By Kerrilyn Bachler-Connor

Samhain-Halloween

Pronounced “ SOW-en” (Sow rhymes with cow) and is the Gaelic name for November. Samhain is the third and final

harvest, this one for meat. The livestock was brought out of the pastures to see how many could be fed through the winter,

the rest of the animals were slaughtered and their meat salted for winter consumption.

Celebrated as the Celtic and Witches’ New Year as it signifies the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the

dark half of the year. The last of the crops are harvested and final preparations are made for the shortening days and the

nights growing longer and colder while nature takes a break and rests.

This is also when the Oak King loses his battle against the Holly King and dies, until he is reborn at Yule, and then begins

his preparations to battle the Holly King again in the spring. In some traditions, Lugh (the Sun God) dies at Mabon and

spends the time until Samhain to collect the spirits of those who died during the year to take with him to the Otherworld.

The Goddess is in her Crone aspect at this time and she is highly revered throughout Samhain. Cailleach, one of the

aspects of the Crone rules from the eve of Samhain until the eve of Beltane at which time she is replaced by the Goddess

Brighid, who then ruled until the next eve of Samhain.

The veil between worlds is thinnest on this night and food and drink are left out and made available for relatives who have

passed to the Otherworld. Because the veil is thin, Samhain is an excellent time for spirit work and divination. It is known

as the Day of the Dead. Bonfires can be set to burn throughout the night to frighten away any evil spirits that may intend to

do harm.

On Samhain, the fey folk are very active, so beware of any mischief they may be up to. Irish legend tells that the more evil

type fairies are most active in the dark half of the year, while their good natured counterparts are most active in the light

half of the year. To keep bad fairies away, hang a wreath made of dried apples and heather on your front door before

sundown on Samhain.

Samhain is also celebrated as the time when the God Dagda and the Goddess Morrigan come together as lovers.

The Romans celebrated the Festival of Pomona marking the harvest of fruits and nuts to be stored for winter.

Nature Spirits

Frost faeries take on many different appearances depending in which land they live. In some lands they are trooping

Faeries who collectively help bring Winter to the world. In this instance they are small, winged creatures, dressed in white.

They appear to have no interest in humans.

The Banshee is solitary and exceptionally beautiful. She is much feared as her wails prophesize the death of someone

nearby. The Banshee is the harbinger of upcoming doom to her mortal kindred.

Goblins are cousins of the house Brownie, but with very different intentions. Whereas Ill-tempered and greedy, goblins

adopt homes to destroy them – not to help out.

They especially like to torment children, and their favorite ways of doing this are to take their food from them and then

nearly smother them at night.

Colors

Blue is for truth, tranquility, protection, hope, honor, change, psychic abilities, sleep, dreams, peace, healing, fidelity, unity,

astral projection, wisdom and knowledge.

Green is for abundance, growth, healing, prosperity, fertility, employment, luck, jealousy, personal appearance, neutralizes

difficult situations, calming, finances, security and career.

Orange is for courage, pride, ambition, enthusiasm, energy, friendship, communication, success, opportunities, attraction,

willpower, sun, adaptability, zest for life and imagination.

Black is used for divination, banishing, absorbing negative energy, protection, binding, limitations, loss, confusion and

defining boundaries.

White is for cleansing, peace, protection, healing, truth, divination, tranquility, purification, childhood and innocence.

Purple is for growth, self esteem, psychic ability, insight, inspiration, spirituality, success in business, power, mild

banishings, ambition, inner strength and physical fitness.

Indigo is used for insight, vision, change, flexibility and psychic abilities.

Red is for passion, Fire, willpower, courage, energy, strength, anger, blood, life cycle, desire and war.

Brown is for stability, integrity, justice, endurance, animals, concentration, grounding, Earth, neutrality, strength, grace,

decision making, pets and family issues.

Yellow is used for joy, vitality, intelligence, study, persuasion, charm, creativity, communication, mind power, sun, psychic

ability, attraction, examinations and tests.

Gold symbolizes The God, vitality, strength, success, action, courage, confidence, solar deities, wealth, employment,

masculinity, sun, power and daylight hours.

Flowers

Calendula is for good health, psychic dreams and comfort.

Marigold is for protection, dreams, psychic powers and business.

The white Lily is associated with Eostara, renewal, and rebirth. The Lily has strong associations with fertility goddesses. To

dream of Lilies in Spring foretells marriage, happiness and prosperity; to dream of them in Winter indicates frustration of

hopes, or the premature death of a loved one.

Dahlias are for loyalty and fidelity.

A Chrysanthemum offers protection.

Scents

Strawberry brings love and luck.

Cherry aids in matters of love and divination.

Rosemary is used for protection, love, mental powers, purification, healing, sleep, and youth.

Dragon’s Blood is a power amplifier, used for protection, love, banishing and potency.

Lilac is for protection, beauty, love, help see past lives, and purification.

Pine is used for healing, protection, fertility, money, banishing negative entities, knowledge, fire magick, illumination,

purification, physical energy and magickal energy.

Stones

The Opal symbolizes beauty, prosperity, luck, power, psychic abilities, visual acuity, and emotional balance.

Tourmaline is used for love, friendship, prosperity, business, peace, sleep, energy, courage, protection, and inspiration.

Beryl is for energy, love, healing, psychic awareness, and protection.

Turquoise is for courage, protection, prosperity, luck, friendship, healing, communication, happiness, emotional balance

and astral travel.

Obsidian is for grounding, divination, protection and prevents negativity.

Onyx helps with emotional balance, self control, binding, protection and strength.

Apache Tear is used for grounding and centering.

Incense, Herbs, Trees and Woods

Cypress is for comfort, solace, ease feelings of loss and healing.

Yew is for initiation and funeral rights.

Acacia is for protection and psychic powers.

Pennyroyal is for protection, peace, strength, anti seasickness, physical energy and conscious mind.

Thyme is for courage, conscious mind and health.

Catnip aid in psychic bonds with cats, attracts good spirits, love, luck, peace and beauty.

Angelica is used for protection, healing, visions, removes hexes, cleansing and purification.

Burdock is for protection, healing and happy home.

Patchouli is used for fertility, obtaining money, protection, divination and physical energy.

Mugwort is for divination, clairvoyance, psychic powers, dreams, protection, strength and astral projection.

Nutmeg is for fidelity, luck, money, love, physical energy, magickal energy and psychic awareness.

Star Anise is for psychic powers, spiritual powers and luck.

Pine is used for healing, protection, fertility, money, banishing negative entities, knowledge, fire magick, illumination,

purification, physical energy and magickal energy.

Cypress is for comfort, solace, ease feelings of loss and healing.

Elder is used to help with Fairy contact, healing and summoning spirits.

Apple is used for love, healing, garden magic, and immortality.

Allspice brings money, luck and healing.

Corn brings protection, luck and divination.

Dittany of Crete aids in manifestations and astral projection.

Ferns deal with rain making, protection, luck, riches, eternal youth and health.

Hazel is for luck, fertility, anti-lightning, protection and fulfilling wishes.

Heather is for protection, rain making and luck.

Mandrake is used for protection, love, money, fertility, and health.

Oak is used for protection, health, money, healing, potency, fertility and luck.

Pear increases lust and love.

Thistle builds strength, protection, and healing.

Straw corresponds to luck and image magick.

Wormwood: is for psychic powers, protection, love, calling spirits.

Animals and Birds

The stag was often seen as the incarnate form of woodland Gods such as Cernunnos. White stags were considered to be

from the Otherworld and, in myth, their appearance always heralded some profound change in the lives of those in the

story. Considered in Celtic mythology to be among the oldest creatures in existence.

The elephant is an ancient symbol of power, strength and royalty.

A Ram means seeking new beginnings

The Heron suggests aggression, self-determination and self-reliance.

The Crow means the secret magic of creation is calling.

A Robin symbolizes the spread of new growth.

A Bat signifies transition and initiation.

The Wolf indicates guardianship, ritual, loyalty, and spirit.

The Sow represents giving of oneself and sustenance. Also associated with some Crone/Mother Goddesses, such as

Cerridwen, and with Otherworldly feasts.

The Dog implies faithfulness and protection.

A Snake embodies rebirth, resurrection, initiation and wisdom.

The Owl signifies the mystery of magic, omens, silent wisdom and vision in the night.

A Raven suggests magic, shapeshifting and creation.

The Cat represents mystery, magic and independence.

Other Symbols

Jack-o’-lanterns were originally cut from turnips to use as lanterns and to frighten away evil earthbound spirits.

Balefires are large fires lit to scare away evil spirits.

The besom, also known as a broomstick, were used to sweep away negativity, bad luck and other manners of evil.

The cauldron is a symbol of rebirth, wisdom, transformation and enlightenment. It is used to mix up magickal brews and

potions, and for divinations. The cauldron can also be a vessel in which sacred fires or incense may be burned.

Energy and Power Flows

Energy is best expressed through letting go, inner cleansing, karma and reincarnation, justice and balance, and inner

harmony. Now is the time to release, remember, commune with the dead, prophesize, and release old negative memories

and emotions.

Energy should also be used in divination, and for protection and purification rituals.

Power makes the transition now from an outer power to an inner quieter power that focuses on self reflection.

Traditions

On Samhain, those who have gone on before us are remembered. Make sure to leave a place at the dinner table for them,

or set out a plate of their favorite foods.

It’s important to help children understand the true meaning of Samhain. Most children raised in non-Pagan homes have an

entirely different concept of Halloween than those raised in Pagan homes.

Samhain is not “scary” in the ways that Halloween is, but this may be difficult for young children to understand. It can be

scary to children to hear that Grandma’s spirit may be stopping by for dinner, especially if celebrating Pagan festivals is

new in your family. Take it slow and don’t expose them to too much at a time. Keep them within their own comfort zone.

The translation of Samhain is “end of summer”, and it is celebrated as the beginning of the New Year. Family parties,

celebrations and rituals should reflect these aspects.

Bonfires are also very popular parts of a Samhain celebration along with different forms of divination – again, use your best

judgement as to which aspects you want your children involved in. Divination can be scary for children especially when it is

new to them.

Dressing in costumes is an ancient Celtic tradition – and not just for kids! Join in with the kids and pick a costume for

yourself.

Burn black candles to ward off negativity in the coming year.

Carving pumpkins is a wonderful project that Pagans have been participating in for years. Carved pumpkins make beautiful

children around lit candles.

For our centerpiece, we used a huge plastic cauldron filled with water and dry ice for that “bubbling and fog” effect. Five

pounds of dry ice lasted through our entire dinner with simply perfect timing.

Apples are also an important part of Samhain celebrations – you can bob for apples, but also explain to your children that

the apple is the fruit of life. We sliced and cored one apple with each person taking and eating a piece during our ritual.

Since this is a time to reflect on those who have gone on ahead before us, it’s also a good time to make arrangements for

our own passing. Explain to your children about the cycle of death. Make your will, living will, papers for Power of Attorney

and other legal documents. Also make sure to detail out your own funeral wishes and share these with your family so that

they know your desires.

What you need:

8" styrofoam wreath

2 2" strips of orange fabric 44" long

1 2" strip of black fabric 12" long

Purple metallic trim ½ inch wide 44” long

Craft glue

Fall dried flowers, fall related mini wood cut outs, or other items to decorate the wreath with.

Floral wire

What to do:

Bend the floral wire around the top of the wreath and twist to secure it into place. Wrap the orange material strips around

the wreath to cover the base entirely. When you get to the floral wire bend it and poke it through the material where it

needs to come through. Glue ends down in the back. Wrap metallic trim around the wreath in the same manner and bring

ends to the back and glue down. Tie black strip in a bow and attach at the bottom with glue. Let everything dry for a few

hours and then glue on your flowers, cut outs, or other items. Let these items dry for a few hours also. (You can also use a

hot glue gun). Twist the ends of the floral wire together to form a hanger to hang your wreath with.

Leaf Fairies

What you need:

Heavy paper such as construction paper or posterboard

Autumn leaves

Glue

Markers or crayons

What you do:

Pick one or 2 large leaves for the fairy’s body and 4 small leaves for hands and feet.

Glue the large leaf to the center of the paper. Using the markers or crayons draw a head to the top of the leaf and arms

and legs coming out from the sides and bottom of the leaf. Glue the 4 smaller leaves into place for the hands and feet.

Draw a scene for your fairy to be in, or glue sticks to the paper to be used as tree trunks. Then use the other leaves to

crinkle them into small pieces and glue onto the top of the stick trunks to form fall leaves.

Black Scrying Bowl

What you need:

Any type of bowl that can be painted - - pottery works very well.

If you have a glass bowl, check your local craft store for glass paints.

Black acrylic paint

Super glue

Page 5 of 7

http://www.associatedcontent.com/pop_print.shtml?content_type=article&content_type_id... 1/11/2009

Gemstones, stones or other items that can be glued to the outside of the bowl for

decorations.

Tweezers

What you do:

Begin by painting the inside of the bowl and the “lip” around the top of it black. Allow to dry as long as the paint instructions

tell you to. Turn the bowl upside down and paint the outside black also giving it time to dry. Give it several coats both

inside and out. When both sides are dry, turn the bowl upside down again to give yourself the best angles to decorate by

using super glue to attach gemstones or other items. Hold the stones with the tweezers while applying superglue to protect

yourself from gluing your fingers together! You may also want to paint the outside of the bowl with symbols or other

patterns, but always leave the inside of the bowl completely black.

By making your own bowl you add your energies to it, and therefore increase your results when using it to scry. Always

use fresh full moon water (this is made by placing spring water under the full moon and asking the Goddess to bless the

water for you) in your scrying bowl.

Fall Leaves Place Mat

What you need:

Black and white construction paper

Tempera paints (yellow, orange, red, and brown)

Paper towels

Fallen fall leaves

Clear contact paper

Glue

Paintbrush

What you do:

In a sink, wet one side of the white construction paper. Use the paintbrushes to drop the tempera paints around on the wet

side of the construction paper. Tip the construction paper up and down so that the colors will mix and swirl together. Make

sure to cover the entire paper and let any extra paint drip off the sides. Let it dry on the paper towels. Use the dried leaves

by putting them onto the black construction paper. Trace around the leaves and then carefully cut out the shapes leaving

you with what would look like a template. Make sure you never cut into the black paper from the sides. When the painted

white paper is dry, glue the black construction paper to it, so the colors show through the cut out leaf shapes. Using the

glue and paint brush, spread about ½ an inch think outline of glue all around the edges of the black paper. Crush the

leaves all over the glue so that they stick to it and form the border. Allow to dry. When finished, place clear contact paper

over both sides of the mat to protect it.

Dried Leaf Owl

What you need:

Several dried leaves

8" X 12" piece of white posterboard

Glue

Paint brush

Outline drawing of an owl

What you do:

Trace a picture of an owl, or you can draw an owl of your own onto a piece of cardboard, using the entire piece of

cardboard. Take the leaves and place them over your drawing, arranging them into an owl pattern – you may need to draw

in the eyes. One at a time take each leaf off using the paint brush to cover the back side with glue and place it back into it’s

position. You can use different shapes, colors and sizes of leaf to make your owl one of a kind. Give your owl plenty of

time to dry before hanging. Because the leaves can flake, you may want to cover it with contact paper, or put it in a picture

frame.

Mini Pumpkin Candle Holders

What you need:

Several mini pumpkin gourds (1 for each candle)

The same number of candles – you may use different colored candles in Samhain colors or opt to buy candles in scents

such as pumpkin pie, cinnamon or harvest spice.

A small paring knife

A small spoon (a grapefruit spoon works well)

Cinnamon (optional)

A bit of florists clay (optional)

Fall dried flowers, leaves or other reeds

What you do:

Break off the stem of the mini pumpkin and using the paring knife carve out a circle big enough to fit the candle into. (You

may need the spoon to help dig out some of the insides.)

Put a bit of florist’s clay into the hole to hold the candle in place.

Using the leaves, flowers, etc to decorate around the bottom of the pumpkin. You can hold these together with the florist’s

clay or a hot glue gun and then set the pumpkin and candle on top of it.

Acorn Wreath

What you need:

A LOT of acorns, make sure they are clean and free of worm holes!

Wicker wreath

Hot glue gun with plenty of sticks

Newspaper (to cover work area)

Dried flowers, or oak leaves to decorate the wreath with

Ribbon of your choice for a bow

What you do:

To begin, spread the newspaper on your working surface. Lay the wreath flat and heat up your glue gun.

Start by gluing the top part of an acorn, (The opposite end of the point) and placing it in the middle of the wreath standing

the acorn point straight up. Make 1 row in a straight line going all the way around the wreath. Continue gluing acorns all

the way around the wreath until it is totally filled. Add some flowers and/or oak leaves. Tie a bow and place it in the middle

of the bottom of the wreath. This wreath will need a wreath hangar as it will be very heavy when you are finished.