Pagan Samhain rituals have been practiced by various pagan religions for centuries. The term Samhain (pronounced sah-win) originates from the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. This festival was traditionally celebrated on the night of October 31st and continued into November 1st. One of the central beliefs of pagan religions is the cyclical nature of life and death. Samhain is a significant time in the pagan calendar as it is believed to be the time when the boundary between the physical world and the spiritual world is at its thinnest, allowing for communication and interaction with spirits and ancestors. On the night of Samhain, pagans would gather together to honor their ancestors and connect with the spiritual realm.
This ritual is designed to celebrate Samhain with younger kids. Obviously, if your children are older, or you have younger kids who are very focused and mature, you may not need a “kids ritual.” However, for those of you that do, this is a rite you can complete, from start to finish, in about twenty minutes. Also, keep in mind that you are the best judge of what your child is ready for. If he wants to paint his face, bang a drum and chant, let him do so–but if he'd rather participate silently, that's okay too.
We give up our voice for those that have crossed the veil so that we can eat in silence and hopefully hear from them and honor them and acknowledge them, says Jeffreys. I do like the tradition of pumpkin carving though and I can tell you, it s a heck of a lot easier and fun to do with kids than attempting to carve out a swede or turnip.
On the night of Samhain, pagans would gather together to honor their ancestors and connect with the spiritual realm. The rituals performed during Samhain varied depending on the specific pagan tradition, but there were some common practices that were often observed. One such practice is the lighting of bonfires.
Samhain Traditions – 3 simple ways to celebrate Halloween and Samhain at home
My memories of celebrating Halloween and Samhain as a child are clear. A washing up bowl full of cold water and bobbing apples which we took great delight in shoving our faces in, desperate to be the first to catch an apple and bag a prize. Children from my street running around with face-paint smeared everywhere and sweet treats in ready supply. A swede hollowed out (with great effort) and a candle lodged inside, hung from a piece of string. Simple traditions, but they hold clearly in my mind even as I get older, a night of laughter and a seasonal marker in the year which signalled the onset of darker nights and colder weather.
Halloween approaches now, on the 31st October, increasingly taking over the mantle from older, seasonal celebrations across the world which marked this day and night for centuries before. There are still vestiges of the past hanging in there though, age old strings which we can still pick out from the commercial consumer ‘holiday’ of Halloween we know today. I like to think it’s possible for us to pick out and honour parts of the old and the new, as we try to figure out workable ways to live in a more seasonal, planet friendly way.
Simple Halloween and Samhain Celebrations
What is Samhain?
In the Pagan Wheel of the Year this celebration is known as Samhain, pronounced Sah-Win, a fire festival which marks the last of the harvest and the beginning of a new year. A time of both death and rebirth, it marks the end of a bountiful harvest season and the beginning of winter, the end of one cycle and the beginning of another.
Here in Wales the 1st November is known as Galan Caeaf, the first day of winter. The 31st October is Nos Galan Gaeaf or Noson Galan Gaeaf – translated as Winter’s Eve. Traditionally this shift in the season was always marked as a Ysbrydnos, or Spirit Night – a time upon which elves and goblins, and all sort of sprites, are fonder than usual of Welsh company . Churchyards, stiles, and crossroads, were seen as the most likely spots to encounter an otherworldly being and were to be avoided at all costs!
1. Honouring Our Ancestors ~ remembering those who came before us
Here as the old year ends and the darkness of winter begins, we welcome the opportunity for a new start as we incubate and strengthen our hopes for the new year. Traditionally, it is an opportunity to honour our ancestors and embrace our roots.
Glennie Kindred
Across the world this point in the year is often held sacred as a time to connect with the past. It is a time to look back, so that we might begin a new year, a new cycle having paid tribute to those who came before. Acknowledging this might be as simple as taking out some old photos of family or loved ones who are not with us – if you are able to – and displaying these for the night at home. Alternatively you could choose to listen to music, or cook with food, which connects with the part of the world or culture you identify with, using that act as a touchstone for connecting with ancestors past.
2. Light the darkness ~ candles and firelight to encourage stillness and reflection at Samhain
At Samhain the dark half of the year commences. It is a truly magical time. Death is always followed by rebirth and while this is the end of the old year, it is the beginning of the new year. For the Celts the day did not begin at dawn, it began at sunset, it began with darkness.
https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/samhainhalloween/
Candles bring natural light and their use in celebrations and ceremonies has been with us for centuries. The softer quality of the light produced by a candle can help us relax, making it easier for our minds and bodies to unwind. Whether it’s combined with taking a bath, sitting with a book, preparing a meal or any other activity you find relaxing, candlelight will help to create a healing and calming space during this time of year.
Fire is the traditional marker of this festival – in years past this would have been a time to gather with community at the fire, a symbol that light is born from the darkness, a reminder that the sun will return in the Spring. IF you have a fire at home, this is the perfect evening to light it up, get cosy and spend the evening watching those flames dance.
3. Bring the season indoors ~ it’s time to bring out those pumpkins, mini squash, fallen leaves and natural autumn foliage
Pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins. The history of the relationship between Halloween and the pumpkin is fairly recent and grew out of Northern America. I do like the tradition of pumpkin carving though and I can tell you, it’s a heck of a lot easier and fun to do with kids than attempting to carve out a swede or turnip! We have a huge variety to choose from now and I do love the various colours of squash and baby boos alongside a few leaf garlands. It feels to me like giving Autumn one last hurrah before winter starts to take over.
Mini pumpkins and Jack O Lanterns. Image from Unsplash.
I also love a wreath for the front door or table at this time of year and making one can be relatively simple and cost free ~ a few tips to get you started…
Autumn wreaths for the front door or dinner table are a great way to bring together the very best of the season into one place. They capture this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness perfectly, and are relatively easy to make. You can use a traditional wire wreath frame. Or weave a frame from flexible stems such as dogwood or hazel for a completely natural base to your wreath. Into the frame you can tuck all sorts of seasonal goodies: berry-laden stems, autumn leaves, pinecones, strawflowers, sprigs of heather – you name it. Secure stems into position with florists’ wire.
https://www.growveg.co.uk/guides/natural-halloween-decorations-from-your-garden/
Getting children involved in decorating the house is a perfect way to involve them in celebrating this day (of course they are usually in it for the sweets but they also love a bit of crafting too!) I have linked to a lovely couple of blog posts below which outline a few ideas for simple kid friendly crafting for Halloween.
If you do choose to mark the day then I wish you a very happy halloween, Nos Galan Gaeaf hapus and blessed Samhain ~ do leave me a comment here or over on my Instagram as I would love to hear more about how you celebrate from home.
Bonfires were seen as a way to both honor the ancestors and provide protection against evil spirits. People would gather around the fire, often dressed in costume, to dance, sing, and tell stories. Divination was another important aspect of Samhain rituals. Various forms of divination, such as scrying, tarot card readings, and rune casting, were practiced to gain insight into the future and connect with the spiritual realm. This was seen as an opportune time to seek guidance and wisdom from the ancestors. Offerings were often made to the spirits and ancestors during Samhain. These offerings could include food, drink, and other symbolic items. By making offerings, pagans believed they were showing gratitude and respect to the spirits and ancestors, as well as strengthening the connection between the living and the dead. Overall, pagan Samhain rituals are a way for pagans to honor their ancestors, connect with the spiritual realm, and celebrate the cyclical nature of life and death. These rituals continue to be practiced by modern pagans who seek to maintain their connection to ancient traditions and beliefs..
Reviews for "The Ritual of the Dumb Supper: A Traditional Practice for Samhain"
1. John - 2 stars
I attended a Pagan Samhain ritual and I have to say, it was not what I expected. The whole event seemed like a bunch of people dressed up in weird costumes, dancing around a fire and chanting. I couldn't understand what they were saying or why they were doing it. It felt more like a cult than a spiritual gathering. I left feeling confused and uncomfortable. Definitely not my cup of tea.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I had the misfortune of stumbling upon a Pagan Samhain ritual while hiking in the woods. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. People were sacrificing animals and performing strange rituals. It was disturbing and cruel. I couldn't understand how anyone could find joy or meaning in such practices. I quickly left the area and will never willingly be a part of anything like that again.
3. Mark - 3 stars
I attended a Pagan Samhain ritual out of curiosity and was slightly disappointed. The organizers did a poor job explaining the significance of the rituals and their historical context. It felt more like a performance for the participants rather than a genuine spiritual experience. Additionally, some individuals seemed not to take it seriously, which detracted from the overall atmosphere. While I did appreciate the effort to celebrate ancient traditions, I think there's room for improvement in terms of education and execution.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I found the Pagan Samhain ritual I attended to be overly repetitive and monotonous. The same chants and dances were performed again and again, which became tedious after a while. It lacked variety and creativity. I was hoping for a more engaging and dynamic experience. The ritual seemed to be more focused on meeting the symbolic requirements rather than connecting with the participants on a deeper level. I left feeling unfulfilled and craving something more meaningful.
5. Michael - 1 star
I can only describe the Pagan Samhain ritual I attended as bizarre and uncomfortable. The group performed strange rituals involving a mix of nudity, animal sacrifices, and strange chants. It felt like something out of a horror movie rather than a spiritual gathering. It was not what I expected at all and left me feeling disturbed. I do not recommend attending such rituals unless you have a stomach for the macabre.