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Samhain: The Witches’ New Year
Samhain (pronounced SOW-in or SAH-win) is one of the most significant festivals in the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. Celebrated on October 31st to November 1st, it marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Often called the Witches’ New Year, Samhain is a time of transition, reflection and honouring the dead.
Origins of Samhain
Imagine standing at the threshold between two worlds—the light and the dark, the living and the dead. This is the essence of Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. The Celts saw the year in two halves: summer, the time of light, and winter, the time of darkness. Samhain was the gateway to this darker half, a liminal period when the veil between the living and the spirit world was at its thinnest.
For the Celts, this was more than just a seasonal shift—it was a sacred time of connection. Communities gathered for feasts, lit great bonfires, and held rituals to honour their ancestors. Samhain later evolved into the Christianised All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween) but is still one of the most anticipated festivals of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year.
Creating a Samhain altar
At Samhain, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest, making it a powerful time for honouring those who have passed on. If you feel drawn to connect with your ancestors, you might create a simple ancestral altar. Decorate with photos of departed loved ones, black candles, smokey quartz crystals, a glass of wine and seasonal offerings like apples and pumpkins. Many pagans and witches use this night for divination, working with tarot cards, runes, or pendulums to seek guidance from the unseen.
Whether through quiet remembrance or active spirit work, Samhain invites you to listen to the whispers of the past and embrace the wisdom of those who came before.
Traditional Samhain symbols and practices
Samhain is rich with symbolism, each element holding deep meaning:
🎃 Jack-o’-lanterns – To ward off spirits. Traditionally carved from turnips, but more commonly swedes or pumpkins.
🍏 Apples – A sacred fruit linked to wisdom, the afterlife and the divine feminine.
🔥 Bonfires – A symbol of protection, warmth and transformation.
You can honour Samhain through simple yet meaningful practices:
✍ Releasing the old – Write down something you wish to let go of, then burn the paper in a fire or candle flame.
✨ Protection rituals – Cast a circle, create a protective charm, or carry a grounding crystal like obsidian or onyx.
📖 Storytelling – Share tales of your ancestors or legends of spirits and gods.
Samhain as a time of transformation
Though Samhain is associated with death, it is not a time of grief—far from it. Rather, it is a time of transformation. Just as trees shed their leaves, this season invites you to release what no longer serves you. Take a moment to reflect on your journey over the past year. What have you learned? What will you carry forward? What will you leave behind? Use this time to set intentions for the year ahead, embracing the wisdom that comes with the darker months.
How to celebrate Samhain today
Even if you don’t follow a pagan path, you can still mark this seasonal shift in meaningful ways:
🕯 Light a candle in memory of loved ones.
🌿 Hold a simple ritual to release the past and welcome new beginnings.
🍲 Cook a feast using seasonal foods—pumpkin, apples, root vegetables and fresh-baked bread.
🌅 Watch the sunset and reflect on the cycles of life and nature.
Final thoughts
Samhain is a reminder that death is not an end but a turning point in the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth. By looking back with reverence and stepping forward with intention, you align yourself with the rhythms of the earth. Whether through ritual, remembrance or quiet contemplation, this is a time to embrace the darkness—not with fear, but with wisdom and respect.
