A time to learn
This wonderful Festival allows and encourages us to look both backwards over the time past, and to look into the time to come. It encourages us to be deeply reflective, to consider what we’ve learnt (harvested) over the last year, and to let go of bad habits, behaviours, patterns of thought that may have hurt others as well as ourselves.
As Samhain is a Festival when fires are lit (to keep us warm; to light our way, as well as representing the power of the flame to cleanse, to reshape) so we can use the power of Fire to cleanse our intentions and to let go of bad habits. One of the ways in which we can do this is to write down, or draw out, the negative patterns in our lives, and, having put a candle in a saucer or shallow bowl, to burn the paper carrying the writing or the images while keeping a deep focus on your intention actively to let go of the negative habit/patterns you set down on the paper. Equally, this simple yet powerful activity can be used for letting go of old relationships, especially ones which have caused us anguish. As this New Year Feast suggests, it’s a wonderful time to consider the changes in our life both those which have happened to us, and those which we’ve brought about, or wish to do. It’s about endings, and beginnings, chaos and re-shaping. This deeply intentional action reflects, in simple form, the use of the Cauldron to transform all manner of things. Remember too that as the King dies and returns to the underworld for a season, so the Crone (The Wise Woman) is ascendant now. So, let’s reflect upon the Crone Goddesses: Ceridwen, Hecate, Hel, Rhiannon (to name just a few of them); to absorb their stories and the many meanings within them, and how their stories and their power can inform and guide us.
Samhain is a festival in which strong colours abound: orange or autumn colours (gold, deep red, brown); black to honour the Lord and the old year, and white to honour the Lady and the new year. If you like to use incense too then Sandalwood, sweetgrass and wormwood are most associated with this Feast.
A parting thought
Just a last thought, one of the deep strengths of the ancient ways is the relationship not only to people in our tribe, our community, but also to the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water in their varied manifestations and to all living creatures. As we honour our Ancestors, remember our Dead, consider the place of change and transition in our lives, and seek what the future holds, let’s not forget these powerful relationships and how our relationships to and with the four elements and to all living creatures lives may deepen and honour them.
A blessed Samhain to each and all of you!
About the Author: Susan Hollins
