21/10/2021
🎃🎃On the countdown to Samhain ~ 31st October 🎃🎃
Samhain means "End of Summer" and is the third and final harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat and it is commonly known as the Witches New Year. The Old King is dead and the Crone Goddess mourns him greatly during the next six weeks. The sun is at its lowest point on the horizon as measured by the ancient standing stones of Britain and Ireland, which is the reason that the Celts chose this Sabbat rather than Yule as their New Year. To the ancient Celts this holiday divided the year in to two seasons, both Winter and Summer. Samhain is the day on which the Celtic New Year and Winter begin together, so it is a time for both beginnings and endings.
It is generally celebrated on 31st October, but some traditions prefer 1st November. It is one of the two 'spirit-nights' each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended and the Thin Veil between the worlds of physical and spiritual is lifted.
Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is said to be easy at this time, although as some of us know we are able to do this all year around now.
Symbolism of Samhain:
Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death.
Symbols of Samhain:
Pumpkins, Apples, Black Cats, Besoms, Bats
Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Mandrake, Oak Leaves, Sage, Rosemary, Rue, Wormwood, Bay Leaves.
Foods of Samhain:
Pumpkins, Turnips, Apples, Nuts, Mulled Wine, Beef, Pork, Poultry.
Colours of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold, Purple
Stones of Samhain:
All black stones, preferably Jet or Obsidian, Smoky Quartz, Clear Quartz, Amber, Hematite.
Moon Raven 🎃))O((🎃