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31 October – 1 November · fire festival
Samhain
Samhain (pronounced 'sow-in') is the Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest and the start of the darker half of the year. In Irish and Scottish tradition it was a time when the boundary between this world and the otherworld was believed to be thin, and it is the root of many Halloween customs.
Traditions
- Lighting a candle for ancestors and loved ones who have died
- Setting a place or leaving food out for the departed (a 'dumb supper')
- Divination: tarot, scrying and apple customs were traditional at this time
- Clearing out and reflecting as the old year closes
Colours
black, orange, deep purple
Altar ideas
Candles, a photograph of an ancestor, autumn leaves, apples, black obsidian or smoky quartz, and a tarot or oracle deck.
Samhain kit picks
A few pieces from the shop that suit a Samhain altar or ritual. Never leave candles or incense burning unattended.
Ancient Witch Spell Incense
Pyramid Shape Display Incense - Set of 5 Ancient Witch Scents & Spells
£20.00
Samhain: questions
When is Samhain?
Samhain is celebrated on 31 October – 1 November in the Northern Hemisphere.
What colours are associated with Samhain?
Traditional colours are black, orange, deep purple.
How can I celebrate Samhain at home?
Lighting a candle for ancestors and loved ones who have died. Setting a place or leaving food out for the departed (a 'dumb supper'). A simple altar might include: Candles, a photograph of an ancestor, autumn leaves, apples, black obsidian or smoky quartz, and a tarot or oracle deck.