đŻď¸ Samhain: The Witchâs New Year
- Charlotte Griffiths
- Oct 12
- 3 min read
Samhain (pronounced "Sow-in") marks one of the most powerful points on the Wheel of the Year â a sacred festival honouring death, remembrance, and the final harvest. Itâs a liminal time when the veil between the worlds is thin, and both the living and the dead walk close.
đ Ancient Origins
Long before Halloween, Samhain was celebrated by the ancient Celts across Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It was a fire festival that marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Livestock were brought in from the fields, crops were stored, and great communal fires were lit to honour the gods and ward off wandering spirits.
Disguises were worn to confuse any mischievous spirits, and divination was common: apple bobbing, nut roasting, and reading the smoke of the fire for omens. It was a time for ancestor veneration and deep spiritual reflection.
To bring this energy into your own ritual, light our Large Dressed Samhain Altar Candles â hand-rolled beeswax candles dressed with blessed thistle, nettle, star anise, orange peel, and amethyst. Perfect for protection and spirit connection.
đ Samhain Around the World
Many cultures celebrate their own versions of a festival for the dead:
DĂa de los Muertos (Mexico) â altars, marigolds, sugar skulls
Obon (Japan) â lanterns, ancestor offerings, and homecomings
All Saints & All Souls (Christian traditions) â honouring saints and the departed
Halloween (modern Western) â costumes, trick-or-treating, jack-o'-lanterns (evolved from Celtic turnip lanterns)
Though the traditions differ, the essence remains: honour the dead, share food, and light the way home.
đĽ Feasting & Offerings
Samhain is a time of hearty, seasonal food. Think root vegetables, spiced drinks, roasted apples, nuts, and squashes. One of the most beloved modern additions is pumpkin pie.
đ˝ Enchanted Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
1 x 9" pie crust
450g pumpkin purĂŠe
200ml double cream
2 eggs
100g brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ginger
Method: Mix all filling ingredients and pour into the pie crust. Bake at 180°C for 40-50 minutes until set. Let cool and serve with whipped cream or honey drizzle.
Set the tone for your feast with our Samhain Altar Candles Set â a selection of black, orange, and purple beeswax altar candles in varied sizes.
đ Ritual: The Dumb Supper
This silent meal is an ancient rite to honour and connect with ancestors. Hereâs how to perform it:
Youâll Need:
2 place settings (you + spirits)
Quiet, darkened room
Simple food (bread, apples, tea)
Ancestral mementos/photos
Candlelight only â try our Luxury Samhain Event Box, which includes dressed candles, tea, herb blend, room spray and more.
Instructions:
Prepare the table with food, mementos, and candles.
Sit in silence. Eat slowly. Listen inwardly.
Do not speak aloud.
When finished, thank the spirits. Leave some food outside as an offering.
â Samhain Tea Magic
Warm your bones with a ritual cup of our Samhain Tea for One Set. Includes loose leaf Trick or Peach tea, and a black ceramic teapot, cup and saucer with magical detailing â perfect for solitary spells, journaling, or meditative sipping.
Add dried fruits, star anise or cinnamon sticks to amplify flavour and magic.
đľď¸ Craft & Candle Magic
Make your own seasonal spell candles with our Halloween Candle-making Kit. Comes with orange, black, purple, and lime green wax sheets, wicks, and full instructions.
Perfect for Samhain gatherings or gifting to your coven!
đŻď¸ Embrace the Darkness
Samhain is the end of the old year, and the beginning of the new. It asks us to honour the dead, trust in the unseen, and walk bravely into the dark.
Whether you're lighting a candle, sipping tea, or sitting with the spirits, our Samhain Collection is here to guide your rituals, support your stillness, and inspire your magic.
**Blessed Samhain. đ
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