Observing Traditions
Build a bonfire. Lighting a bonfire is one of the most honored Samhain traditions. The fire symbolizes the welcoming of a new season--winter. Choose a place that is far away from buildings and trees to light your fire. Make sure the area is free from debris and sheltered from gusts of wind. The bonfire can be the beginning of your evening of communing with your departed loved ones. Invite friends and family to join you, and hold hands around the fire. You can also sing and dance. This invites the spirits into your celebration. You can also tell stories around the campfire. This is a great time to share memories of your loved ones who have died. Check with the local authorities to make sure the location you have chosen is a place where bonfires are legal. If you can't build a bonfire in your area, you can use candlelight to observe the ritual of lighting a fire to welcome the new season.
Have a silent supper. A silent, or "dumb" supper is part of Samhain celebrations around the world. This dinner honors the dead, and the participants are mainly silent. This dinner is one of the more somber aspects of Samhain celebrations. Make your dining area a sacred space. You might want to smudge the room with sage. You should also remove cell phones, televisions, and other electronics. Many people choose to leave younger children out of this part of the celebration, as they typically have a hard time remaining silent for an entire meal. Set a place at the head of the table but do not have one of your guests sit there. Reserve this place for the spirits you wish to honor. You and your guests should remain silent throughout the meal until you all leave the dining room.
Honor the dead. The main purpose of Samhain is to remember the departed and acknowledge that everyone will eventually face death. In addition to a silent dinner, there are several ways that you can honor the dead during your Samhain celebration. One way is to create an altar. A ritual altar is somewhere that you can place items dedicated to the deceased. Some common items are photographs or personal items of the person you are honoring. You might also choose to offer apples or pomegranates. To Wiccans, apples are the fruit of death, while pomegranates are the fruit of life. This represents the balance between the two that Samhain celebrates.
Display orange and black. The colors orange and black are traditionally used in Samhain celebrations. Black represents death and the fading of light. Orange represents the dawning of light that will occur when God is reborn. Dressing in orange and black is a good way to add these symbols into your celebration. You can decorate with orange items that are found in nature, such as pumpkins. Many people choose to light a black candle, which will then have a flickering orange flame.
Celebrating the Joy
Wear a costume. Since Pagans celebrated Samhain, costumes have been part of the celebration. Traditionally, they involved animal parts, such as skin, fur, or horns. While that is no longer common, many who celebrate the day still have fun creating costumes. Masks were also a traditional part of Samhain costumes. They were thought to disguise you if you were out participating in mischief, and also believed to confuse any malevolent spirits. Have fun creating your modern version of a Samhain costume. You can create a beautiful mask out of many materials. You can also channel tradition by adding an animal element to your costume.
Have a ball. Dancing has long been a part of Samhain celebrations, and it is one of the most joyful. Many cities with large Wiccan communities, such as New York, hold annual Samhain galas. People dance, feast, and make merry into the wee hours of the morning. Check to see if your city has a Wiccan organization and find out how they celebrate Samhain. If your community does not hold a dance, you can throw your own ball. Invite friends and family to gather to dance and celebrate the memory of your departed loved ones.
Hold a divination ceremony. Many Wiccans seek divine guidance through a variety of methods. Samhain, with its inherent spirituality, is the perfect time to practice your favorite form of divination. You can use Tarot, runes, or Scrying to seek guidance. Take notes of any messages or inspirations you receive during your ceremony. Take some time during the evening to reflect on the guidance you received. Carry the spirit of Samhain with you. Choose something from the divination ceremony and act on it. For example, if you felt divine guidance to strengthen your personal relationships, spend some extra time with your friends and family.
Appreciate nature. Samhain is a celebration of the changing of seasons, so it is appropriate to honor nature on this holiday. Try taking a meditative nature walk during the day. Use the time to reflect on those who have passed, and your relationship with the physical world. Gather some objects on your walk, such as leaves or vegetables. Use these to decorate your home for your Samhain celebration. Gourds, apples, and acorns are excellent items to incorporate into your natural decorations.
Connect with the community. Samhain is a time for making connections with others, both living and dead. Invite people to your home for a potluck Samhain celebration. Or find out if there is a local Wiccan ritual that you can join. Today's modern celebrations often include giving back to others. One popular idea is to have a Samhain coat drive. Since the day signals the coming of winter, it makes sense to think about those who might not be able to keep warm in the coming months.
Understanding Samhain
Learn the roots. Your Samhain celebration will have deeper meaning for you if you understand the history of the holiday. Samhain was an ancient Celtic feast held to honor the dead. It also marked the beginning of the new year. Traditionally, Samhain celebrations involved divination rituals. This day was thought to be the best time to connect the physical world with the spiritual world. The modern Halloween celebration includes many traditional Samhain elements, such as costumes and pumpkin carving.
Understand the spiritual aspects. There is a large spiritual element involved in the celebration of Samhain. Although it is a time for celebration, it is also meant to be a day of honoring the dead. Samhain celebrations should include time to think about the deceased, and also reflect on the meaning of death. Fire was considered a sacred element, which is why the bonfires and lighting of candles are so significant in modern celebrations.
Extend the celebration. It is wonderful to use Samhain as a day of celebration and reflection. The day can take on even greater meaning if you carry the spirit of Samhain with you throughout the year. For example, use the guidance from your divination ceremony to help guide your life in the following months. Becoming more attuned with nature is another way to continue the celebration of Samhain. Try planting a herb garden in your kitchen. This will allow you to have nature in your home throughout the year.
Comments
0 comment