"Sam" and "hain" meant "end of" and "summer" to the Celts. They observed only two seasons of the year: summer and winter. So, Samhain was celebrated at the transition of these seasons.
Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne)is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat. It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead".
To Witches, Samhain is one of the four High Holidays, or Greater Sabbats. Because it is the most important holiday of the year, it is sometimes called 'THE' Great Sabbat. Pagans consider Samhain the most magical night of the year. It occurs exactly opposite of Beltane on the Wheel of the Year. It is a night of glowing jack-o-lanterns, tricks or treats, and dressing in costume. A night for telling chilling ghost stories by the fire. And a time for seances, tarot card readings and scrying with mirrors. It is upon this night, that the veil which seperates our world from the Otherworld is at its thinnest, making it a Night of Power.
As Witches,we observe this day as a religious festival. We consider it a memorial day for dead friends and family. It is still a night to practice various forms of divinitory arts such as scrying and rune casting. One could never hope for a better Tarot reading than on this night! Samhain is considered a time to wrap up old projects, take a good look at one's stock in life, and consider new projects and endeavors for the coming year.
Bonfire, hearth fire, candle - gaze into the flame and revisit our ancient heritage. Draw friends close and leave an offering for the whispering ghosts. Samhain is here.
Let the Samhain BONFIRE burn high & bright ! Happy New Year 2007!
'Listen! The wind is rising,
And the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
Now for October eves!'
~ Humbert Wolfe (1885-1940)
'Witches are alive & magic is upon us,
blessed be the season of the witch'... ~ MooN
= Altar Decorations =
Altar should be decorated with Pumpkins, Wheat, colorful Native American Corn, Gourds. Fall leaves you have gatherd while walking in the woods or parks. Pine cones & Acorns. Pictures of dead ancestors (relatives or pets), Rosemary herb plants or dried bundles, Black and Orange candles. Scrying mirrors and or divination tools such as Tarot cards & Rune Stones.
= Herbs of Samhain =
Allspice Berries, Broom, Catnip, Mountain Ash Berries, Mugwort, Mullein, Oak leaves, Acorns, Rosemary, Sage, Pine cones, Straw.
"Bonfires dot the rolling hillsides
Figures dance around and around
To drums that pulse out echoes of darkness
Moving to the Pagan sound."
~~ Loreena McKennitt, "All Souls Night", "The Visit"
Three lifetimes spread for Runestones, perfect Samhain divination
Spirit Smudge, perfect Samhain incense recipe
Great Aunt Gladys Pumpkin Bread
= Dry =
3 1/3 cups flour
3 cups sugar
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
Pinch powdered Cloves
1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
2 Teaspoons Baking powder
+ NOTE: Dry roasting the herbs in a pan for a few mins,
just until you can smell them, with give you a MUCH more flavorful end result
= Wet =
4 Eggs
1 cup Vegetable oil
2/3 cup Water
1 15 oz Can of Pumpkin
Or you can roast or boil fresh pumpkin 15 oz
1 cup walnuts or Pecans (optional)
=Mix =
Beat wet ingredients, eggs, add oil and water.
In another bowl mix dry ingredients, flour, sugar, salt and spices.
Make a well of the dry and gradually add wet ingredients.
Mix and pour into greased loaf pans (pound cake size)
Preheated oven at 350 for 1 hour.
Yields 2 -3 breads
I make this wonderful bread every Autumn and it is ALWAYS a part of my Samhain table It is moist and not too sweet, EVERYONES gives rave reviews, I hope you try it and enjoy it this Samhain season.
~ Great Aunt Gladys Tetrault, Wilton, ME
Autumn Incense
3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Myrrh
1 part Rosemary
1 part Cedar
1 part Juniper
Burn on charcoal blocks during fall and winter Sabbat rituals.
'Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain, I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush; I am in the graceful rush.
Of beautiful birds in circling flight, I am in the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom, I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing, I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I do not die. '
~ by Mary E. Frye 1932
http://moonsmuses.com/samhaintraditions.html
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