Southern Hemisphere: 30 April-1 May
Northern Hemisphere: 31 October
Also known as Samhuin, All Souls Night, All Hallow's Eve, Dia de los, Martinmas, Shadowfest.
Deities: Herne, Osiris, Cailleach, Cerridwen, Hecate, Hades.
Colours: Orange, black, purple.
Incense: Copal, myrrh, mugwort, rosemary, hazelwood.
Traditional Motifs: Black cats, brooms, pumpkins, dead leaves, nuts, bones, pomegranates, ghosts, bonfires.
Samhain, or Halloween, is the death festival. In the Southern hemisphere winter is coming upon us. The autumnal leaves are falling from the trees in drifts, and life is drawn away from the surface of the earth. Life is in the roots and bulbs of plants, which rest over the Winter. It is a time of endings, but also a time of beginnings, as Samhain is a Celtic New Year's eve festival, which can be thought of as a mysterious time, belonging neither to the past or present. The Horned God has taken His throne as the Dread Lord of Shadows, the comforter of souls. Pagans say farewell to Him until the time of his birth at the Winter Solstice. The Earth prepares for sleep and draws energy inwards. This is a time for introspection, as Pagans too draw their energy within and prepare for Winter. The Earth is becoming cold and barren, and Pagans see Her as the Cailleach, the Crone, the Wise One. She is the Dark Mother who devours the God that She may give birth to Him again. Her womb is also the tomb, and the Underworld, and the Horned God thus resides within Her womb over the Winter months. It is a sombre time when Pagans remember and honour those who have died. It is a good time to set a meal for loved ones passed, or communicate to them. The veil is thinnest between the world of the living and the world of the dead, and deceased ancestors and spirits are easiest to be contacted during this time of the year. In many cultures, the deceased ancestors were often invited to sit at a place especially prepared for them for these Sabbat festivities. Pagans call upon our ancestors and contact the ancient wisdom. It is the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Samhain is a good time for banishings and sorting out unfinished business. At Samhain Pagans look back and take stock of the past year and contemplate what they have learned. Samhain is also the time to face the shadow, the dark side of the Self. Samhain marks the end of the growing seasons for the year and although the last of the three harvest festivals, it is more of a harvest of flesh where livestock would be killed at this time that there be meat throughout the bleak winter. The wind blows, Jack Frost makes patterns on the windows and the mists rise. It is no wonder this season is one of mystery. Samhain is a time of transformation and inner work. Divination is very common during this festival, particularly scrying, whether into the fire, glass or a dark bowl. Past-life regression on this night is often successful.
