7 Samhain Traditions for Honoring the Celtic Festival of the Dead

Samhain (pronounced sow-in) is an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Celebrated from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st, it is one of the most important festivals in the pagan wheel of the year.

Samhain is often seen as the spiritual origin of modern-day Halloween. Many of the customs we know today come from this ancient tradition.

1. Honoring Ancestors and the Dead

Samhain is a time when the veil between worlds is said to be thinnest. People light candles, set extra places at the dinner table, or create ancestor altars with photos, flowers, and offerings of food and drink.

Things you can do

Set a place at the dinner table for deceased loved ones.
Build an ancestor altar with photos, flowers, and offerings of food or drink.
Light candles in memory of family members who have passed.
Share stories about your ancestors to keep their memory alive.
Write a letter to a loved one who has passed and place it on your altar.

2. Bonfires and Fire Rituals
Communities once gathered around great bonfires for protection and cleansing. Today, many still light outdoor fires or candles to honor the tradition. Fire is a symbol of light guiding spirits on their journey.
Things you can do
- Light a small fire outside or burn candles indoors as a symbolic bonfire.
- Write down what you want to release from the past year and burn the paper.
- Gather with friends or family to share food and stories around a firepit.
- Use the fire as a moment of meditation, focusing on warmth and light.
  
  3. Divination and Fortune-Telling
  Samhain was considered the perfect night for divination. People practiced scrying, tarot, rune casting, and even simple games with apples and nuts to predict the future.
  Things you can do
  - Read tarot or oracle cards for guidance.
  - Try scrying with a black mirror or a bowl of water by candlelight.
  - Cast runes or pull a single card for the year ahead.
  - Play old apple divination games, such as peeling an apple in one long strip and tossing it over your shoulder to see what letter it forms.
  - Keep a dream journal on this night to record any symbolic dreams.
    
    4. Seasonal Foods and Feasts
    Traditional foods include apples, pumpkins, root vegetables, grains, and meats from the final harvest. Soul cakes—small sweet breads—were shared to honor the dead and given to those in need.
    Things you can do
    - Cook with seasonal foods such as pumpkins, apples, root vegetables, and grains.
    - Bake soul cakes and share them with family or neighbors.
    - Prepare a feast and leave a small plate outside as an offering to spirits.
    - Make mulled cider or herbal teas to enjoy with your meal.
    - Try a recipe passed down from your family to honor ancestral traditions.
      
      5. Wearing Costumes and Masks
      The custom of dressing up began as a way to ward off wandering spirits. People wore disguises so they wouldn’t be recognized by ghosts. This practice eventually evolved into modern Halloween costumes.
      Things you can do
      - Wear a mask or cloak during ritual or meditation to connect with the tradition.
      - Create your own costume inspired by folklore, animals, or spirits of nature.
      - Join a Halloween celebration but add pagan meaning to your outfit.
      - Paint your face with symbolic patterns or colors.
      - Meditate in costume to embody the energy of the character you wear.
        
        6. Nature Walks and Offerings
        Many pagans celebrate by walking in nature, collecting autumn leaves, acorns, and berries for their altars. Offerings are often left outside for wildlife or as gifts to the earth.
        Things you can do
        Take a walk through the woods or a local park and collect autumn leaves, acorns, and pinecones for your altar.
        Leave offerings of nuts, seeds, or bread for wildlife.
        Place a small bowl of water outside as a gift to the earth.
        Spend time in quiet reflection outdoors, observing seasonal changes.
        Gather herbs such as rosemary or sage for protection rituals.
        
        7. Reflection and Renewal
        Samhain is also the Celtic New Year. It’s a time to reflect on the past, let go of what no longer serves you, and set intentions for the year ahead. Journaling, meditation, or quiet ritual can mark this fresh beginning.
        Things you can do
        Write in your journal about what you want to release and what you want to invite in.
        Meditate on the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.
        Perform a simple ritual of letting go, such as tying written fears to a leaf and letting it float away in a stream.
        Create a vision board for the year ahead.
        Spend quiet time reviewing the lessons of the past year.