But what does Samhain really represent ? Most people only know of it as Haloween
and think that it is just a silly holiday where one tries to look as wierd as possible
and frighten the heighbors kids. Samhain is the witches New Year's Eve and is the last day
of Autumn. From here on winter officialy starts. It is also the day when the border between
this world and the next is at it thinnest. It is said that anyone who passes away
during the year must wait for this night to pass through the gate to the other side.
It is therefore a time to think upon those people and to bid our final farewells to them.
This is the time of the season when the Crone rules. It is She who opens the Western gate
for those departed to travel into the Summerlands.
To our ancestors, this was also a time when animals were slaughtered to ensure
food throughout the depths of winter. The God, identified with the animals, died as well
to ensure our continued existence. It was also the time of the last harvest for the year.
Samhain is a time of reflection, of looking back over the last year, of coming to terms with the one
phenomenon of life over which we have no control - death.
It is also a great and powerfull time for divination.
In ancient times, ritual fires were lit on the hilltops at the fall of dusk for the
protection of people, animals and the land. A small fire should be lit in your Magic Circle on this night
to build a shield of protection and to light the Path for the future. A rituals should be performed,
using the Crone's assistance, to leave behind that which you do not want to carry on into the
future: bad habits, completion of past relationships, insecurities and anything else which serves
no purpose to carry into the new year. Magic is done to better our lives and the lives of those around us.
The wearing of frightening costumes was a way of warding off spirits that meant
harm to anyone, as was the carrying of a pumpkin carved with a scary face.
Also known as: November Eve, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples, Hallows and All Hallows, Halloween.
This is my favourite holiday, and I am sure the same goes for most other witches.
Why ? Because I can dress in my robe and walk down the street and nobody bothers
about it. (*grin*)
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