For most people, Halloween is a commercial enterprise that rakes in millions of dollars. Costumes, candy and decorations line Walmart’s shelves and people clamor for the latest and greatest the holiday has to offer.
Of the eight Sabbats that Pagans celebrate, Halloween, or Samhain (SOW-inn) as it is called by those who follow a Celtic path, is the most important. A lot happens this time of year. The last of the harvest has been brought in and the Earth is preparing for a long winter slumber.
The end of the harvest also signals the end of the year for Pagans. Therefore, it is the time when we celebrate the end of one turning of the wheel and the beginning of another. This is the Pagan New Year.
Large feasts are prepared using what was harvested over the past few months. Sweet cakes called “soul cakes” are prepared.
The tradition of trick or treating was believed to have originated hundreds of years ago when beggars would go door to door after the last harvest begging for something sweet to eat.
Some rituals Pagans perform at this time include giving thanks to the gods for all they have given us in the past year and asking for their blessings for the 12 moons.
Many, if not all, Pagans believe that there is a veil between the worlds and during Halloween that veil is very thin. Because the veil is thin, Pagans believe that communication between the living and the dead is much easier.
To that end, we often invite friends and family members who have died to a special dinner called a “dumb supper,” in which an extra place is set at the table for our dearly departed. I have seen some Pagans go all out and set a whole table for their dead loved ones.
Not only is it easier to communicate with the dead, it also is easier for them to pass into our world at this time. Not only good spirits, but bad ones as well.
Despite the fact that Pagans do not believe in any form of pure evil, they do acknowledge that there are things in the world that would try to harm them. The tradition of carving pumpkins also originated from the Pagan tradition of carving ghoulish faces and symbols of protection in turnips to frighten away any evil that might be lurking about.
This also is a great time for performing magic and casting spells. It is much easier to manifest something on the physical plane when the barrier to the astral plane is more permeable. Magic and spells for prosperity, protection and spiritual cleansing are particularly popular with some Pagans during Halloween.
While Walmart may have the market cornered on what many consider a secular holiday, Halloween is anything but secular for Pagans. Happy Haunting, everyone.
