The origins of the word Samhain are Celtic. It is literally translated to mean “summer’s end�? It is the time of year when the fall is coming to a close and the earth is going dormant for her rest. The first snow may have fallen and the nights get colder in most of the hemisphere. Often called the Witch’s New Year, this is the time when we bring the year to a close so that we can prepare for the return of the sun at Yule.

It is the time when Wiccans and many other Pagans believe that the veil between this world and the next becomes thinnest, and communication through the veil becomes easier. We honor the things that have from our lives throughout the year and say good bye to those we have lost. Altars are built to honor the departed and divination is very powerful during this period of time.

Because the veil is thin, this is an excellent time to do divination of all kinds. Answers seem to come easier now than at other times of year. One of my favorite types of divination to do at Samhain is scrying into fire. This is fairly easy to do in a cauldron or fire pit. Though, as with anytime that you work with fire, please be careful! For this particular type of scrying I prefer to use a wood fire rather than an alcohol fire.

There are two main ways I like to scry in fire. The first is to write my question on a piece of paper and toss it into the fire. By meditating on the flames as the paper burns I can receive messages about my question. The second method is to create or purchase loose incense. Toss the incense into the fire and meditate on the flames as the incense burns.

Another Samhain Tradition for many Wiccans is to prepare a “dumb supper�?on Samhain Night to honor the ancestors. A dumb supper is a feast for the dead which is held in complete silence. The choicest foods and drink are placed out on the finest dishes for the spirits to feast on, and the other diners eat smaller meals, sometimes even just bread and water. This is a ritual that allows us to spend time with those who have gone before us, while celebrating and honoring their spirit.

Samhain is a sacred day to Wiccans and many Pagans. It is not the same as Halloween, though the name Halloween is derived from All Hallows Eve. Halloween has become a secular holiday for children and adults to dress up and have a good time. There are many misconceptions about Samhain by non-pagans. So just for the record, Samhain has nothing to do with satan or any other devil-type entity and it has nothing to do with dressing up as the grim reaper or Tinkerbell. Candy is always welcome, however!

So honor your loved ones who have gone from this world, and grieve for the loss of the things that have gone from your life. Then get ready to move forward into the new year and celebrate the return of the light at Yule.

Many Blessings to you all this Samhain!