October
Holy Day / Sabbat
Samhain
Winter Nights
Samhain ("sow-en") is the beginning of the Celtic New Year. It is the beginning of the season of cold and darkness and falls on November 1st. Sunset on on October 31st is the beginning of celebrations. This the the third and final Harvest, It is a holiday to celebrate people who have passed before us, During this time of year, the veil between our world and the next is the thinnest, it is the perfect time to contact the Spirit World. This ancient festival is the most significant holiday of the Wiccan year. However it is adored by many Pagans, it's our time of year! Bonfires are lit in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. After the celebration on the first night, it is customary to take an amber from the bonfire and light a fire in your own home. This protects your family and home during the coming winter. Then food and drink is placed outside the door to honor the dead and protect you from tricks they might play on you or your home. Now is the time to look at wrapping up the old and preparing for the new in our lives. In Celtic tradition, the celebration lasts three days. Symbolism of Samhain are; death and regeneration, transformation, ending old projects, new beginnings, return, change, rest, success, plenty and knowledge. This day is the holiest day of the year.
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Correspondences:​​
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Symbols & Decorations: An animal horn, feather or talon, autumn flowers, small pumpkins, Indian corn, gourds, black cats, bats, spiders and spider webs, the cauldron, bonfires, the moon, death imagery, such as skulls, skeletons, and ghosts, the color black and scythes
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Colors: Black, orange, purple, sliver and gold
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Plants & Flowers: marigolds, chrysanthemums
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Crystals/Stones/Minerals: black obsidian, jasper, onyx, bloodstone, smoky quartz, carnelian,
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Trees: Reed, Elder, and Yew
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Herbs: apple leaf, almonds, bay leaf, nettle, hemlock, cloves, cinnamon, mandrake root, marigold, mums, mugwort, pine, rosemary, sage, wormwood, tarragon, rue, garlic, ginger, hazelnut, allspice
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Oils & Scents: myrrh, wormwood, mugwort, patchouli, sandalwood and pine.
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Animals: cats (especially black cats), bats, spiders, rats, wolves, snakes, ravens and crows, owls, stags, jackals, scorpions
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Nature Spirits: Falias, Realm of the Gnomes
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Element: Earth
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Direction:
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Foods & Beverages: this is the last harvest, the meat harvest, apples, pomegranate, nuts, beets, turnips, and potatoes, acorn squash and pumpkin
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Alter Decorations: symbols of death, mulled wine, dried leaves, acorns, and nuts, dark breads, ears of corn, straw man, offerings to your Ancestors
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Activities: bonfires, writing goals, letting go of past by writing it down and burning it in the bonfire, carving pumpkins
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Spell types: divination, candle magick, astral projection, past life work, dark moon mysteries, mirror spells (reflection), casting protection, inner work, propitiation, clearing obstacles, uncrossing, inspiration, workings of transition or culmination, manifesting transformation and creative visualization.
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Deities: The Morrigan, Cernunnos, The Lady Gwyn, Dionysus, Aradia, Hecate
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Other Names: Samhuinn or Samhuin (in Scottish Gaelic), Samain or La Samain (in Irish Gaelic), Sauin or Souin (in Manx), Nos Galan Gaeaf (in Welsh), Calan Gaeaf (in Welsh), Kalan Gwav (in Cornish), Hollantide (in English, specifically in Cornwall), Allantide (in English, specifically in Cornwall)
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Samhain Prayer for Dead Supper
Orange, purple and black.
Forever in my heart and never coming back.
apples, pumpkin and Sage,
I honor your life as we turn another page.
Jet, red and bloodstone,
I know in my heart I will never be alone.
Blessed Be!
© 2018 by The Violet Witch (LLR)
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Winter Nights
Winter Nights (also known as Vetrnætr) is a festival that was celebrated by the Norse people in the pre-Christian era. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, which was a time of darkness, cold, and hardship.
The festival was typically held in mid-October, around the time of the autumnal equinox. It was observed for three nights and was associated with the god Odin, who was said to have sacrificed himself to gain knowledge and power. It was a time for feasting and honoring the ancestors.
Today, Winter Nights is celebrated by modern Heathens and pagan communities as a way of reconnecting with Norse traditions and honoring the cycles of nature. The rituals and practices may vary between different groups and individuals, but the spirit of feasting, sacrifice, and reverence for the Gods and Ancestors remains at the heart of the festival.
During Winter Nights, the Norse would offer sacrifices to the Gods, particularly to Odin and the Ancestors, in order to ensure a successful winter and a bountiful spring. The sacrifices might include animals, such as sheep, goats, and horses, which were ritually slaughtered and their blood sprinkled on altars and idols.
The festival was also a time for feasting, drinking, and storytelling. The Norse would gather with their families and communities to share food, mead, and stories of the gods and heroes. It was a time for strengthening social bonds and invoking the protection of the gods and ancestors.
Winter Nights was considered a liminal time when the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred. It was believed that the spirits of the ancestors could be more easily contacted and that divination and other forms of magic were more potent. Therefore, Winter Nights was also a time for seeking guidance and wisdom from the unseen world.
The name "Winter Nights" comes from the Old Norse words "vetr" (winter) and "nætr" (nights). It was also known as "Alfablot" (elves' sacrifice) because it was believed that the elves and other nature spirits needed to be appeased during this time.
In addition to animal sacrifices, offerings of grain, mead, and other foodstuffs were also made to the gods and ancestors. These offerings were usually placed on altars or in sacred wells.
Winter Nights was traditionally held outdoors, usually in a grove or other natural setting. However, in later times it was sometimes held indoors, particularly in the longhouses of wealthy farmers or chieftains.
The festival was also a time for divination and prophecy. Various methods were used to try to predict the future, such as casting runes, interpreting dreams, and observing the behavior of animals.
The festival of Winter Nights was eventually replaced by the Christian holiday of All Saints' Day, which falls on November 1st. However, some of the traditional customs and practices of Winter Nights were incorporated into Halloween, which is celebrated in many Western countries on October 31st.
Correspondences:
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Symbols & Decorations: Mjölnir, the Valknut (a symbol associated with Odin), and the Yggdrasil (the World Tree), evergreen branches, candles, images of the Gods and Goddesses.
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Colors: Black, white, red. Black and white represent the contrast between light and dark, while red symbolizes the blood of the sacrifices that were made during the festival.
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Plants & Flowers: Mistletoe, holly, ivy, evergreens, rowan, yew, elder, juniper
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Crystals/Stones/Minerals: (for protection), snowflake obsidian (for grounding), quartz (for clarity and divination).
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Trees:
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Herbs: mugwort (for divination and prophecy), juniper (for purification), and yew (for protection and connection to the ancestors).
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Oils & Scents: Frankincense, myrrh, copal, juniper
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Animals: horses, goats, wolves, bears, reindeer.
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Nature Spirits:
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Element:
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Direction:
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Foods & Beverages: roasted meat, root vegetables, bread, and mead.
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Altar Decorations: candles, evergreens, Yule Log, wreaths, straw ornaments. apples. oranges, Mjölnir, drinking horns, cinnamon sticks, cloves, skins, furs, gnomes, elves
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Activities: feasting, storytelling, divination, and meditation, honoring and connecting with one's ancestors, both personal and cultural.
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Spell types:
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Deities: Odin, Thor, Freyja, and the ancestors.
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Runes: Fehu, Isa, Nauthiz, Jera, Kenaz
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The Wild Hunt: The Wild Hunt is a spectral procession of hunters and their hounds that is said to ride across the sky during the dark winter months. The hunt is led by Odin, the god of war, wisdom, and death, and is often seen as a harbinger of death and disaster.
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The Tomte: Also known as Nisse or Gnome is a small, mischievous spirit that is said to live in farmhouses and barns. The Tomte is often depicted wearing a red cap and tending to the animals and crops. It is said to be especially active during the dark winter months, and is sometimes associated with the Winter Solstice.
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The Ice Giants: In Norse mythology, the Ice Giants are a race of giant beings who live in Jotunheim, the land of the giants. They are often associated with the cold, dark, and dangerous aspects of winter, and are sometimes depicted as enemies of the gods.
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Other Holidays
Halloween
Indigenous Peoples Day and more
Halloween
Around the 800th century, the Catholic Church decided to name November 1st as All Saints Day, Pagans were already celebrating that day, so it made sense to use it as a church holiday. This brought the city dwellers and country dwellers together for a mass called Allhallowmas. The night before became All Hallows Eve and eventually renamed Halloween. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to America in the 19th century. Masks and costumes were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or appease them.
Trick-or-treating, is an activity for children on Halloween in which they go from house to house in costumes, asking for treats with the question, “Trick or treat?” The “trick” part of “trick or treat” is a threat to play a trick on the homeowner or his property if no treat is given. Trick-or-treating is one of the main traditions of Halloween. It has become socially expected that if one lives in a neighborhood with children one should purchase treats for trick-or-treaters.
"As a result of their efforts to wipe out "pagan" holidays, such as Samhain, the Christians succeeded in effecting major transformations in it. In 601 A.D. Pope Gregory the First issued a now famous edict to his missionaries concerning the native beliefs and customs of the peoples he hoped to convert. Rather than try to obliterate native peoples' customs and beliefs, the pope instructed his missionaries to use them: if a group of people worshiped a tree, rather than cut it down, he advised them to consecrate it to Christ and allow its continued worship.In terms of spreading Christianity, this was a brilliant concept and it became a basic approach used in Catholic missionary work.
Indigenous People's Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors the histories and contributions of Indigenous peoples. The holiday is typically observed on the second Monday in October, which is the same day as Columbus Day in the United States.
The origins of Indigenous Peoples' Day can be traced back to the 1970s, when activists began to push for the recognition of Indigenous peoples and their cultures. The holiday is intended to acknowledge the history of colonization and oppression faced by Indigenous peoples, and to celebrate their resilience, culture, and contributions to society.
Indigenous Peoples' Day is observed in many cities and states throughout the United States, and is recognized as an official holiday in some places. The holiday is celebrated through a variety of events and activities, including parades, powwows, cultural festivals, and educational programs.
The celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day is an important step towards recognizing the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by Indigenous communities, and towards promoting greater understanding, respect, and solidarity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. It is also a way to honor the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, and to celebrate their resilience, strength, and perseverance.
Columbus Day
Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. It is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
While Columbus Day has been celebrated in the United States since the late 1800s, in recent years, the holiday has been scrutinized due to controversy surrounding Columbus and his legacy. Some people argue that Columbus's arrival in the Americas led to the exploitation and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, and that celebrating Columbus Day is offensive and disrespectful to Native American communities.
Critics of Columbus Day also point out that Columbus did not "discover" America, as Indigenous peoples had already been living in the Americas for thousands of years. In addition, Columbus's arrival in the Americas marked the beginning of centuries of colonization, genocide, and forced assimilation of Indigenous peoples by European colonizers.
As a result of these concerns, many states and cities in the United States have begun to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, which is intended to honor and celebrate the contributions and cultures of Indigenous peoples. Some organizations and communities have also chosen to celebrate alternatives to Columbus Day, such as Italian Heritage Day or Exploration Day, which recognize the contributions of Italian-Americans and explorers without glorifying Columbus's legacy.
Octoberfest
This 16 to 18 day festival in Munich, Germany celebrates beer, food, and Bavarian culture. It usually starts in late September and continues into early October. The history of Oktoberfest dates back to October 12, 1810, when Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The wedding was celebrated with a horse race, which was such a success that it was decided to hold it annually. Over the years, the event grew to include beer, food, and entertainment, and became known as Oktoberfest.
Today, Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe. The festival is held in a large open-air fairground called Theresienwiese, which is filled with beer tents, food stalls, and carnival rides. The festival is typically opened by the mayor of Munich tapping the first keg of beer and shouting "O'zapft is!" (which means "It's tapped!").
Visitors to Oktoberfest can enjoy a variety of Bavarian specialties, including roast chicken, sausages, pretzels, and sauerkraut, as well as traditional music and dance performances. The beer served at Oktoberfest is specially brewed for the festival by the six main breweries in Munich: Augustiner-Bräu, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten.
Oktoberfest is also known for its traditional Bavarian dress, with many visitors dressing up in Lederhosen (leather pants) and Dirndl (traditional dresses) to join in the festivities.
While Oktoberfest is a celebration of Bavarian culture and beer, it is also a major economic event for Munich and the surrounding region. The festival generates billions of euros in revenue each year and supports thousands of jobs in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.
Overall, Oktoberfest is a beloved cultural event that celebrates the rich history and traditions of Bavaria, while also providing a fun and festive atmosphere for visitors from around the world.
Thanksgiving Day
Canada celebrates their Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, a national holiday that commemorates the harvest and blessings of the year. It is a time for families to come together and give thanks for their blessings.
Diwali
Diwale is lso known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a major Hindu holiday that falls in either October or November each year. It is a five-day celebration that commemorates the victory of light over darkness, and is marked by the lighting of lamps, fireworks, and the exchange of gifts.
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Full Moon / Esbat
Hunter's Moon
The Full Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Full Harvest Moon can occur in either September or October. In rare cases, it can occur in early November if the full moon closest to the equinox falls late in the month of September.
If the Harvest Full Moon does not fall in October, October's Full Moon is the Hunter's Full Moon
The month of October is the Blood Moon, again it has several different names. The Blood Moon falls just before Samhain, it brings a change in energy that invites us to begin to draw within ourselves, to begin the long contemplative months of the coming winter. The October Blood Moon takes it's name from the ancient custom of killing livestock before winter arrives. It is a time of letting go of what no longer serves us. It is a good time to purify your home, to remove unwanted energies or entities. Have a ritual honoring your ancestors and work on your genealogy Dust off family heirlooms, get out photos and hang some of your clan and kin around the house.
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Magickal Workings:
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Shadow Work
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Self Reflection
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Darkness
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Ancestor Work
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Gratitude/Appreciation
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Working with Spirits
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Divination
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Psychic Messages
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Dream-work
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Balance
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Transitions/Change
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Deity Work (particularly with Psychopomps, or ferries/guides of the dead)
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Correspondences:
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Symbols & Decorations: ​Pumpkins & other carved vegetables, black cats, bats, spiders and spider webs, the cauldron, bonfires, the moon, death imagery, such as skulls, skeletons, and ghosts, the color black
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Colors: dark blue-green, crimson, gold, red, silver, white, purple, black, orange, gold
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Plants & Flowers: calendula, marigold, cosmos, elder berry, rose, chrysanthemums, asters
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Crystals/Stones/Minerals: opal, tourmaline, beryl, turquoise, carnelian, garnet, iron, ruby, selenite, amethyst, bloodstone, moonstone, obsidian, quartz
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Trees: yew, cypress, acacia, apple
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Herbs: penny-royal, thyme, catnip, uva ursi, angelica, burdock, calendula, thyme, catnip
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Oils & Scents: strawberry, apple blossom, cherry
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Animals: Bat, crow, cat, raven, falcon
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Nature Spirits: Frost and plant faeries
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Element: Water
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Direction: East
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Food & Beverages: apples, apple pie, apple crisp, Root vegetables: Carrots, turnips, and other root vegetables are abundant in the fall and are often used in stews and soups, Pumpkin, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, Corn, cornbread, roasted corn on the cob, Meats, Nuts and seeds, Spices: such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
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Altar decorations: Symbols of Samhain, items that connect to your ancestors
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Activities: Full Moon Water, Ancestor veneration, divination, costumes and masks, bonfires, storytelling, nature walks
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Spell Types: Thanks, giving, focus on magic related to communication, wisdom or the powers of the mind.
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Deities:
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Other Names; Drying Rice, Falling Leaves, Freezing, Ice, Migrating, Blood, Harvest (if it falls nearest to the Fall Equinox), Haunted, Fox, Autumn, Fall, Misty, Blood, Sanguine, Halloween, Orange, Pumpkin, Ghost, Skeleton
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Other
New Moon
The October new moon is a time of new beginnings, fresh starts, and setting intentions for the lunar cycle ahead. Occurring in the zodiac sign of Libra, the October new moon is associated with themes of balance, harmony, and relationships. It's a time to focus on finding greater balance in our lives and relationships, and to let go of anything that is no longer serving our highest good. The energy of the October new moon can also help us to connect with our inner selves, listen to our intuition, and make decisions that align with our highest purpose. This is a powerful time for manifestation, and for planting seeds of intention that we can nurture and cultivate over the coming weeks and months.
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Correspondences:
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Symbols & Decorations: Symbols that are associated with the October new moon include scales (representing balance), the crescent moon (representing new beginnings and change), and the autumnal equinox (representing the balance of light and dark), symbols of death and rebirth
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Colors: Orange, brown, gold.
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Plants & Flowers: marigold
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Crystals/Stones/Minerals: opal, rose quartz, and tourmaline.
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Trees: rowan, birch
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Herbs: marigold, thyme, and witch hazel.
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Oils & Scents: cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.
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Animals: bats, owls, and spiders.
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Nature Spirits:
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Element: Air
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Direction: East
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Foods & Beverages: pumpkins, apples, pomegranates, and grapes.
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Altar Decorations:
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Activities: divination, meditation, and journaling, reflect on the balance in your life, set intentions for finding more harmony and equilibrium.
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Spell types: set intentions related to balance, harmony, relationships, setting goals for improving communication with loved ones, finding a sense of inner peace, working on personal growth in areas related to relationships or partnerships.
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Deities: Hecate, Persephone
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Astrological signs: Libra, Virgo, Scorpio
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Planetary associations: Venus, Mercury, Mars
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Tarot card: Justice
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Divination tools: tarot cards, pendulums, and scrying mirrors.​
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Mundane Magick
Threshold
Front Porch
The month of October is the beginning of the Wiccan calendar year therefore; I thought it best to begin with the first thing you encounter when you come home. The front of the house it the first thing you, or anyone else for that matter, see when you come home.
How often have you entered a room and forgotten what you went there for? This is an actual psychological phenomenon, entering a threshold brings to you another "realm" or area and leaves your thoughts on the other side. This is why it is so important to take care of your threshold. Windows also have lore. They are the "eyes" of the house.
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Hang a talisman above the front door to ward away evil and unwanted spirits. This could include herbs, bells, a hag stone...anything with magickal powers.
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Your unconscious mind sees clutter every time you enter your home, it is not relaxing and it creates stress so keep shoes, coats, umbrellas and the like organized and clean.
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A door opening inward is best and most inviting.
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Brighten the entry, the fire element is recognition and how you’re seen in the world, you want to be seen with clarity and brightness like the sun.
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Plant Lilac bushes at the front and back of the house for protection.
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Hang a broom by the front door for protection.
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Sweep from left to right to lock out negativity.
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Wash the front door with an herbal infusion of basil, rosemary, and chamomile (protection, purification and luck).
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Spread salt and herb powders over the threshold for protection.
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Keep the door in good shape or risk attracting negative energy.
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Keep the path to your door clear so energy can flow easily.
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Water activates career luck, keep a table top fountain next to the front door.
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Place a planter on each side of the door.
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Geraniums boost your fame and recognition.
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Succulents are a good luck and coins.
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Chrysanthemums bring abundance and prosperity. Choose a color that matches the front door compass direction.
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Keep the inside of the front door clean and clear of clutter, have a shelf for shoes.
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Ask people to remove their shoes so they don't bring in negativity.
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Deep clean your porch if you have one. Move everything. Sweep and wash the floors, wash walls, check for spider webs, wipe down all furniture and plants and shake our rugs.
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One of the easiest charms you can do is place a horseshoe - points upward - above the door. As you do this, think of it only allowing good to enter the home.
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Chalk or paint a circle on the door (this bars ghosts from entering and can be covered by a wreath)
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Hang gourds on either side of the door (this stops negativity from entering)
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Hang a wreath with leaves and thorns (also wards off negativity)
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Suspend dill or garlic over the door (repels envy)
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Salt or bells (repels demons) ~ there are MANY MORE ways to guard your home.
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Rosemary is to be planted on the right side of your walkway or doorway of your house as protection from negative things.
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lavender is to be planted on the left side of your walkway or doorway of your house to invite love and protection.
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During this month take time to wash the windows, doors and their thresholds. As you clean, bless them and ask they prevent the entrance of unfriendly energies into the home.
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Place black tourmaline or obsidian at the entrance for protection.
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Draw protective symbols like pentagrams or runes with salt or chalk.
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Place or hang clear quartz, amethyst, or citrine on your porch to attract positive energies and intentions.
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Grow basil near the entrance for the magickal properties of protection and wealth.
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Create a special oil blend with essential oils like frankincense, lavender, and rosemary. Anoint the threshold with this oil to set a positive and protective energy.
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Craft a sigil with your intention (e.g., protection, love, abundance) and place it discreetly on or near the threshold.
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Cleanse your threshold or porch, infusing it with lunar energy of Full Moon water.
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Hang wind chimes near the entrance to create soothing sounds that disperse stagnant energy.
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History of Samhain
Samhain is a traditional festival that has its roots in ancient Celtic culture. It is primarily associated with the Gaels of Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The word "Samhain" is derived from Old Irish and means "summer's end." Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year.
Origins and Celtic Beliefs: The origins of Samhain can be traced back to the ancient Celts, who inhabited Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Western Europe over 2,000 years ago. The Celts were highly connected to nature and had a deep reverence for the cycles of the seasons. Samhain was one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh.
The Celts believed that on the night of Samhain, the boundaries between the mortal world and the spiritual world became thin, allowing spirits, fairies, and other supernatural beings to cross over and roam the Earth. It was a time of both celebration and caution, as they honored their ancestors, deities, and spirits, while also taking measures to ward off malevolent entities.
Samhain Celebrations: Samhain was traditionally celebrated from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st, marking the midpoint between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. The festival was marked by various rituals, customs, and festivities.
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Ancestral Reverence: Samhain was a time to honor and pay respect to deceased ancestors. The Celts believed that the spirits of their ancestors would visit their homes during Samhain. People would set a place at the table for their departed loved ones and leave offerings of food and drink to welcome and appease the spirits.
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Bonfires and Rituals: Huge bonfires were lit on hilltops as a form of protection against malevolent spirits. People would gather around the fires and engage in various rituals, including divination and fortune-telling. It was believed that during Samhain, the veil between the worlds was thin, making it an opportune time to gain insight into the future.
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Costumes and Masks: The Celts believed that wearing masks and costumes would help them confuse and ward off evil spirits. People would dress in animal skins or wear elaborate masks and costumes to disguise themselves and avoid recognition by malevolent entities.
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Harvest Celebrations: Samhain marked the end of the harvest season, and it was a time to give thanks for the abundance of the year. The last crops were harvested, and feasts were held to celebrate the bountiful harvest.
Influence of Christianity: With the arrival of Christianity in the Celtic regions, the Church sought to Christianize pagan festivals, including Samhain. In the 9th century, Pope Gregory IV established All Saints' Day on November 1st to honor all saints and martyrs. The celebration was also known as All Hallows or Hallowmas. The night before All Hallows became known as All Hallows' Eve, which later evolved into Halloween.
Many of the ancient Samhain customs were assimilated into the Christianized version, with traditions like bonfires, wearing costumes, and visiting homes for treats or "soul cakes" becoming part of Halloween celebrations.
Modern Samhain Practices: In modern times, Samhain is still observed by various pagan and Wiccan communities, who embrace the ancient Celtic traditions. It is seen as a time for honoring ancestors, reflecting on mortality, and celebrating the cycles of life and death. Rituals may include lighting candles, setting up altars for ancestors, divination, and communing with nature.
Samhain continues to hold cultural significance and is celebrated by many as a time to connect with the spirit world, embrace the changing seasons, and remember the ancient traditions of the Celtic peoples.
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