Wiccans and Pagans honor Samhain as the death of the old year on October 31, but the birth of the new year depends on one’s tradition. For many November 1 ushers in the new year, however for others the new year begins on Yule or Imbolc. I like to observe an in between time with the death of the year on Samhain and the birth of the next year on Yule, a time when the days start to lengthen. There is a good argument for Imbolc being the start of the new year, because in Celtic tradition it is the beginning of spring. As I observed in other posts about the changes in seasons, the calendar depends on one’s outlook and is not based on absolutes.
The days draw in around Samhain, the growing season ends and the year comes to a close. This is a season in which notions of endings and death are prevalent. A high school humanities teacher of mine addressed a premise that would take some of the sting out of our cultural dread of death. He started the conversation by asking my class how far back we could remember. This was his way of reminding us that there was a time before we existed, and that the time after our existence would probably be similar. Many Wiccans and Pagans believe in reincarnation. After death the soul rests then moves to another body when it is ready. Have you heard of an old soul? This is a soul which has gone through a number of incarnations. So, when were each of our souls born? That is up for debate. There was a time before life on Earth, our solar system, galaxy and our Universe. Therefore, there must have been a time before the existence of even old souls. A reasonable fear of death is healthy and normal. In fact, that fear reminds us to live and make something meaningful out of our lives while we can. But absolute terror of death can paralyze us and prevent us from living our lives fully. Our lives have risk, and it is up to us to figure out how to manage our own risks. Examples of those risks may be war, childbirth, or a busy highway. Life on Earth has always been about probabilities and risk. If it were not for that improbable asteroid striking Earth in the Yucatán about 66 million years ago causing climate change and ending the reign of the dinosaurs, humans would not exist. The resulting absence of dinosaurs created an evolutionary niche in which mammals, primates and eventually humans could evolve. Death is also intrinsic to the cycle of life, which can be observed in the natural world and the changing seasons. The death aspect of this season is as important to honor as new life in spring.
In our culture death imagery used this time of year can be frightening fun. For example, some people take delight in buckling up one of those full sized plastic skeletons and driving it around in a car. Obvious images of death abound such as skulls, ghosts and gravestones. Some other images reflecting death are autumn leaves, crows and spiderwebs. Note that those fake spiderwebs can be dangerous to wildlife, especially birds. They should be viewed as indoor decorations only! There are also some intriguing depictions of cat, bat and crow silhouettes against the backdrop of a full moon which are often used as imagery for Samhain. However, they are not included in this current post and are being saved for another year, because this year on Samhain the moon will be in her dark aspect.
Beyond imagery how can you observe this season and the death of the old year? First, in agricultural society the period after Samhain was time for rest after the busy growing season and third harvest. However, in modern Western society we gear up for the what is often a very active holiday season. Finding time for rest is a good practice. The lengthening nights might make this a little easier. Another way to use your time during this seasonal change is through crafting. For Samhain you can create a besom which is a round broom. Great resources for besom making are YouTube videos. Search “how to make a besom” for videos about making a decorative besom or search “how to make round broom” to learn how to make a besom which can be utilized for sweeping energies. Make yours using what materials and equipment you have, can source on natural walks and can easily purchase. You might adorn your besom with materials like yarn, ribbon or raffia. Add small bells to help clear energies if you wish. The besom will be your tool, so make your own crafty decisions!
Additionally, use this time of year for divination. Work with divination tools such as Tarot, runes and candle wax dripped in water. If you do a spread, you might try the Wheel of the Year spread. Take meticulous notes, and make sure to record not only what comes up in the reading but also the interpretation. Next, you can honor this season by showing remembrance to your ancestors. The ancestors you may think of most commonly are by lineage. They are people in your bloodline who could have lived 100 years ago or even 25,000 years ago. Another type of ancestor is by land, who are people who long ago took care of the land on which you reside. For example, if you live in the Americas, do some research to discover what Native American peoples inhabited the land on which you reside. Find an appropriate way to acknowledge them. The next type is ancestor of spirit. Consider this to be someone with whom you share a system of thought and who inspires you. For example, if you are a fan of Gothic fiction, the Brontë sisters may touch your spirit. You may view one or all three of them as an ancestor. The final type is called ancestry of Earth. All past life on Earth can be included in this category and may be an ancient primate, tree or slime. A dumb supper is one tradition used to honor ancestors over Samhain, a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and dead thins. As the word “dumb” suggests, this is a silent supper. Simply create a place setting of homage. Make a meal that your ancestor would appreciate. Do some research to find appropriate food and recipes. Remember to include the drink. Share the supper in silence and see what happens! What you do with the remains of a dumb supper depends on your viewpoint. The spiritual essence has been taken out of the food, but it is still nutritious. It is also an offering, and most consider it offensive to eat it themselves. You could donate it, but think about how to gift it. Depending on the food and where you are located, it might make a good offering to nature. If done in a safe manner, you could donate it to neighbors, friends or a community kitchen. It may make a great contribution to the compost bin. All those methods of donation are acceptable if done responsibly. Lastly, make or review your final arrangements. This does not have to be a morbid activity. Write or review your will, directions for your celebration of life and instructions for how you want your body to be treated. When you first embark on this project, it can seem a bit overwhelming. Afterwards, you may feel relief and satisfaction with a plan written out clearly so people of your choosing can perform these duties per your wishes. It is a good practice to review these plans yearly and to make any appropriate adjustments.
There are some people who choose to observe not only October 31 as the day of Samhain, but also the season lasting over a number of days. Some have a Samhain ritual and also throw a Halloween party for the children on two separate days. With so much to accomplish it can be a great practice to recognize a Samhain season.
Honor Samhain well and embrace endings! For my friends in the Southern Hemisphere, enjoy your Beltane celebrations and the season of growth and fertility!
Auburn Greene
Suggested Investigation:
NOVA (PBS television show), Dinosaur Apocalypse: The Last Day, Season 49, Episode 7, Aired 05/11/2022. Episode is about clues pieced together which tell a story about what the last days of the dinosaurs must have been like.
My Inner Wiccan 