Just briefly here to share some ideas for spellwork suitable for Samhain . Personally, to me ,
never enough of ideas of Samhain , for I believe that is one of the most
powerful times of the year , when it comes to spell casting and rituals, more so If necromantic , appeasing,
divination related , but any really. See
Samhain is a time of great power, that cunning folk, witches, and simply wise
practicing people have always been using, to tap onto and supercharge their
spells and rituals.
But before we proceed on practical part, a word or two
on the very holiday’s background and
significance
It was ( and still is ) and important, If not crucial time
of the year for the Anglo Saxon people, particularly Irish and Scottish,
representing the time of the last harvest, when the cattle was made to
pass between the two bonfires to be
purged from evil spirits, ills and misfortunes of all kind. October was a month when the cattle would
normally be killed to obtain and store meat supplies for the
winter, hence why the full month of the
October ( sometimes November too ) is
often called “Blood Moon” or “Harvest Moon”. Also the very name Samhain ( originating from
Modern Irish ) is derived from the old Irish, “samain”,
“samuin” , “samfuin” all referring to
beginning of the month November. The very day is sort of in-between time, because for Celts, it had always been a division
point between the light part of the year , or summer, and upcoming dark part of
the year, the period of introspection and facing one own demons, fears and so
on. Knowing this , it is not surprising
to read , mostly in newer occult and esotery texts, how Samhain means “summer’s
end” , and when spelt “samfuin” it could be indeed translated to such , “sum”
being summer in more than just Irish ( actually in most old European, and proto-European language ) and “fuin”
being sunset or end. This certainly
being consistent with the harvest symbolism.
Pumpkin , was in Europe considered one of the last Earth gifts before the winter, and it’s power
to resist going bad, and decaying , as
well as it’s , albeit vague, resemblance
to human head are some of the reasons this very vegetable became the
“trademark” of the holiday, and seasonal symbol. That, and of course the fact
the Pumpkin was more available in States
( USA ) where the holiday was popularized, commercialized and thus made accessible to broadest public. Of course, another possible reason could be the
legends of Jack ‘O Lantern, although, quite frankly the legend to me
seems secular here. The story has few variations, but all mentioning certain Stingy Jack, a lazy farmer, gambler
and a drunk, although a very cunning one. The mentioned Jack running away from
either angry mop, some resented inn owner to whom he held debt, meets the De*il
somewhere on the road. The De*il is
there to kill him and take his soul, yet Jack was allegedly
capable to trick the wicked one
into climbing a tree, where he imprisons him by method that varies depending on region of Ireland ,
Scotland or Uk where the story is told. Whether he placed key in Dev*l’s pocket , or he placed Crosses
around the tree, or carved Cross in the tree trunk, yet the Adversary remains
captured and defeated, unable to collect Jack’s soul, and is released by Jack , only after promising
he shall not collect Jack’s soul. This leaving Jack’s soul earthbound,
unworthy of Paradise and speared of the He*l due to the contract. As a sign of mockery, Jack is granted a piece
of fire from the Hades, to illuminates
his wanderings in the darkness, which he collects and places in hollowed
turnip. Yes, that is where from the commercial Jack O Lantern carved pumpkins
most likely originated from. However, in Europe it was customary to use all
sort of vegetables with an large
underground trunk, such as beats
to make improvised lamps, by hollowing
and placing a candle inside. Beets,
turnips ( mostly in Ireland ) , sweede or rutabaga were most commonly used. The
resemblance of their “root” ( it’s an underground stem really, or even trunk, root’s are minute “filaments”
appearing all over it, or near the bottom ) to a head, and the candle placed inside and
creating lightning effects had the role to scare away the evil spirits that
roam freely during night on secluded places, hence were a popular, and
trusty old apotropaic tool/weapon of the travelers and believing folk. Particularly on Samahin, when the veil
between the worlds are thin , if not
even the thinnest during a whole year , and both the spirits of the deceased and
evil sidhe , fae, goblins and what else not, roamed freely being mischievous
and dangerous. Pumpkin , readily
available in America , took the role of turnips, beets and other, and
rightfully so, indeed , for the Pumpkin hold’s great evil repelling powers, as
well as it strengthens the bearer. It
makes a great spirit trap, when prepared and used correctly. Rattles can be made from gourds
and smaller pumpkins to scare away and chase away the various malicious spirits.
Costumes, another “trademark” of the popularized and urban
version of Samhain , referred to as Halloween are also deeply rooted in
European folklore. It originates from
the practice of “guising” popular in 19th century Anglo-Saxon
countries, particularly Ireland and Scotland.
Guisers or the disguised man
would go throughout the village, offering all sort of entertainment in
return for coins and or food. In
Scotland , guised men performed in plays , often those based upon scary and
grim motives . [2] The masking was
probably a survival of old , cosmopolite
beliefs, that ritual masks frighten and confuse spirits or confer
protection.
Finally divinations are common, even nowadays present practice on Samhain, particularly
ornithomancy ( divination by bird’s numbers, sightings and movements ) as well
as any love related divination.
The elements of the Festival of The Dead are closely
correlated to All Hallows eve, and are incorporated in same. They reflect in setting
lights for dearly deceased, setting up a dumb supper for them , leaving food
offerings and more. Also they are
reflected through protective rituals
designed to ward off hostile spirits of
the dead, roaming the physical plane on
this day, due to the fact that the veils between the worlds thinned on given
day. This also makes it an amazing time
for all sort of spirit communing work , such as all sort of necromantic spells,
séances , and sprit summoning. Bonfires
form a great part of this tradition , for originally , bones of slaughtered
cattle were thrown in , in order to ward
off evil spirits.
Correspondences:
Rituals and spells performed at Samhain are particularly powerful if and when done
for protection, appeasing and banishing unsettled spirits ( literately and
figuratively speaking ), vanquishing
fear and mental disorders, rites of passage, and love divinations.
The energy of the day supercharges any spell and / or ritual
, hence making it ideal to create and consecrate magickal charms
of all sorts, also esoteric oils and other.
Colors associated with the day range from black , over
deep/dark blue, indigo and purple , to red, orange and even pale blue, which is
used in healing rituals. However the
most commonly found colors in rituals are black, that represents winter,
sorrow, death and power over the same, as well as attuning to the darker aspects of our personality, and red
and orange. Red represents simply fire, for Samhain is a fire festival, and in
some parts of the UK , instead of the Samhain, a fire devoted festival is
celebrated, on the 5th of
November. Red candles represent power, protection and banishment as well
as support to the Sun that is believed to be falling into winter slumber , and
encouragement for it’s spring return
Orange represents immortality and the joy of such, afterlife and
physical longevity.
Herbs include ( but
are not limited on ) : Belladonna , Bittersweet , Cedar, Myrrh, Aloe , Mugwort, Aaron’s rod , Fern, Pine, Apples, Cinnamon, Sandalwood,
Sage, Ginger and others. Gems associate
with these days are Opal, Granite, Onyx , Orange Chalcedony,
Smokey Quartz , Cat’s eye , Fossil, Coral and others.
Inscribe a large, purple,
or seven day candle with Elven Star symbol, and place it over a symbol of Gnostic star on which You
have written Your name . Light the candle and the incense made from
Sandalwood and or Frankincense and Myrrh.
Then chant seven times:
“On this night, when veil is thin,
I call forth power to be drawn within
Spirit to spirit, force to meI call forth power to be drawn within
Bless me with power, so mote it be ! “
Or other rhyme You’ve composed Yourself that speaks of Samh ain and invokes power. You can even read a soothing Psalm for example.
Now get some of the following ( an odd number ) : Master root, Solomon seal root, Galangal
root, Dandelion root, Bay Laurel leaf ,
Ginger rhizome , Cinnamon power,
Lodestone, piece of Quartz, or Opal stone,
or Onyx and smoke them all with incense.
When the candle burns all the way down, take the symbol of Gnostic star
on which the candle burnt, and the remaining of wax and place them all in a
purple mojo bag, along with odd number
of ingredients mentioned above, that You have smoked with the incense. As You
add each, to the mojo bag , You may smoke them once again and say
something along the lines: I add one
more , to gain more power , so mote it be !
If You feel so inclined. Carry the mojo with You when You need quick and
powerful boost of power, otherwise keep it safe from praying eyes in Your room,
under pillow or in Your desk.
On Samhain’s midday , get some Honey , Vine and either of:
Life everlasting , Linden flowers, Sage and expose them to the light of the Sun
for at least 20 minutes . Now latter,
set up 3 orange candles so that they form a triangle, and in the centre of them
place a chalice or some nice glass cup. Light the candles , and pour little bit
of wine, a spoon of honey and bit of powdered or crumbled herb, mentioned above in a glass, and stir.
While stirring, chant:
Gift of longevity I call upon
May body , endure, blood, flesh and bone,
Vital and pretty , and of appearance fair
radiant, soft skin and beautiful hair
Like Sage that in winter shall not witherMay body , endure, blood, flesh and bone,
Vital and pretty , and of appearance fair
radiant, soft skin and beautiful hair
Curse of time , this body shall counter
For this I pray on this sacred day
Spirits hear me, ( and ) aid without delay !
Drink the potion, and You can add some to Your bath.
According to recipe
by Sir Cunningham, Scott ( given in his book of formulas ) You should combine
·
Orange essential oil
·
Pine essential oil
·
Ginger essential oil [3]
Now, I’d suggest Ginger to be used in form of rhizome chips,
or cubes , and also perhaps a dash of
Cinnamon or even some Frankincense tears and Myrrh resin. If the spiritual power is sought , roots such
as : Solomon’s seal, Master root, Galangal root make a great ingredient.
You can use this oil to anoint onself for empowerment , particularily in difficult situations, or
prior to rituals and spells, dress candles
, for example purple candle in
the ritual for raising the power , that was discussed earlier in
this text.
This is how I would
compose an oil formula that
could be used as devotional oil on Samhain, or to counter negative magick,
or draw and control spirits.
·
Ginger root / rhizome piece
·
Pine essential oil
·
Rosemary essential oil
·
Large Mulein leaf, dry and crumbled
·
Dried Verbena, in a teaspoon
·
Orange essential oil ( few drops )
·
OPTIONAL: Sandalwood essential oil or powdered
·
All in base oil, of Pumpkin seeds oil
If You feel so inclined You may add some Patchouli and perhaps a dash of Lavender too.
CREDITS AND REFERENCES:
[1] “Golden bough” Sir James George Fraser
[2] guiser’s tradition of scaring, and going through the village/town and performing, according
to info
given on Wikipedia’s page : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
[3] “Book of incenses, oils an d brews” by Cunningham Scott
consulted texts and suggested reading:
IMAGE CREDITS: From : www.witcheslore.com ( candles ) and www.wallcoo.net ( the adorable kittens ) and are used here for illustrative purposes merely, without any ill intentions
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