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| Welcome to the Wiccan New Year. 1 November is considered the beginning of the Wheel�s eternal turn. This is the time when the veil between the world of the living and the dead is at it�s thinnest. Faeries and other spirits roams freely at this time which is why in England and Ireland children are not allowed out during this night. Divination is very powerful at this time especially tools that are used to communicate with the departed. Samhain is also the final harvest and a time to prepare for the winter. In older times fields were harvested for the last time, food was stored and animals were brought in from the fields. Most of us don�t need to do any of things any more so this is a great time to clean up back yards, clean out gardens and flower beds and prepare our outside worlds for the cold weather season. Just remember to wait until after the first frost to prune! Samhain is a festive and joyful time. It is a time to feast and remember those who have passed on. It is a time to connect with our heritage and embrace our family. It is also a time to look over the past year and change those things that we need to change for the better. This is a great time for old habits to find the trash and new habits to be picked up. It is said that it takes 28 days for a habit to form. Start now and you�ll be cruising by Yule!!
a.k.a. � Halloween (31 October), ShadowFest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmad (Celtic/Scottish) (11 November) Herbs � Pumpkin, Apple, Nuts, Thistle, Chrysanthemum, Broom, Oak Leaves, Sage, Mullen, Ferns, Mandrake, Deadly Nightshade, Mugwort Incense � Apple, Nutmeg, Sage, Mint Colour � Black, Orange Decorations � Jack O�Lantern, Photos of deceased loved ones, Apples, Fall Leaves, Autumn Flowers, Squashes Foods � Nuts, Cider, Mulled Wine, Pumpkin Dishes, Cranberry Muffins, Herbal Teas, Corn Gemstones � Onyx, Snowflake, Obsidian Tools � Votive candles, Magic mirror, Cauldron, Pumpkins, Divination Tools Goddess � Crone, Hecate God � Horned Hunter, Cernnunos, Anubis Goddess and God Aspect � God dies and the Goddess is seen as the Crone Oak King vs Holly King � The Oak King is dead and the Holly King is waiting to be born Celebrates � Transformation and change and ancestors who have passed Traditions Feast of the Dead � a feast is prepare and places are set for those who have passed on. A plate of food and drink with a candle that sits along side is set outside for homeless souls to show respect and to avoid their uninvited presence. This candle is said to have transformed into the modern day Jack O�Lantern although there are many other theories. Divination � Divination is very powerful at this time Talking with those who have passed � It is said that the veil between the worlds of the living and dead are at its thinnest. This is the best time for s�ance�s and talking with the dead. Letter writing � It is said that smoke will bring messages to the dead. Write a letter to those that have passed and burn them on Samhain evening. Roasting and eating apples, Bobbing for apples � Apples are important at Belane and Samhain because the apple represents birth and death Pumpkin Carving |
| Samhain Death and Transformation Wiccan New Year 31 October |
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