Hallowe'en

[Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Hallowmas, Hallowtide, Samhain, Samhuinn, Ancestor Night, Shadowfest, Festival of the Dead, Feast of the Dead, The Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos)]

When the sun reaches 15 degrees Scorpio we reach the cross-quarter between the Autumn Equinox & the Winter Solstice. Outside work should be completed by now and everything prepared for Winter to come. This is a time of rest, reflection of the past year, and gaining knowledge. Scorpio is symbolic of Death, Rebirth, Transformation, Introspection, Intuition, & Hidden Knowledge.

This is a time of honoring our ancestors and others who have passed into the spirit world. The doors to the spirit realms are wide open now, therefore allowing for very powerful divinations and spirit communication. Some cultures set a place at the table for their passed loved ones, or place an offering to appease the spirits. Photos or other symbols or mememtos of our anestors or passed loved ones are set on the altar to pay homage. This is also an ideal time to work on ridding negativity or negative habits from our lives.

In Wicca, the Goddess mourns the death of the God, only to have him be reborn at Yule, the Winter Solstice. A classic reminder that Death is only an ending to allow for a new beginning...Transformation.

Herbs/Flowers/Incense:

Chrysanthemum, Cypress, Dittany of Crete, Mullein, Thistle, Wormwood,

Colors:

Black, Grey, deep Purple, midnight Blue, Orange

Symbols/Decorations:

Photos/mementos of ancestors or passed loved ones, Acorns, Waning Moon, Lanterns, The Crone, seasonal foods, herbs, flowers; symbolic animals;

Other symbols of death: skeletons, skulls, ghosts, coffins, graveyards, etc.

Foods:

Apples, pears, pomegranates, pumpkins, turnip, squash, potatoes, rutabagas, beets, hazel nuts, cranberries, nuts, grains, breads, cakes, cider, mulled wine, beer, ale.

Gods/Goddesses:

Rituals/Activities:

Divination; communicating with spirits; honoring elders, ancestors, & spirits who have passed; setting a spot at the table for ancestors/passed loved ones; leaving food offerings for spirits; carving lanterns to carry or set on porches from ghords, turnips, potatoes or pumpkins; sharing your riches or crop with others; banishing negativity; rituals for menopause (for those entering the Crone phase of life); bobbing for apples; dressing in disguise, visiting neighbors for "treats".

Animals/Creatures:

Domestic cats, Hounds, Jackals, Crows, Ravens, Owls, Beetles.

Creatures symbolic of Death

Gemstones:

Jet, Obsidian, Onyx, Hematite.

Tarot Cards:

Death, Chariot

***Samhain or Samhuinn pronounced (SOW-en) is Celtic for "summer's end".

There is no God or diety or otherwise with this name or the name Sam Hain.

This is a rumor started long long ago that has no historical basis.