Halloween is my favorite time of the year. A crisp, cool breeze, fall leaves, pumpkin spice, apple cider, scary movies, and bonfires - what's not to love? The Halloween we know today is still rich in ancient tradition. The Ancient Celtic holiday Samhain, pronounced sow-win, is the third and final harvest in the Wheel of the Year. It also marks the day of the year when the veil is at its thinnest. That's where the ghosts, witches, and goblins come in. Our Ancestors recognized that not everything on the other side of the veil was love and light. While it is a time to honor our ancestors and passed loved ones, it is also wise to protect ourselves from the not so nice beings on the other side. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead or Dia de Muertos, is celebrated the day after Halloween on November 1st. It is a day of remembering and celebrating our ancestors and passed loved ones.
So what exactly is The Veil? It is believed that there is a barrier between our dimension and other dimensions. Our ancestors recognized this and referred to it as the otherworld. A place where departed souls and otherworldly beings resided. Starting when the sun begins its decent into fall position, when the nights become longer than the days, the barrier, or veil, begins to get thinner. It reaches its thinnest on October 31st. On this day, people and beings in the otherworld can easily pass into our world.
Trick or treating originated from the practice of leaving food out as offerings to our passed loved ones who come to visit. Traditionally, the Ancient Celts dressed as animals to honor the Nature God Pan. They would build large bonfires and sacrifice crops in thanks for their good harvest. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires with the embers from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
Carving pumpkins originates from the tale of Stingy Jack. Legend has it that Jack attempted to deceive the Devil himself. After Jack passed away, he wasn't allowed into Heaven after a life full of sin and the Devil refused to let him into hell after his tricks. Jack was cursed to eternally wander the Earth in the dead of night, with only a single coal ember to guide him. Jack would place his light in a hollowed-out turnip, and from then on he was known as Jack of the Lanterns. Jack o lanterns became common to place by your door to ward off Stingy Jack.
Divination was another Samhain tradition. They used apples and nuts as divination tools to tell the future. Later apple bobbing evolved. It was believed that the winner of the apple bobbing contest would be granted marital bliss. Scrying was another popular form of divination at that time. People would gaze into black mirrors or bowls of water to receive messages.
The Day of the Dead is a beautiful celebration that originated in Mexico. It is a day of remembrance and honor. People dress up in colorful clothes and wear sugar skulls painted on their face. Marigolds flood the streets and decorate graves. Marigolds are believed to be pathways that guide spirits. They symbolize the beauty and fragility of life. Altars are set up to honor deceased loved ones and leave offerings for them. Graves are visited, taken care of, and decorated. It is a happy celebration of the life our loved ones had and a recognition that death is a part of life.
Crystals that are good to work with at this time of year are snowflake obsidian, Picasso jasper, zebra jasper, black obsidian, labradorite, indigo gabbro, and stibnite. These crystals are protective and helpful for divination and shadow work. Herbs to work with are rosemary for remembrance, mugwort for divination, sweetgrass, and marigold. If you would like to know more about shadow work you can find further reading here Shadow Season and Shadow Work.
As you celebrate Halloween, be mindful of your ancestors. Their hard work and sacrifices paved the path for your life. Practice gratitude for your harvests and blessings of the year. And of course, have fun! Wishing you all abundant blessings!