It’s my favorite of the Pagan Holidays, followed closely by Beltane.
During Samhain season, it is said that the veil between the realm of the living, and the realm of the departed, is thin. This makes for more readily accessible communication, even for folks who aren’t highly skilled in the area of Hedge-witchery. It’s a time to reflect, and remember our loved ones, family, friend, and pet. The season is growing cold, nights are getting longer in a hurry, and there is less sun in the sky as we move toward the Winter season. Leaves are bright and falling. The air becomes crisp in the early hours. Apples are ripening, along with winter squash, and this is the time of the final harvest.
We begin putting up food for the winter, cozying in a bit, pulling out projects we put away last spring, and snuggling in to the season. Depending on where you live, you may have even turned your heat on for the first time in the last week or so.
In the before times, me and mine would gather with our dear friends, perform a bit of Ritual Theater, and afterwards end up around a bonfire, drumming and dancing into the wee hours. The last 2 years have been different, and while we are, and you may be missing your group gatherings, there’s no reason you can’t bring in the Samhain magic. Even if it’s just you or you and your small group.
In my tradition, it is told that there are 3 deaths. The first death happens at the moment of your final breath, and is considered “time of death”. The second death happens when you are buried in the ground, or cremated. The third, and final death happens when the last remaining person who knew of you, forgets, or passes on. Each Samhain, one of the main things we do during the holiday, is to speak the names of our loved ones who have passed. We remember them every year by speaking of them, telling their stories, asking for their guidance in our divinations. We believe that in doing this, they aren’t lost to us except physically. Their memory remains with us, and their spirit may visit when the veil is thin, or during dream work.
If you’ve ever met someone who was so special to you that you wished you could spend more than a lifetime with them, keep this next thing in mind. When we die, our souls may be taken to the river Lethe. We will be so thirsty and we will be able to partake of that water and quench our thirst like it’s never been quenched before. The urge to drink will be stronger than you can physically imagine. If you drink from this river, you will forget everything about everyone you ever knew. This might be exactly what you need, or what you want, but if you would like to come into your next incarnation and recognize the souls you knew in this life, hold off from drinking. You will soon be taken to another river. The River Mnemosyne. The River of Remembrance. If you can hold off a short while, and drink from this river instead, you will be able to remember your past lives soul connections, and meet them again in the next life.
Divination is another major part of our Samhain celebrations. The ancestors, and beloved departed have so many messages for us, as do we for them. It’s a perfect time to ask your questions and seek guidance. You can also write your messages them down and burn them. The flames will carry the messages across the thin veil for your loved ones to receive.
Some mugwort tea before bed will assist in lucid dreaming and allow for longer more meaningful conversations in the dream state as well. One practice you might consider is before bed, tell yourself 3, 6, or 9 times “I will remember my important dreams”. Make that the last thing you say before you drift off. This one is more psychology than magic, and it will trick your brain into allowing the meaningless rem state dreams to filter out and be forgotten, but anything that your subconscious feels is important will remain in your memory as you wake. Keep a bedside journal handy to write down anything you remember upon waking. The liminal time between sleep and wakefulness is short and you may only be able to hold on for a few moments, so writing it down will help solidify so you don’t forget.
Take some time to rest and reflect on the year. Give thanks for your accomplishments, and goals met, and prepare your mind to settle into the colder half. You’ve done a good job. You’re still here. Things are different, but you’re still here. I’m happy about that. 🙂
LoveoftheDark 