Witches and Sandwiches

Samhain is another name for Halloween. It is considered the first day of winter and the Witches' New Year. Like Beltaine, it is neither a Quarter day (Equinox or Solstice) nor does it mark the actual sowing or harvesting of crops. It falls at a time when farmers don't need to do much and have extra time on their hands, but historically it was the time of year when animals that wouldn't make it through the winter were slaughtered and preserved as meat. In many individual practices and traditions, Samhain is the most important holiday of the year. If not the most important, it's at least it's a very popular holiday for Witches. I've actually never met a Witch who doesn't like the American traditions of dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, extreme levels of seasonal decorating for the holiday, and making jack-o-lanterns. We often go the extra mile with it, though, and throw a huge party, inviting all our friends over. And/or we work magic. The best thing about Halloween is having a party with good friends and family if you can manage it. And fire. I like fire. I was a Boy Scout, sue me. Anyway, Halloween is basically the Witch's holiday par excellence. Since in many traditions Samhain is the new year, some Witches make resolutions. Magic of all kinds is suitable to work on Halloween, but banishing, celebration, divination, and releasing magic is the forte here. If it's Witchy, you do it on Halloween. Plain and simple. Tarot reading is very often done on this holiday or some other kind of divination. It's an old custom to burn a symbol of something you want to get rid of on Halloween. Kind of like on Litha, except in more of a celebratory way; Litha's ceremony of burning stuff is usually a lot more significant and serious. I have absolutely no idea why. On Samhain, I make a celebratory meal and put out a dish for the spirits, outside. That's really important. The veil between the world of the dead and the living is thin on Samhain, so it's a gesture of respect for those visiting us. Another really important thing is to burn candles and perhaps fires all night. I hear this is to light fire in honor of the dead. I think that makes sense. Oh, and getting your house ready for trick-or-treaters is very important too. There is no better way of honoring the Ancestors than by making children happy (besides of course living well and honorably). I'm sure just about everyone does this already. But one tradition I'd like to see widely implemented is to feed the living on this day. As in, find some way to feed wandering people on this day, and host friends and family for a good meal or potluck. As Witches, this is OUR holiday. I want us to be known for feeding the living on this day, not just remembering the dead and all that other typical stuff. It definitely wouldn't be a bad idea to give something to a soup kitchen before 6 PM hits and you have to rush home to staff the door for the trick-or-treaters. I've also heard of people setting up a cauldron in their driveway over a fire, and making stew for the trick-or-treaters. The latter isn't really doable in most neighborhoods though. Feeding wandering people is also a major problem, because people will think you're trying to poison them or something if you just hand out a sandwich to trick-or-treaters; I suppose you'd have to organize some kind of event with a coven or a group in order to try and feed the public. I just discussed this with my family and we agreed that it would probably be the easiest to just give some coffee to the trick-or-treaters' parents when we give candy to the kids. ***EDIT 10/5/19: There actually is a way to feed people on Halloween: make some care packages for the homeless and hand them out*** Actually, upon further thought lately I realized the reason I love Halloween so much is because part of how you honor your ancestors on this day is by living your life to the fullest on this day. Being who you are and doing what you love to do not only helps you be happy but shows your ancestors that you are making the best of your own life. It makes them proud. Whatever you choose to do stay safe out there. Halloween's one crazy holiday.

Colors: Orange, black, neon colors
Symbols: The Grim Reaper, brooms, jack-o-lantern, bats, spiders, cauldrons, candles, fire
Themes: Fun, infinite possibility, courage, change
Crystals: Labradorite, onyx, amber, carnelian, whatever you want really
Herbs: Rosemary, pumpkins, indian corn, acorns, smudging herbs, incense in general, chrysanthemum
Foods: Pumpkin everything, pork products, sweets, stew, scones, cabbage, potatoes, corn, meats or fake veggie meat, party foods, baked goods, mulled cider or pumpkin juice, ghoulish junk food - YES DAMN IT BOOGERS ON A STICK AND KITTY LITTER CAKE IS TRADITIONAL I SWEAR IT IS

Halloween is a good time to cast "wish" spells - the kind of spells that are cast for things that are normally considered impossible.

Lesser-known practices:
Adults accompanying trick-or-treaters and getting treated with alcohol. This actually used to happen lol.
Mask balls
Bonfires
Drinking competitions - again, this used to happen
Marriage or handfasting
Giving out goodie bags of fun non-candy things along with candy - my fiance and I are currently stockpiling little action figures and plastic pokemon for this. Stickers, crayons, and other small toys for children are also great!
Having a selection of books outside the door for them to choose from
Being that house that gives out the full-size candy bars
Playing music, burning incense, dancing, anything responsible to get you into an altered state
Actually making a potion and working all kinds of magic. Where do you think the stereotype came from?

Links to Samhain information and fun
https://www.reddit.com/r/halloween
https://www.spabettie.com/2018/10/11/pu ... hocolates/ vegan pumpkin caramels dipped in chocolate
http://www.earthwitchery.com/samhain.html
http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/angelline/samhain.htm
http://hearthnhomewitchery.tripod.com/c ... huinn.html
http://pentacle.swankivy.com/samhain.html
https://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/samhainlore.htm
http://www.pookapages.com/wcSamhain.htm
http://eatthedead.com/

What are your plans this Samhain?