Five Ways to Honour the Dead This Samhain

 Happy spooky season! As we approach Halloween my thoughts turn to celebrating the fun aspects of the season like giving out candy (and eating it), dressing up, decorating and watching scary movies. However, this time of year also has a more serious side for those of us that pratice witchcraft and honour the old pagan ways. Halloween orginates from the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced Sa-wen) which was an ancient Celtic festival that honoured the dead and its where many of our traditions like dressing up as scary monsters, handing out sweets and lighting jack-o-lanterns come from. So in addition to all the fun festivities, it is also a time fro many of us who practice the craft to honour our deaceased loved ones, connect with our ancestors and do divination for the up coming year.

 

You don't have to be a practicing pagan or witch to take some time this Halloween/Samhain season to honour the dead. Below are five simple practices that anyone can do to honour those who have crossed over and connect with them. 

1. Light a candle in their honour. This may seem like a very simple thing to do, but don't let its quiet simplicity fool you. There is something very poignant about taking time to honour your loved ones by lighting a candle for them. There is reason it is a popular and common thing to do. The light represents their energy and spirit and can be a beacon to guide them to you. It shows that you have not forgotten them and that they still hold a place in your mind and heart. I like to use a larger candle for this that I dedicate solely to the dead. I not only light it on Halloween night, but also on birthdays and death days in remembrance.
    
2. Eat, watch, listen to, and do the things they enjoyed. Again this can seem quite simple but enjoying the things they enjoyed can bring back happy memories and remind us that we are always connected. You can eat some of the food they liked, watch a favourite movie of theirs or listen to music that reminds you of them. And if there's a Halloween candy you associate with them its a perfect time to indulge in a treat in honour of them. 
    
3. Put up photos of the deceased. You can out them in a frame on the wall or on the mantle near a candle lit for them. You can also keep their pictures in your phone, the same way that people used to keep photos in their wallet. Photos are a visual reminder of the people and pets we have lost, and can help us remember that we are still connected to them. Whether the photos are displayed in your home or in your phone, it can be helpful to talk to your loved one while looking at the photo. This makes it feel more tangible and like they are present. You can even light a candle while doing this to add a sense of ritual and intention.
    
4. Ask for signs. As the veil between this world and the next is thin at this time of year, its a great time to ask for signs and messages from your loved ones. You can ask to see a specific sign or keep it open ended. When asking for a specific sign make it something unlikely but not impossible. Asking to see a sparrow when you live in an area with lots of them makes it too common, but asking for a bird you rarely see might be better. Make it specific so there's no question when you see it. You can also ask for a sign that is unusual or surprising, something you can't dismiss. With this one, set a time limit, like the next 24 or 48 hours, so you know when it is done. You can even ask for something on Halloween day, as this day is one the specifically honours the dead. Another method is to ask for them to appear in a dream. This method works best if you are someone who remembers their dreams. Be patient as it may take several tries to get a response.
    
5. Visit their grave site. If your loved one is buried in a cemetery you can go and visit their grave site. While their spirit may not be hanging around their grave (I hope they have better things to do), it is a tangible space that is dedicated to them. This can be a good time to bring them an offering or to just go an sit and talk to them. It can be very peaceful and comforting for some to visit their loved ones resting place. If they don't have a grave site or you are too far away from it, you can also go to a place that was special to them like a favourite park bench, a coffee shop you used to go to with them or even a place that just reminds you of them. 

These are just a few ways you can honour your loved ones during this time of year. Remember that it doesn't have to elaborate, sometimes simple a straightforward is best. Whatever you do, make it personally meaningful to you.

 

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