Samhain, also known as Halloween, is a time when many people believe that the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. It is thought to be a powerful and magical time, full of opportunities for divination, communication with spirits, and setting intentions for the coming year. Many practitioners of witchcraft and pagan traditions celebrate Samhain by conducting magical rites. One common practice during Samhain is ancestor worship. It is believed that the spirits of our ancestors can offer guidance and wisdom. People may set up ancestor altars, light candles, and leave offerings for their ancestors.
For many, this day is regarded as a liminal time when the veil or barrier between the seen and the unseen world is at its thinnest, and communication or travel between the two realms is most possible. Samhain hinges between two celestial polarities- light and dark, warmth and cold, life and death- and in this way, acts as a portal to spiritual worlds, bringing communication, initiation, travel, and contact.
Pumpkins, or more traditionally turnips, are carved into toothy grins, filled with candles, and carried or placed at the door as talismanic objects to protect its owner from these spirits. It is a time when the choices that do not serve us truly show their faces, and where we can more easily access the wild intuitive nature of our spiritual selves to seek out better pathways.
People may set up ancestor altars, light candles, and leave offerings for their ancestors. By honoring and connecting with our lineage, we can tap into the wisdom and strength of those who came before us. Divination is another popular activity during Samhain.
The Lazy Witch
Listen, I am no expert when it comes to spells, rituals, or any divination so do your own research before performing any of the spells or rituals included in this post. These spells and rituals are only meant as positive and fun activities to celebrate Samhain and the full moon and don’t include anything that pushes toward the darker side of magic. Still, perform at your own risk!
When I was in middle school I wanted nothing more than to be a witch.
Even though a lot of Hollywood portrayals of witches put them in a negative or evil light, thanks Old Testament, I loved their entire vibe. The mostly black wardrobe, the don’t give a fuck attitude, their ability to perform magic to get what they wanted…witches represented everything a pubescent, budding feminist could hope to be.
A couple of books and more than a few failed attempts at practicing spells later and I realized…I was too damn lazy to be a witch. Focusing on their connection to nature, energies, and the life and death cycle that envelops everything, witches put a lot more time and supplies into their spell casting than I was willing to deal with as a 12 year old.
But at 31, I’m ready to try again. Older, arguably wiser, and more familiar with the way witches harness energies and nature to guide them, I feel better prepared and in the right headspace to attempt spell casting and think ya’ll should join me.
This year, the full moon happens to fall on the same night as the annual celebration of Samhain, a festival which marked the beginning of the dark half of the year and celebrates loved ones who have passed on, October 31st. Many witches believe the moon holds a powerful influence over us which makes the night of a full moon the perfect time to attempt energy cleansing while Samhain is traditionally believed as the night when the veil is the thinnest. Put the two together and you can’t ask for a much better spell or ritual scenario.
Since 2020 has put a hard stop to most Halloween night activities, what better way to social distantly celebrate, than by performing some easy spells and rituals? After searching around the internet I’ve found a few that don’t require too much time, effort, or supplies that even the laziest would be witch can perform!
It is believed that the thinning of the veil makes it easier to receive messages from the spirit world. People may use tools such as tarot cards, pendulums, or scrying mirrors to seek guidance and answers to their questions. Divination during Samhain can provide insight into the year ahead and help individuals make important decisions. Another magical rite commonly practiced during Samhain is shadow work. In this process, individuals confront their fears, past traumas, and limiting beliefs. By facing and acknowledging these dark aspects of themselves, they can begin to heal and grow. Samhain's energy makes this introspective work more potent, as it is a time for transformation and renewal. Setting intentions and casting spells is also prevalent during Samhain. As the old year ends and a new one begins, many people take this opportunity to set goals and intentions for the coming year. Spells can be cast to manifest these intentions, whether it is attracting love, abundance, or personal growth. The magical energy of Samhain is believed to amplify these intentions and increase their effectiveness. Overall, Samhain is a magical time filled with ancient rituals and practices. It is a time to honor our ancestors, seek guidance from the spirit world, confront our shadows, and set intentions for the future. Whether through divination, spellwork, or introspection, Samhain offers a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and connection..
Reviews for "Working with crystals during Samhain: Rituals for harnessing their magical properties"
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