As the wheel of the year turns once more, we arrive at Samhain—a time of deep reflection, ancestral connection, and embracing the mysteries of the unseen. Celebrated on April 30th to May 1st in the Southern Hemisphere, Samhain marks the thinning of the veil between worlds, inviting us to honour those who came before us and to journey inward as we transition into the darker half of the year. As the weather cools and we begin our seasonal retreat, there is purpose in the quieting of life’s outward momentum; a closing of the abundant cycle and a resting of our inner soil in preparation for spring’s eventual return.
The Meaning of Samhain
Samhain (pronounced “Sow-en”) is one of the most significant (and popular!) sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. It signals the final harvest and the end of the Celtic year, a moment when the boundary between the living and the spirit world is at its most delicate. Traditionally, it was a time of feasting, storytelling, and lighting candles to guide the spirits of loved ones home.
This festival also encourages deep introspection - what has served you in the past year, and what must now be released? Samhain teaches us to embrace transformation, just as the trees shed their golden leaves and nature begins its quiet slumber.
Ways to Celebrate Samhain
🔥 Connect with Your Ancestors – Create an ancestral altar with photos, mementos, candles, and offerings of food or drink that your ancestors enjoyed. Light a candle in their memory and take a moment to express gratitude for the wisdom they have passed down.
🌙 Embrace Shadow Work – With the veil at its thinnest, Samhain is a potent time for self-reflection. Journaling, tarot readings, or meditative practices can help you explore hidden aspects of yourself and release what no longer serves you.
🍂 Host a Feast of Remembrance – Gather with loved ones for a Samhain meal, setting a place at the table for ancestors and sharing stories of their lives. Traditional foods like pumpkin, apples, nuts, and root vegetables connect us to the season’s abundance.
🕯 Light the Darkness – Carve pumpkins or light candles to symbolise guiding spirits and protecting your home. You can also perform a simple fire ritual, writing down what you wish to let go of and burning it as an act of release.
🔮 Divination & Dreamwork – Samhain is the perfect time for divination practices such as tarot, scrying, or rune casting. Pay attention to dreams and intuitive insights, as messages from the spirit world may come through more clearly at this time.
Crystals & Herbs for Samhain
💎 Black Obsidian – A powerful stone for shadow work and protection.
💎 Amethyst – Enhances intuition and spiritual connection.
💎 Carnelian – Encourages vitality and ancestral connection.
🌿 Mugwort – Used for dreamwork and divination.
🌿 Rosemary – A herb of remembrance, perfect for honouring ancestors.
🌿 Bay Leaves – Ideal for manifestation and releasing rituals.
A Time of Mystery & Magic
Samhain is a sacred moment in the year’s cycle, inviting us to pause, honour the past, and prepare for the rebirth that will come with Yule. Whether through quiet contemplation, ritual, or gathering in community, this sabbat reminds us of the beauty in the cycles of life, death, and renewal.
How will you celebrate Samhain this year? Will you honour your ancestors, perform a ritual, or explore the magic of the season? However you choose to observe this powerful sabbat, may it bring you wisdom, clarity, and connection to the unseen.