Samhain & Ways to Celebrate

Samhain is one of the most important ancient Gaelic fire festivals that traditionally marked the beginning of the dark half of the year and the mid-point between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. It's a time when the veil is said to be thin between this world and the Other world.

In this blog post you will find:

1. Introduction 

2. What is Samhain?

3. Nature's Arc of Change

4. Samhain (Early Winter) & Scorpio

5. Orienting to Cyclical Time 

6. Nature's Wisdom

7. Ways to Celebrate Samhain

   1. Celebrating with Friends & Family

   2. Celebrating in Solitude

8. Closing 

Introduction

Dear one, can you smell it? The musky-sweetness of decaying leaves? The cold kiss of death fast approaching as darkness consumes light?

At the end of October the doorway to the dark half of the Gaelic year swings open. The dying Sun is swallowed up by lengthening nights. Autumn can feel so transitory, as though you have one foot in Summer and the other in Winter. Here in the NC Piedmont, it's often a dance between these two extremes. The mornings are cold and I have to layer up to go outside but by afternoon I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

I love the feeling of laying in the grass as the Sun's intensity penetrates through the cold gusty wind, warming my whole entire being. I love standing in the midst of the forest in complete stillness as the trees dance and sway, shaking their leaves loose, and watching them swirl and tumble to the ground allaround me. The trails are covered in bright and fading shades of fall: crimson, saffron, copper, cinnamon, and gold.

What was, no longer is... and the stark, swift changes taking place in nature remind us of our own ethereal nature; how we are constantly being shaped and changed by time's passage. This holy time of the year invites us to descend into our own inner depths and honor our ancestral self, which encompasses our ancestors, earth-rooted lineages, and the parts of ourselves that have led us to where we are.

"We rejoice in the dance of transitions, the dance of change, the dance of life.

And we also loosen the grip of what once was needed but it is no more.

We let go of the patterns that no longer serve our growth.

We release all that was taught to us that has prevented the expression of our joy.

We look to cut the chains of misunderstanding and isolation.

We come together as one, from all different origins, to thank our ancestors for the knowledge that prevails through time, and to let go of the old ways that didn't work."

- Rachel Watersong

What is Samhain?

Samhain (pronounced sow-win), is an ancient Gaelic fire festival marking the division of the year between the lighter half (sam/summer) and the darker half (gam/winter). Today, this seasonal threshold is celebrated on or around October 31st - November 1st, but traditionally it was measured astronomically since these agricultural festivals are older than the Gregorian calendar. On Samhain, the alignment happens halfway between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. This will happen on November 6th this year. This is when the sunrise will shine into passage mounds like Cairn U at Sliabh na Caillí and the mound at Teamhair na Rí (the Hill of Tara).

Sliabh na Caillí, also known as the Hill of the Hag, is an important ancient site in Ireland that marks the alignment of the eight sacred festivals, which correspond to key points in the agricultural calendar. Each festival—Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain, and their solstice and equinox counterparts—reflects a shift in the seasons and agricultural practices, with Sliabh na Caillí serving as a focal point for rituals and celebrations. The landscape and the positioning of the hill create a natural calendar, as the sun's rays illuminate specific features during these festivals, reinforcing the connection between the earth, celestial events, and the cycles of life. This alignment not only highlights the significance of the seasons but also embodies the spiritual and cultural practices of ancient communities, linking them to their land and the rhythms of nature.

It’s important to understand that there are lots of festivals happening at this time across Ireland and Britain, which have different names and regional traditions:

• Samhain (Ireland) and Samhuinn (Scotland)

• Nos Calan Gaeaf (Wales)

• Allantide (Cornwall)

• Hop-tu-naa or Oie Houney (Isle of Man)

• All Hallows' Eve and All Saint's Day (the Christian version of these festivals)

• In England, All Hallows' Eve was sometimes called Nutcrack Night

Samhain comes from two words meaning "summer's end" in Gaelic. In the seventh century it was Christianized as All Saints' Day, also known as Hallowmas or Hollantide, which commemorates the souls of the holy dead.

Daylight is swallowed up by the growing darkness and the vital force of Nature descends into the root systems of Earth, releasing her vibrant outer adornments. Trees shed leaves, grasses brown, flowers wilt and wither. Samhain is the season of frost and firelight.

It is said that at Samhain the division between this world and the otherworld is thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through.  In the life cycle, it corresponds to the moment of death when we offer our final breath to the altar of life. Just as the Celtic day began at night, Samhain may have actually marked the Celtic New Year, for our ancestors knew that from dark silence come whisperings of new beginnings and the stirring of the seed underground.

It's the time of year where we move from the visible to the invisible. Where the end of life meets the beginning in the gestational womb. The time for deep dreaming and communing with the ancestors is upon us. We honor our ancestors to remember who we are, where we come from, and the legacy we are to leave behind. It is a time of seeking guidance and wisdom from the realm of the unseen. We are asked to make ourselves at home in the dark, befriend the unknown, and make love to the Great Mystery.

Nature's Arc of Change

Samhain is a cross-quarter day associated with Early Winter in Nature's Arc of Change, marking the mid-point between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. This alignment happens when the Sun is at 15° of Scorpio.

Nature's Arc of Change is a calendar we created combining pre-christian, Indo-European, Taoist and Astrological tracking methods to illustrate cyclical time expressed through thresholds of change found in nature.

Under industrial growth society, we follow the concept of linear time, however in the past, when we lived in close relationship to nature, time was perceived as cyclical. Indigenous cultures from around the world recognize that we are embedded within and informed by cosmic-earth cycles, what we call Nature’s Arc of Change. 

It's important to note that Indigenous and folk cultures from around the world share very similar earth-based, cyclical orientations to time that are shaped and informed by their own unique bioregional cosmologies. Please bear in mind the obvious limitations of this particular map (which is applicable to only certain regions). This template is adapted for the northern hemisphere. Take this illustrative map as a starting point and adapt it to where you are by paying attention to the subtle changes you observe in the natural world over the course of the seasons.

Nature's Arc of Change is divided into eight equal sections, demarcated by the following seasonal thresholds:

Quarter Days

1. Winter Solstice: Dec. 20-21 | 0° of Capricorn (Cardinal Cross)

2. Spring Equinox: Mar. 19-21 | 0° of Aries (Cardinal Cross)

3. Summer Solstice: Jun. 20-21 | 0° of Cancer (Cardinal Cross)

4. Fall Equinox: Sep. 21-23 | 0° of Libra (Cardinal Cross)

Cross-Quarter Days:

1. Early Spring: Feb 4-6 | 15° of Aquarius (Fixed Cross)

2. Early Summer: May 4-6 | 15° of Taurus (Fixed Cross)

3. Early Autumn: Aug. 6-8 | 15° of Leo (Fixed Cross)

4. Early Winter: Nov. 6-8 | 15° of Scorpio (Fixed Cross)

   
   

Samhain (Early Winter) & Scorpio

Samhain is traditionally viewed as a time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest, marking the transition from harvest to winter. Astronomically, it aligns with the stars in the constellation of Scorpio, which is significant for several reasons:

1. Seasonal Transition: Samhain coincides with the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter, paralleling the fading warmth of autumn and the darkening skies associated with Scorpio.

2. Scorpio's Symbolism: The constellation of Scorpio is often associated with transformation, death, and rebirth, reflecting the themes of Samhain. Scorpio's energy embodies the cycle of life and the deep, sometimes hidden, aspects of existence.

3. Celestial Events: During this time, the sun sets earlier, and Scorpio becomes more prominent in the night sky, reinforcing the connection to the mysteries of the night and the spirit world, which are central to Samhain celebrations.

4. Astrological Influence: Scorpio's characteristics, such as shadow work and introspection, resonate with the reflective nature of Samhain, encouraging individuals to contemplate their ancestors and the cycles of life.

The astronomical alignment of Samhain with Scorpio enhances its themes of transformation, honoring the past, and preparing for the future as the natural world transitions into Winter.

Orienting to Cyclical Time

If you are in the beginning stages of disentangling yourself from the death-grip of colonial capitalism, shifting from linear to cyclical time can seem quite foreign and unfamiliar at first. As part of our colonial conditioning, many of us have have become used to perceiving time as a never-ending accumulation of events. Disorientation, dislocation and disassociation are all manifestations of the trauma of separation from nature (aka. colonial fragmentation). Making the shift toward nature's cycles will take time. That is why we came up with the concept of Nature's Arc of Change to support you on your journey.

Here is a ROOTING practice to support you with orienting to cyclical time:

1. Find an accessible place in nature to ROOT. Rooting is an anchor practice; a place we go to be held in nature and to behold nature.

2. Go to this place daily or as often as possible to observe subtle, seasonal changes in the landscape. Use a nature journal to record what you observe or experience.

For Example:

1. Silently listen to the soundscape and notice what you hear.

2. Observe the flora around you and be curious about who is growing, flowering, seeding, fruiting etc.

3. Track the phase and position of the moon over an entire lunar cycle, from new moon to new moon.

4. Track the position of the sun in the sky and how it changes from Winter to Summer.

Nature's Wisdom

The winds of change are upon us now as we turn toward the dark time and prepare our body-heart-minds for the dying of the fertile Mother. Samhain's long association with the Dead is reflected in Nature's Arc of Change. In many places, Samhain coincides with the end of the growing season. Most plants die back at the onset of hard frosts, and therefore, death is literally in the air.

This reflects the ancient notion that at Samhain, the veil is thinnest between the world of the living and realm of the Dead, and this facilitates contact and communication with the spirit of our ancestors. If a loved one has transitioned within the past year, Samhain rituals can be a wonderful opportunity to mourn their loss, bring a sense of closure, and develop a new relationship with your beloved in the Otherworld through spiritual communion.

What was, no longer is. The stark, swift changes taking place in nature remind us of our own ethereality; how we are constantly being shaped and changed by time's passage. Nature’s descent into the sacred dark reveals the inner passage we all must make in the changing of the seasons, and reminds us of the inevitable final initiation of living: death itself. It's a reflective time in Nature's Arc of Change that invites you to get quiet so that you can descend into your own inner depths. Going inward, the task is to bring forth the light of transformation.

Honor your ancestral self (which includes your earthen roots, wisest ancestors, and the previous versions of self that led you to where you are now) by communing with your ancestors. Practice resting deeply in not knowing. Make home in the process of decomposing. Open your inner eye toward the invisible realms, invite the darkness to strengthen intuitive ways of knowing, and cast your current form into the cosmic cauldron to be reborn.

Ways Celebrate Samhain with Friends & Family

1. Enjoy a potluck feast

Have everyone bring a dish featuring recipes passed down from grandparents or dishes from their ancestral lineage.

2. Have a bonfire

Sing songs and/or tell stories that have been passed down in your family or myths related to your ancestral lineage.

3. Host a Samhain Ritual

Co-create an ancestors altar where everyone brings photos and talismans that have been passed down. Each person can talk about what they brought and light a candle to remember their beloved Dead.

4. Go for a silent, slow mindful walk in nature

Carry in your hearts the memory of your ancestors of earth and blood. Find a place outside to sit in the darkness and listen.

Ways to Celebrate Samhain Solo

1. Create an Ancestors Altar

Designate a table, shelf or corner of your home to honor your ancestors. Lay down a beautiful cloth, display pictures of your beloved dead and talismans that carry meaning, place candles and incense. In the morning, light incense and offer a prayer of remembrance to your beloved Dead. In the evening, light candles, sit at your altar and open your body-heart-mind to receiving messages, images or guidance.

2. Start a Dream Journal

Dreams can provide a quick path to connecting with our direct ancestors. Ancestral dreams come when we lay out a strong intention for them, but they also can come when we need them. It is a powerful time to ask your ancestors to speak through your dreams. Designate a small journal to your dreaming. Place it beside your bed so that you can write them down immediately after waking up. As you go to sleep at night, ask to receive and remember your dreams.

3. Cultivate Stillness

Stillness is nature’s chief solution for restoring life that has been assaulted by generational tidal waves of collective pain. Stillness plays an unmatched role in assisting a shattered soul to metabolize extreme events, events that sever the web of relationships. When you find your mind is caught up in tidal waves of thought, the pathway back to stillness can be traced by refocusing the spinning thoughts on the simple rhythm of the breath. The passive nature of bodily processes counterbalances the rapid fire of the mind.

4. Reflect on Samhain Journal Prompts

1. What in my/our life is coming to an end? What losses have I/we endured? What am I/are we grieving?

2. What has my ancestral self taught me over the past year? What has this past year taught us? What are we learning together?

3. What am I afraid to look at within myself? What in the darkness must I embrace? What colonial shadows are haunting me?

4. What dreams am I holding in my heart as I move into the dark time? Who do I have to become for my community? How can I create space to receive earth's dreaming?

5. Explore a Samhain Embodied Ritual

Honor this seasonal turning, commune with your ancestral self, and reclaim your connection to the Great Mystery with this step-by-step Samhain ritual guide. This ritual is for one who feels called to Samhain as a threshold crossing, one that initiates the soul through death process. It's an opportunity to look back and reflect upon the journey you've been on, to honor the sacred teachings related to dying and decay, and to honor those ancestors (blood, movement, more-than-human, or otherwise) who have already crossed the threshold from this life into the next. The elements found in this ritual are designed to bring you into your depths and into "death consciousness" as you contemplate your relationship to this time of the year.

Closing

Through the spiral dance of the seasons, nature teaches us that the basic pattern of life is one of oscillation and contrast. The rhythm if creation is a pulsating tension between polarities. Samhain is a call of homecoming and remembrance. Life force energy in the northern hemisphere is moving toward gestational silence.

On our solar journey through the year, it is here where we welcome and commune with our ancestors, open our inner eye toward the invisible realms, invite the darkness to strengthen intuitive ways of knowing, and cast our current form into the cosmic cauldron to be reborn. It is during this time that we practice resting deeply in not knowing and make home in the process of decomposing. We honor, remember and listen to the voice of our ancestors. We attune to the subtle realms for wisdom, guidance and direction.

Embracing the seasonal energy of Samhain is a powerful way to reclaim your ancestral connection to the Great Mystery. Leaning into the invitations that nature brings will help you to receive the gifts of this sacred season.

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We'd love to hear from you!

• How are you celebrating Samhain?

• What miracles are you bearing witness to?

• How is nature guiding or teaching you in this season?

Leave a comment below :)