Samhain / Halloween

What Is Samhain vs Halloween ?

Samhain translates to "summers-end".

​The word "Halloween" comes from "All Hallows' Eve" and means "hallowed evening."

Do you know the difference between Halloween and Samhain? 

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Samhain marks a time of year when seasons change and harvests come to their end. All old, unwanted things come to their end! Time to ready yourself for the new things to come. It is also said that during Samhain the "veil" between ours and the spirit world would be blurred allowing us to connect with our passed loved ones. This is where Halloween gains its "haunted" connotation. Samhain was a time when people would light big bonfires, feast on the last harvest and even dress up as their future or more higher selves (like witches or gods and goddesses). Over time, Christianity took over the holiday and the pagan undertones of this holiday were lessened and more modernized. The rituals and more spiritual celebrations eventually turned into more lighthearted fun and games. In the eighth century, November 1st was recognized as a time to honor all saints. Then soon, All Saints Day adopted some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before Samhain was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, wearing costumes and eating yummy candy.

My typical celebration would involve making a yummy autumn dinner and inviting family and friends over to celebrate new comings, while also remembering our passed loved ones.  Then after everyone leaves I do a small, private meditation. Involving things like candles, fallen leaves, gourds and/or pumpkins, photos of any loved ones who have passed, my crystals and sage.. Sorry to be disappointing to some, but Satanism is not on the agenda. Some have made Samhain to be about something it is not. I mean really, for all the darkness, ghosts and evil talk, Samhain, like all Wiccan holidays, is most firmly rooted in the natural world, and in natural processes. Death is a natural thing, and this holiday is the time when we acknowledge and honor its place in our lives.

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This time of year is specifically for thinking about the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Its not just about trick or treating and dressing up. Samhain is the witches New Year. It's considered the first turn in the Wheel of the Year &it's a very powerful time!
​Say goodbye to harvest and welcome "the darker half of the year".