Celebrating Samhain

 

As October goes to November, a large number of Witches, Wiccans, Druids, and different Agnostics across America, Canada, Europe, and somewhere else notice the consecrated season of Samhain. Samhain is a celebration of the Dead. Signifying "Summer's End" and articulated saah-win or saa-ween, Samhain is a festival of the finish of the gather and the beginning of the coldest portion of the year. For a huge number, myself included, Samhain likewise is the start of the profound new year.

Starting in old Europe as a Celtic Fire celebration, Samhain is presently celebrated around the world. The planning of contemporary Samhain festivities changes as per profound custom and topography. Large numbers of us observe Samhain throughout the span of a few days and evenings, and these lengthy observances typically incorporate a progression of solo rituals as well as services, banquets, and get-togethers with family, companions, and the profound local area. On the northern side of the equator, numerous Agnostics observe Samhain from nightfall on October 31 through November 1. Others hold Samhain festivities at the closest end of the week or on the Full or New Moon nearest to this time. A few Agnostics notice Samhain a piece later, or close to November 6, to concur all the more intimately with the cosmic midpoint between Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice. Most Agnostics on the southern side of the equator time their Samhain observances to match with the centre of their Fall in late April and early May, as opposed to the customary European season of the occasion.

Samhain likewise has been known by different names. A few Celtic Wiccans and Druids call it Calan Gaeaf, Calan Gwaf, Kala-Goanv, or Nos Galan Gaeof. In Welsh, it is Nos Cyn Calan Gaul. It likewise is known as Oie Honey. A middle-aged book of stories, the Yellow Book of Lecan, reports that normal people considered it the "Dining experience of Mongfind," the unbelievable Witch-Sovereign who wedded a Ruler of Tara in old Ireland. In the old Coligny Schedule, an engraved bronze dating from the principal century C.E.and dove up in 1897 in France, Samhain is called Trinouxtion Samonii, or "Three Evenings of the Finish of Summer." Variation spellings of Samhain incorporate Samain, Samuin, and Samhuinn.

With the development and spread of Christianity as the predominant religion all through Europe, Samhain time took on Christian names and appearances. All Holy people's Day or All Honours on November 1 recognised Christian holy people and saints. All Spirits' Day on November 2 was a recognition of all spirits of the dead. With the approaching of Christian Spaniards to Mexico, the native traditions regarding the dead during this season blended in with Roman Catholicism and brought forth the Day of the Dead, Dia dae los Muertos, toward the beginning of November. Samhain shares the old profound act of recollecting and offering appreciation to the Dead with these connected strict occasions of Christianity.

Halloween, short for All Honour's Eve, is commended close by October 31. In spite of the fact that happening simultaneously throughout the year and has been established in the finish-of-reap festivities of the antiquated past, Halloween and Samhain are not something similar, yet two separate occasions that vary impressively in concentration and practice. In contemporary America and somewhere else, Halloween is a common people occasion. Like its cousin, Thanksgiving, it is broadly and freely celebrated in homes, schools, and networks, huge and little, by individuals of numerous ways, ethnic legacies, and perspectives. Moreover, Halloween has developed to be both a family-situated kids' vacation as well as an event for those, everything being equal, to imaginatively put themselves out there and participate in play in the domain of pretend and dream through ensembles, going house to house asking for candy, narrating, play-acting, tricks, soothing unnerving spot visits, and gatherings.

Conversely, Samhain and its connected Christian occasion partners keep on being strict in centre and profoundly seen by followers. In spite of the fact that observances might incorporate happy making, respecting of the Dead which is key to Samhain is a serious strict practice as opposed to cheerful pretend re-sanctioning. The present Agnostic Samhain rituals, while serious, are kindhearted, and, albeit fixated on death, don't include human or creature penances. Most Samhain ceremonies are held in private as opposed to in broad daylight.

Samhain's long relationship with death and the Dead mirrors Nature's rhythms. In many spots, Samhain matches with the finish of the developing season. Vegetation kicks the bucket back with killing ices, and accordingly, in a real sense, passing is in the air. This adds to the old idea that at Samhain, the shroud is flimsy between the universe of the living and the domain of the Dead and this works with contact and correspondence. For the people who have lost friends and family in the previous year, Samhain ceremonies can be a chance to carry a conclusion to lamenting and to additionally acclimate to their being in the Otherworld by profoundly communing with them. 

There are many ways to celebrate Samhain. 

·        Samhain Nature Walk. Take a meditative walk in a natural area near your home. Observe and contemplate the colors, aromas, sounds, and other sensations of the season. Experience yourself as part of the Circle of Life and reflect on death and rebirth as being an important part of Nature. If the location you visit permits, gather some natural objects and upon your return use them to adorn your home.

·        Seasonal Imagery. Decorate your home with Samhain seasonal symbols and the colors of orange and black. Place an Autumnal wreath on your front door. Create displays with pumpkins, cornstalks, gourds, acorns, and apples. Set candles in cauldrons.

·        Ancestors Altar. Gather photographs, heirlooms, and other mementos of deceased family, friends, and companion creatures. Arrange them on a table, dresser, or other surface, along with several votive candles. Kindle the candles in their memory as you call out their names and express well wishes. Thank them for being part of your life. Sit quietly and pay attention to what you experience. Note any messages you receive in your journal. This Ancestors Altar can be created just for Samhain or kept year round.

·        Feast of the Dead. Prepare a Samhain dinner. Include a place setting at your table or at a nearby altar for the Dead. Add an offering of a bit of each beverage being consumed to the cup at that place setting, and to the plate, add a bit of each food served. Invite your ancestors and other deceased loved ones to come and dine with you. To have this as a Samhain Dumb Supper experience, dine in silence. After the feast, place the contents of the plate and cup for the Dead outdoors in a natural location as an offering for the Dead.

·        Ancestor Stories. Learn about family history. Contact one or more older relatives and ask them to share memories of family members now dead. Record them in some way and later write accounts of what they share. Give thanks. Share what you learned and have written with another family member or friend. Add names of those you learned about and wish to honor to your Ancestors Altar.

·        Cemetery Visit. Visit and tend the gravesite of a loved one at a cemetery. Call to mind memories and consider ways the loved one continues to live on within you. Place an offering there such as fresh flowers, dried herbs, or a libation of water.

·        Reflections. Reflect on you and your life over the past year. Review journals, planners, photographs, blogs, and other notations you have created during the past year. Consider how you have grown, your accomplishments, challenges, adventures, travels, and learnings. Meditate. Journal about your year in review, your meditation, and your reflections.

·        Renovate. Select an area of your home or life as a focus. Examine it. Re-organize it. Release what is no longer needed. Create a better pattern. Celebrate renewal and transformation.

·        Bonfire Magic. Kindle a bonfire outdoors when possible or kindle flames in a fireplace or a small cauldron. Write down an outmoded habit that you wish to end and cast it into the Samhain flames as you imagine release. Imagine yourself adopting a new, healthier way of being as you move around the fire clockwise.

·        Divinatory Guidance. Using Tarot, Runes, Scrying, or some other method of divination, seek and reflect on guidance for the year to come. Write a summary of your process and messages. Select something appropriate to act upon and do it.

·        Divine Invocations. Honor and call upon the Divine in one or more Sacred Forms associated with Samhain, such as the Crone Goddess and Horned God of Nature. Invite Them to aid you in your remembrance of the Dead and in your understanding of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. If you have lost loved ones in the past year, ask these Divine Ones to comfort and support you.

·        Transforming Expressions. If you encounter distortions, misinformation, and/or false, negative stereotypes about Paganism and Samhain in the media, contact the source, express your concerns, and share accurate information. Help eradicate derogatory stereotyping with courteous, concise, and intelligent communication.

·        Community Connections. Connect with others. Join in a group ritual in your area. Organize a Samhain potluck in your home. Research old and contemporary Samhain customs in books, periodicals, online, and through communications with others. Exchange ideas, information, and celebration experiences. Regardless of whether you practice solo or with others, as part of your festivities, reflect for a time on being part of the vast network of those celebrating Samhain around the world.