A Bit About Samhain

Traditional Irish Turnip Lantern
Early 20th century
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

As you may well know, the Celtics saw Samhain as starting the dark time of the year. It is the end of the harvesting season and the start of the winter season. It is the time when the veil between us and the otherworld is thinnest. This allows us to take time to honor our ancestors. It is also time for us to thank our deities for the gifts they have given us through the growing season and for the gifts we have to make it through the upcoming winter season. We also take the time to reflect on our own mortality and the nature of change and transformation. You may also know that this day marks the Wiccan New Year!

On this Samhain, we were blessed with a full moon very nearby. As such, we did a ritual with our Shrine on Halloween, that combined the Samhain and Full Moon ritual, but something didn't feel right the next day, so I decided to give it a go alone the next day. I think because I was rushed (running late home for work) and I didn't get my ritual bath. I also had computer issues when I got home, so this rushed me a bit more. I thought I had cleansed and grounded well enough, but something didn't "feel" right on the 1st, so I decided to do everything again. 

During my solitary full moon ritual, I like to ask for help to release things that block or limit me (an idea given by Rev. Don). This was a great combination with the Samhain ritual of honoring my ancestors and focusing on change and transformation. I must say that when I woke up the morning of the 2nd, after conducting a solitary Samhain ritual the evening of the 1st, I felt renewed. When I arrived at work, something I had been working on that benefits many of us came through. Granted, I had some odd news on another topic, but the things I was aware of and consciously asked about began changing! I really love how well things work out. 

Blessed be!

References: 

Kondratiev, Alexei (1997). Samhain: Season of Death and Renewal. Retrieved 3 November 2012 from http://www.imbas.org/articles/samhain.html

Lewis, Donald (Rev.). Witch School First Degree. Woodbury: Llewellyn, 2010. Print.