| Samhain is coming up fast! While most of us know | | | | and as incense.Also on the altar, the stones of |
| Samhain as Halloween, what is this Wiccan Sabbat | | | | Samhain, which are black (go figure), but especially |
| really about? What ways are best to celebrate the | | | | jet and obsidian. I don't personally use hematite here |
| Sabbat? What special things should one do for | | | | because it is so grounding. I like using the hematite |
| Samhain? Why is Samhain so utterly cool? Read on, | | | | afterwards when I need to ground my |
| gentle reader :-)Samhain is usually pronounced | | | | energies.Candle colors, while not absolutely essential, |
| "Sow'an," and is from the Celtic "Samhuinn" which | | | | can be quite important to setting the appropriate |
| means "summer's end." It is one of the doorways of | | | | mood. As one could likely guess, orange and black are |
| the Celtic year - divided into light and dark, Beltane | | | | the primary colors for Samhain candles. One can also |
| being the "light." It is the final harvest of the year, | | | | use silver for the Goddess and gold for the God for |
| and thanks are given for the year's bounty.Many | | | | candles on their altar if they so desire.Once |
| believe that Samhain and Beltane are the two times | | | | everything is together, cast your circle as you |
| during the year when the "veil" between the seen | | | | choose, call your quarters if that is part of your |
| and the unseen is at its thinnest. This is the magical | | | | practice, and perform your ritual. What ritual, you |
| time when laws of time and space are suspended, | | | | ask? While Kestra is always one to suggest you |
| and one can communicate with departed loved ones. | | | | write your own rituals, I suppose I'll share one of |
| On the night of Samhain (October 31) people often | | | | mine with you, as a guide, or as a "yuck, I don't |
| light a single candle in their windows to guide their | | | | want to do anything like THIS."We welcome our |
| loved ones home, and set an extra place at the | | | | beloved dead |
| supper table for them.Samhain is also the time when | | | | With offerings that they be fed |
| the Crone and her Aged Consort are honored, this | | | | Let them hear this sacred night |
| being a time for Dark Magic (not "evil," just dark), | | | | Our love for them brought through this rite |
| and to honor the Dark Mysteries. Remember, without | | | | We ask their guidance through this year |
| Dark there cannot be Light.So, what should you do | | | | And that their blessings settle here |
| for your Samhain ritual? First, gather things that you | | | | May their knowledge reach our ears |
| feel are symbolic of Samhain. Pumpkins or other | | | | May their message come through clearLight the |
| gourds, apples, besoms, or even pointy hats are | | | | herbs, and meditate for a time, waiting for any |
| useful articles to set the mood. If you happen to | | | | message that may be sent.After you feel you've |
| have the friendship of a black cat, ask her to | | | | waited long enough, or after you've received a |
| participate with you.Next, gather the herbs that are | | | | message, thank the Dead, and anyone else you |
| special to the Samhain Sabbat. Not all of the herbs | | | | invoked, take down your signal as you normally |
| that correspond with Samhain are easily available, and | | | | would, and end the ritual.After your ritual is complete, |
| at least one takes preparation beforehand (as in | | | | you may wish to ground using some of the foods |
| soaking mandrake for two weeks or so before you | | | | associated with Samhain, such as pumpkin pie, apples |
| can shred it properly for use). The herbs that I | | | | (definitely), nuts, mulled wines (yum yum), pork, |
| personally use are mugwort, motherwort, broom | | | | beef, or chicken.Kestra is a Wiccan Priestess, Master |
| flower, belladonna (also known as deadly nightshade), | | | | Herbalist, and Reiki Master, offering the best in |
| mandrake (European mandrake, not American | | | | practical information, unique and useful altar tools and |
| mandrake, which is a completely different plant used | | | | ritual supplies. Please check out her offerings at |
| for other things), and white sage. I use these herbs | | | | Guaranteed to not be your "same ole" Wiccan shop. |
| to burn as an offering to my Matron Crone Goddess, | | | | |