As the wheel of the year turns once more, we arrive at Samhain (pronounced Sow-in), one of the most sacred and mysterious sabbats on the pagan calendar. Celebrated from October 31st to November 1st, Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year.
This is a time when the veil between worlds thins, when the spirits of our ancestors draw near, and magic feels thick in the air. It’s no wonder that modern Halloween traditions grew from these ancient roots of firelight, remembrance, and ritual.
The Energy of Samhain
Samhain is often called the Witch’s New Year, symbolizing death, transformation, and renewal. It’s the final spoke on the Wheel of the Year; the completion before a new cycle begins at Yule.
Energetically, it’s a time to:
- Reflect on what has ended and release what no longer serves you
- Honor your ancestors and guides
- Listen to your intuition and the whispers from beyond
- Rest, dream, and trust in the fertile darkness to seed new beginnings
You can think of Samhain as the energetic midnight before dawn or a sacred pause between endings and rebirth.
Ways to Celebrate
There’s no single “right” way to honor Samhain, but here are a few rituals and practices you can weave into your celebration:
- Ancestral Altar: Create a small altar with photos, candles, heirlooms, or favorite foods of your ancestors. Light a candle in their honor and spend a few moments in quiet gratitude.
- Release Ritual: Write down what you’re ready to release be that habits, fears, or lingering emotions. Burn the paper safely in a fireproof dish, symbolizing transformation and renewal.
- Feast of the Dead: Host a simple meal where an extra place is set for those who have passed. Share stories, memories, or silent gratitude for the ones who came before.
- Candle Magic: Light a black candle to honor release and protection, and a white one for guidance and rebirth. Watch the flames dance and listen for messages in their flicker.
- Tarot Reading: Use the Samhain Tarot Spread from the Sabbats Tarot Spreads ebook. Download for FREE here.
Tarot for Samhain
Samhain aligns with the energy of Death, the 13th card in the Major Arcana. Death represents endings, transformation, and deep renewal. Despite its name, the Death card is rarely about literal death; rather, it’s a call to shed old skins and step into the next phase of your evolution.
Pulling this card at Samhain invites reflection:
- What am I ready to let go of?
- What transformation am I resisting?
- How can I honor the lessons of the past as I move forward?
As the year dies away, so too do old versions of ourselves, making room for rebirth when the light returns.
Embracing the Mystery
Samhain reminds us that darkness is not to be feared, but honored. It’s the fertile ground from which new life eventually blooms. In this sacred season, trust in the unseen, honor your intuition, and remember: what ends now makes space for what’s to come.
So light your candles, pull your cards, and whisper your gratitude into the night air. The veil is thin and magic is all around you.
👻🎃Samhain Blessings!