Samhain is known by most folks as Halloween, but for Wiccans and Pagans it's considered a Sabbat to honor the ancestors who came before us. It's a good time to contact the spirit world with a seance, because it's the time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest.
Myths and Misconceptions:
Contrary to a popular Internet-based (and Chick Tract-encouraged) rumor, Samhain was not the name of some ancient Celtic god of death, or of anything else, for that matter. Religious scholars agree that the word Samhain (pronounced "sow-en") comes from the Gaelic “Samhuin,” but they’re divided on whether it means the end or beginning of summer. After all, when summer is ending here on earth, it’s just beginning in the Underworld. Samhain actually refers to the daylight portion of the holiday, on November 1st.
All Hallow Mass:
Around the eighth century or so, the Catholic Church decided to use November 1st as All Saints Day. This was actually a pretty smart move on their part – the local pagans were already celebrating that day anyway, so it made sense to use it as a church holiday. All Saints’ became the festival to honor any saint who didn’t already have a day of his or her own. The mass which was said on All Saints’ was called Allhallowmas – the mass of all those who are hallowed. The night before naturally became known as All Hallows Eve, and eventually morphed into what we call Halloween.
A Time for Rest
by Angela
As the Sun God bids his last farewell, we are reminded of the cycle's end. The leaves are falling from the trees, the animals have almost completed their gathering, and the air takes on a northerly chill. Everything begins to take on a pose of rest; of death.
This is the time when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. A time when we are able to communicate with the spirits that have passed before us. If you need guidance, ask the spirits. Let them guide you on your path, if needed. Thank the spirits and then rest. Resting now allows all sensations and creative energy to integrate into every pore of your body.
In this season of death, it is an excellent time to reflect on the past year and identify all that needs to metaphorically die in our lives as well. Perhaps we need to remove addictive habits, self-sabotaging behaviors, relationships that do not serve a higher purpose, etc. Now is the time to set up a game plan on how to allow them to "die" and be discarded.
As winter approaches, and for some, snow begins to blanket the ground, summon energy to blanket you, as well. To protect your spirit as the process of hibernation begins and spiritual gestation continues. Enter your hibernation with grace.
Rest!
While in your spiritual hibernation, allow your body, mind and spirit to detox. Cleanse you aura to cleanse your spirit. Take gentle care of it. The seeds of creations are in the processes of growing. It is a time of inner nourishment.
On Samhain, the Sun God has left the spirit realm to rest and prepare for new birth. Come Yule, the first labor pains will begin for the Great Mother Goddess. She will again birth the new cycle of life for the Sun God. New life energy for all. With the spirit replenished, creative energy will slowly begin to flow again. This is a time for joining together to celebrate the coming of a new, refreshed, cleansed time of being.
Rejoice!
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