Book of Shadows

Samhain - Hallowmas

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Created: Wednesday, 11 October 2006 11:14

Last Updated: Wednesday, 05 November 2008 17:58

Written by Lisa

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Samhain: October 31st The Celtic New Year

This night is a magickal moment in time. The veil between the worlds is at it’s thinnest, we are closest to the door to the spirit world from which our ancestors pervade. Samhain is the most serious of the harvest festivals as traditionally choices had to be made among the live stock as to which would be harvested and which could survive the long winter to give birth to new life near Imbolc. As the animals were slain the meat was salted ( which in ancient times was one of the only known ways of preserving). This is believed to be one of the reasons we use salt in a ritual, to keep away unwanted spirits and protect the circle. As the animals were harvested so were the last of the crops. Infact, what ever was left out after all souls night was thought to belong to the underworld. It was taught that a Pooka (a hobgoblin) appearing in the form of a black cloaked headless horseman was sent to guard the bounty and torment anyone who tried to take it. The Veil to the other world that lead us to the elementals at Beltane now open us to the sacred world of the ancestors. You will find yourself among their familiar energies once more. It is common at this sabbat to invite your ancestors to a Dumb (silent) Supper and set a place to honor them. In fact in times of old people would put food out on their doorsteps for visiting spirits, and if you had to venture out it was thought to do so in disquise so unwanted or negative spirits wouldn’t be able to recognize you. As it is the New Year it is also traditionally a time to dedicate yourself to the path, take a magickal name, or join a coven. You may also find it a time for banishing the unwanted as it is the last sabbat of the waning year. Remember though that the focus is not on death but on the renewal of life. Be thankful for all you have and all that is to come.