Samhain - Wiccan New Year

Samhain is coming up fast! While most of us knowand as incense.Also on the altar, the stones of
Samhain as Halloween, what is this Wiccan SabbatSamhain, which are black (go figure), but especially
really about? What ways are best to celebrate thejet and obsidian. I don't personally use hematite here
Sabbat? What special things should one do forbecause 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 pronouncedenergies.Candle colors, while not absolutely essential,
"Sow'an," and is from the Celtic "Samhuinn" whichcan be quite important to setting the appropriate
means "summer's end." It is one of the doorways ofmood. As one could likely guess, orange and black are
the Celtic year - divided into light and dark, Beltanethe 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.Manycandles on their altar if they so desire.Once
believe that Samhain and Beltane are the two timeseverything is together, cast your circle as you
during the year when the "veil" between the seenchoose, call your quarters if that is part of your
and the unseen is at its thinnest. This is the magicalpractice, 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 oftenmine with you, as a guide, or as a "yuck, I don't
light a single candle in their windows to guide theirwant to do anything like THIS."We welcome our
loved ones home, and set an extra place at thebeloved dead
supper table for them.Samhain is also the time whenWith offerings that they be fed
the Crone and her Aged Consort are honored, thisLet 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, withoutWe ask their guidance through this year
Dark there cannot be Light.So, what should you doAnd that their blessings settle here
for your Samhain ritual? First, gather things that youMay their knowledge reach our ears
feel are symbolic of Samhain. Pumpkins or otherMay their message come through clearLight the
gourds, apples, besoms, or even pointy hats areherbs, and meditate for a time, waiting for any
useful articles to set the mood. If you happen tomessage that may be sent.After you feel you've
have the friendship of a black cat, ask her towaited long enough, or after you've received a
participate with you.Next, gather the herbs that aremessage, thank the Dead, and anyone else you
special to the Samhain Sabbat. Not all of the herbsinvoked, take down your signal as you normally
that correspond with Samhain are easily available, andwould, and end the ritual.After your ritual is complete,
at least one takes preparation beforehand (as inyou may wish to ground using some of the foods
soaking mandrake for two weeks or so before youassociated 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, broombeef, 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 Americanpractical information, unique and useful altar tools and
mandrake, which is a completely different plant usedritual supplies. Please check out her offerings at
for other things), and white sage. I use these herbsGuaranteed to not be your "same ole" Wiccan shop.
to burn as an offering to my Matron Crone Goddess,