Samhain

Date: Friday, October 31, 2003 Other names: Halloween, Hallowmas, All Hallow's Eve, All Saints' Eve, Festival of the Dead, Third Festival of Harvest

Ah yes, Halloween. This favorite child's holiday really gives a bad name to witches.  With those hideous witch costumes and the concept of trick or treating, it's a no brainer why witches have such a "commercial" image.  However, the real Witches' Sabbat is not about random fun and games, and tricks and sweets. Samhain marks the end of the Witches' Year and the beginning of a one. At this time year, the veil between worlds is very thing. With the death of the Sun and the hope for his rebirth, Samhain is a great time to reflect on those that have passed. The whole concept of Samhain deals with the death of one aspect and the birth of another.  Thus, Samhain is a great time for initiation and dedications. It is also a great time to banish negativity, bad habits and illnesses. Oh, and you know those jack-o'-lanterns? Well, they've got a purpose as well. They scare off evil spirits! Its proclaimed that the scarier the face on the pumpkin, the more negativity it banishes. What greatness!

Altar Decorations Jack-o'-lanterns (They work better out side though!), pumpkins, squash, acorns, corn, oak leaves, straw, and sage. Traditional Foods Pumpkin pie, apples, cranberry muffins and bread, pears, pork, red food, beans, pomegranate, all grains, beets, turnings, corn, gingerbread, mullen wine, meat dishes, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, squash, ale, cider and herbal teas.

Authentic Tradaitonal Samhain Recipes Witch's Brew Yields: 14 to 16 servings Ingredients: 4 cups ( 1 Liter) red berry soft drink or juice 4 cups (1 Liter) orange juice 1/4 cup (60 mL) of lemon juice 8 cups (2 Liters) of apple cider 1 cup (240 mL) of water 1 cup (240 mL) white grape juice 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Direction: The night before serving, pour the berry juice in ice trays ( 3 ice trays should do) Next day, in a large punch bowl, blend the rest of the ingredients together and chill for at least an hour. when the ice cubes are frozen add them to the Witch's Brew to look like bloody ice.

Magickal Lore Like mentioned above, Samhain is a very important Sabbat. First of, it is the mark of the beginning of the Witches' Year. Secondly, it is a time when the veil between world is very thin. Therefore, at that time, those who have passed may enter our world. This is why Witches leave out food or gifts to the dead ones, in their remembrance. (This is where the idea for ghosts out on Halloween came from). In Wiccan belief, Samhain is the time when the God dies, promising winter.

Bowl Burning Samhain Ritual One of the many ways to banish negativity at Samhain is by bowl burning. For this ritual, write down the aspects of your life you wish to be freed of on a peice of paper. Place this sheet of paper in a heat-proof bowl (cauldron would be the best) and light is on fire. Finally, ask the Universal Energy to transform this negative energy into a positive one, thanking the Divine ahead of time.