Grace Cavanaugh ~ Editor in Chief
Halloween is quickly approaching! For Wiccans, witches, and neo-pagans, Saturday and Sunday mark Samhain, and the last full moon of October.
Samhain, pronounced sow-en, dates back to pagan Celtic traditions and practices. It is believed that the barriers between this world and the next break down, if only for a little while, allowing us to interact with the dead and the creatures of the beyond. Folks celebrated by building a big fire in their village, and leaving out offerings to the creatures that crossed over so they would not be taken.
Nowadays, celebrations are a little less community based, probably because paganism is frowned upon, for the most part. You are still encouraged to participate with your fellows, but there are solitary practices you can take up as well.
The first would be carving a Jack-o-lantern. In Celtic history, this started with turnips that were carved and filled with coals, but the Irish later made it pumpkins. It has now become tradition, and in fact, my housemates and I are planning to carve our own pumpkins soon, now that the weather has turned again and they will not rot the instant we put them outside.
Like the traditions of Mabon, which is celebrated on the autumnal equinox and is basically pagan thanksgiving, Samhain calls for a feast. However, unlike Mabon, you should first invite your ancestors to dine with you, including setting out a plate and giving them food as dishes are passed around. Samhain is about honoring those who have passed before you, and it was once believed that ignoring them would bring bad luck down on you.
As for decorations, traditional colors include purple, black, gold, and orange. It is encouraged you decorate with skulls, apples, pumpkins and other squash, root vegetables, sickles, rosemary, mugwort, yew, mulled wine, acorns, dried leaves, and dark bread. If you are into it, Tarot cards, pendulums, straw men, and scrying mirrors can also be used, whether on your altar or around your house.
There are also rituals you can perform. There is one for the cycle of life and death, that reminds us all of the wheel of the world and time. A ritual for honoring the dead can also be done, remembering those that have passed in the year, known and unknown. That ritual can be performed in a cemetery, but make sure you bring protection and remember your graveyard etiquette. To remember your personal ancestors, place heirlooms and pictures around your house or on your altar. If you are putting any pictures on your altar to honor the dead, make sure not to have any living person in them! It is bad luck.
Have fun this Halloween, and just because we are discouraged from going trick-or-treating does not mean you cannot have a fun dress-up with your friends, eat food, drink some cider, and be merry. Happy Halloween!
