Wiccan Holy Days and Sabbaths to Observe –
Samhain, All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween – October 31
In some traditions the year ends on this day, when the veil that separates the seen and unseen world is considered to be at its thinnest. It was believed that spirits of deceased ancestors and other friendly spirits could be contacted on this day. It also goes along that if good spirits could pass through the veil, bad ones could also. Thus the tradition of jack-o-lanterns carved with scary faces to ward off evil visitors was born. This holiday is about the veil between life and death and it marks the transition or death of the elderly Great Horned God. Here the Goddess is also aging and is symbolized as a wise old woman (later falsely portrayed as the devil and an evil old witch).
Wearing a mask or costume can serve a ritual purpose on this holiday. The mask allows the wearer to identify with a goal or dream desired. Its original purpose was to attract the positive entities that might visit and thus align with them. Ritual drumming may also be used to help concentration and beckon friendly spirits to visit.
As this festival is also associated with the harvest, an offering on the altar would be appropriate. Apples are deemed especially symbolic at this time, because the apple dies (is plucked off the tree and cut apart or falls to the ground and decays) in order to release its life (its flesh and seeds) and ultimately be born again (replanted into a new tree). It is a fitting representation of the eternal process of life, death and rebirth.
Samhain / Halloween – Additional Sabbath Tools
In addition to the standard Sabbath Tools, the following items should be brought to the Ritual.
Colors to wear
- red or black
Guests Bring
- A simple mask – one that does not prohibit participation, but one that expresses the wearer’s identity and dreams.
Leader Supplies
- fire pit with wood (like this cool folding portable firepit! or extremely large candle
- apple
- Athame or black handled knife
- small pieces of Parchment paper
- pens
- tarot cards or other form of divination
- Someplace safe to put burning objects: extra incense burner, tin can, metal trash can, etc.
- emergency fire extinguisher
Seasonal Incense or Oil
- eucalyptus
- pine
- sandalwood
Special Refreshments
- Fresh Apples (preferably organic)
- Wine (Apple wine if you can find it)
- Muffins, Cake or Bread (preferably pumpkin or pomegranate)
