Veil Dancing

Happy Samhain, friends!

Samhain (pron. SAH-win) is one of the four traditional fire festivals celebrated by the ancient Celts. It marks the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, serving as a new years celebration.

It is said that the veil to the Otherworld is thinnest at this time, and that the souls of the departed return to the earthly realm. Negative spirits are said to pass through the veil during this time as well. Thusly, Samhain celebrations involve laying out a spirit feast to feed our beloved ancestors, practicing divination for the year to come, and protecting the home and harvest.

Here are activities you can incorporate into your Samhain celebrations this year:

SPIRIT FEAST

Gather some seasonal foods such as apples, squash, turnips, potatoes and a nice piece of meat and prepare a delicious meal for you, your loved ones, and your beloved ancestors.
Lay a spread out on an alter you’ve designated for your ancestors. This could be as simple as a little table with a white table cloth on it.

Place photographs of your ancestors around the alter, along with glasses of water or other beverages they may have enjoyed in life. Other offerings could include flowers, cigarettes or cigars, and candy. Have fun thinking about your ancestors and what they might enjoy. They appreciate being remembered, and especially enjoy being celebrated in this way!

JACK’S TURNIP LANTERN

The vegetable most associated with Halloween these days is the pumpkin, of course, which we carve into spooky heads illuminated with candles. However, this tradition originated in Ireland, where turnips would be carved into lanterns with terrifying faces, standing guard outside the home to frighten away bad spirits.

Try carving a turnip this year, if you feel advanced with a blade! Or just stick to the good old pumpkin, which is a much more pleasurable experience I think.

OMEN HUNTING

One form of divination I love to practice is hunting for omens. Set out on a walk, with a question in mind. Relax your mind and soften your gaze, just moving along, allowing spirit to guide your steps. When you feel the instinct to stop walking, stop. Look up and take note of the first thing you see. This is your omen. Observe it and how it makes you feel. Repeat this process until you have collected 3 omens. Return home and journal about your experience with these omens. Feel free to share with a trusted group of friends, who may be interested in deciphering these omens, but remember to trust your gut instinct first. Have fun!

While I normally go all out for Halloween, this year I am finding myself craving a quieter celebration of Samhain. I plan to partake in a little bonfire at the farm and bring some of that fire back home to light my wood stove, as was customary in the old celebrations. I’m also going to prepare a soup made from the rooster that we had to slaughter yesterday, and offer some of it to my ancestors along with some other treats. I will burn some of the herbs i find sacred to bless my home, and journey to divine for the coming year.

Happy Samhain, sweet ones! May your new year unfold gracefully.
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