Celebrating Samhain: The Spiritual New Years

All around the world, people celebrate different variations of New Years. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated at the end of September. Chinese New Year is celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar sometime in the end of January, and of course the Western Calendar denotes January 1st as New Years Day. 

For witches, pagans, druids, and spiritual traditions of old, the Celtic holiday Samhain (pronounced Sow-en) marks the end of one spiritual year and portal into the next. I would argue, however, that all people recognize the spiritual significance of October 31-November 2nd. 

Yes, even Christians!

November 1st is the Christian holiday All Saints Day, and the three day span also marks the Day of the Dead holiday (Dia de los Muertos) observed by so many--often times Catholic--Mexican families. So what do all of these traditions have in common? 

There is a very tangible thinning of the so-called veil that divides the Living world from the Spirit world during this time. To Christians, this is a time to remember and draw strength from the Saints who have gone on to Heaven. To the Latino community, this is a time of Ancestral remembrance and visitation. And to the Spiritualists among us, Samhain is an open portal to all the mystery, magic, and insight that Spirit offers. 

In my experience, the weeks leading up to Halloween are so intense and full of urgency! I feel a strong desire to wrap up loose ends and prove to myself that I have grown over the past year. During this time, I feel a swell of intuitive power, as well. Then after Samhain has passed, I am finally able to slow down and reset myself throughout the winter. It's almost as if the entirety of spring, summer, and fall are culminating into three days of direct contact with the Spirit World--a final rush before the winter hibernation begins. 

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Here are my two favorite practices for celebrating Samhain~

1. Burial Ritual 

That sounds so spooky, doesn't it? It's really not, though. 

The idea behind this ritual is to release all of the out-dated programs, thought patterns, habits, and blockages that you became aware of over the past year once and for all. 

To do this, sit down in a quiet space, center your energy, and then begin writing down everything that you are ready to "bury" or "finally release," before being reborn in the New Year. When your list is complete, find a quiet place outside and literally bury the piece of paper in the Earth. Cover the burial site with a nice pile of autumn leaves and go in peace, knowing that those energies will no longer trip you up. 

2. Ancestral Remembrance

Taking time to recall those who have already passed on is an important part of any genuine Samhain celebration. I like to create a small alter space in my home, containing pictures of Departed family members. If you have items of their jewelry or other artifacts, add them to the space along with some herbs and crystals for abundance, protection, and intuitive connection. (Try pyrite, celestine, turquoise, amethyst, or serpentine. And for herbs, I love rosemary, cinnamon, yarrow, or angelica this time of year.) 

Once your alter is set up, take some time sitting with the space. Light a white or green candle and meditate on the energetic signature that these people left behind. Talk about your favorite memories of them if possible, or mediate on what living life in their shoes may have been like. If you have incense, light a stick and sit with the Ancestor alter for the entirety of its burn time. When the incense burns out completely, thank these loved ones, wish them well in the Spirit Realm, and blow out the candle.