< Go Back Samhain Samhain. The wheel has turned full circle. For the Celts, it was the start of the New Year. The God has sacrificed himself, and the Crone now mourns him, until he is re-born at Yule. The dark time of the year begins. It is the 3rd and final harvest. Leaves fall, everything goes back to the earth, and in the darkness of winter, seeds lie ready to rise up in the Spring. It is a good time, to cast off all that does not serve us, and as we prepare ourselves for the Winter months, we remember and honour our ancestors, whose bones lie deep in the earth, and who have passed into the Summerlands. It may be dark and cold, but as day follows night and birth follows death, we must not lose hope that things will improve once again. For now remember that traditionally the veils between the worlds of the living and those of the dead, are at their thinnest, and it is time to really honour our deceased.As you lay out a Samhain feast, consider laying out an extra place, for someone who may recently have passed through the veil. As a family, or with a group of friends, gather candles or tealights and perform a little ceremony, calling out names of people who you wish to remember, as you light a candle to them. Some people like to get out old family photographs too, even start a family tree. Why not try your hand at scrying? if you have a piece of black obsidian, or even a bowl of water, which you can colour with black ink.
As for your altar, well, black, of course! but also orange; and remember a pumpkin or two! Apples, berries, nuts, and fallen leaves, conkers and acorns are always good too. Give your home and hearth a good sweep with your besom to get rid of old, stale energies as you go into the New Celtic Year. Happy New Year, and Blessed Samhain.