This post may include affiliate links* and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!

Samhain is probably the best known Wheel of the Year holiday. Irish Gaelic for “Summer’s End” Samhain (pronounced Soo-Ween) is an ancient Celtic celebration marking the end of the harvest season and the start of the long, dark winter months. It also marks the beginning of the Wheel of the Year and is sometimes referred to as the Witch’s New 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.

Popular Samhain Symbols

Colors: Black, brown, yellow, purple, 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 ginseng, 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

Nature provides many beautiful ways 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. The tradition of hosting a Dumb Supper is another way to celebrate Samhain. 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. It’s ancient roots helped shape modern autumn celebrations including Halloween. For those that follow an alternate/nature-based spiritual path, Samhain provides an opportunity to connect with family and friends, remember loved ones and look forward to a new season in life.