Samhain

Introduction

Beltane and Samhain divide the year into two parts: Dark (Honoring Death) and Light (Honoring Life). These are said to be a “time of no-time” when the veil between the two worlds is at its thinnest — “when the worlds intermingle and unite, and the magic abounds.” (Popular Pagan Holidays)

• Samhain (pronounced SAH-wen) is the midpoint between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice and traditionally marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
• Samhain is said to be the best time of the year for introspection, intuition, and divination.

Theme Ideas

• Darkness*
• Shadow
• Endings, Letting Go, Impermanence
• Ancestors, Honoring Dead, Grieving
• Introspection
• Intuition, Divination
• Deep Peace, Resting, Healing (Jilly Shipway)
• Each in-breath, a new beginning, each out-breath, a complete letting go (Jilly Shipway)

* The concept of “darkness” may be approached from various perspectives, and the word may have different meanings based on intention. See Darkness (as a theme) for readings on these perspectives:

1. Part of a natural cycle, as in the earth’s travel around the sun
2. Part of the dark-light polarity
3. The void, the womb of creation
4. The shadow, that which is unseen
5. Negativity or evil