Turning of the Wheel: Samhain
Hello Friends,
Oh, how I’ve missed you. I hope this finds you warm and safe. Here in Western Maine, autumn is beginning its gentle fade toward winter. The vibrant orange and gold of early October have softened into shades of brown and gray. Leaves crunch underfoot, the air has turned crisp, and frost greets me in the mornings. Evenings are best spent cozy beside the woodstove.
So much has happened since I last wrote. Nursing school continues—I have one more class and my preceptorship left, and if all goes well, I’ll be a registered nurse by springtime. I’ve absolutely loved being in school, even though it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Still, I’ll be glad to return to the parts of life I’ve had to pause along the way.
This past year has been one of the most transformative of my life. I began nursing school, ended a decade-long relationship, watched my youngest child leave the nest, and spent a lot of time on my own—busy with studies, but feeling a bit empty in other ways.
Winter was quiet. Spring brought a renewed desire to get out, connect, and have a little fun again. Over the summer, I visited friends and family, managed a short vacation between work and classes, and even met someone who reminded me that it’s never too late to fall in love.
The Wheel Turns and a New Year Begins
Samhain marks the beginning of the Wheel of the Year—the midpoint between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. The veil between worlds grows thin, and we may sense the presence of those who’ve gone before us. It’s the end of the harvest season, the final Celtic fire festival, and a time that carries a deep, quiet magic.
Samhain means different things to different people. You might celebrate in solitude or gather with friends. Create a small altar to honor loved ones, hold a dumb supper, or simply light a candle and sit with your thoughts. Cook something seasonal, take a walk beneath bare trees, and notice how the world is shifting.
The leaves fall. The air cools. Nature settles into its long rest.
Darkness and winter are coming, and a stillness begins to settle over everything. Birds fly south, animals retreat to their burrows, and the land exhales—one long, deep breath, letting go of summer.
The modern world rarely pauses for such things—but you can. Take a breath. Slow down. Acknowledge this sacred turning of the Wheel, and welcome the quiet beginning of a new cycle.
From My Desk
I’m between classes right now and wanted to take this opportunity to send you a note and a little printable. I hope you enjoy it. I’ll do my best to write more often as I near the end of my program.
Wishing you a happy and blessed Samhain, if you celebrate.
Mabon House is open—the printable library and Etsy shop are still available if you’d like to visit.
Take care, and I’ll see you soon.
Lorri
Mabon House
The Only Way Out is Through
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I’ve spent years waxing poetic about living in the present. About intentionality. About embracing the now.
But here’s the thing, friends: sometimes your now just... sucks. And it’s okay not to want to be in it. It’s okay to focus on the future instead.
Lughnasadh is coming up next week. I’ve been thinking a lot about cycles and seasons—how life moves whether we’re ready or not.
Over the past few months I’ve been learning more about the human condition, mostly by dipping a reluctant toe back into dating. Honestly? Not my favorite thing. I miss the familiarity of my old relationship. I miss the comfort of being with someone who already knew all my quirks—someone who understood that I.do.not.drink.coffee. Someone who could spell my first name correctly.
That’s the thing about old love: it’s easy to romanticize. Easy to see its imperfections as charm, like the patina on a vintage dish. It can make you forget why it ended. It can make you forget how painful it felt, being lonely inside a relationship. Because that kind of loneliness cuts deeper than the quiet I sit with now.
Dating has made me feel young, in a way. I’ve met interesting people: a fisherman, a retired police officer, a service dog trainer, veterans, people who moved here from cities. I’ve flirted. I’ve heard new stories. I’ve been reminded that there are so many different types of people right in our own backyard.
But I’ve also met people like me—emotionally dented and dinged. We all arrive with our baggage tucked neatly out of sight. We smile and talk the weather, pretending not to notice the matching scars we both wear.
One date even made it to a second round before leaving me with the smallest heartbreak—a paper cut instead of a wound, but pain is pain. And honestly? I’m tired.
I’m tired of giving my mental bandwidth to this. I don’t know how else to meet people at this stage of life. Dating apps? Meh. I’ve met some people, sure, but it feels like a numbers game. And while I know the more open I am, the more likely I’ll find someone who fits… I’m just so ready to skip to the part where someone already fits. The comfortable sweatpants phase. Lazy Sundays on the couch. That soft, easy love.
But the only way is through. And some days, it’s dark in this tunnel. I keep going, but it feels like I’ll never feel the sun on my face again.
I’ve largely decentered men and romance from my life. But I won’t lie—it still lingers in the corner of my heart. It’s become a chore, like checking email. Another obligatory meet-and-greet with an 85% chance we’ll both ghost each other by next week.
So here I am. Still walking. Still hoping. Trying to trust the process, even when the path feels endless.
On The Blog
The Season of the Maiden
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As winter loosens its grip and the first hints of green push through the frost, we step into the Season of the Maiden—a time of renewal, possibility, and fresh energy. An essential part of the Triple Goddess, the Maiden represents youth and is associated with springtime, a season of awakening, both in nature and within ourselves. It’s the time of year when we shake off the stillness of winter and step forward into something new. This season invites us to embrace growth, curiosity, and the sense that anything is possible.
The Maiden’s Energy
In many traditions, the Maiden represents youth, new beginnings, and the fertile potential of life. She is the fresh breeze, the warming sun, the wildflower breaking through the thawed ground. If winter is a time of rest and deep inner work, then spring—and the Season of the Maiden—is the call to action. It’s when we take the dreams we nurtured in the dark and start to bring them to life. Read more about the Triple Goddess.
The Maiden embodies hope, joy, and discovery. She is fearless in her pursuit of adventure and unafraid to make mistakes along the way. In myth and folklore, she appears in many forms—Persephone, stepping out of the underworld into the light; Brigid, igniting the flames of inspiration; and Ostara, bringing the world back into balance after winter’s long hold.
But the Maiden isn’t just a figure in stories—her energy is alive within each of us. This is the time to embrace our curiosity, to try new things, and to open ourselves up to transformation. Whether you feel stuck in a rut or bursting with ideas, spring is your invitation to move forward.
Signs of Spring’s Arrival
Spring doesn’t come all at once. It arrives in whispers—longer days, the first call of birds returning home, the smell of damp earth waking up. It’s in the buds on trees, the tiny shoots of crocuses and daffodils, and the restless energy we feel after months of stillness.
Nature mirrors the Maiden’s journey. The first flowers of spring are resilient, pushing through the last traces of frost to bloom. Trees bud before they leaf out fully, testing the air before committing to full growth. The world is alive with change, but none of it happens instantly. It builds, step by step—just as we do when we embrace new beginnings.
Ways to Connect with the Season of the Maiden
Spring offers a powerful opportunity to align with the energy of the Maiden and embrace renewal in our own lives. Here are a few ways to honor this season:
1. Set Intentions for Growth
Spring is a natural time for goal-setting and fresh starts. What do you want to grow in your life? Whether it’s a creative project, a personal habit, or a shift in mindset, now is the time to plant the seeds.
2. Spend Time Outdoors
The Maiden is connected to nature, and spring is the perfect season to reconnect with the world outside. Take a walk, feel the wind on your skin, or simply sit in the sun and breathe deeply. Pay attention to the small changes happening around you.
3. Try Something New
Spring is about exploration and playfulness. Step outside your comfort zone—sign up for a class, start a new hobby, or say yes to something that excites you.
4. Clean and Refresh Your Space
Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up—it’s a way to clear out stagnant energy and make room for fresh possibilities. Open the windows, declutter, and invite light and air into your home.
5. Celebrate the Seasonal Festivals
The equinox, Ostara, and other springtime celebrations mark the balance of light and dark and the promise of abundance to come. Whether through ritual, simple reflection, or seasonal foods, take a moment to honor the shift in energy.
Embracing the Maiden Within
The Season of the Maiden isn’t just about external change—it’s also about how we approach life. This is the time to be open to possibility, to let go of self-doubt, and to believe in our ability to grow. Like the wildflowers that bloom without hesitation, we are meant to expand, to reach toward the light, and to trust in the process of becoming.
Recommended Reading
Maiden, Mother, Crone: The Myth & Reality of the Triple Goddess
Maiden, Warrior, Mother, Crone: Divine feminine archetypes for modern life
Spring is a reminder that even after the longest winter, life returns. The world wakes up, and so do we. This season, step forward with curiosity, with courage, and with the knowledge that you are growing into exactly who you are meant to be.
On the Blog
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The content provided above was developed in collaboration with ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI. The initial ideas and concepts for the piece were provided by me, and ChatGPT assisted in organizing, formatting, and refining these ideas into the final written post. While the AI contributed to the structure and clarity of the content, the core ideas and creative direction remain my own.