We have all heard of Halloween before, but have you ever heard of Samhain? And did you know Samhain is the original Halloween? Let's dive a little deeper shall we?
Samhain (pronounced "sow-in") is an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, traditionally celebrated on October 31st to November 1st. It originated in Ireland and parts of Scotland and was a key part of the Gaelic calendar. Samhain signified the end of the light half of the year and the start of the dark half.
The Celts believed that during Samhain, the boundary between the living world and the spirit world was at its thinnest, allowing spirits of the dead to return to Earth. To protect themselves, people would light bonfires, wear disguises, and leave offerings of food to appease wandering spirits. Some also used this time for divination, believing the supernatural energies were strongest during Samhain.
Halloween today incorporates these ancient customs, though its modern form is more focused on fun and entertainment than the spiritual or supernatural aspects of Samhain.
This Samhain we wanted to get back to it's roots and give you some inspiration on Samhain rituals you can have fun with at home on your own, with friends or with family to integrate the spooky, mystical magic of celebrating the end of the harvest season and fully stepping into the winter energy for the coming season ahead.
Lighting a candle for protection: Candles were lit to honor the deceased, guide spirits home, and offer protection from any wandering malevolent forces. The flame symbolizes light in the darkness, both literally as winter begins and metaphorically as a connection to the spiritual realm. Light a candle and place in your window or hallway to offer protection in your home this Samhain.
Samhain Fortune-Telling Ritual: Apple Peel Prophecy
This simple yet traditional Samhain fortune-telling ritual uses apples, long associated with love and divination, to reveal insights about your future.
What You’ll Need:
A fresh apple
A knife or peeler
A quiet, sacred space (optional: candlelight for atmosphere)
Ritual Steps:
Prepare the Space: If desired, light a candle to honor the spirits and set a reflective mood. Hold the apple in your hands, closing your eyes for a moment to focus on your intention—perhaps a question about your future or love life.
Peel the Apple: Slowly peel the apple in one continuous strip, focusing on your question or desire for insight. Try to keep the peel in one long piece, as the length represents clarity and completeness in the answer.
Toss the Peel: Once you have your peel, hold it in your dominant hand and, with intention, toss it over your left shoulder. Let it fall naturally behind you.
Interpret the Shape: Look at the shape the peel forms on the ground. Traditionally, it’s believed that the peel will form a letter, offering a clue to the name of a future lover or someone significant to your life. If no letter is clear, consider the overall shape as a symbolic message or use your intuition to interpret the meaning.
Close the Ritual: Give thanks for the guidance received and, if using a candle, blow it out. You may also eat the apple as a way to symbolically “consume” the insight.
Pumpkin carving: Carving pumpkins, a beloved Halloween tradition, originated from the ancient Celtic practice of carving turnips during Samhain. The Celts believed that spirits roamed the Earth on this night, and carved faces in turnips were meant to ward off evil spirits or guide friendly souls. When Irish immigrants brought this custom to America, they found pumpkins more plentiful and easier to carve, thus creating the modern jack-o'-lantern.
To make this tradition your own, personalise your pumpkin carving with designs that reflect your personality or values. You can carve symbols that hold special meaning to you, such as protection runes, favourite animals, or even something that embodies the energy of the season. You might also use eco-friendly paints or candles to add a sustainable twist to your creation! Let your pumpkin be a reflection of your own connection to this ancient practice.
Cleansing the Home: Cleansing your space for Samhain is a powerful way to clear out old, stagnant energy and make room for renewal as the darker half of the year begins. To start, light incense or burn herbs like sage, rosemary, or juniper, which are traditionally used for purification. As the smoke rises, move through each room, setting the intention to release negativity and invite protection. You can also place a bowl of salt or a few drops of essential oils like frankincense at doorways to ward off unwanted energies. Finally, open windows to let fresh air in, symbolising the shift toward new beginnings as you honor the sacred energy of Samhain.
Storytelling by candlelight: This is a magical way to connect with the spirit of Samhain. As darkness falls, turn off the lights and gather around flickering candles or a small fire, creating an intimate atmosphere. Share Samhain-inspired tales, whether they’re mythical stories of Celtic gods and goddesses, eerie ghost stories, or treasured family histories.This timeless tradition not only adds a bit of spooky fun but also deepens the bond with loved ones and honours the ancient practice of passing down wisdom, memories, and folklore from generation to generation.
Celebrating Samhain holds significant relevance as it marks the transition from the harvest season to winter, a time of reflection, gratitude, and honoring the cycle of life and death. This ancient festival allows us to connect with our ancestors and acknowledge the wisdom of those who came before us. By keeping the tradition alive, we cultivate a deeper appreciation for nature, the changing seasons, and the importance of community.