The staff of the Modern Pagan would like to wish all of our readers a Blessed Samhain. As the new year starts and the wheel continues to turn it’s a time to reflect on the old and look towards the new. The veil is thin today so commune with your loved ones who have passed or the spirit of your choice. (Please practice safe communing though) Below are some things are associated with Samhain. Blessed Samhain, may the Goddess be with you and those you love, may the God of Death usher you gently into the next life.
Symbols used to represent Samhain: jack-o’-lantern, balefire, besom, masks, cauldron, Waning Moon
Foods appropriate for Samahain: apples, pumpkin pie, beets, turnips, hazelnuts, corn, gingerbread, pomegranates, cider, herbal teas, pork dishes
Plants and herbs associated with Samhain: mugwort, allspice, sage, gourds, catnip, apple trees.
Incense and oils appropriate for Samhain: : frankincense, basil, yarrow, lilac, ylang-ylang, clove, camphor
Colors associated with Samhain: black, orange, red, brown, golden yellow, silver, gold
Stones associated with Samhain: obsidian, onyx, carnelian
Animals and mystical creatures associated with Samhain: bats, cats, dogs, Phooka, goblins, Medusa
Goddesses appropriate for Samhain (Crone Goddesses and Underworld Goddesses): Hecate (Greek), Carlin (Scottish), Edda (Norse), Pamona (Roman), Crobh Dearg (Irish), Lilith (Hebrew), Psyche (Greek), the Morrigu/Morrigan
Appropriate Samhain Gods (all Death Gods, Aged Gods, Underworld Gods): Arawn (Welsh), Dis (Roman), Kronos/Cronus (Greco-Phoenician), Xocatl (Aztec), Woden (Teutonic), Pluto (Greco-Roman), Hades (Greek), Nefertum (Egyptian)
Altar appropriate for Samhain: small jack-‘o-laterns, foods from the harvest, photographs of your loved ones who have departed this world, statue or figurine of the Goddess in her Crone aspect.
Activities appropriate for Samhain: divination, past-life recall, spirit contact, drying of winter herbs.
Spellwork appropriate for Samhain: protection, neutralizing harm
*Picture done by and used with permission from Wendy Andrew of Painting Dreams