Samhain, The Witch's New Year
Learn about the history of Samhain -- as well as some popular misconceptions -- and different ways to celebrate. It's a great time of year to honor your ancestors, hold a seance, make clever crafts and host a feast!
Gods and Goddesses of Death and the Underworld
In many cultures, gods of the underworld and death are celebrated during the harvest time. Learn about these gods and goddesses who preside over the domain of the dead.
In many cultures, gods of the underworld and death are celebrated during the harvest time. Learn about these gods and goddesses who preside over the domain of the dead.
All About Samhain
Some people celebrate it as Halloween, but for Wiccans and Pagans, October 31 is typically known as Samhain. It's the old Celtic new year - sometimes called the Witch's New Year - and it's a time for honoring those who have crossed over into the spirit world.
Some people celebrate it as Halloween, but for Wiccans and Pagans, October 31 is typically known as Samhain. It's the old Celtic new year - sometimes called the Witch's New Year - and it's a time for honoring those who have crossed over into the spirit world.
Samhain History
Samhain is celebrated October 31, the same night as Halloween. However, this Sabbat has roots that go back thousands of years. Learn about how Samhain became All Hallow's Eve.
Samhain is celebrated October 31, the same night as Halloween. However, this Sabbat has roots that go back thousands of years. Learn about how Samhain became All Hallow's Eve.
Honor the Harvest's End - A Samhain Ritual for Wiccans and Pagans
Samhain falls on October 31, and is known as the Witch's New Year. You can celebrate it as the end of the harvest, and honor the return of the King of Winter.
Samhain falls on October 31, and is known as the Witch's New Year. You can celebrate it as the end of the harvest, and honor the return of the King of Winter.
Hold a Samhain Rite to Honor Animals
Man's relationship with animals has evolved over thousands of years. Where once they were only a source of food, now they are our companions. Take a moment to honor the animal spirits in a ritual for Samhain.
Man's relationship with animals has evolved over thousands of years. Where once they were only a source of food, now they are our companions. Take a moment to honor the animal spirits in a ritual for Samhain.
Honor the Ancestors at Samhain
For many Wiccans and Pagans, the honoring of the ancestors is a key part of their spirituality. This ceremony can be held by itself or as part of a group of Samhain rituals.
For many Wiccans and Pagans, the honoring of the ancestors is a key part of their spirituality. This ceremony can be held by itself or as part of a group of Samhain rituals.
Celebrate the God & Goddess at Samhain
In some Wiccan traditions, people choose to honor the God and Goddess, rather than focusing on the harvest aspect of the holiday. If this is something you'd like to do, this ritual welcomes the Goddess in her persona as Crone, and the Horned God of the autumn hunt.
In some Wiccan traditions, people choose to honor the God and Goddess, rather than focusing on the harvest aspect of the holiday. If this is something you'd like to do, this ritual welcomes the Goddess in her persona as Crone, and the Horned God of the autumn hunt.
Celebrate the Cycle of Life and Death
Samhain is known as the witch's new year. It is a time to think about the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. With this ritual, you can celebrate all three aspects either with a group or as a solitary.
Samhain is known as the witch's new year. It is a time to think about the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. With this ritual, you can celebrate all three aspects either with a group or as a solitary.
Samhain Ancestor Meditation
It's Samhain, and that means for many Pagans and Wiccans it's time to commune with the ancestors. Use this simple meditation technique to call upon those who walked before us -- you may be surprised at some of the people you meet!
It's Samhain, and that means for many Pagans and Wiccans it's time to commune with the ancestors. Use this simple meditation technique to call upon those who walked before us -- you may be surprised at some of the people you meet!
Samhain Divination
Samhain is traditionally a time for divination. In many agricultural societies, divination was used to reveal the name of a suitor or potential mate, and were practiced in rural areas for centuries. Learn about some of the 'country-dweller' methods of divination.
Samhain is traditionally a time for divination. In many agricultural societies, divination was used to reveal the name of a suitor or potential mate, and were practiced in rural areas for centuries. Learn about some of the 'country-dweller' methods of divination.
Hold a Seance
Many Wiccans and Pagans communicate with the spirit world by way of holding seances. Before you have a seance of your own, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Many Wiccans and Pagans communicate with the spirit world by way of holding seances. Before you have a seance of your own, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The Dumb Supper - A Feast With the Dead
In many Pagan and Wiccan traditions, Samhain is celebrated with a Dumb Supper, or a Feast with the Dead. This is a solemn and sober occasion, and includes place settings for relatives and friends who have crossed over in the past year, as well as a chance to tell them what you never got to say.
In many Pagan and Wiccan traditions, Samhain is celebrated with a Dumb Supper, or a Feast with the Dead. This is a solemn and sober occasion, and includes place settings for relatives and friends who have crossed over in the past year, as well as a chance to tell them what you never got to say.
Black Cats - What's So Unlucky About Them Anyway?
Ever wonder about the superstition of black cats being bad luck? And how did these feline lovelies become part of the Halloween and Samhain traditions? After all, this Sabbat wouldn't be the same without images of black cats on display!
Ever wonder about the superstition of black cats being bad luck? And how did these feline lovelies become part of the Halloween and Samhain traditions? After all, this Sabbat wouldn't be the same without images of black cats on display!
Jack O'Lanterns
It's Samhain, and pumpkins are everywhere! If you've ever gone out trick-or-treating, chances are good you've seen a carved jack-o-lantern grinning at you from someone's window. But where did this unusual custom originate?
It's Samhain, and pumpkins are everywhere! If you've ever gone out trick-or-treating, chances are good you've seen a carved jack-o-lantern grinning at you from someone's window. But where did this unusual custom originate?
Tricks or Treats?
We all love to trick or treat each year, but how did this custom evolve? Find out what the purpose is behind the tradition -- and how it's bloomed into a multi-million dollar industry!
We all love to trick or treat each year, but how did this custom evolve? Find out what the purpose is behind the tradition -- and how it's bloomed into a multi-million dollar industry!
Mexico's Day of the Dead
Blended from Aztec tradition and Catholic ideals, the Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday in which families remember their dead, place altars in their homes and decorate tombs in cemeteries. Although not Pagan in the true sense of the word, it's worth reading about because of the focus on man's own mortality and the idea of ancestor worship.
Blended from Aztec tradition and Catholic ideals, the Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday in which families remember their dead, place altars in their homes and decorate tombs in cemeteries. Although not Pagan in the true sense of the word, it's worth reading about because of the focus on man's own mortality and the idea of ancestor worship.
Samhain Spirit Incense
This harvest-scented blend of incense is perfect for burning during your Samhain seance, divination session, or any autumn workings.
This harvest-scented blend of incense is perfect for burning during your Samhain seance, divination session, or any autumn workings.