samhain (prounounced sow-een)
date: october 31st through november 11th
(depending on the tradition and schedule of the group.)
this is the near year for witches. and the primary sabbat from which all others flow. some witches say that faery hills open this night, and contact with them is a great possibility, for your good or bad. at this time, the veils between the worls of the living and the dead wane thin; therefore, this eve of celebration often lends itself to remembering those we have loved that have gone beyond the veil. since witches believe in reincarnation, we know that our loved ones have not ceased to exist, and that their spirits live on. in this way, samhain also represents as the third and final harvest celebration of the eight wiccan holidays, and the holiday is the largest major feast of the turning of the wheel (however, the witches harvest nothing from the fields or gardens this night). you might decorate your altar with pumkins, indian corn, hay, gourds, and other fare related to the season.
in some traditions, the cauldron becomes the primary magickal tool for this sabbat, and the ceremony may revolve around an initaion to the crone (wise woman) to bring wisdom to the witch or the legend of the goddess cerridwen, or the ceremony might also include the story of mourning for the dying god, much like a good friday service in the christian religion speaks of the death of christ. totem energies range high at this time of year and ritual masks, depiciting personal or group power animals, can be worn by those people who stand at the four quarters. witches may use ritual drumming to summon positive energies or family spirits. scrying and regression meditations also find favor for this night. the practice of bobbing for apples at a halloween party comes from our pagan ancestors, who highly valued apple magick. once the witch caught the apple in his or her teeth, a little of his or her soul crept into the apple. the witch either ate the apple for prosperity or buried the apple on the property to ensure continued bounty over the long winter months.