Samhain
Samhain (pronounced ‘Sah-wain’) celebrated on the 31st October, marks both the end and the beginning of the Celtic Wheel of the Year. Halfway between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice, Samhain is a cross quarter festival marking the ending of Autumn and welcoming the first signs of Winter. It is the third and final harvest festival, where the cycle of birth and growth comes to an end, and there is a move towards death, hibernation and a dormant phase in nature.
For me each Wheel of the Year festival feels like a gentle reminder to take a considered and intentional pause and connect with the themes and symbolism it provides. The festivals connect us to the points in the year bringing together the four solar events of the equinoxes and solstices, and the fire festivals of the ancient agricultural calendar in the northern hemisphere where each marked the start of the season. It’s an earth-centred approach and one which helps me connect with the shifts experienced in the natural world.
Choosing to connect with a nature-led and nature-inspired intentional way of living reminds us we are part of nature and not separate from it. We can use the seasonal shifts to guide and ground us in a more ecocentric rather than egocentric way of living. It allows us to appreciate the more-than-human-world and at the same time reminds us how important it is to care for and conserve nature. It’s why I like to use these reminders regularly throughout the year as a moment to reflect, pause and connect.
During the week of Samhain I like to think about a number of themes which most resonate for me and weave together, mainly focused around nature and using these ideas as metaphors.
Endings and beginnings
Both endings and beginnings can be seen in nature at this time of year. For me what feels most accessible is to appreciate and look for the deciduous trees creating a spectacular display of colour and seeds, and where I can discovering hedgerows bountiful with berries. The rich symbolism of endings and letting go feels resonant. A tree allows its leaves to change and fall redirecting the focus of energy inwards towards its roots. When the leaves drop they provide nourishment for future growth of the plant and those around it.
During these Autumnal months seeds are dropped from trees, berries provide the nourishment for the time ahead, there are seeds ready to create new life which are ready to be gathered and stored, and the goodness of fruits and berries is preserved. The starting point of a new beginning can create space and the opportunity to hold seeds which are laying dormant.
With those of us with gardens it is the time to harvest crops, uproot plants to relocate them and to plant bare root plants, giving them the opportunity to establish solid root systems during the winter months. Here is the unseen work under the surface, creating a solid foundation for growth and growing deeper roots.
Reflection prompts you are invited to consider:
What do I want to let go of to create space for new growth or expansion?
What do I want to let go of which can provide compost and nourishment for other things in my life?
What seeds can I store for the time ahead? What seeds could be scattered?
Turning Inwards and retreating
Nature turns inwards at this time of year, plants die back to focus energy on supporting their all important roots, and growth is slowed on the surface. Animals hibernate, the days are shorter and activity becomes slower. The time will come to awaken again but for now nature rests. The act of retreating and resting in nature is something we rarely make space for in our fast-paced world but it is necessary to give ourselves the space for rejuvenation for our health and mindset. For me I appreciate this time of year as creative ideas and practical solutions seem to arrive when my mind is quieter, I feel able to rest more and head to bed earlier and I like to think about my roots - my values and who I am.
Reflection prompts to consider:
What might I choose to let die back, to retreat and to lie dormant, to help me conserve my energy and allow focus elsewhere?
What can I do to turn gently inwards and support myself, my ideas and my creativity?
What could hibernation and rest support me with?
REthINKING THE Darkness
I like to welcome in the darkness, rather than fear it. I find ways to appreciate and embrace these moments in nature by heading out earlier in the day for a walk, enjoying the night sky and finding ways to make my home feel cosy. For me this tends to be the annual shift of freshly aired and washed blankets added to parts of our home to cosy up with at late afternoon. I have fairy lights in large jars and candles creating a warming light away from a screen to feel cosy. At this point in the year I find it helpful to introduce a new seasonal rhythm within my day, moving things round and reconnecting to things I enjoy in different ways. Evenings tends to be more comforting projects, books, looking for recipes, crafts and listening to podcasts.
Reflection prompts to consider:
What could I introduce or reconnect with to welcome in and appreciate the darkness?
What rhythms could I introduce or reintroduce into my day, week or month to feel more comforted and nourished in the darkness?
The wheel turns and the cycle starts again
The end and beginning of the Celtic Wheel of the Year feels like an opportunity to appreciate the year which has passed, reflect on what has happened and how you feel. I like to start this process at Samhain without the rush of the festive period. For many years my new word of the year will make itself known within November which I appreciate as I start to connect with it at a more inward time of the year. I like to use this final harvest festival to take stock, harvest the goodness created in the Spring and Summer months, make a gentle plan until the Winter Solstice and start considering my intentions for the time ahead.
Reflection prompts to consider:
Think back to a year ago, what has changed?
What have I gently grown this year which has brought joy?
What are the moments I most want to appreciate?
What intentions are starting to emerge?
With the richness of these seasonal themes there are so many different ways to explore and connect to nature to pause. Alongside the above are themes of magic and death which also can provide ways to connect to the festival of Samhain.
I invite you to make some space this week and chose any of the prompts above which feel most resonant for you are the moment. As always there is no timelimit to consider these questions. I find it hard sometimes to connect on a specific date and so give myself the opportunity to focus on these things across a week or few days. Making space in your diary somewhere for you, taking the time to pause and reflect, is an important act of self-care and a way to support yourself. I get a lot from taking time to immerse myself in just one question. Between now and the Winter Solstice you may find it helpful to return to the themes to provide a supportive and helpful exploration even if not completed on Samhain itself.