8 ways to celebrate Samhain, aka the witches' new year

Halloween is more than just candy, horror movies and Wednesday Addams costumes. And it's certainly more than just a plausible excuse used by celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner to transform themselves into sexy vampires and promote their cosmetics lines. Not that there's anything wrong with enjoying the playful and frivolous side of 31 October and becoming a kid again for a few hours. But the roots of the holiday are so old that it was celebrated even before Christianity. This special day, also known as Autumn Quarter, Night of the Dead, Dark Moon and Feast of the Dead, coincides with Samhain, the witches' New Year.

The origins of Halloween

Halloween can be traced back to Irish and Celtic paganism, particularly Samhain (pronounced "Sow-inn" meaning "end of summer"), the last of the three harvest festivals. The Celts celebrated the arrival and departure of each new season with eight "Sabbats" throughout the year. Samhain, which represented the beginning of winter and the end of the harvest year, was celebrated from 31 October to 1 November. It was the time when fruits were harvested, but also the time when cattle were slaughtered. Bonfires were lit to mimic the sun's rays and welcome the dark days and long nights typical of the more lunar and feminine season of hibernation. Therefore, the Sabbath at the end of October is about the contrast between light and darkness, between the male and female cycles.

The veil between the living and the dead

According to legend, on the night between 31 October and 1 November, the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead lifts and the boundaries blur, allowing spirits, gods, fairies and other beings to walk freely among us. The Otherworld was a complicated place, populated not only by the dead, but also by powerful deities whose intentions could be good or evil, such as the Lord of the Dead, who the Celts believed gathered the souls of all the deceased of the year to begin their journey into the Celtic underworld, Tír na nÓg.

Samhain traditions

To protect themselves from dark creatures, various rituals were performed. Masks were worn to fool the Lord of the Dead. Bonfires and lanterns were lit to guide lonely or troubled spirits home and reunite them with their families. Altars were prepared with offerings of food and vegetables and dinners with an empty place at the head of the table for the ancestors. Another example? In the Scottish Highlands, a bowl of milk was left behind so that the Sìth cat, a fairy spirit shaped like a black cat with a white spot on its chest, would not empty the udders of the homeowner's cows.

Rituals to celebrate Samhain, the witches' New Year:

Build an ancestral altar for your loved ones

A simple way to celebrate the Witches' New Year and connect with the world of the dead is to build an altar to your ancestors. You can use any flat surface, such as a bedside table, the top of a chest of drawers, a windowsill, shelf or table. Cleanse the space with sacred sage or palo smoke, or use salt to remove negative energy. Then think about who you want to honour. This could be a family member, a friend or even someone you don't yet know but love, such as a writer, musician or artist. Now get creative. On your altar, you can place their photos next to things this person likes, and then add candles (black, white, orange and red are good choices), crystals (such as onyx, tourmaline and quartz crystal), tarot cards, artwork, skulls, pumpkins, food (hazelnuts were common in Irish traditions, as was bread) and other heirlooms or personal items.

Making the blessed moon water of Samhain

Although witches have been making moonwater for centuries, it has become especially popular in recent years thanks to #witchTok. There are many possible recipes on TikTok, but we suggest a very simple one. Take a container and fill it with water. Place the container in the moonlight after the sun has set. Ask the moon aloud to infuse the water with its energy. Take the vessel away from its place before the sun rises again and keep it in a place that is not illuminated by the sun, so that the energy of the sun does not change the essence of your moon water. You can also add crystals if you wish. Now that your moon water is ready, you can drink it, use it for bathing or for cleaning crystals and other objects.

Have a silent dinner

The tradition of the "silent dinner" dates back to the Middle Ages and involves a meal eaten in complete silence to connect with the altromondo. Cook one or more dishes from your family tradition. Decorate the table with photos and mementos of the people you remember and want to celebrate. Set out candles, flowers and extra dishes for the people you want to celebrate and leave a place for your ancestors. Light candles at the beginning of the meal to welcome and invite the spirits. Eat the meal in silence and try to tune into your psychic abilities.

Hold a fire ceremony

The Celts gathered around a communal village fire on Samhain and then took a burning branch home to light their own fireplace. These communal fires were spread throughout the village to guide the spirits home. You too can hold a small ceremony in your own way by lighting your house with candles and lamps. Or you can write a letter of thanks to your ancestors, in which you also note the old customs you want to get rid of. Then burn the paper and bury the burnt contents in the ground.

Carry a nail in your pocket for protection

According to an old folk tradition, it was customary to carry a small iron or steel nail in your pocket to ward off evil spirits. Especially on Halloween night, to protect yourself from the pranks and tricks of fairies. Mari, to avoid accidents, wrap the nail in a cloth handkerchief.

Make a moon circle

Gather your friends and gather on Samhain in the moonlight. Sprinkle salt on the ground until it forms a huge spiral, and place nuts in the middle (each person can take one to represent the seed for new energy, beginnings and growth) and a lit candle. Then stand in a circle with your friends holding hands at the edge of the spiral. Go inside to the centre of the spiral and leave behind in your mind the things that have hurt you in the past year. 

Leave an offering for the fairies

The ancient Celts had a custom of offering milk, cream or bread to the fairies to protect their livestock. You may not be a farmer, but you may have unseen helpers who need a snack and are grateful for your gift. If you keep the food in a secluded place, you may receive protection and luck in return.

Connect with nature

If you are an experienced witch and don't feel confident lighting a bonfire or performing more complicated rituals, you can celebrate Samhain with a simple morning (or evening) walk in the mist. You can let your thoughts run free, admire nature and release its ancient magic within you.