🌑 The Witch’s New Year

October 31st is not just Halloween—it’s Samhain (pronounced sow-in), the witch's holiday (or sabbat) that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the witch’s New Year. It’s a liminal time, a threshold moment when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest.

For witches, Samhain is about honoring death as part of the cycle of life. It’s a time to connect with ancestors, release the old, and set intentions for the year ahead. After a month of shadow work, this is the perfect culmination: we’ve faced our inner darkness, learned from our lineage, and transformed pain into power. Now, we step into the new cycle with clarity and strength.

🔮 Traditions of Samhain

Throughout history, Samhain has been a night of fire and spirit:

• Bonfires were lit to protect communities and guide spirits.

• Offerings of food and drink were left for wandering ancestors.

• Divination was practiced to glimpse the year to come.

These traditions still hold power today and can be woven into your personal practice.

🕯️ Samhain Ritual: Honoring Ancestors & Setting Intentions

You’ll Need:

• A black candle (for endings)

• An orange or white candle (for beginnings)

• Photos or items of ancestors/loved ones

• Seasonal offerings (apples, bread, wine, or cider)

• A journal

Steps:

1. Create an altar with candles, ancestor photos, and offerings.

2. Light the black candle. Speak aloud the names of your ancestors or simply say:
   “I honor the ones who came before me. I welcome your presence.”

3. Spend time in quiet reflection or meditation. If you feel moved, write a letter to an ancestor, thanking them or asking for guidance.

4. Light the orange/white candle. Journal your intentions for the coming year—what seeds you’re planting as the wheel turns.

5. Close by saying:
   “As the wheel turns, I carry wisdom from the past and step into the future with power and grace.”

6. Leave the offerings overnight, then return them to the earth the next day with gratitude.

✍️ Journaling Prompts for Samhain

• What am I ready to lay to rest this year?

• How do I want to honor the wisdom of my ancestors moving forward?

• What intentions will guide me into the new year of the witch’s wheel?

🌙 Living Between Worlds

Samhain reminds us that we are always walking between worlds—the seen and unseen, the light and dark, the past and future. By honoring both death and rebirth, we embrace the full cycle of life.

As you celebrate this sacred holiday, remember: your shadow work has prepared you. You are whole, strong, and ready to walk into the new year of your craft with courage and magick.

Blessed Samhain, witches. 🔮✨