| Samhain is coming up fast! While most of us know | | | | burn as an offering to my Matron Crone Goddess, and |
| Samhain as Halloween, what is this Wiccan Sabbat | | | | as incense.Also on the altar, the stones of Samhain, |
| really about? What ways are best to celebrate the | | | | which are black (go figure), but especially jet and |
| Sabbat? What special things should one do for | | | | obsidian. I don't personally use hematite here because it |
| Samhain? Why is Samhain so utterly cool? Read on, | | | | is so grounding. I like using the hematite afterwards |
| gentle reader :-)Samhain is usually pronounced | | | | when I need to ground my energies.Candle colors, |
| "Sow'an," and is from the Celtic "Samhuinn" which | | | | while not absolutely essential, can be quite important to |
| means "summer's end." It is one of the doorways of | | | | setting the appropriate mood. As one could likely |
| the Celtic year - divided into light and dark, Beltane | | | | guess, orange and black are the primary colors for |
| being the "light." It is the final harvest of the year, and | | | | Samhain candles. One can also use silver for the |
| thanks are given for the year's bounty.Many believe | | | | Goddess and gold for the God for candles on their |
| that Samhain and Beltane are the two times during the | | | | altar if they so desire.Once everything is together, cast |
| year when the "veil" between the seen and the | | | | your circle as you choose, call your quarters if that is |
| unseen is at its thinnest. This is the magical time when | | | | part of your practice, and perform your ritual. What |
| laws of time and space are suspended, and one can | | | | ritual, you ask? While Kestra is always one to suggest |
| communicate with departed loved ones. On the night | | | | you write your own rituals, I suppose I'll share one of |
| of Samhain (October 31) people often light a single | | | | mine with you, as a guide, or as a "yuck, I don't want to |
| candle in their windows to guide their loved ones home, | | | | do anything like THIS."We welcome our beloved dead |
| and set an extra place at the supper table for | | | | With offerings that they be fed |
| them.Samhain is also the time when the Crone and her | | | | Let them hear this sacred night |
| Aged Consort are honored, this being a time for Dark | | | | Our love for them brought through this rite |
| Magic (not "evil," just dark), and to honor the Dark | | | | We ask their guidance through this year |
| Mysteries. Remember, without Dark there cannot be | | | | And that their blessings settle here |
| Light.So, what should you do for your Samhain ritual? | | | | May their knowledge reach our ears |
| First, gather things that you feel are symbolic of | | | | May their message come through clearLight the |
| Samhain. Pumpkins or other gourds, apples, besoms, or | | | | herbs, and meditate for a time, waiting for any |
| even pointy hats are useful articles to set the mood. If | | | | message that may be sent.After you feel you've |
| you happen to have the friendship of a black cat, ask | | | | waited long enough, or after you've received a |
| her to participate with you.Next, gather the herbs that | | | | message, thank the Dead, and anyone else you |
| are special to the Samhain Sabbat. Not all of the herbs | | | | invoked, take down your signal as you normally would, |
| that correspond with Samhain are easily available, and | | | | and end the ritual.After your ritual is complete, you may |
| at least one takes preparation beforehand (as in | | | | wish to ground using some of the foods associated |
| soaking mandrake for two weeks or so before you | | | | with Samhain, such as pumpkin pie, apples (definitely), |
| can shred it properly for use). The herbs that I | | | | nuts, mulled wines (yum yum), pork, beef, or |
| personally use are mugwort, motherwort, broom | | | | chicken.Kestra is a Wiccan Priestess, Master Herbalist, |
| flower, belladonna (also known as deadly nightshade), | | | | and Reiki Master, offering the best in practical |
| mandrake (European mandrake, not American | | | | information, unique and useful altar tools and ritual |
| mandrake, which is a completely different plant used | | | | supplies. Please check out her offerings at Guaranteed |
| for other things), and white sage. I use these herbs to | | | | to not be your "same ole" Wiccan shop. |