SAMHAIN

(Sow-en)

By: magickal emma

 “In popular culture for at least the last five or six
hundred years, the night of October 31 has been,
of all the Pagan sabbats, the one most closely
identified with witches and witchcraft. The most
prevalent symbol of modern-day Halloween
(Samhain) is a witch with a black pointy hat and a
cauldron.”

-Llewellyn’s 2021 Sabbats Almanac by Suzanne Ress, Laura Tempest

Zakroff, Jason Mankey, and Kerri Connor
 WHO IS
SAMHAIN?
Is Samhain named after a deity?
 WHO IS SAMHAIN?
There is a common belief that Samhain is named after the
Celtic god of death. This is not the case, as there are actually
four Celtic deities that relate to death:
� Ceridwen
� (The) Crone
� Macha
� White Lady
 WHO IS SAMHAIN?
Samhain is actually named after the Gaelic word, samhuin.
This word either means, “the end of summer” or “the
beginning of the Underworld”. The meaning of the word
samhuin is debated.
 WHAT IS
SAMHAIN?
And its most well known connection to another holiday.
 WHAT IS SAMHAIN?
There are three things that Samhain is well known for. During
Samhain many celebrate one, some, or all of the following:
1. Cycles (life and death)
2. Divination (as the veil between the mortal and spirit world
is most thin at this time)
3. Final harvests, as this sabbat is the third festival sabbat
out of three
 WHAT IS SAMHAIN?
Like most (but not all) sabbats, there is a more mainstream
holiday associated with Samhain. This is due to a lot of
holidays being influenced by witchcraft sabbats.

Halloween is the mainstream holiday that came from Samhain.

This is the most well known sabbat/holiday connection.
 WHERE IS
SAMHAIN?
What is celebrated on the other half of the Earth?
 WHERE IS SAMHAIN?
Whenever the Northern Hemisphere celebrates Samhain,
Beltane is celebrated in the Southern Hemisphere. Vice versa
is true.
 WHEN IS
SAMHAIN?
When is Samhain celebrated?
 WHEN IS SAMHAIN?
In the Northern Hemisphere, Samhain is celebrated on
October 31st (and sometimes November 1st, too).

For those who are more astrological, unfortunately, there is no

time in which a sign enters the sun to start the sabbat.
However, Scorpio’s energies do radiate quite a lot on this day.
 WHY IS
SAMHAIN?
Why is Samhain celebrated?
 WHY IS SAMHAIN?
Samhain celebrates the cycle of life and death. Many honor the
death of their loved one(s). They do this in many ways (we will
expound upon this further into the lesson).

Some people will even attempt to communicate to their loved

one(s) on this day, and it’s a good day to do so. As stated
previously, this is due to the thin veil.
 HOW IS
SAMHAIN?
How is Samhain celebrated.
 HOW IS SAMHAIN?
Here are some ways you can celebrate Samhain:
� Make soul cakes
� Make anything with pumpkin in it
� Host a mock dinner/dumb supper
� Visit graves
� Anything ancestor related
� Communication with any spirits
� Carve pumpkins
 HOW IS SAMHAIN?
Here are some things to help you decorate your house and/or
altar:
� Animals
� Pumpkins
� Anything related to Halloween, really
� Pictures of ancestors
� Items relating to ancestors
� Colors: orange and black
 HOW IS SAMHAIN?
Here are some spells that will be extra potent during this
sabbat:
� Divination
� Specifically scrying
� Letting go spells
� Memory spells
ALTAR EXAMPLES
 ANY
QUESTION
Feel free to @ me in the class chat, DM me, or comment on

S? the Google Classroom post.