Samhain Meditation

11 minutes ago

5 min read

Samhain (prenounced Sow-wen) is a Celtic Pagan celebration, to welcome the last of the harvest and to embrace the dark half of the year. It is celebrated halfway between the autumn equinox and winter solstice.

Being in the fields all day bringing in the last of the harvest, the home hearth fires would be

left to burn out. Samhain celebrations would start at night fall with a community fire, bringing villagers and farmers together to celebrate. They would all take a flame from the fire to re-ignited their home fires and bringing the energy of community and honouring their ancestor’s home with them.

It is still believed today, that the veil between the two worlds are thin at this time of year and I can well believe where that originated from - If the harvest was poor and families had to survive the colder, darker months on what they could forage, pickle and dry, the hard, winter months were when folk would most likely perish, and by celebrating Samhain it was honouring their ancestors to protect them from famine and poor health. Anyone not joining in the festivities would leaving themselves vulnerable to the forces of other worlds.

Samhain was all about fire festivals and folk used to dress as animals to prevent being kidnapped by the trickster fairies who walked between the veils at this time of year. They would also leave them sweet gifts at the edge of the fields to prevent them stealing their harvest. During the lead up to Samhain, the poorer folk would knock doors and sing and entertain the wealthy in exchange of food or money with a suggestion of mischief if an exchange wasn't made. What is known today as trick or treating was once known as Mumming.

During the Middle Ages, the fire festivals continued, but more as a family gathering at home rather than a village festival. The focus had shifted on keeping their loved ones safe from witchcraft. Jack-o-Lanterns were carved and hung in trees from string or mounted on sticks. These were made from turnips until much later, when the carved pumpkin became more popular (and in my opinion, much easier to carve!)

As Christianity grew in strength, the church tried to reframe Samhain. Pope Boniface in the 5th century declared May 13th as a day to celebrate saints and Martyrs, but the fire festivals continued during October and November. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory moved the celebration back to the time of the fire festivals but declared 1st November as All Saints Day and 2nd November All Souls Day. Christianity started to recognise Samhain as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, and continued with many of the Pagan traditions from Samhain, even with their own version of Mumming, known as souling. The poorer folk. known as soulers would still entertain door to door of the wealthy in exchange of soul cakes. Soul cakes were like a cookie, but usually filled with all-spice, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and dried fruit, and topped with a cross.

Apples, root vegetables and nuts are strongly associated with Samhain.

Because Samhain was considered a liminal time when the future could be glimpsed, seasonal fruits and nuts were heavily used for fortune-telling. When folk used to sit together around the fire and roast chestnuts, a young maiden would a chestnut to the side and assign a name of a future husband to it. This was called reading the Flame: If the chestnuts burned to ash quietly, it predicted a harmonious, long marriage. If they hissed, steamed, or aggressively popped apart, it a fiery temper, impending strife, or eventual separation.

The physical traits of the chestnut - a sweet, nourishing nut protected by an incredibly sharp, spiky green burr - made it a potent symbol of protection, warding Against negativity: Both sweet chestnuts and horse chestnuts (conkers) were gathered during Samhain to absorb negative energy and ward off mischievous spirits or fairies roaming the earth.

While children traditionally strung chestnuts together to make protective necklaces or talismans to wear while walking outside in the dark.

Whatever your belief or family traditions regarding Samhain or Halloween, there is one thing we can agree, that this time of year we all feel the desire to light a fire and eat comfort food full of warming and immune boosting spices. Whatever is happening in our lives, whatever our beliefs or lifestyles, the wheel of the year turns, nature changes daily but we don't just physically see it in the golden light and changing colours, but we sense it, we smell it, our bodies crave different foods, different activities and time for reflection.

In the modern world, there is not so much fear around perishing during the winter months, but we all feel the need to start spending more time cosied up at home, staring into the fire and time of stillness and contemplation.

I don't claim to follow any religion or belief, I only follow my intuition and what my mind, body and soul desires at every turn of the wheel, but as October nears its end and Samhain moves closer, I always feel at this time, more so than any other to wander the ancient woodland alone. Acknowledging the change, and reflecting how the change has happened in me too over the year. Lost in my thoughts, reflections and autumn sun and colours, I cannot help feeling full of gratitude and inspired by what needs to shift for me to continue on my authentic journey through life.

In these quiet times walking deeper into the ancient land, I never feel alone. I feel the steps, embrace and wise words of my ancestors supporting my journey. As darkness falls, the fires are lit. Either an outdoor bonfire or at home lighting the wood burner, and as I enjoy a bowl of hearty autumnal soup I find clarity of those things I need to let go of, just like the trees shedding their leaves for their highest good.

I honour my ancestors while the veil is thin,

Samhain rituals are far from a sin.

Abundance of love is sent to all,

This life or passed - and none of them gauls!

In the woods I collect autumns bounty,

Fruit and nuts, my basket has plenty.

Among the wilds, I forage alone,

Apart from my ancestors who follow me home.

The fire is lit, and carvings are made,

And my foraged bounty is carefully displayed.

Soup bubbles and marshmallows toasted,

Where friends and family are lovingly hosted.