This Thursday is Halloween, otherwise known as Samhain. For my family, this is the most important festival of the year. Yes, my children genuinely prefer Halloween over Christmas because they get to dress up in cool costumes (which they plan a whole year in advance) and get more sweets in one night than they’ve had in a year. 

For me, Samhain is the most sacred date of all. It’s the time when the veil is thin and the Wild Hunt rides. Where the Fey Queen will help you with affairs of the heart on May Day, now, she is a bloodthirsty ruler, on the prowl for souls to devour and whisk off to court to be forced into eternal servitude. The nights are long and growing longer, and not only do the fey abound, but so do the spirits of those who’ve passed, our ancestors.

This is why so many people honour their loved ones at Samhain. It’s an opportunity to make connection with those we’ve lost and remember how important they are to us still, even though they’re no longer here. 

Love can take many forms. One of the most moving Samhain rituals I was ever involved in surrounded a guided meditation to take participants to talk to those who’ve gone before. We were taken to the Underworld and told we would meet the individual we most needed to see. While I expected to meet my mother, instead, Django came bounding over to greet me, a puppy we’d had for just a few months before he was run over. He was such a sweet, happy soul, who reassured me that he was still around, guarding my home, and had enjoyed the brief time he’d spent with us. 

So when you plan your Samhain ritual, don’t feel you can’t pay your respects to any animal friends you’ve lost. Love is love and family is family, whatever shape it takes. 

Simple Samhain ritual for solitaries

Decorate your altar with representations of the four elements, any deities you wish to work with and representations of your loved ones. You will also need a large, central candle you can leave to burn down, as well as food and drink.

Close your eyes and visualise a protective white light surrounding you. Let this light shine brighter and brighter, chasing away any spirits with ill intent. Say:

I create this sacred space to be a perfect place between the worlds, a place free from evil of the realms of man and spirit. Let this be a place of perfect love and perfect trust, that those who celebrate here be safe and free. So mote it be!

Take a moment to sit in quiet contemplation. Think of those who have been important to you in your life who are no longer here. Send out gratitude and thanks that you knew them and the joy they brought to you. Remember the time you had together and how much they meant to you.

When you are ready, light the candle. As you do, say:

I light this candle in honour of [name(s)]. May this light reflect the light they brought to this world.

Watch the candle flame. Observe how it dances and moves. Samhain is a time when divination is powerful and messages can come through more clearly, so if you wish, ask the candle any questions you may have. Watch its movement for answers. These may take the form of visions/images, gut feelings, or even a voice.

When you have finished scrying, bless the food and drink. Hold your hands over them and say:

I bless this food and drink in honour of [name(s)]. May it nourish my body in the way their lives nourished my soul.

Slowly eat and drink, reflecting upon your experiences. Leave some food and drink as an offering to the Ancestors. You may also like to make a donation to a food bank in their name. If so, have your donation on the altar so that it may also be blessed.

When you’re ready, it is time to close your ritual space. Say:

Thanks to the Ancestors for being with me this night. Without you, I would not be. Without your wisdom, I would not be who I am. It is time to end the ritual, but know I carry you always with me in my heart. Farewell and blessings.

Now close your eyes and visualise the white light you conjured up earlier slowly dissolving away, leaving you feeling refreshed and cleansed.

We’d love to hear about your experiences with this ritual or however you choose to celebrate Samhain. Tell us about them in the comments!