samhain/halloween

how do you celebrate halloween?

Samhain/Halloween

I've celebrated this time as my new year since I was a little girl. Reading books about Wicca and pagan blessings and connections…I felt drawn to this as a way to be…nature, goddesses and tuning into the message of energy and vibrations…Yes, I’ve been this weird since always

And I love it! Embrace your soul!

Here’s some reading about this turn of the wheel….

When we celebrate Samhain in the northern hemisphere, our southern neighbors find themselves in Beltane!

So here we go…

NAMES & PRONOUNCIATION:

Samhain

Sow as in cow and Inn

Other Names:

Halloween, Winter Nights, All Hallows Eve - October 31st

Samhain flows into Autumn signaling the final days of Summer.

Situated between the autumn equinox and winter solstice, Samhain is one of the powerhouses of the great Sabbaths. This for me is my New Year’s Eve, as celebrated by earthen souls, Wiccan and those follow their ancient traditions such as Dia de los Muertos in Mexico (Day of the Dead--usually held on November 1.the original Halloween day now the Wiccan New Year’s Day)) and All Saints Day (also on November 1) by the Catholic church.

who follow the wheel for life & guidance.

It may be poignant to leave out a saucer of milk for the fae folk who love to create mischief at this time of year as they come out to play in wild abandon, if you choose to follow the magick at this time be sure to return before dawn or remain in the Faraway Tree land forever!!

Spirits and souls of loved ones are closest to us. For us this is an emotional time with the loss of Mum in the summer. Signs have already been evident of her presence. Not only are plates of offerings left out to appease the meddling of Fae but there is also a plate and glass of wine left out for spirits moving amongst us at this time, The Feast of Hecate.

The carving of pumpkins are a relatively new custom. In Ireland, the lore stated Stingy Jack who was refused entrance to both heaven and hell was given a flaming piece of coal b the devil, which he placed inside a turnip to light his way while terrorising people! ( As told to us as Children!)

This takes me back to my childhood of trick or treating around our village with turnips! I can still conjure the smell of it and the lid, flimsy by the of the nights festivities, not to mention how hard they must've been to carve out! Thankfully the evolution of this particular ritual made ts way to the UK from the US, where Irish families who had emigrated to the States found pumpkins were available in the plenty and made a perfect substitution to uphold their pastime.

Here in Wales, we take the onus for Trick or Treating in fancy dress! Although there wasn't any sexy cats or marvel characters in sight. It was the innocence of times gone by where we wore clothes only designated to being male or female. So genders swapped their clothing to go around the houses sing and chanting to expel any evil spirits. they were rewarded with cakes and treats for their merriment and bringing good luck to the home they visited.

At this time as the nights grow longer we can perform rituals to manifest our intentions but also to call upon our loved ones for guidance and divination. As this is the time for reflecting upon our own place in the world, the Hunters full moon energy brings us closure, the reflective power to truly go within so we can cleanse ourselves of energies no longer serving us this time, even holding ourselves accountable for our own digressions, so we can cross the threshold of the New Year towards our Wintering season with peace and ease.

Some things I do:

(Any and all techniques used are at your own discretion. Please use your judgement if they are suitable for your own personal use, I do not accept responsibility for anyone’s use)

Trataka Intention Meditation.

This candle gazing technique is amazing to use at this time. A part of tantric yoga (no its isn’t all about sex as we class it as in our society…Although the Goddess power at this time is spectaculars potent!)

It brings energy to the third eye, Ajna, where we can feel and connect to energies unseen by the naked eye. Helping to regain wasted energy, it’s a pure method to release what you no longer wish to have or carry.

Place photos of your loved ones, nuts, sage, apples, oak leaves upon a table or altar:

Light candles of black, orange to close the masculine energy of the year just left behind

White candles for the feminine energy of the year ahead.

Alternatively, you can direct your meditation by selecting:

Here are the qualities of different colors:

· White – Purity, clarity, innocence, simplicity, completion

· 
Gold – Abundance, prosperity, wealth, spirituality


· Violet – Commitment, reverence, higher consciousness

· 
Indigo – Imagination, insight, wisdom, clarity of thought

· 
Blue – Creativity, self-expression, communication, relaxation, trust


· Turquoise – Independence, protection, healing


· Green – Forgiveness, compassion, inspiration, hope, love, freedom, healing


· Yellow – Ambition, inner power, self-esteem, self-respect, self-discipline, confidence, courage, generosity

· 
Orange – Sensuality and sexual energy, friendship, optimism, happiness


· Red – Courage, strength, vitality, survival, family bonding


· Pink – Empathy, loyalty

(Make sure to use heat proof surfaces & nontoxic options such as soy or bees wax)

Take a moment to center yourself through meditation, a darkened room. Find a sweet flow to your breath, you can check if its soft by checking if the flame is affected by the exhalation.

Moving about 2ft away and at eye level, move into stillness.

When you feel ready, begin to consider something you would like to have removed, a habit you’d like to over-come, a worry.

When you are ready, focus on the flame without blinking, try to maintain this for as long as you can, blinking only when necessary, let the waters fall without wiping. If you find your attention being drawn away, just come back to the flame, letting everything around blur into insignificance.

Stay with this until you feel its complete!

Sleep on your findings, journal your dreams.

Although this is a time of close connection to your loved ones, you shouldn’t attempt any full ritual techniques such as scrying, spirit readings, any kind of summoning work (I won’t list any further rituals here as others, as harmless as they seem will not go how you’d think without the right guidance or unless you are deeply experienced, coven or practicing)

Instead, use this time for gratitude, cauldrons are not for toads and spell but lighting a fire in one will bring you’re the protection or transformation you are setting within your meditation.

Other traditional activities:

* LIghting Bonfires

*Apple Bobbing

How you set yourself up now will see your wintering as a process of growth and change to emerge in the spring fresh as a daisy!

You are of purpose. Don’t fade away with the lowering of the sun, as you dwell in the darkness my love, you are the light. Just as the North Star, the solitary light in the sky you lead the way. You are allowed to choose You.

It is up to you to decide as you go inwards for the journey from Autumn in winter, whether you have been buried or planted.

Move with the elemental energy and the love of your ancestors to empower your transition.

You are loved more than you know, supported through each chapter from the other side of the veil always

xoxo

More information on this can be in your ear balls on:

Yoga; The Naked Truth Podcast

A visual for you to use for your Candle meditation over on our YouTube Channel:

Indie Rose. Anavrin Yoga

Resources:

AwakenandMindful.com.

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