Samhain. October 31st

“Enfold us in your loving embrace, And keep us safe from harm. Wherever we are, whatever place, keep us fed and warm. The old ones who have gone before, return to grace our table, Welcome say we, one and all, return if you are able. Guide us, teach us, show us how to walk the sacred way, That we may teach the ones who follow by the words we say.”
-Kitchen Witch

Samhain is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. In modern times, Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”) is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” For Pagans, at Samhain the Goddess becomes the Crone or Wise one and the God lies in her Womb waiting for the time of his rebirth at Yule. Ancient Celts marked Samhain as the most significant of the four quarterly fire festivals, taking place at the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. During this time of year, hearth fires in family homes were left to burn out while the harvest was gathered. Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and denizens of the Otherworld. At this time we honour our Ancestors and man leave altar offerings in the form of food and wine to attribute to dead relatives.

Sources : https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/Samhain, Kitchen Witch by Soraya

Samhain Spiritual Practice

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Things to do

1. Samhain Walk Reflection

2. Family Dinner to Enjoy the last Harvest of the Year

3. Have a Bonfire Ceremony, releasing the past year to welcome yourself into the Winter Months.

4. Make an Ancestor Altar dressing with their picture, candlelight, flowers and serving offerings of foods or sweets.

Samhain Intuitive Writing Ritual

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Find a quiet place to sit and a place when you can be in stillness and not disturbed. When we have time in silence usually messages can come through.

• Light a candle and in the candle light start writing pen to paper, in a natural flow, whatever is first coming to mind.

• Write about any memories or foods made by a loved one who has passed on and your gratitude for them. Connecting and honouring them on this day. What do you feel around this time? Do you sense or feel your loved ones or think about them during these days.

• Then on a separate piece of paper Write about what you would like to release at the end of this year. You can burn it (safely) in a firproof little bowl or in a cosy Samhain Bonfire.

Samhain RECIPES

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Hot Apple Cider Punch

Ingredients:

1 LITRE CIDER, JUICE OF HALF A LEMON, 2 TBSP BROWN SUGAR, A CINNAMON STICK, A FEW CLOVES, GINGER ROOT, GRATED NUTMEG

Pop all these ingredients into a large stock pot and simmer for 30 minutes.

SPICY BUTTERNUT SQUASH

IINGREDIENTS

• 1 large butternut squash halved

• 1 medium white onion diced

• 2 medium jalepeños or poblano for less spicy

• 1 shallot minced

• 5 cloves of garlic

• 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 15-oz. can full-fat coconut milk

• 4 leaves fresh sage

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS 

• First, preheat the oven to 400ºF and prepare a baking sheet by wiping it with olive oil or spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.

• Next, cut a butternut squash in half hot dog style. remove seeds and place on pan.

• Bake squash for 30 minutes, remove from oven and add onion, jalapeño, shallot, and garlic to the same pan. Drizzle veggies with olive oil and then bake for another 30 minutes.

• Remove pan from oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes.

• Then, scoop out squash flesh and discard the rind. Place it in a large pot with all of the other roasted ingredients from the baking sheet.

• Next, add broth, coconut milk, fresh sage, nutmeg, and apple cider vinegar to the pot. Use an emulsifier to blend all of the ingredients together.*

• Finally, bring soup to a boil and then turn heat to low. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes.