Samhain is probably the best known - and misunderstood - pagan holiday.  Irish Gaelic for “Summer’s End” Samhain (pronounced Soo-Ween) is an ancient Pagan celebration marking the end of the harvest season and the start of the long, dark winter months.  

For practicing witches, Samhain is the most holy of sabbats, marking the beginning of the Wheel of the Year. Long associated with death and ghosts, Samhain is thought to be a time when the veil between the seen and unseen world is the thinnest. The Latin American celebration of  the Day of the Dead is borne out of this belief.  

Modern Samhain Celebrations are a great time to set new intentions and goals for yourself.  It is also a time to celebrate loved ones who have passed on.  The Mabon House Wheel of the Year Planner is a great tool for planning out your spiritual path for the year ahead.

Samhain Symbols 

Colors: Black, brown, yellow, purle, gold, silver, red 

Foods:  Apples, pumpkins, roasted game birds, cider, dark wine, pears, root vegetables 

Stones: Smoky quartz, amber, obsidian, pyrite, onyx, carnelian, turquoise 

Symbols: bat, cat, blackbird, cauldron 

Flowers: Calendula, sunflowers, wild gingseng, wormwood 

Deities: Ishtar, Horned God, Orsis, Loki, Persephone, Cerrunnos, Dionysus 

Ways to Celebrate Samhain

Many traditional Halloween activities have roots in the ancient pagan celebration of Samhain.  Jack-o-lanterns served as a beacon for departed spirits and those carved with scary faces were thought to keep evil spirits at bay.  Halloween costumes were used as a sort of magick trick - if you dress up as who you want to be, it was more likely to come true. 

If you want to take time to honor loved ones who have died, you can set up an altar with decorations and photos and other mementos.   Samhain is a great time to gather with friends and family. You can throw a traditional costume party or host a bonfire.

Read A History of Samhain

Decorate for Samhain

You can skip the plastic Halloween decorations and instead use the vestiges of late Autumn to decorate your home for Samhain. including:

• acorns

• dried leaves

• pine cones,

• gourds and

• dried flowers

Popular Samhain Foods

Popular Samhain foods include traditional autumn fare such as pumpkin pie, apples, cider, roasted meats, root vegetables, pears cinnamon and dark wine.  To keep a Samhain party easy, make it a potluck and ask your guests to bring a favorite dish.  Grab the free Samhain Celebration Planner in the Member’s Library.

Samhain marks the beginning of the Wheel of the Year for Pagan traditions. It’s ancient roots helped shape modern autumn celebrations including Halloween. Pagan or not pagan, Samhain provides an opportunity to connect with family and friends, remember loved ones and look forward to a new season in life.

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