you have young children and want to include them in the holiday.
Feel free to recreate this meal without the silence. Instead, use it as a time to make a family ritual and memories. Talk to your children about the Spirit Chair.
“Tonight we are honoring my grandfather who died before you were born. We set a place for him at the table tonight to show how we honor him and thank him for all he did for our family. I am going to tell you a funny story he told me when I was a little girl”.
Choose foods that have meaning to your family. My grandmother had a delicious sweet potato dish that I make every fall.
At the end of the meal clear the plates away except the ancestor’s plate and give everyone a small glass of wine, cider, or grape juice. Take turns going around the table and recite your ancestry.
“I am Ame, daughter of Ellen, daughter of …” until you don’t know anymore. Children may only be able to do one or two generations and that’s fine.
If you don’t know your family just state family unknown. I believe your ancestors will find you and be there for you.
After everyone has had a turn raise your cups and say:
“We raise this cup in remembrance
of our ancestors.
We remember all of you.
You are dead but not forgotten,
You live within us for all time.
We honor you and thank you. ”
Lastly drink your drink and clear the table.
Reflections
This is a season to reflect and meditate. Think about your life over the past year. If you keep a journal or Shadow Book look over it and think about how you have grown, changed, or been challenged. Think about your accomplishments and disappointments.
Make Your Own Incense
Ingredients:
2 alder chips broken up ( alder wood chips for barbecuing work great in incense)
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon Dragon's Blood resin (this will also help bind things together)
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon marshmallow herb
2 tablespoons Rosemary
1 tablespoon Sage
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Materials:
Measuring spoons
Mixing bowl
Always burn loose incense in an incense bowl (click for a guide) or small iron caldron, in a secure location away from any flammables. Never leave burning incense unattended.
This is meant to be a loose incense. However, you can add some Acacia Gum Arabic if you want to bind it into a cone.
Divination
This is a great time to practice divination. I suggest you reconsecrate your ritual and divination tools prior to the holiday.
Some useful divination skills to communicate with the dead are:
Crystal balls
Pendulum
Scrying
Tarot
A Time To Feast
Samhain is a time of celebrating the harvest and feasting.
Traditionally during the late fall, the last of the crops were harvested. Fall squashes and pumpkins, turnips,
Livestock was brought in from the fields. Typically a pig or chicken was ritually sacrificed to the gods with prayers to keep famine away during the winter.
Some livestock was slaughtered for winter food supplies. Others were sheltered near the home where they could be protected and fed through the winter.
Some foods they would have eaten include:
Apples
Cider
Corn
Chicken
Lamb
Mead
Mulled wine
Nuts
Popcorn
Pork
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Pumpkin seeds
Onion
Spice cake
Squash
Turnips
Zucchini
Bone Fire
The term bonfire is believed to come from the phrase bone fire. When animals were slaughtered or sacrificed their bones were thrown into a large central fire. Thus the name bone-fire.
The ritual lighting of the ceremonial fire is said to date back to 1450 BCE, when it was practiced at the ancient pagan festival of Tara. Making it a 3500-year-old tradition in Ireland.
On a piece of paper write down something you want to change or something you want to eliminate in your life. Cast the paper into the fire.
A tradition from Gaelic Scottland was to lie down near the fire so the smoke went over you. Others would jump over you. In some areas people built two fires near each other and people lead their livestock in between them.
The bonfire mimics the sun, pushing back the darkness, and protecting against famine during the coming winter.
Sacred Plants For Samhain
Apples
Apples are often associated with deities because they are a symbol of immortality. During Samhain, we often eat apples because they are considered food for the dead. Apple trees are thought to house the fae.
Chrysanthemums
A good flower for protection, chrysanthemums are often used when communicating with the dead. With their bright fall colors, they are also associated with fire.
Mugwort
Often associated with divination and dream work. Smudge with mugwort before prophesying work.
Rosemary
Associated with remembering and getting rid of negative energy. Represents the power of the Fae It is used in healing relationships. If you have a conflict with an ancestor burn rosemary and meditate while opening a discussion with that person.
Rowan
Rowan branches and berries are used to protect the home. cut the berries in half to see a small pentagram inside.
Read our article the Celtic Month of Rowan.
Connecting With The Fae
Samhain is a good time of year to connect with the Fae.
In Ireland, the fae or aos sí live in the sídh or ancient burial mounds. During Samhain, the sidh open and become portals to the other world.
Samhain Nature Walk
This is a great season to take a nature walk and connect to the natural life cycle. If you live in a climate with four seasons you can observe the trees losing their leaves, squirrels gathering nuts, and berries growing.
The earth is preparing to rest. Write in your journal about what that means to you.
Ritual for Animals
As pagans, we love and cherish our animal family members. In society when a pet dies we are expected to recover much faster than if a human family member passes.
During Samhain, we can remember those animal family members and wild animals who have passed.
You may choose to include animals in your ancestor's dinner or have a dumb supper just for them. Either way that connection will help you in the mourning process.
Learning about your animal spirit guides is also a good way to make connections.
Samhain Ritual for Animals
Welcome to our Samhain ritual, where we gather to honor and celebrate our animal companions who have crossed the veil. This ritual is a time to remember and pay tribute to our beloved animals who have brought joy and love into our lives. Let us begin.
Setting up the Sacred Space
1. Find a cozy and quiet area outdoors, such as your backyard or a nearby park.
2. Place an altar in the center of your sacred space. Decorate it with fall foliage, stones, and any meaningful items that represent animals. Include pictures or mementos of your departed animal companions.
3. Place black, white, and orange candles on a fireproof surface. Alternatively, you can use battery-operated candles. Light the candles, invoking the presence of the spirits and the wisdom of the animal kingdom.
Opening the Ritual
1. Begin by taking a few deep breaths, grounding yourself and connecting with the earth beneath you. Close your eyes and tune in to the sounds of nature around you.
2. Light a white candle and say:
"In this sacred space, we gather to honor the animals who have passed away. We call upon the spirits of the animals to join us and bring their wisdom and love into our midst. May this ritual be a celebration of their lives and a remembrance of the profound bonds we shared."
3. Take a moment to reflect on the animals you wish to honor in this ritual. Picture their faces and hold them in your heart. Take turns going around and saying a special remembrance. Then say…
4. "Thank you, animal spirits, for joining us in this Samhain ritual. We offer you our love and reverence. May the memories we hold dear be forever cherished. As we extinguish these candles, we release the spirits with gratitude, knowing that their energy remains within us. Blessed be!"
Guided Meditation and Connection With Animal Spirits
1. Sit or lie down comfortably, close your eyes, and take several deep breaths. Relax your body and mind.
2. Begin a guided meditation that connects you with the animal spirits. Visualize a peaceful forest, shrouded in the hues of autumn. Wander through the trees, sensing the spirits of the animals that have passed.
3. As you encounter each animal spirit, engage in silent communication. Listen for messages of wisdom, comfort, or healing that they may have for you.
4. After connecting with the animal spirits, express your gratitude for their presence and insights. Offer a final goodbye, knowing that their spirit remains eternal.
Assembly
Historically Samhain was a pagan festival based on the agricultural year. Celebration of the circle of life and death. It was also a time to gather.
These social and political events are called aonach in Irish.
This can be a good time to come together with other pagans. Have a meal and discuss your ideas.
You may also hear negative or untrue statements made about pagans and witches during this time. Reply by sharing some factual information in a kind and polite manner.
Remember paganism is growing and we want/need to be understood for the wonderfully diverse group of people we are!
Author, Ame Vanorio, is the founder of CPH and a lifelong pagan practitioner.
The month of Reed symbolizes wisdom, adaptability, and communication with the ancestors. Reeds are flexible and that is beneficial as this month often brings changes. Reed reminds us that winter is near and we must prepare.