Samhain
A Happy New Year to Everyone. Celtic that is. Feast and bring out the totems of the dead for it is the Samhain, the old ShadowFest, also known as Martinmas or Old Hallowmas. It is the last harvest -- when the Earth nods a sad farewell to the God as he will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will resume (WitchVox). Celebrate the feast of our ancestors long gone by lighting candles to guide them home, and leaving offerings of food, take note that they like things natural so no Skittles please!
http://www.mithrilstar.org/images/001.jpg
Samhain Practices:
Scotland -- People would place stones or nuts in the ashes of the hearth before going to bed Samhain night. Anyone whose stone had been disturbed during the night was said to be destined to die during the coming year.
Crete -- Each family prepares a pot of porridge (made by boiling wheatberries, pomegranate seed, raisins, currants and almonds) and then carries it from house to house throughout the village. At each home, a little of their porridge is taken out and added to the household's pot and a little of that household's porridge is added to theirs. By the end of the day, each family takes home a nearly identical mixture of the village's porridge to honour all the departed.
Sicily -- Samhain day is called the Festival of the Dead and it is an important celebration, especially for the children, as their dead relatives return to leave them traditional candies and cakes as well as toys.
(mithrilstar)
Symbolism of Samhain:
Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death.
Symbols of Samhain:
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms.
Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw.
Foods of Samhain:
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry.
Incense of Samhain:
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg.
Colors of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold.
Stones of Samhain:
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian.
(Akasha, Herne and the Celtic Connection)
http://www.mithrilstar.org/images/001.jpg
Samhain Practices:
Scotland -- People would place stones or nuts in the ashes of the hearth before going to bed Samhain night. Anyone whose stone had been disturbed during the night was said to be destined to die during the coming year.
Crete -- Each family prepares a pot of porridge (made by boiling wheatberries, pomegranate seed, raisins, currants and almonds) and then carries it from house to house throughout the village. At each home, a little of their porridge is taken out and added to the household's pot and a little of that household's porridge is added to theirs. By the end of the day, each family takes home a nearly identical mixture of the village's porridge to honour all the departed.
Sicily -- Samhain day is called the Festival of the Dead and it is an important celebration, especially for the children, as their dead relatives return to leave them traditional candies and cakes as well as toys.
(mithrilstar)
Symbolism of Samhain:
Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death.
Symbols of Samhain:
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms.
Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw.
Foods of Samhain:
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry.
Incense of Samhain:
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg.
Colors of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold.
Stones of Samhain:
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian.
(Akasha, Herne and the Celtic Connection)