Monday, October 31, 2011

Merry Samhain! Happy Hallowe'en!




~ 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!!

Symbols of Samhain:
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms(Brooms).
Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw. Foods of Samhain:
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry.
Incense of Samhain:
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg.
Colors of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold.
Stones of Samhain:
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian.

Remember your loved ones passed.
Count your Blessings.

Make positive Changes.
Celebrate the Gift of Life.
Have fun...EVERYDAY!



...blessings from the farm,

Lori

10 comments:

Laura Violet said...

Happy happy happy Samhain to you! Have a great and happy feast! :)

Mindi said...

I love the information you provided about Samhain, there were some tidbits I didn't know about.

Deppen homestead 1862 said...

Interesting~ Happy Samhain~
smiles
Teresa

Lil Raggedy Angie said...

A very Happy Samhain to you ! Thanks for sharing such wonderful information!
hugs lilraggedyangie

P.J. said...

Happy Halloween! Tis the season of harvest and hobgoblins!

TheCrankyCrow said...

Wishing you a hauntingly wonderful Samhain!!! From one witch to another ~ Robin

cucki said...

so interesting..
Happy Samhain.
have a spooky time..love for you xxx

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Very interesting!!!

Happy Halloween!!!
&
Happy Samhain!!!

Prim Blessings
Robin

Nan ~ Threadwork Primitives said...

This is my favorite day and night of the year. Thanks for all the info and facts. Very interesting and makes it even more special.
~Nan

anne said...

Bright blessings to all this samhain season!