The veil between worlds grows thin, they say. But here’s the catch: the veil is always thin, it just billows a bit more when you look – and at Samhain, we’re all about looking. Samhain isn’t just another date on the calendar; it’s the moment when the year takes its final breaths before plunging into darkness. It’s time to connect with your own shadow, call on your ancestors, and let go of all the baggage holding you back.

Samhain – Farewell, New Beginnings, and Everything In Between

Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark months. It’s a threshold – both an end and a beginning. Nature retreats, and so should we. It’s the time to reflect on everything the year has brought you and to decide what stays and what goes. Maybe you spent the whole summer pushing forward – but now it’s about depth, about turning inward. It’s not stagnation; it’s regeneration.

Samhain in the Context of Christianity

Over the centuries, the influence of Samhain faded as Christianity spread. Yet even within Christianity, the essence of Samhain was preserved. We have All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2), days introduced by the Church to honor the dead and “replace” pagan festivals like Samhain. Instead of celebrating the spirits of ancestors, saints were venerated (All Saints’), and the day after, prayers were offered for the departed who hadn’t been canonized (All Souls’).

It’s also about maintaining a connection to the other side. On All Saints’ and All Souls’, people light candles at graves to honor their departed loved ones and to offer them light in the darkness – an echo of the old Samhain custom of lighting fires as symbols of souls’ light. It’s a quiet salute to those who came before and a reminder that the bond between worlds isn’t easily severed.

Why Samhain Still Feels Different

Sure, the veil is always permeable, and spirits are always near. But at Samhain, we’re the ones who slow down, dim the lights, and actively listen. While the world outside distracts itself with Halloween parties, you can take a moment to truly tune in – to what the darkness wants to tell you. Your ancestors? They’re there. They’ve been waiting for you to quiet down and finally let them speak.

Why I believe we can connect with our ancestors anytime: Why the Veils Don’t Thin at Samhain

Ritual Ideas for Samhain

Light a Flame for Your Ancestors: Keep it simple. Light a candle, think of those who came before, and let the flame symbolize their presence. Set out a glass of water, maybe an old photo, and let the candle’s light represent them. They’re always here, but at Samhain, we listen.

Let Go with Fire: Write down what you don’t want to carry anymore on a piece of paper. Light it up and let it burn. Feel the weight lift as the ash falls. Not into fire? Use water instead – as long as it disappears.

Tarot in the Dark: Samhain is the perfect time for a reading. Draw three cards – past, present, future. What can you carry forward, and what do you need to let go? The cards speak to those who are ready to listen.

Wouldn’t this be the perfect Tarot spread?

Journaling Questions for Samhain

What strengths have I inherited from my ancestors? And what weaknesses might I carry with me unknowingly?
What have my ancestors endured that still influences me, even if I haven’t directly experienced it?
What patterns do I recognize between my life and my ancestors’? Where do I want to honor or break those patterns?
What did my ancestors love? Which rituals, foods, or traditions can I revive to celebrate their energy?
What unresolved stories might my ancestors still carry? How can I bring peace by consciously breaking these patterns?
What questions would I want to ask my ancestors?

There’s now a Samhain Journal available with the Season of the Witch Oracle Deck

The Seasons of the Witch: Samhain Journal

Scents that Call to Spirits

To feel the energy of Samhain, experiment with scents that ground and open the space. Sandalwood, Cypress, Myrrh – they help clear the air and sharpen your senses. These scents are like invitations to the spirit world, saying, “Hey, I’m ready. Show me what you’ve got.”

Read: How to Connect with Your Ancestors

Let Darkness Be Your Ally

Samhain isn’t about fearing the dark – it’s about embracing it. Darkness isn’t a threat; it’s the space where everything begins. It’s the soil from which everything grows. On this night, lean into the darkness and allow yourself to feel the space that emerges when you let go of all the distractions.

Samhain is the night when past and future meet – and you are right in the middle. It’s the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and see the darkness as your ally. So get comfortable, light a candle, and listen to what the night wants to tell you.

Books to Dive Into This Samhain

Samhain: Mythology, Folklore, Rituals by Alexa Szeli
Witchcraft: Samhain Oracle