Samhain – Walking Between the Worlds

Fire red, summer's dead,
Yet shall it return.
Clear and bright in the night,
Burn, fire, burn!

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire glow, vision show
Of the heart's desire,
When the spell's chanted well
Of the witching fire.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire spark, when nights are dark,
Makes our winter's mirth.
Red leaves fall, earth takes all,
Brings them to rebirth.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

Fire fair, earth and air,
And the heaven's rain,
And blessed be, and so may we,
At Hallowstide again.

Dance the ring, luck to bring,
When the year's aturning.
Chant the rhyme at Hallowstime,
When the fire's burning.

- Doreen Valiente

Samhain (pronounced "SOW-en") is one of the most popular, and often most misunderstood, Sabbats in the Witches' Calendar. You might know of it as Hallowe'en or All Hallows. Within the context of the Wheel of the Year, Samhain is a Fire Festival – this is a Sabbat which is not connected to either a solstice or equinox type solar event. Most people - pagans included - celebrate Samhain on October 31st, but you may find that some pagans celebrate this festival as early as the October full moon (also known as “Blood Moon”) and as late as 2 weeks thereafter depending on astrological variables. In some Traditions, this day marks the beginning AND the end of the Witches calendar year. Within the context of the Wheel of the Year, Samhain is a fire festival. A Fire Festival is a Sabbat which is not connected to either a solstice or equinox type solar event.

The word Samhain comes from both old Irish and Scots Gaelic meaning “summer's end”, which indeed it is. Look around you; the leaves are beginning to turn colors and fall to the ground and you can definitely feel a chill in the air. However it’s important to remember that Europeans don't have a monopoly on this date. In Latin America, specifically in Mexico, El Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is the celebration. Although today’s pagans tend to focus more on the Indo-European version of this day, I recommend taking the time to learn more about El Dia de los Muertos to discover the beautiful symbolism and imagery there as well. Many pagans incorporate these Latin American themes into their own practice, especially if they have a personal biological or sociological connection.

There are three harvest celebrations in the Wheel of the Year. The first harvest is Lughnassadh (sometimes called Litha) which we celebrated at the end of July. Litha is a harvest of joy, when the berries are just becoming ripe and we are just beginning to experience summer’s bounty. The second harvest is Mabon (the Fall Equinox). This was on September 20^th, and is a type of Pagan Thanksgiving. Mabon is when the bulk of the harvest is reaped and is a harvest of thanks to the gifts of the Earth.

Samhain is the third harvest, and is sometimes called the Bitter Harvest. This is when we collect and preserve the last of the growing season- gourds and root vegetables, legumes and long lasting fruits like apples (ever wonder why people bob for apples or use gourds for jack o’lanterns at this time of year?). In years past, our agrarian forebears would take stock of their grain supplies and identify the animals not expected to live throughout the winter which would sustain their families throughout the winter. Some pagans refer to the time between Samhain and Imbolc (February 2nd) as the Dark Time. Not only is it when our ancestors would take shelter in their homes to survive the harsh winters, but on a spiritual level, it is a time for us to be introspective, to reflect upon our own spiritual year and see what kinds of harvests we have collected and what goals we wish to strive for in the next iteration of the Wheel of the Year.

Samhain marks the time of the Crone or the Dark Lady, which is one aspect of the Triple Goddess. Like many of my pagan brothers and sisters, I have a strong connection to the Crone. But why is the Crone so important to Paganism? In ancient societies, blood was the symbol of life, power and wisdom – and any cycle or ritual that included blood was honored and revered. Before we had science and medicine to explain the rhythms and cycles of our bodies, the concept of women's cycles was viewed as mysterious and powerful and often frightening. After all, how could a woman bleed regularly for so long but not take a wound or die? As a woman aged and became wiser, this cycle would end and that wisdom would then remain inside her. Due to this "holding of the wisdom", she then was allowed admittance into the council of elders of her tribe or community. She was the one who instructed her community about what would heal them and what would sustain them throughout difficult times; in doing so, she became the direct conduit to the Gods. The Crone was the one person allowed to be at births as midwife and healer, yet was also necessary to attend those whose lives were ending. She brought life into the world and when life was ended, she accompanied the dead across the Veil and entrusted the spirit of the deceased to the Goddess. In that lay her greatest Mystery.

You may often hear that this time is "when the Veil is thin"; this means that the boundaries between this world and the Otherworld - the spirit world, the astral, Akashic records, shadow realm - are blurred and it is much easier to communicate back and forth. Some say this is due to the fact that it is the end and beginning of the Wheel, others say it is because the Crone walks freely between those worlds, she grants us the same ease at Samhain. Many of our Hallowe'en customs come from the belief that the departed and the living could share the same space at this time of year. Jack o' Lanterns (originally carved from turnips!) are lit to guide our departed loved ones to their families in this world. Masks, costumes and carved gourds are placed in windows to frighten off malevolent spirits and keep away bad luck. “Trick or Treat!” was said to appease any spirit who got lost and happened to knock on your door – people would give treats (cakes, food, ale) to avoid accidentally offending a spirit who lost their way or didn’t have anywhere to go. Families would set out an extra place at the table for their loved ones, and some of these traditions turned into what is now called a Dumb Supper ("dumb" means “silent” in this instance, not “stupid”); a Dumb Supper is marked by the fact that one does not speak during the entirety of the meal. The silence is out of respect for the dead who are being honored.

Because the Veil is thin, it’s the perfect time for divination, to see what will come to pass over the next year and what you should be striving for. This is the time to appeal to the Crone for her wisdom and strength, to see the future, but more importantly, use that knowledge to make the best decisions for yourself and those you love. Of course, the Tarot and scrying (scrying is using a focus for divination) are both popular divinatory methods, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try using a mirror or even getting a bowl of water and dropping melted candle wax in it and seeing what shapes form. For others, runes and the ancient art of bone throwing is particularly appropriate divination activities. Bonfires are very popular at Samhain, and if you have access to one, it’s a magickal experience, when you can also use the embers/coals of the sacred fire to divine the future. No matter what oracle you use, it will be especially sensitive this time of year. Take advantage of having this strong connection to Spirit, and see what the Gods have to tell you!

Certainly this is a time when we are very aware of those who have crossed over this past year, and this is a very important part of our celebrations. Do remember that we’re not just talking about people– animals are as much family to us as any human, especially those who were our companions and friends in life. Pagans have many ways of honoring those who have passed away. Sometimes it’s as simple as setting a place for them at the table on Samhain evening; we will also fill a glass of wine for them and then give it back to the earth (pour it into the ground) when we’re done. This practice is known as “libation”. You can also create an altar for those who have crossed over who have made an impact in your life. Decorate this mini altar with pictures, items, candles and other things and spend some time there on Samhain thanking them for sharing their life with you and share some memories with those who might not have known them as well. Take a walk to a graveyard with some late autumn flowers or loaves of bread (or small rolls/cookies) and share them with the departed, letting them know they’re not forgotten.

It’s important for many pagan parents to be able to appropriately share Sabbats with their families, and our Little Witchlings can certainly participate in Samhain’s festivities. As a parent, only you can make the determination about what is right for your children, but know that although Samhain deals with some pretty heavy spiritual themes, it still can be made fun and educational for them too. If you choose to honor those who have died, allow your little ones to share what they remember of the departed person or pet. They can help with decorations and pumpkin carving, and parents can share information about Hallowe’en customs today hearken to our pagan past. Read stories about Crone goddesses from all kinds of cultures – from Hecate, to Cerridwen, Tiamat, Kali Ma, Baba Yaga, Nepthys, Tlazolteotl, Washer at the Ford, Elli, and more. There are even coloring books for pagan kids for Samhain (http://www.sacredspiralkids.com/color/Autumn/samhainCCB.pdf is just one of many) and activity books for them.

No matter how you celebrate Samhain – whether it be by a full Dumb Supper or giving out candy to the local kids with the knowledge that it symbolizes the bounty of the Gods – this Sabbat marks the time when we spend time inwardly to grow and learn from ourselves, from others (both those here and those who’ve crossed), and from the Gods. I wish you all an abundant harvest, and may the Crone give you all the knowledge and wisdom to take care of yourselves and your loved ones throughout the Dark Time.

Written in honor of Lady Sequannah, Lady Ellen and Caliban who were found worthy to serve the Universal Spirit, but in so doing had to leave us behind. We thank you for being part of our world, and honor your contribution to our lives and our community. Save a chair and mug of mead for me at the Sacred Flame!