The Spiritual Meaning Of Halloween

[sparklekaz]

Samhain (October 31)

Also known as-: Shadowfest, All Souls, All hallows Eve, Halloween
Associated Deities-: Hecate, Pan, Persephone, Hades, The Morrigan
Associated Herbs-: Bay Leaf, Lavender, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Sage
Associated Stones-: Obsidian, Black Onyx, Bloodstone, Amethyst, Opal

Pronounced as 'Sow'ain', the most important festival in the Pagan/Wiccan year and marks the end and the begining of the wheel of the year, just the same as new years eve. Rituals begin after dark peaking at midnight and often go on into the next day, 1st of November, which is the new year.

Samhain is linked with the death process as the warm months die out and the cold winter months step in. In the past people often took stock of their supplies ready for winter, grain they had and animals they had. Where there were short supplies, animals which were thought unable to last the long winter months were slaughtered for meat and preserved. Farmers put their fields to rest for the winter and everything that was not needed was given back to Mother Earth to rot.

Samhain is also a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest, a time when the spirits of loved ones can return and so a special place is set at the table for any who so wish to join the feast. Traditionally a candle to guide the spirits of loved ones home is lit in the window and also deters any unwanted spirits and is the origins of the pumpkin or jack-o-lantern. The spirit of the loved ones recently departed are then guided to the Summerlands which is where the spirit rest until it is time to move on. It is also a time when the spirits can talk through us more easily and all types of divination such as Scrying, Tarot, Runes etc are used.

It is said to be a time when witches celebrate the wild hunt and the Horned God gathers the lost souls who linger or are unwary. The Goddess takes on her role as the Crone or Wise One and so we look for wisdom and guidance. A time to tie up loose ends, pay unpaid debts, finish arguments etc, a time to put everything to rest. Look at the changes in the weather, changes in nature and how things now begin to rest and die and decay to make way for new life and growth after the winter months.

Generally considered to be a good time to give thanks for the lessons you have learned from failures and problems. And for the many other blessings that the year has brought you. A simple yet powerful ritual for releasing anything that no longer serves you, is to write down on little scraps of paper, bad issues, characteristics and negative habits that you wish to release. Safely burn them in a earthenware container. Never leave candles, or fires unattended. And make sure when you are finished they are properly put out.