Pagab nion god, also known as paganism, is a term used to describe a variety of different religious beliefs and practices that are centered around nature, worship of ancestors, and the belief in multiple gods or spirits. Paganism is often associated with ancient civilizations and tribal cultures, although it continues to be practiced by some individuals and groups in modern times. One of the key aspects of paganism is the belief in the divine power and presence in nature. Pagans see the natural world as sacred and view it as a manifestation of the divine. They believe that the earth, plants, animals, and elements all possess a spiritual energy that can be tapped into for guidance, healing, and spiritual growth. Many pagans engage in rituals and ceremonies that honor and connect with these natural forces.
For some, October 31 is celebrated as the Witches’ New Year, still acknowledged as a powerful spiritual milestone. It is said to be when the veils between the earth plane and the spirit realm are sheet thin. In Irish and Celtic Paganism, Halloween finds its roots in Samhain . Samhain translates to “Summer’s End”, as the Ancient Celts divided the year into two major portions, although there were many holidays in their wheel of the year. As the Sun dimmed and the days shortened, so did a period of “light” and doing. Samhain, pronounced “Sow-inn”, was a time to reap the benefits of the end of Harvest Season. As we approached the more lunar, feminine season of hibernation, bonfires would be lit to mimic the power of the weakened Sun. It was a Sabbat of contrast between the light and dark, the masculine and the feminine cycles. The three days, beginning Hallows eve, were recognised as a major threshold, a liminal space of supernatural intensity.
In order to honour and ensure a safe passageway for the dearly departed, the ancient celts would gather on fairy mounds or portals, known as sidhe to engage in bonfires and dances. Celebrate your loved ones, dead and alive, play pranks on one another, indulge in great food and take some time to speak to the divine for guidance throughout the winter season.
Many pagans engage in rituals and ceremonies that honor and connect with these natural forces. Another important aspect of paganism is the veneration of ancestors. Pagans believe that their ancestors continue to exist in a spiritual realm and that they can communicate with and receive guidance from them.
Witchcraft in Halloween traditions
Top image: still, ‘The Love Witch’ (2016) dir Anna Biller
October 31st – you know it as Halloween but to us Witches, it is Samhain Eve. Samhain, literally translating to ‘End of Summer’, is one of the biggest festivals in the Wiccan calendar, a time of remembrance of those we’ve lost and a celebration of summer’s death and winter’s birth. The Sun god and Earth fall into a slumber, the nights lengthen, the air becomes crisp and winter begins.
Background:
October 31st is known as one of two ‘spirit nights’, the other being Beltane. A magical interval when the laws of time and space are suspended, Samhein Eve sees the veil between worlds at its thinnest, facilitating communication between ancestors and departed loved ones. Originally, Samhain known as the ‘Feast of the Dead’ is a sabbat (holiday) celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving offerings on altars and doorsteps for the dead who have returned to their previous homes, and this practice is still carried out in certain places. Extra chairs were left out for loved ones to sit around the family table, apples were buried along roadsides for lost spirits without descendants to lead them and turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits. Pranks were also a common practice which is where the phrase, ‘trick or treat’ originates from, alongside the tradition of dressing up in costume.
Symbols:
Apples, black cats, Jack-o’-lanterns, besoms.
Herbs:
Mugwort, allspice, catnip, oak leaves, sage, broom and deadly nightshade.
Foods:
Turnips, apples, nuts, mulled wine, beef, pork and poultry.
Colours:
Black, orange, white, silver and gold.
How to celebrate Samhain:
The first easy way to celebrate Samhain is to build a bonfire. This practice is one of the most honoured Samhain traditions, the fire symbolizes the welcoming of winter. You can begin your evening by communing with your departed loved ones through the fire. Invite friends and family to join you to create a welcoming space for the deceased, hold hands around the fire and embrace its warmth. You may also sing and dance, inviting the spirits to celebrate too. Telling stories around the fire is also common, either special memories you have of your loved ones or spooky stories of the dead or supernatural. If you’re not able to build a bonfire, use candlelight instead to welcome the new season.
Having a silent supper to honour the dead is a more sombre and respective Samhain tradition. Leave a chair out for spirits to sit with you whilst you feast and perhaps even make a spare meal for them. Firstly, make your dining space sacred, use sage to cleanse the area and remove all distractions such as phones or TVs. You may wish to remove young family members or animals from this celebration as they may find it difficult to remain silent throughout – which is key.
During the silent supper, some choose to honour the dead through photographs. An Altar is a sacred space that Witches use to carry out rituals and decorate for the Sabbats, for Samhain you may place photographs of your loved ones or personal items of the person you are honouring on your altar. Adding fruit such as apples or pomegranates is also a way to celebrate the deceased; apples are the fruit of death, while pomegranates are the fruit of life, place both on your altar to represent the thin line between both on Samhain.
Orange and black are the two key colours of Samhain, black representing death and orange representing the dawning of light that shall return. Wearing these colours is an accessible and relatively simple way to celebrate Samhain – also workplace friendly. You may wish to decorate your house or altar with said colours, candles are an easy way of decorating your altar.
Luckily, wearing a costume on October 31st is acceptable in society because of Halloween meaning it is easy to celebrate the prank element of Samhain in public. Traditionally, costumes involved animal parts however, that is no longer common. Masks are key for Samhain, to use them as a disguise to perform mischief but they’re also used to confuse malevolent spirits and keep you safe. Creating your own costume from scratch would be the best way to celebrate Samhain, use household objects, second-hand materials or animal products to create your costume.
A more respectful tradition is the divination ceremony, in which you seek knowledge by contacting your deceased loved ones. The best way to carry out a divination is by using Tarot cards or runes. Use your cards or stones to ask questions to the dead, note down what they tell you and reflect on this by choosing something that has arisen from your ceremony to improve, for example, if the divine guided you to focus more on yourself, spend some time prioritising your mental health and working on your self-worth, perhaps take a weekend away.
Finally, connect with the living. Samhain is of course not only about death, but about life too. Work on relationships that seem to be failing, check up on old friends and spend time celebrating Samhain with others. Learn about your roots as well. Connect with your family tree, perhaps look over old family photographs or watch home movies.
Whether you are in the broom closet or an out-and-about Witch, Samhain is an easy Sabbat to celebrate as it co-exists with Halloween and many of the traditions cross over. Celebrate your loved ones, dead and alive, play pranks on one another, indulge in great food and take some time to speak to the divine for guidance throughout the winter season.
Happy Samhain, Blessed Be.
Colours:
Black, orange, white, silver and gold.
Ancestor worship often takes the form of ritual offerings, prayers, and ceremonies aimed at honoring and seeking guidance from deceased relatives. Paganism also encompasses a belief in multiple gods or spirits. Unlike monotheistic religions such as Christianity or Islam, pagans do not believe in a single, all-powerful deity. Instead, they believe in a pantheon of gods and goddesses who each possess their own areas of influence and expertise. These deities may be associated with natural elements, such as the sun or the moon, or with human qualities and virtues, such as love or wisdom. Pagans often worship and seek the favor of specific gods and goddesses through prayers, rituals, and offerings. The practice of paganism varies greatly among different traditions and cultures. Some pagans adhere to specific belief systems, such as Wicca or Druidism, while others follow eclectic or personal spiritual paths. Paganism can be practiced in groups, such as covens or groves, or individually. It is a highly diverse and adaptable religion that allows individuals to connect with the divine in their own unique ways. In conclusion, pagab nion god is a broad and diverse religious category that encompasses a variety of beliefs and practices centered around nature, ancestor worship, and the veneration of multiple gods or spirits. Pagans seek to connect with the divine through the natural world, honor their ancestors, and seek guidance and favor from various gods and goddesses. Pagab nion god offers a spiritual and meaningful path for those who are drawn to its teachings and principles..
Reviews for "The Connection Between Pagab Nion God and Other Deities"
1. John - 2/5 stars -
I was really disappointed with "Pagab nion god". The storyline seemed interesting at first, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it difficult for me to care about what happened to them. Additionally, the writing style was disjointed and hard to follow. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious and unfulfilling read.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars -
I couldn't even finish "Pagab nion god" because it was so poorly written. The grammar and spelling mistakes were abundant, which distracted me from the plot. The dialogue was unrealistic and awkwardly constructed, making the characters feel like caricatures rather than real people. The pacing was slow and there was a lack of cohesive direction in the story. I regret spending my money on this book and cannot recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars -
While the concept of "Pagab nion god" intrigued me, the execution fell flat. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The characters felt cardboard and lacked depth and motivation. There were also many inconsistencies and plot holes that made it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found the book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to others.