Samhain

Moondust And Angels would like to wish everyone a peaceful and blessed Samhain.

Samhain  (pronounced Sowin) is a major Sabbat, an important date for all pagans. It is a time celebrated in many different cultures all around the world and is a time when we honour and remember those who have passed. It is believed that at this time of year the veil between this world and the spirit world is thinnest. Non pagans call it Halloween. For pagans Samhain is not a morbid time. Age is respected and is honoured for it's wisdom, we also understand that we can learn a great deal from our ancestors. Samhain is a wonderful time for reflection and consideration of what has gone before, of taking stock. This is a time of harvest, the last of the year and includes taking stock of what we have learned, how we have grown. We can look back at any endings in our life or changes that have taken place, those which have caused pain and acknowledge them, accept them and let them go, moving onto toward the future. It is a time to leave any negativity behind.

At Samhain we suddenly become aware of the growing darkness, the chill in the air, the mists and the stillness that seems to settle on the earth.

In Mexico it is called the Day Of the Dead. Offerings of food are made to those who have passed over and believed to visit their loved ones. Ofrendas are baked, these are famcy breads baked in the shape of men women children and animals, 'Ofrendas' translates as 'Offerings to the Dead'  This bread is first offered to the ancestors and then the bread is eaten by their relatives.

Bonfires were also part of the Samhain celebrations now in the most part replaced by candles and of course lanterns. This is a time when divination is said to be most powerful.

Apples are an important symbol of Samhain. The ancient Celts  believed that an apple tree grew at the heart of the 'Otherworld' and that it's fruit had magical properties. This Otherworld  was known as Avalon in Britain and in Ireland it was known as Evan Avlach.

A popular game at Samhain is Apple bobbing. A large tub is filled with water and appleas floated on top, each person kneel and attempts to catch an apple in his or her mouth (no hands) if an apple is caught it can be kept for  divination. It was also said that the first person to bite an apple during bobbing would be the first to marry in the year.

Samhain is the time of the Triple Goddess, her aspect the Crone. She is the queen of winter, she is the Goddess of mysteries and wisdom.

Those born at Samhain are said to have the gift of second sight.

If you catch a falling leaf at Samhain it's said to bring luck. (harder than it sounds)

A nice simple way to honour those loved ones who have gone us is to light a candle and just remember them, recall what they brought to your life and thank them. When you have your meal lay a place for them.