Halloween is fast approaching with people worldwide preparing their costumes, decorating their homes and buying lots of candy for prospective trick-or-treaters before October 31.
But it's also a sacred time of year for spiritual practitioners, including witches who see Halloween, or Samhain as it is sometimes called, as their own version of New Year's Eve.
Pronounced Sah-win, the holiday has its roots in Celtic pagan history which saw people celebrate the end of the summer harvest by lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off spirits who were thought to return to the land of the living during the three-day festival.
Many of the traditions have carried over into modern times, such as dressing up and making Jack-O-Lanterns, practicing witch Emma Carney told Newsweek.
"Halloween or Samhain—as we call it in the magic community—is the period of time near the end of the Wheel of the Year when we reach 31st October," she said. "Samhain is the point where the nights are at their darkest, the veil between worlds is thin and spirits can wander again, not only that, it's the Witches' New Year."
Carney co-founded the witch and spiritual site, Digital Coven with her best friend AJ in 2018 and said that Halloween was a time to tap into your intuition.
"This is where you are at your most intuitive, especially if you are Scorpio as Halloween falls within the Scorpio Astrological season," she said. "Some of us feel the energies of the spirits as they come and go, we can celebrate the cycle of life and death as the Witches' year and the nature around us has 'passed.'"
Carney added: "Samhain has its roots in Celtic practices, particularly in Ireland. We have the legend of Stingy Jack and how he led to the creation of the Jack-O-Lantern, bonfires would be lit and costumes would be worn to ward off unwanted spirits."
She broke down the history of some popular Halloween traditions that are based on "rituals that were performed historically that we still do today," and provided some great Halloween hacks if you aren't able to go all out this year.
Jack-o'-Lanterns
The icon of Halloween, the carved pumpkins are filled with candles to give an ominous feel to any home.
"These have been used for centuries to light the path home for family spirits and ward off unwanted energies," Carney explained, noting that the carving process should be started with a guided intention. "As you carve your pumpkin, you could make it a ritual. 'Set a vibe' with incense and music as you turn your pumpkin into a protective ward for the evening."
But if you don't have the energy or ability to carve a pumpkin this year?
"no energy or ability to carve a pumpkin?"
"That's OK," Carney said. "You can use any tea lights or candles which can work just as well, [and] at this time of year you can get some great pumpkin-shaped candle holders which can do the job and look just as cool."
Soul Cakes
Otherwise known as a soul-mass cake, these shortbread-looking cookies are handed out as a way to commemorate the dead.
"Soul Cakes are generally a gift for the spirits and can be left as offerings on Samhain night," Carney said. "If baking isn't for you, get yourself your favorite cookies or biscuits and some icing pens. Simply add some sigils or names for the dearly departed you're leaving them for."
DIY Protection Spell
Carney shared her perfect protection spell for any "Baby Witch" hoping to dabble in the spiritual world and is a perfect Halloween spell to protect against any spirits trying to cross over into our world.
Carney recommends using the Scents of Salem candle from Ginger Ray to do the spell because 100 percent of the proceeds go to the organization Women's Aid to help end family violence against women and children.
The Spell:
"Light the candle and take five deep breaths. Once you have calmed your breathing, engage in some "witchful" thinking and begin to visualize what you wish to attract and protect in your life or what negativity you wish to banish," Carney said.
"If you wish to elevate the ritual (and make it Witchy AF) you can write these down on paper to burn and destroy at the end of the ritual to release the energy. Once you have set your intent, recite these powerful affirmations as the candle burns through the scents."
Scent 1: Tongue of Toad
"This space is mine; this space is clear, this space is safe.
Any energy I do not permit cannot enter.
This space is mine; this space is clear, this space is safe."
Carney says: "Visualize the smoke from the candle flame banishing toxicity and allowing you to find comfort in your surroundings. Try opening the windows to help the negative energy flow out!"
Scent 2: Dew of the Sea
"I do not chase, I attract and what I attract is positive."
Carney's tip: "Take deep breaths and visualize a bright white light surrounding you. With every breath in, absorb this positive light and with every breath out, push out the negative energy. Ah, feel that release!"
Scent 3: Blood of Hestia
"My boundaries are firm and the walls are high. The gate can open for the good."
Carney says: "This is a perfect time to have a cleansing bath to wash off all negativity from the outside world. You can use lavender or chamomile oils in your bath to help promote meditation, protection and intuitive dreams."
Scent 4: Elf Leaf
"I am open and ready to attract and receive all the love and abundance the universe has to offer. And so it is!"
Carney notes that "lavender is a great way to end this ritual as it is the perfect sleep aid. Burn the candle whilst performing your bedtime routine such as skin care or meditation to encourage psychic dreams and guidance whilst you sleep."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Shannon Power is a Greek-Australian reporter, but now calls London home. They have worked as across three continents in print, ... Read more
