Ten Low-Effort Samhain Rituals and Routines
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The sabbat of Samhain marks the end of the witch's year and the beginning of a new cycle. Unlike Halloween as many celebrate it, Samhain is more of an introspective holiday, a time to turn inward and reflect upon the past year as well as our hopes and dreams for the year ahead. As the season changes, death hangs heavy in the air and darkness closes in around us as the days continue to shorten. Here are ten, low-effort ways I personally celebrate the turning of the Wheel and the sabbat of Samhain.
Create a Samhain Alter:
An alter to honor the season can be as simple or elaborate as you would like. I prefer to keep mine simple and nature focused. In the days leading up to the sabbot, I will collect beautiful autumn leaves, harvest a pumpkin from the garden, and pull out the small, framed photos of my departed family members, which I keep specially for Samhain. This leads directly to the second, low effort way I will be marking Samhain.
Light Candles For Your Ancestors:
As dusk approaches on the night of the sabbat, I light a large, three wick beeswax candle in the middle of my alter space. This I leave burning until the following morning, that it may light the way for my ancestors and other departed souls out on All-Hallows Eve.
Host a Homey Dinner of Comfort Food:
Some people host “Dumb Dinners” where no one speaks, but we like to feast and reminisce about those who have passed. This is the time for us to share stories with my son about those family members he never knew or will be too young to have remembered well. I keep the cooking simple, stew, bread, and a sweet treat such as soul cakes and cider for dessert.
Take a Nature Walk:
Early in the day I try to find time to take a hike, or simply enjoy a respite out in nature. This provides an opportunity to appreciate the changing of the season, the crunch and smell of leaves underfoot, and spend some time in quiet reflection. Often I will being my journal and try to find a secluded spot to sit and reflect on the past year.
Journal:
Samhain is the closing of the Wheel of the Year. Make some lists, free-write about the past year and what you hope for the new one. This is an excellent sabbat to delve into shadow work, asking yourself those tough questions and asking your ancestors, spirit guides, or the dark goddesses for wisdom and insight.
Leave an Offering to the Spirit of a Departed Loved One:
Soul cakes are perfect to set out on your alter as an offering to the departed. I also place offerings before the photos of my ancestors that speak to my connection to them. Often these are items I have gathered on a nature walk earlier in the day. Items such as feathers, acorns, a polished pebble, or even a leaf, make lovely offerings. I like to play Flora Ware’s Samhain song as a sort of prayer while I lay out my offerings.
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Smoke Cleanse Your Home:
Prior to any divination rituals for Samhain, I like to smoke cleanse my home and especially my alter space. A bundle of mugwort for protection, and rosemary for remembrance, is particularly nice.
Practice Divination or Tarot:
Much like journaling, divination or tarot can help us see more clearly and connect to our ancestors and spirit guides. You will often hear that “the veil is thin” at Samhain, which makes it an amazing opportunity to delve deep into these arts. Rather than my usual tarot deck, I bring out the Seasons of the Witch Oracle Deck, and do a three card pull. My obsidian scrying mirror comes out at night and I spend some time sitting by the fire with it.
Build a Fire:
I’d love to say I get up the energy to host a feast with all my witchy friends and afterwards we dance around the bonfire into the night, but that is far from the truth. Usually after dinner, my husband takes my son trick-or-treating, and I build a fire outside to sit next to and read or scry.
Watch a Witchy Movie or Read a Spooky Book:
Most years I skip the spooky pre-bedtime movie and stick to a good horror story such as Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon or Little Eve by Catriona Ward - two of my favorites! Although this year, I may watch Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix.
That’s it, how I celebrate Samhain, keeping it low-effort. Before bed I make sure my candle is safe on my alter and tuck a small muslin bag filled with mugwort, cinnamon, and allspice under my pillow.
May your Samhain be a blessed one!
