Northern Hemisphere: October 31
Southern Hemisphere: April 30
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The leaves are falling, the apples are ripe,
and frost is on the ground. A scent fills the autumn air, an indescribable
October smell that comes only at this time- pumpkins, apples, cinnamon, dry
leaves burning, and beer.
Samhain is fast approaching and the veil between the worlds grows thinner each night. You can feel it in the air as the Otherworld draws ever closer as the sunlight dwindles into twilight. Our ancestors are honoured at Samhain as it is the time of death and dying. The spirits of the dead are more accessible, more approachable, during this time of the dying of the land.
A melancholy and introspective mood descends upon us in this dark time of endings and completion; and eventual rebirth. In the growing gloom and shadows as the trees cast off their colourful leaves and take on sinister, skeletal appearances, darkness and chill winds prevail.
This is the third harvest, the last great burst of life and light before the inexorable descent of winter, and the decline of the light into the longest night of the year- Yule.
Correspondences
Moon
Blood Moon
Symbols
Balefires, Candles in the Window, Cauldrons, Brooms, Pumpkins, Cats, Bats and Dogs, Jack-o-lantern, Photos of deceased loved ones, Apples, Fall leaves, Autumn flowers, Squashes
Gods/Goddess
Crone aspect of the Goddess
Dark Lord aspect of the God
Hecate, Cerridwen, Cernunnos, Osiris,
Isis, Anubis, and Hades.
Colors
Black, Red, Orange
Traditional Foods
Apples, Corn, Nuts, Cider, Mulled wine, Pumpkin Dishes, Beer, Muffins, Herbal teas, Pomegranates and Squash
Herbs and Growths
Thistle, Chrysanthemum, Broom, Oak leaves, Ferns, Mandrake, Mint, Deadly Nightshade, Mugwort, Sage and Rosemary (for remembrance of our ancestors).
Incense
Apple, Nutmeg, Sage, Mint, Myrrh, Patchouli
Gemstones
Black Obsidian, Snowflake Obsidian, Onyx, Carnelian
Focus of Samhain
This is the beginning and end of the Pagan year. At this time we reflect on what has gone by in the year past. One cannot (or at least should not) allow the Wheel of the Year to turn without some kind of examination of what has occurred. We try and take stock of our actions and find ways to live better lives in the year that is to come.
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RITUALS
ACTIVITIES
POEMS
LORE
updated September 3, 2000
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