Samhain is usually celebrated on October 31st (April 30th in the southern hemisphere). I have heard it pronounced both “sahm hayne” and “sow-een”. This is my explanation of this holiday. It may or may not work for you and your path. There are a number of things that this Sabbat usually celebrates. 
- The final harvest
- Days growing shorter
- The end of the wheel of the year
- The thinning of the veil between our realm and the spirit realm
- Death (sometimes rebirth, but usually that’s saved for Yule)
- Honoring our ancestors
- Honoring those who have crossed over into the spirit realm
That’s a lot of things to celebrate, so it’s not surprising that many people celebrate it in different ways. Here are some ways that I and others celebrate it culturally.
- Carve pumpkins or gourds to protect the home (I have also heard the explanation that these light the way for your ancestors to visit).
- Make and eat foods that are harvested around this time where you live. In the northeast United States where I live, it’s mostly
pumpkins, winter squash, and apples. Warm apple cider is always a favorite! - Do divination for the coming year.
- Visit the graves of loved ones who have passed.
- Create an altar with photos of your ancestors.
- Light a candle in your window to honor your ancestors.
- Tell stories about those who have passed.
- Make art with fallen leaves (this obviously doesn’t work if you don’t live somewhere where the leaves change).
- Decorate your altar or living space with symbols of the time of year.
Here are some ideas for Samhain rituals.
- Bindings
- Cord cuttings
- Endings of any kind
- List things you no longer want in your life and burn the list
- Honoring the ancestors
- Guided meditations
- Shadow work
- Make peace that you will one day die
- Invoking a Crone Goddess (for the experienced only)
- Divination for the coming year
Please remember that your celebration and ritual can be as simple or complex as you want and have time for. How do you celebrate Samhain?
