THE PAGAN ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN
In the times of our ancestors, the sacred days celebrated on the Wheel of the Year were honored in tandem with the seasonal changes of the agricultural calendar. In the ancient Celtic lands, Halloween was known as Samhain (pronounced "Sow-in"). In between the Autumn Equinox + Winter Solstice, Samhain was the final harvest and the day to honor our beloved dead. Let's explore how many of our modern day Halloween traditions like costumes, trick-or-treating, and jack-o-lanterns evolved from ancient Pagan culture.
During this time of year, our ancestors observed great changes in the land as the gardens + forests became barren and the days became darker. The Pagans saw this as a liminal time where the veil that separates the world of the living from the land of the dead would become thin. They believed that the spirits walked amongst us at Samhain. People would dress up in costumes + masks to disguise themselves so that they could walk amongst the spirits without being vulnerable to the mischief of tricksters. They carved faces into turnips that were placed in windows, on perimeters and carried during travel as talismans of protection from evil spirits. These carved turnips eventually evolved into the carved pumpkins we know today as jack-o-lanterns. Candles were also lit on "Ole Hallows Eve" to guide the spirits of their beloved dead home for a friendly visit. Family members would host what is called a Dumb Supper; a traditional holiday meal. A plate of favorite foods + treats would be set at the table for the visiting spirits of late family members. Stories of their memory would be shared in reverence at this holiday feast. As the final holiday in the Wheel of the Year, Samhain was considered to be the New Year. It was a fire holiday that celebrated the cycle of life + death as we descended into the dark time of year. As the Wheel of the Year never ceases to stop turning, the light would be reborn at Yule, the Winter Solstice when the days begin to get longer.
A Lesson from the Land
If you live in a place with 4 equal seasons like I do, by the time Samhain arrives, most of the leaves have fallen as the trees have sent their energy back down into their roots. The temperatures have cooled + the nights have become noticeably longer than the days. It's the time to harvest any last crops, plant spring bulbs, and tuck the garden in for it's winter rest. The chickens are slowing down on laying eggs. Instead their energy is spent molting their feathers to grow a fresh coat to withstand freezing temperatures in the months ahead. The squirrels are busy gathering fallen acorns + the bears are getting ready to hibernate... The plants + animals know now is the time to make their final preparations before the fallow time of year.
As we look to the land in hopes of learning how to live harmoniously with the seasons, it is easy to see that Autumn is a time of great change across the landscape. Just as the trees drop their foliage, what is it that you are letting go of in order to better adapt to the winds of change in your own life? How can you ground yourself? What would it look like to send your energy back down into your roots? In what areas of life have you grown a bountiful harvest? Now is a great time to make any final preparations before winter drives us into our homes + into ourselves for the season. Harvest what you can + gather what you need to create a comfy time of rest + reflection as winter settles in. If you hope to find yourself warm by a cozy fire on a snowy day, you'd better make sure you've got your firewood stacked now!
Of course many of us today live in urban environments with modern conveniences so some of this is just food for thought. Even if you don't have chickens or a fireplace in your apartment, there is still great benefit in taking a lesson from the land metaphorically. Nature always holds wisdom for us regardless of where we are in the world. "Preparing for winter" can allow the transition to be a welcomed one.
Crystals for Samhain
 Labradorite Omega Necklace |
LABRADORITE
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BLACK TOURMALINE
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MOONSTONE
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Rituals: How to Celebrate Samhain
- Host a traditional dumb supper or an ancestor feast to honor your beloved dead. Make their favorite foods, tell stories to honor their memory + set a plate for them at the dinner table. Grieve if the spirit moves you, but this does not have to be a somber activity! Share your joy with your late loved ones!
- Light a candle to honor your beloved dead
- Meditate, journey or use your dream time to connect with your ancestors + spirit guides. This is a great time to ask a question or request guidance.
- Carve a pumpkin (or a turnip!)
- Dress up in a Halloween costume
- Trick-or-treat
- Harvest the last crops from the garden
- Wear labradorite, black tourmaline or moonstone jewelry
- Incorporate Samhain crystals on your altar
- Have a bonfire
- Make your final preparations for winter