Samhain (pronounced sow-ain) also called Halloween, All Soul’s Eve and All Hallow’s Eve actually means ‘summer’s end.  The day, 31st October, marks the end of the summer the bringing in of the harvest.  So it is the end of the cycle or wheel of the year.  Everything is made ready for the cold months of winter.  Particularly in the past when people were more conscious of using everything as efficiently as possible anything left over that was suitable was rotted down for compost, any animals not strong enough to make it through the winter were slaughtered to add to the supply of food over the winter.  It is still a time of changeover from one season to the next. Samhain is a time to give thanks for the bounty of the land and give back to the land to provide for abundance next year. 

At this time of year the God has reached the end of his life and the time of the Wild Hunt where has gathers together the lost souls .  The Goddess takes on the role of the Crone or Wise Woman.  So it is a good time for introspection and the seeking of wisdom.  Use this time to do your inner and outer clearing, sort out anything that is unfinished and clear the path into the next year.

It is also the time when the veil between this world and the spirit world is at its thinnest so contact with the spirit world is easier hence divination is one of the aspects of this time of year.

As a time of reflection those who have passed over as particularly remembered especially those who have passed in the last year.  A candle may be lit to guide the souls of those close to you and keep away any unwanted or malicious ones.  (This is the origin of the Jack  o’ Lanterns).  The spirits of those recently departed are guided by the light to the          Summerlands.  You can also use this time to actively let go of any unwanted habits or    similar to start the year afresh and give thanks for all the good things that have come your way. A black and a white candle can be used to represent the old and the new.

SAMHAIN ASSOCIATIONS/CORRESPONDENCES

Herbs - Bay, lavender, nutmeg, sage, mugwort

Altar dressing - pumpkins, harvest produce,         marigolds, apples

Crystals - obsidian, opal, black onyx

Colours - Black, Orange, White, Silver, Scarlet, Dark Brown, Bronze and Gold

Deities - Morrigan, Hecate, Pan, Persephone

Topics for ritual - Release of the old, blessings and gratitude for the good, learn from mistakes, (the things you wish to release can be written on paper and burned in the cauldron). Divination.

Yule or the Winter Solstice marks the point in the year where the night is the longest and therefore the point from which the darkness begins to recede.  Deep in the earth growth is beginning and with the increase in the light you are able to bring into being the dreams and hopes begun at Samhain. The Holly King rules until Yule when the Oak King is reborn. It is a season of rebirth represented by the birth of the God once again. 

Holly represents the Goddess resting and giving birth (red berries) and the green leaves the renewed life.  Mistletoe is also an important symbol.  Pagans bring the evergreen plants into the house at Yule to remind them of this renewed growth.

The Yule Log would in past times have been brought into the house and candles placed on it.  Each person would light a candle and make a wish for the upcoming season.  Nowadays the Yule log has been converted into a chocolate cake but you can still make your wish.

YULE ASSOCIATIONS/CORRESPONDENCES

Herbs - cinnamon, ginger, sage, camomile

Altar dressing - evergreen plants, pine cones, orange (representing the sun)

Crystals - quartz, ruby, emerald, sapphire

Colours - red, green, white, gold

Deities - Father Winter, Oak King, Holly King

Topics for ritual - consider inner matters (darkness) such as inner calm, and peace.  Bring up the sun and put your inner thoughts out into the sunlight to grow and develop.