Samhain: The Veil Is Thinning

Samhain, more commonly known as Halloween, is celebrated October 31st to November 1st. It is the last harvest sabbat and marks the end of the harvest season. We are now officially in the dark time of the year. The veil is also thinning.

But do not fear! The dark time of the year is a time for reflection and to look to the future. Our ancestors would use it as a time of rest as well as they worked hard to plant and harvest food to get through the hard, cold winter months.

While we are fortunate enough to not have to grow our own food, and plenty of it to get through months at a time, many of us long for that. And we can still feel the need to rest.

However, our modern times, now have us moving into the busiest time of the year with year-end and holiday gatherings.

But for now, use this time to reflect and remember.

How To Celebrate

This is a magical time of year! You can feel the buzz of energy as the veil thins and energy abounds! The Earth is full of beautiful colors which seem to have burst forth overnight. I like to watch the trees to see the varying shades of yellow, orange and red and it seems they are green one moment and then bright colors the next.

This is a time that awakens many witches, even those who don’t celebrate The Old Ways. But people still feel the stirring in their blood and the need to decorate for fall and hunker down.

Recognize The Silence

Listen to your body. Do you feel like your body is just tired? Don’t push yourself too hard. Which I know is easier said than done. But take care of yourself. And be kind to yourself.

If you need more quiet time, that’s OK. Attune to the world around you. Do you know the birds are stilling. Many may have flown south or are preparing to. Watch as the squirrels gather food and bury it. That’s their way of preparing for winter.

Notice the sun setting earlier and far south than it used to. Nature is getting ready to rest. And so to should you.

Divination

Whether you are an experienced practitioner of divination or have an interest in learning, now is the perfect time for some divination.

Whether it’s Tarot, oracle cards, scrying, tea leaf reading or a pendulum, now is the time when our senses are more awake and alert and the veil between our worlds is thinner.

Now is also a time when people take out their spirit boards to commune with loved ones who have passed. I will say, make sure you are experienced or with someone who is. I do think it’s important to make sure you are shielding and protecting yourself as spirits can be fickle and like to play games.

You certainly don’t want any negative spirits coming through and attaching themselves to you. 

But it’s OK even for a beginner to use a pendulum or cards. Do some automatic writing. Listen to the messages you are receiving. Take note of it.

Honor Your Ancestors

You don’t have to use a spirit board to honor your loved ones who have passed. This is also a time when people remember not only their ancestors, but any loved ones who passed since the previous Samhain.

You can create a separate Ancestor Altar (or Loved One Altar) to honor the people no longer walking this earthly plane. You can decorate it with pictures and even add some of their favorite things like colors, plants, jewelry. If it has their energy (something they wore or used), even better! 

Candles can also be added, just make sure to use safely. 

Leave Offerings

Many people would leave plates of food and even candles out for dead loved ones to help guide their souls home. Take care though as anything left out will likely be eaten by local animals so you don’t want anything that can be harmful.

Fire: Bonfires And Candles

Bonfires are an important part of Samhain as it represents the balance of light and darkness. If you aren’t able to have a full blown bonfire, then safely use a candle.

Watch as the flames flicker. Take a moment for reflection. Ground and protect yourself, while feeling the energy of the earth. If you listen closely enough, you can feel nature slowing down. Whereas at Beltane we have energetic dances around a bonfire, now it’s good to snuggle under a blanket and watch the flames dance. Breathe and reflect.

Now is a good time of the year to give yourself some grace. Nature is getting ready to rest after a bountiful harvest season. So should you. Do the things that feed your soul.