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 Papier-mâché mask for Samhain 2003 |
What is the meaning of Samhain? Samhain is the time of the year, when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, making communication between the spirit world and the material world easier. It is the end of the year, when traditionally, the choice would be made as to which livestock was killed, in order to provide food for the lean winter months, and which was kept, to provide breeding stock for the following year. As well as marking the end of the year, it marked the beginning of the year. The God has made his sacrifice, the Goddess has retreated to the Underworld, but from that gloom, there is the promise of the new year. |
Spiritual Significance Samhain is a time for reflection, both on what has passed over the course of the year, and what might be to come. If there is a time when we seek inspiration from the spirit world, then this is it. It is a time to lift the mask that has grown over time, and to see ourselves as we truly are. And, if we find something that is not to our liking, then with the dawn of the new year, it is the time to resolve to make a difference. |
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Samhain Correspondences Elements: Tool: Season: Time of day: Time of life: Goddesses and Gods: Plants:
Altar: Altar candles: |
Earth and Fire Chalice Beginning of Winter Time outside time Decrepitude Hecate, The Crone, Anubis, Hades, deities of the Underworld Pumpkins, acorns, apples, broom, crysanthemum, dittany, ferns, flax, hazel, heather, mullein, oak leaves, sage, thistle, wormwood Symbols of the dead and of reflection Black |
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