Traditionally Samhain, or Halloween, is a time to honour our interconnected world, especially the unseen world of spirit; to welcome a time of rest and renewal; and to remember those who have died. Glennie Kindred celebrates the Celtic New Year at Samhain
As the season begins to change, and the year’s outer growth cycle comes to an end, the autumn reveals many new possibilities. The festival of Samhain, at the end of October, marks the end of the old year’s cycle and the beginning of the Celtic New Year.
Give Thanks
Samhain is a time to give thanks for the year that is now finishing. Name all the good things as well as the challenges, and look for the hidden blessings that may be found within them. Nurturing new directions brings hope and purpose to your winter months.
Gather Together to Reflect
Gather your family together for a mini Samhain celebration. You could each bring a special stone. Everyone holds their stone as they contemplate and reviews the year that has ended. Each speaks from the heart and takes a wide overview as well as a personal perspective. Each names a new hope or new direction that has been revealed and embeds it in the stone, which can be decorated.
Craft Something to Honour The Year Gone
A Samhain tradition is to make a representation of the old year, using willow whips, ivy or old man’s beard as a base, and weaving in plants and natural things from the old year, such as herbs, sprays of berries, dried grasses, the last flowers. Alternatively invite everyone to make a Samhain head-dress using similar materials, or to pick a seasonal posy, to honour the passing year.
Let Go of What No Longer Serves You
As the trees shed their leaves and bring their energy into their roots, ask yourself what do you wish to let go of from the old year? Let them go with thanks and appreciation of the lessons learnt. This makes space in your life for new things to begin. Ask yourself what will strengthen the roots of your being, and help you to grow strong on the inside? Write about this in your journal.
MORE INSPIRATION
WATCH Glennie talk about the importance of ceremony and ritual with editor of Permaculture Magazine, Maddy Harland.
