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Halloween has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “Sah-win” or "Sah-wen"), a Pagan celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer. By following these simple everyday rituals, you can deepen your connection with nature and the turning of the year.
What is 'Samhain'
In modern times, Samhain is celebrated by various Pagan and Wiccan communities as a time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away, as well as a time to reflect on the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Others may celebrate it as a way to acknowledge that autumn and the darker months have arrived.
When is it celebrated
Samhain is celebrated from 31st October to 1st November.
What did people do
People would light bonfires to guide souls to the afterlife, wear costumes to ward off ghosts, and carve turnips. It also marked the end of the harvest season.
Who believed in Samhain
The Celts believed that the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest during Samhain, and that the dead could walk among the living. It was also believed to be a time when fairies and spirits could interact more easily with the living.
It is still celebrated to this day, mostly in Ireland and Britain among modern Pagans and witches. Over time, Halloween has evolved into a day of parties, costumes, pumpkins, and trick-or-treating.
How to Celebrate Samhain & Popular Symbols
Decorations
Nature provides many beautiful ways to decorate your home for Samhain. Why not include some of these items on your altar or around your house:
Acorns
Pine cones
Dried leaves and flowers
Gourds and pumpkins
Colours
Orange
Black
Brown
Yellow
Purple
Gold
Red
Foods to make and eat
Popular Samhain foods include traditional autumn baked goods and treats such as:
Pumpkin pie
Apples and pears
Cider and dark wine
Roasted meats
Root vegetables
Crystals
Smoky quartz
Obsidian
Onyx
Carnelian
Amber
Deities
Cerrunnos (Celtic)
Horned God (Celtic)
Loki (Norse)
Osiris (Egyptian)
Persephone (Greek)
Dionysus (Greek)
Ishtar (Mesopotamian).
Flowers
Marigolds
Sunflowers
Wild ginseng
Wormwood
Witch hazel
Other symbols
Bats
Cats
Ravens and crows
Cauldrons
Broomsticks
Ghosts
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