Samhain - October 31
SAMHAIN (Pro; �SOW-en�, or �SOH-en�) Samhain is the beginning of the ancient Celtic liturgical year, and is the Festival of the Dead. It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. The God, who was born of the Goddess last Yule, dies
at Samhain and will be reborn again on the coming Yule. Samhain is the time we honor the Spirit world, the spirits of our Ancestors and deceased loved ones, as well as our Spirit Guides. Samhain is a Lunar or Grand Sabbat, and is sacred to the Crone Goddess. The word Samhain is GAELIC and means �summer�s end.� The dark half of the year begins on this Sabbat. At Samhain the Psychic Tide is at a high point, and it is a good time for all sorts of magic, divination, and inner workings. Traditionally Wiccans consider Samhain the most sacred of all festivals. It is a time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, a time for remembering the dead, and a time for scrying.
Other names are - Ancestor Night,Third Harvest, Day of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest and Samhuinn. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, (November 7th), and Martinmas (celebrated November 11th), Samhain is considered the Witch's New Year.
Colors of Samhain: - Black, Orange, Silver, Gold, White.
Symbols associated with Samhain: - Apples, Harvest, Black Cats, Pumpkins, Besoms, Gourds, and the Witch on her Broom.
Herbs Associated with Samhain: - Patchouli, Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage.
Stones of Samhain: - Jet, Obsidian, Black stones
Foods Associated with Samhain: -Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry, All game � Pheasant, Partridge, Pigeon, Hare, All seasonal vegetables, the last of the Autumn Harvest, Apples and Pears, Sausages, Pumpkin Soup or a Pumpkin pie with lots of cinnamon and Nutmeg, Red Wine.
Deities -All Death Gods,All Crone Goddesses
Some traditions of Samhain � The mute supper. Set a place at your table for the ancestors and departed loved ones.
Bury an apple on your property to bring luck for the coming year.
Place a light or candle in the windows to help guide the spirits of loved ones home.ur l
Light a orange-colored candle at midnight on Samhain and let it burn until sunrise ,this is said to bring one good luck.
Use Black candles to ward off negativity.
Stand before a mirror and make a wish.
Recipes for Samhain -
Easy Apple Cobbler
3/4 stick butter
1 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk
1 - 1-1/2 cups drained apple pie filling
Melt butter in a dish,mix flour,sugar,and milk in a seperate bowl.Add butter to baking dish, pour batter over butter -DO NOT STIR. Drop in fruit,DO NOT STIR.Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon top top .Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes.
(for a 9 by 13 pan, double recipe )Other fruit may be used in place of apples..blackberry is very good.
