Samhain

**Samhain** [pron: sow-in] is the third and final harvest festival of the year.  Samhain marks the beginning of the dark winter half of the year.  It is one of two "spirit nights" of the year, where the veil between the world of the living and that of the dead is lifted.  Samhain is considered the Witch's New Year.

## Lore

Samhain is the third and final harvest festival of the year, and as the marker of the new year is the highest of holy day for witches.  This day marks the death of the Old King, and mourn him alongside the Crone Goddess.  The God's sacrifice is necessary to ensure our continued existence, and for the wheel to continue to turn.  In place of the Sun God, the God of Misrule takes the throne to usher in winter.  His cruel rule, along with the chill breath of the morning crone, make for hard winter months.  The Sun God will be reborn at the Winter Solstice.

This is the day when we trade the light of Summer for the dark of Winter, hence the start of the witch's New Year.  As such, it is a day for both beginnings and endings.

Celtic Lore tells the tale of the Fairy Gates opening, leaving the Lands of Sidhe [pron: "shee"] or those of the dead, accessible to those still in the land of the living.  The tale goes that ancestors can rise and be contacted, but they must be back to their resting places before the first cock-crow or risk roaming forever without hope of finding peace.

As one of the two "spirit nights" of the year, Samhain is a time when our ancestors who have passed on are more accessible.  This is a day to celebrate the cycle of reincarnation, as embodied by the Wheel of the Year: as one thing ends, so another begins.

## History

In the Celtic tradition, late October marked the nut harvest, as well as the time for salting and preparing meat for the winter.  This also marks the start of the Celtic calendar year.  The date is shared by other festivals in other traditions: Dia de los Muertos in Mexican tradition, and as All Saints Day by the Catholic church.

Traditionally, Samhain was a time to bring animals back from the hills and slaughter those who wouldn't last the winter, then preserving the meat.  Modern traditions of costume derive from Celtic tradition as well, when adults and children would dress in scary costumes and scare for amusement.

## Celebrations and Rituals

As a cross-quarter sabbat, Samhain is an incredibly potent time for magick.  Samhain is a good night for the following types of spells:

* Candle magick
* Past-life work
* Inner-self work
* Mirror spells
* Astral projection
* Protection spells
* Clearing of obstacles
* Inspiration
* Uncrossing
* Prosperity

In addition, there are many other rituals to help celebrate the new year.  Some are listed below:

* Make resolutions: write on small slips of parchment or paper and burn in the flame of a black votive candle
* Bury an apple or pomegranate as food for spirits passing through
* Make a besom
* Make candles for the coming year
* Divine for the coming year
* Dry herbs for winter storage
* Meditation
* Invitation of spirits
* Releasing the old, the bad, and the toxic; inviting in the new
* Wearing of costumes in reflection of what you wish or hope for the coming year
* Make a witch's cord as an expression of what you hope to manifest in the year ahead
* Feasting, particularly a "dumb supper"- a silent meal to honor the dead, with an honorific place served to the spirits of your ancestors

### Ritual for Samhain by Scott Cunningham

Place upon the altar apples, pomegranates, pumpkins, squashes and other late autumn fruits. Autumn flowers such as marigolds and chrysanthemums are fine too. Write on a piece of paper an aspect of your life which you wish to be free of: anger, a baneful habit, misplaced feelings, disease. The cauldron or some similar tool must be present before the altar as well, on a trivet or some other heat-proof surface (if the legs aren't long enough). A small, flat dish marked with an eight-spoked wheel symbol should also be there. (On a flat plate or dish, paint a large circle. Put a dot in the centre of this circle and paint eight spokes radiating out from the dot to the larger circle. - A symbol of the Sabbats, a symbol of timelessness.)

Prior to the ritual, sit quietly and think of friends and loved ones who have passed away. Do not despair. Know that they have gone on to greater things. Keep firmly in mind that the physical isn't the absolute reality, and that souls never die.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast your circle.

Recite The Blessing Chant:

*May the powers of The One, the source of all creation; all-pervasive, omnipotent, eternal; may the Goddess,*
the Lady of the Moon; and the God, Horned Hunter of the Sun; rulers of the elemental realms; may the powers of the stars above and the Earth below, bless this place, and this time, and I who am with You.

Invoke the Goddess and God. (in your own way)

Lift one of the pomegranates and, with your freshly-washed white-handled knife, pierce the skin of the fruit. Remove several seeds and place them on the wheel-marked dish.

Raise your wand, face the altar and say:

*On this night of Samhain I mark your passing, O Sun King, through the sunset into the Land of the Young. I mark also the passing of all who have gone before, and all who will go after. O Gracious Goddess, Eternal Mother, You who gives birth to the fallen, teach me to know that in the time of the greatest darkness there is the greatest light.*

Taste the pomegranate seeds; burst them with your teeth and savour their sharp, bittersweet flavour. Look down at the eight-spoked symbol on the plate; the wheel of the year, the cycle of the seasons, the end and beginning of all creation.

Light a fire within the cauldron (a candle is fine). Sit before it, holding the piece of paper, gazing at its flames. Say:

*Wise One of the Waning Moon, Goddess of the starry night, I create this fire within Your cauldron to transform that which is plaguing me. May the energies be reversed: From darkness, light! From bane, good! From death, birth!*

Light the paper in the cauldron's flames and drop it inside. As it burns, know that your ill diminishes, lessens and finally leaves you as it is consumed within the universal fires.

If you wish, you may attempt scrying or some other form of divination, for this is a perfect time to look into the past or future. Try to recall past lives too, if you will. But leave the dead in peace. Honour them with your memories but do not call them to you. (Many Wiccans do attempt to communicate with their deceased ancestors and friends at this time... if you must do this... make sure you know how to handle the energies and only do this if you are VERY experienced.) Release any pain and sense of loss you may feel into the cauldron's flames.

Works of magick, if necessary, may follow.

Celebrate the Simple Feast.

The circle is released.

#### Other Ritual Links

* Samhain Circle and Celebration by Ravenna Angelline
* Samhain Ritual by Akasha
* Samhain Prayers by Ravenna Angelline

## Recipes

### Drinks

#### Mulled Cider

* 4-5 cups apple cider
* 3-4 cloves
* 2 sticks cinnamon

In a large saucepan, heat cider, but do not boil.  Serve hot.

#### Spiced Hot Chocolate

* 3 ounces semi-sweet dark chocolate, grated
* 2 cups milk
* 1/2 tsp each of cinnamon and cloves
* vanilla extract

Slowly heat chocolate and milk in a saucepan until chocolate has melted and blended in.  Add cinnamon and cloves and stir.  Remove from heat, add vanilla, and serve.  Makes 2 servings.

### Main Dishes

#### Roast Pork Loin

* 1 pork loin
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 1 tablespoon fresh parsely
* 1/2 bay leaf
* 1/2 tsp celery seeds
* 1/2 tsp thyme
* 4 whole cloves
* 1 tsp beef bullion
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1/2 bottle of dark beer

Fold 2 large sheets of aluminum foil together with a double fold, leaving enough to enclose the roast.  Place roast on foil and insert cloves; sprinkle other spices over the top.  Pour about a quarter to a half cup of beer into the bottom fo the foil.  Enclose in foil and cook in a 300 degree oven for about 45 minutes per pound, checking periodically to add more beer as needed.

#### Spiced Ribs

* 3 pounds beef/pork ribs
* 2 tbs. shortening
* 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
* 1/3 cup finely chopped carrot
* 1/2 cup red Burgundy
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 3 tbs. all-purpose flour

Meaty side down, place in shallow roasting pan. Bake at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. Season with a little salt and pepper. Add onion, carrot, garlic, and burgundy. Cover and reduce heat to 350 degrees, bake for another hour. Meanwhile, pour 1 1/2 cups of hot water over the fruit in a non-metal bowl. Let it stand for the hour. Drain the fruit, reserving the liquid. Place the fruit over the meat. Cover and bake for another 45 minutes. Remove meat and fruit to a platter. Skim fat from pan juices. Add reserved liquid to juices. Blend flour and 1/3 cup cold water in a sauce pan, stir in pan juice mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Pour over ribs and serve hot.

Makes 6 servings.

### Side Dishes

#### Colcannon

* 4 medium potatoes, peeled, chopped, and boiled
* 3 Tbsp butter
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/8 tsp black pepper
* 1/4 cup milk
* 2 Tbsp sour cream
* 8 oz kale, steamed and chopped
* 1 Tbsp onion, diced fine

Mash potatoes with butter, salt, pepper, milk, and sour cream until light and fluffy.  Stir in kale and grated onion; serve.

#### Cheese-Stuffed Apples

* 3 oz. cream cheese
* 4 medium apples
* 1 1/3 ounce apple cheddar
* 1 tablespoon dry white wine

Beat together cheeses and wine until smooth.  Core the apples, leaving shells about 1/2" thick on all sides.  Fill the apples with the cheese mixture and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.  Cut into 8 wedges to serve.

#### Stuffed Mushrooms

* 12 oz of mushrooms
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
* 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
* 1/4 cup finely chopped tu rnip
* 1 tsp minced garlic
* fine soft bread crumbs

Remove the mushroom stems from crowns; chop the stems finely.  In a sauce pan combine mushroom pieces, onion, turmip, and garlic.  Add the vegetable oil and cook slowly over low heat.  Spread the slightly cooled mixture into the mushroom crowns and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with bread crumbs and bake at 425 for 6-8  minutes.

### Desserts

#### Irish Apple Fritters

* 5 oz flour
* 5 fluid oz water
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 2 eggs (separated)
* 1 tablespoon melted butter
* 2 large apples
* 4 oz confectioner's sugar
* lemon juice
* oil for deep frying

Sift together flower and salt.  Make a well in the center and add the melted butter and some of each of the water and egg yolks.  Work in the flour and beat until smooth, then add remaining water.  Prepare at least an hour before needed.

Just before use, beat the egg whites until stiff and fold into batter mix.  Peel, core, and grate apples; fold into batter and deep fry in very hot oil until golden.  Serve with dusted confectioner's sugar.

#### Spiced Pumpkin Bread

* 2 cups pumpkin
* 1 cup melted butter
* 3/4 cup water
* 4 eggs
* 3 2/3 cups flour
* 2 1/4 cups sugar
* 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
* 2 tsp cinnamon
* 2 tsp baking soda
* 1 cup raisins
* 1 cup chopped walnuts

Blend pumpkin, butter, water, and eggs until mixed.  Add flour, sugar, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and baking soda, followed by raisins and nuts.  Shape in a greased and floured loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until golden brown.

### More Recipe Links

* Samhain Recipes at Hearth n Home Witchery
* Recipes for a Pagan Soul