Samhain is one of the four greater Sabbats in Wicca. It lies opposite Beltane on the Wheel of the Year. Samhain is November Eve also known as the Celtic New Year.
How we celebrate Samhain: We prepare for a ritual with two altars. We have one Altar for the living, (us) and one for the dead, (our Ancestors). We often have one man sit out the main ritual to play the part of the Ferryman, the boatman who transported souls across the River Styx to the Underworld.
In preparation we gather decorations of the season for the altars such as acorns, fallen leaves, gourds, skull candles etc. As well, we bring gifts for our ancestors. We each choose one of our dearly departed to visit with on this night. We bring an offering of their favourite food or drink with us to share.
The ritual is very sombre and quiet. During the main body of the rite we all take turns walking out of the circle through a doorway to meet the Ferryman. Once you pay your pennies to the Ferryman he brings you to the place through the veil to meet with your ancestor of choice. Here you sit and visit, share the gift of food or drink and remember them, talk with them. It is a good time to bury the hatchet or make amends if you did not have the chance to do so in life. Make peace and let go of the past. Now you can move forward in love and peace.
This can make for a very long ritual if there are many in attendance. So once you return to the circle you may share the remainder of your gifts with those in circle. This will help to keep everyone focused on the ancestors.
Read more about Samhain at Mystickal Realms
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Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.
