Psychic Blog

The festival of Samhain or Halloween is one of the most magical and mysterious times of the year. Landing on October 31st, this is a time when the veil between our world and the spirit world is said to be at its thinnest. There are many superstitions and rituals associated with this time. I am sure that most of you will know of ‘trick or treat’ games and of lighting bonfires. In this article, however, I will delve a little deeper into the true spiritual meaning of this time and how you can celebrate and honour it.

Mischief & Mayhem

Let’s start with the general themes of this celebration (or in Wiccan terms the Sabbat of Samhain). Death, rebirth, divination, honouring ancestors, introspection, benign mischief and revelry are all heavily associated with this festival….and for good reason too! It is the time when the veil to the spirit realm is the thinnest, allowing for communication and a crossing over of energies to occur. In fact, one of the original traditions of wearing masks and costumes on this night comes from the belief that disguising yourself as a supernatural being would hide you from any spirits who passed over into our world, keeping you safe from mischief and mayhem.

Samhain Festival

Interestingly this festival is also known as ‘the third harvest’ as it is the time in which the last of the harvested crops and fruit are picked. This Sabbat hails the end of the growing season and the beginning of winter. It is a time to preserve fruit and herbs and prepare for the darker, colder days and nights ahead.

Samhain is also a celebration with the focus on death and the honouring of the dead. For many Wiccans and Pagans this day is actually seen as being the most important day of the year and is when New Year celebrations are held.

As far back as the ancient Greek times this day has been honoured. Gifts of fruit would be left out for ancestors’ spirits…. which eventually led to root vegetables being carved and left by front doors to protect whoever dwells inside on this night and guide any wandering spirits home with their internal candles lit.

Samhain is a time to honour the harvest season and the gifts that Mother Nature has given us throughout the lightest part of the year. It is traditional to have feasts and drinks on this night and to make altars full of offerings to ancestors, gods and spirits alike.

Rituals & Divination

Samhain is one of the most powerful nights of the year to practise rituals, divination, Tarot, psychic readings and meditation. Banishing’s, protection spells, clearing of obstacles and astral projection are also particularly favoured at this time. It is also a perfect time to be open to doing inner-work, reflecting on what you’d like to let go of and what you’d like to improve in yourself over the coming year. Using fire within rituals is very common as is lighting bonfires, however even just spending time with the flame of a candle can have empowering results.

However, you decide to celebrate this time of the year I suggest you do it with a little bit of magic and mayhem within!

Happy Halloween! Sarah, PIN: 9888