What you may know as Halloween, is known as Samhain in witch’s circles. Pronounced saah-wn, it comes from Gaelic and means summer’s end. Samhain marks the transition from the light part of the year to the dark part. It calls us to honor our connection with the spirit world.
This is a time to honor our ancestors, something most of us in the Western world don’t do much unless we celebrate dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. The Celts called their ancestors from the spirit world by setting a place at the table for them and by building bonfires to guide them. The veil between the living and the dead is said to be thin this time of year and so it’s an occasion for messages and guidance to come through.
Fall reminds us that everything living must follow the cycle from living to dead. The transition is inevitable. This is a time to reflect on the past, release what no longer serves us, and set intentions of transformation for the future.
My favorite part of Samhain is the heightened spiritual energy and activity. It’s the perfect time for divination and prophecy. Connect to the unseen forces that influence our lives through tarot and oracle card reading, meditation, dream work, and scrying.
If you like working with crystals, here are some to use for Samhain.
- Obsidian is often used during Samhain to ground and protect your energy during communication with ancestors and spirit guides.
- Smoky quartz can help release negative energies and emotions, so we can let go of the past and embrace personal growth and transformation.
- Labradorite can aid in connecting with the spirit realm, opening up ancestral wisdom, and receiving messages from beyond.
- Amethyst is a crystal of intuition and clarity. It supports dreamwork and meditation.
Don’t let this powerful season pass without using its unique energy.