Happy Samhain

I find holidays and traditions fascinating (part of why I love traveling). So this year I wanted to do something different for Halloween. Halloween coincides with the Pagan holiday Samhain, pronounced “sow-win”, known as the Witches New Year. It has been celebrated for thousands of years in many different cultures. Each tradition has a common theme of inviting ancestors back for the night to honor and connect with them. While we’ve been on the road for the last 6 months, I’ve lost 2 grandparents. I find it hard to know how to honor them after the American tradition of a funeral. So this year I’m pulling in some Samhain traditions of my own. 

Tonight Larry and I will be setting an altar with items that remind us of our ancestors. Then we will be making fall foods, lighting candles, and telling stories about what we remember from our grandparents and great grandparents. We will also take the time to consider how we are carrying our ancestors skills and passions with us. We know our love of music, traveling, health, and outdoors comes from somewhere! 

Some other ideas are to take a walk in nature, cook with autumn spices such as Rosemary, sage, and allspice, have friends over for apple cider or mead. For more simple ways you can celebrate Samhain check out this link. We would love to know if you incorporate any traditional Samhain practices in your Halloween this year! ‍👣