[MR] Samhain Lore (October 31st)

[A Taste of Creole]

Samhain Lore (October 31st) 


Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means "End of Summer",
and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year
commences on this Sabbat. 

It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer
November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other
being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and
space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is
lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this
time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands.
It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the
Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort. 

Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by
leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead".
Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles
were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and
loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth
for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for
spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips
were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a
night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks
on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People
dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as
the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits. 

This was the time that the cattle and other livestock were slaughtered for
eating in the ensuing winter months. Any crops still in the field on Samhain
were considered taboo, and left as offerings to the Nature spirits. Bonfires
were built, (originally called bone-fires, for after feasting, the bones
were thrown in the fire as offerings for healthy and plentiful livestock in
the New Year) and stones were marked with peoples names. Then they were
thrown into the fire, to be retrieved in the morning. The condition of the
retrieved stone foretold of that person's fortune in the coming year. Hearth
fires were also lit from the village bonfire to ensure unity, and the ashes
were spread over the harvested fields to protect and bless the land. 

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Third Harvest, Samana, Day
of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest
(Strega), and Samhuinn. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, (that day actually
falls on November 7th), and Martinmas (that is celebrated November 11th),
Samhain is now generally considered the Witch's New Year. 

Symbolism of Samhain:
Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death. 

Symbols of Samhain:
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms. 

Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves,
Sage and Straw. 

Foods of Samhain:
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry. 

Incense of Samhain:
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg. 

Colors of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold. 

Stones of Samhain:
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian. 



STB Soffya Apollonia Tujya
atasteofcreole at excite.com
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