Wheel of the Year: Samhain

Samhain is the ancient Gaelic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd and has its roots in Celtic pagan traditions.

Samhain is associated with Halloween, having influenced the modern holiday's customs and traditions. During this festival, it was believed that the boundaries between the world of the living and the spiritual realm were porous, allowing spirits and fairies to move freely among humans. People would light bonfires, wear costumes, and engage in various rituals and ceremonies to ward off evil spirits and offer protection.

The festival also has agricultural significance, as it marks the transition from the abundant summer harvest to the scarcity of winter. In preparation for the cold season, livestock would be brought in from the fields, and feasts would be held to celebrate and share the harvest bounty.

Samhain slowly merged with the Christian holiday of All Saints' Day on November 1st and All Souls' Day on November 2nd. The Celtic traditions and beliefs became intertwined with Christian practices, resulting in the modern celebration of Halloween. Celebrating Samhain is honoring our ancestors, connecting with the spiritual realm, and celebrating the cycle of life and death. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, and embracing the change of seasons.

Samhain falls at a significant point in the astrological year, as it marks the midway point between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. This moment is known as a cross-quarter day. Samhain occurs when the Sun is in the sign of Scorpio; associated with transformation, death, rebirth, and deep introspection.

It symbolizes shedding old layers and embracing the transformative power of change. During Samhain, as the veil between t

he physical and spiritual realms is thin, it allows for communication with the spirit world and introspective journeys. This aligns with Scorpio's intense and introspective nature.

This is the perfect time to dive deep and allow everything that needs to surface to be acknowledged, transformed, released, and healed.

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