Marking the half way point between autumn equinox and winter solstice, Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest and the start of the coldest half of the year. Some folk also see Samhain as the beginning of the spiritual new year. This is the real mid-point in the seasons and although unusually mild this year, with the clocks going back we can feel and see we are well and truly in Autumn. Here are some lovely suggestions on how you can honour the season and step into your light.
Samhain is a time when we can really feel the evidence of the shortening days . We can feel the cooling of the Earth and can witness the waning energy of nature all around.
Samhain
To the ancient Celts, the year had two hinges: Beltane (1st May) and Samhain (1st November), which also is the traditional Celtic New Year. The start of any cycle begins with the death moment, just before we can renew once again.
These halfway points between Midsummer and Midwinter and were both thought to be critical times when the bounds of the natural and supernatural worlds grew thin. and was a time of particular significance to connect with out ancestors and those who had gone before.
The Celtic people were in superstitious awe of times and places “in between”. Holy sites were any border places – the shore between land and water (seas, lakes, and rivers), bridges, boundaries between territories (especially when marked by bodies of water), crossroads, thresholds, etc. Holy times were also border times – twilight and dawn marking the transitions of night and day; Beltaine and Samhain marking the transitions of summer and winter. - Susa Morgan Black (Druid, FSA Scot)
Celebrations
Christianity incorporated the honouring of the dead into the Christian calendar with All Saints (All Hallows) on November 1st, followed by All Souls on November 2nd. The wearing of costumes and masks to ward off harmful spirits survived as Halloween customs.
In ancient Celtic tradition, celebrants joined with Druid priests to light a community fire using a wheel that would cause friction and spark flames. The wheel was considered a representation of the sun and used along with prayers. Cattle were sacrificed, and participants took a flame from the communal bonfire back to their home to relight the hearth.
Early texts present Samhain as a mandatory celebration lasting three days and three nights where the community was required to show themselves to local kings or chieftains. Failure to participate was believed to result in punishment from the gods, usually illness or death.
Some documents mention six days of drinking alcohol to excess, typically mead or beer, along with gluttonous feasts.
Honour
Mid autumn is the time of year and growing cycle where we must face death and dying. The harvest is over, the crops have been cut down, leaves have fallen from the trees – everything is getting cold and the darkness is rapidly overtaking the light.
Samhain is a powerful time of year to remember our beloveds who have passed on. Many people believe that on Samhain (celebrated in modern day as Hallowe'en) the veil between the worlds of living and dying is at its thinnest. It’s believed that at Samhain our beloved ancestors can cross through that veil and connect with us.
It is a time of honouring where you are on this journey of life, giving thanks for your life and acknowledging those that have gone before you.
It’s also important to honour ourselves – with all that we are in this lifetime. You may like to write an ‘Accomplishments List’ to celebrate yourself and remember how far you have come.
Rituals
If you would like to mark the arrival of Autumn, though perhaps not with a three day jolly!, we have put together some suggestions of how to celebrate ...
Connecting with your Ancestors
We often think of our ancestors as far and distant, and perhaps we have no connection with them except for stories we may have heard from older relatives. However, imagine for a moment that you are standing in place in your ancestral line and are simply the one that is alive right now, carrying the legacy and doing the work that has passed your way and is yours to do. At Samhain, you might like to create an ancestral altar with photos of relatives and those who have made an impact on your life. Perhaps light a candle to honour them and remember stories of their lives.
Journal prompts to ponder…
Crack open your Wild Wisdom Journal and take some time to connect
Spend some time remembering someone you love who has passed on. What piece of them do you still carry with you? Give thanks for their life and love.
What needs to die within you in order to be re-born and welcome new growth into your life?
What might you like to dream into over the coming darker days
Recipes
Here are some delicious pumpkin recipes from Liz for you to try out, including a warming pumpkin and lentil soup
Autumn Playlist
Some tunes to accompany you through the longer nights. These tunes speak to slowness, turning inwards to dwell in our inner knowing and loving ourselves as the autumn critic may be taking up residence.
Liz and Susanna's Autumn read
Hagitude – Reclaiming the Second half of life by Sharon Blackie. If you loved ‘If Women rose rooted’ you’ll love this! ‘A radical re-writing of the future for all women approaching their mid and elder years’