Samhain Lore and Rituals
Article by Selena Fox
Samhain, popularly known as Halloween, occurs in late October and early November. For most Wiccan practitioners, this is the New Year, and a time for letting go of the old and looking ahead to the new. It marks the end of the harvest season. Since ancient times, Pagans have paid their respects to departed loved ones, ancestors, and guides in the Spirit World at Samhain. The Goddess manifests as the Crone and the God as the Horned Hunter and Lord of Death. Sacred colors are Black and Orange. It is the festival of endings and transformation.
Set up an altar in your home to honor departed loved ones and ancestors, or, if you already have such an altar, place offerings and light a candle there. As done in ancient times, set a place at your table for your spirit friends and relatives, and serve them some of the food and drink you share at your Samhain feast. Throw a Come as You Were Party and have everyone dress up as they were in another life. Set lighted carved pumpkins around your home to bless it. Magically make a resolution to break out of a negative habit pattern and begin a healthier way of being. Do divination on the year ahead.
Articles:
As America Celebrates Halloween, I Celebrate Samhain: beliefnet.com article by Selena Fox
Celebrating Samhain: article by Selena Fox
Traditions and Rituals for the Pagan New Year - Huffington Post article
How Modern Pagans are Reclaiming the Halloween Witch Costume as an Act of Power - Huffington Post article
The History Behind Samhain - ThoughtCo article by Patti Wigington
Friends honor Wiccan with Halloween Burial - Wisconsin State Journal article
Rituals (transcript):
Honoring the Dead Samhain Rite
Rituals (podcast):
Honoring the Dead Samhain Ritual
Talks (video):
Celebrating Samhain & Halloween: Selena at Open Circle UU
Samhain Chants by Selena Fox
Samhain Chant
Samhain, Samhain, Summer's End, Summer's End
Samhain, Samhain, Veil is Thin, Veil is Thin.
Samhain, Samhain, Spirit Friends, Spirit Friends
Samhain Night Chant
Samhain Fire, Samhain Night,
Samhain Magic, Spirits Light!
Spirit Invocation Chant
Spirit in Light, Spirit in Sound,
Spirit Within, Spirit Around!
Ancestors Invocation Chant
Ancestors, We Call to You!
Ancestors, We Remember You!
Ancestors, We Honor You!
Offerings for the Dead Chant
Beloved Dead, Come, Get Fed!
Samhain Circle Casting Chant
Circle of Light, Circle of Sound,
Circle of Samhain, Circle Around!
Music:
All Souls Night with Loreena McKennitt
Samhain Eve by Damh The Bard with Lyrics
Samhain Song by Lisa Thiel
Souling Song, Samhain Version by Kristen Lawrence
Samhain Night by Jenna Green