equinoxparanormal:

By Tess Whitehurst - October 31st is not just Halloween. It’s also Samhain: an ancient sabbat and powerful point on the wheel of the year.

Divinatory and protective practices connected with this time abound, as does lore about the realm of the dead and the realm of the Fae.

Here are 10 such beliefs:

1. Spirits and fairies walk among us - At Samhain, the veil between the worlds lifts, which means all usually unseen creatures are free to dwell in our human realm.
   
2. Dressing up like an animal or a fearsome creature may trick the fairies into not kidnapping you - If you would prefer not to be kidnapped by a fairy, this gives you one more reason to dress up for Halloween.
   
3. Jack-O-Lanterns help guide lost spirits to the light - No matter what vegetable was employed to create Jack-O-Lanterns (they were originally made from things like turnips and beets), their flickering light was said to guide trapped or gloomy spirits into a brighter and happier realm.
   
4. A bonfire will protect you from unfriendly fairies and ghosts - As such, many ancient peoples in the British Isles lit a bonfire in the center of town, at the edges of crops, and near their homes.
   
5. Thoroughly cleaning and tidying your home will help welcome in beloved deceased ancestors and friends - Burn some sweetgrass and copal incense afterwards for extra magical power.
   
6. Two sticks of rowan tied together to form an equal-armed cross will protect you from fairies - Red thread is apparently the best thing with which to tie them.
   
7. A bat in your house means a ghost got in - On Samhain, a bat in the house means at least one ghost is probably in there too.
   
8. Two nuts, thrown in a fire, can provide romantic insight - First, name the nuts after yourself and your partner. Then throw them in the Samhain fire. If they burn brightly, expect a happy relationship. If they don’t ignite, it’s a sign of future unhappiness. Or if they jump apart, separation (or at least acrimony) may be in your future.
   
9. A pair of shoes over a house on Samhain will reveal future travel plans - In short, you’ll know by the direction the toes are pointing.
   
10. Seeing a spider on Samhain means you have a loyal ally in the realm of the dead. Whether it’s a friend, a close family member, or a more ancient ancestor, seeing a spider is a message that someone on the other side is looking out for you.
    

For more fun traditions and beliefs, check out Samhain: Rituals Recipes, & Lore for Halloween. 

[Tess Whitehurst]

spellcraftbaby:

☾ tea leaves or ground coffee

make a cup of tea/coffee and leave it on your porch, on your windowsill, or by the fire for a night. sprinkle coffee grounds or tea leaves outside your home.

☾ beer or wine

leave a small chalice of wine/beer at your altar or by your door.

☾ breads or baked sweets

when eating at the table, leave an offering of bread on a plate and leave a seat open for spirits.

☾ apples or pears

cut an apple in half; eat half and leave the other half outside your home to share a blessing with the departed.

☾ flowers, or a pretty leaf arrangement

arrange some fall leaves outside (or in a cemetery) into a mosaic or nice design to pay respects to the earth spirits. make some dandelion wishes to spread their seeds; dandelions are known to call spirits.

☾ honey or pollen

buy some local honeycomb at a farmer’s market and place a small piece by the grave of a loved one or ancestor.

☾ incense or candles

light some incense at your altar or on your front porch and meditate on the smoke curling and rising to share a moment with the departed.

mohaganythebruja:

Samhain ideas !

- go for a walk! either thru the woods, city or a trail. just make sure you’re outside to enjoy the air.

- pick up leaves cause hey they’re all beautiful

- light candles. either to let the spirits know you’re welcoming them in or just to cleanse the air.

- light incenses (seasonal?)

- meditate ! ‍♀️

- a feast! if you’re into it or can do so this is a great way to celebrate

- release old energies and attitudes

- best time to practice divination! do a tarot spread, scrying, runes, tea reading or palmistry.

- put a protection spell or sigil all over your house

- read !! expand your mind and always fill it with knowledge

- decorate your room or altar with seasonal colors!!! (orange and black preferably. black for death and the fading of light. orange for the dawn of light.)

- bonfire of course (if possible) if not you can burn paper or draw sigils on the paper or better yet write the things you wish to set free or let go off and burn them.

- carve pumpkins, paint pumpkins and/or make pumpkin seeds

- have a small ritual or gathering with other witches

- visit (or make) your ancestor altar or their grave

- CONTACT THE DEAD! of course this is here and samhain is when the the other side is “thin” to contact the spirit (but beware of your energy and make sure it’s not bad energy before you start talking to spirits)

- write you’re intentions down and get ready for the year to end with your resolutions set.

- write something you want to start or continue, put it under your pillow aans sleep on it

- Give bread to the poor to honor the dead (even if you’re not honoring the dead just be kind)

- TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR HISTORY OR THE PATH YOU DECIDED TO FOLLOW!

ioqayin:

lavend-rwitch:

does anyone know of any halloween specific/themed witchcraft to do on Halloween?

Give offerings to your ancestors. 

I was planning on visiting the local cemetery and leaving gifts/offerings for child headstones.

organichaos:

Khrysos ~ Spirit Daemon of Gold

As I morph and transform, as I age toward whispers of wonder and primal lore, fire crackles in my heart, and I feel gold unfold in my veins. I’ve transitioned from the silver linings and moon magic of my youth to the mature divinity, power, and strength of gold. And exploding suns. Gold only forms under extreme conditions. Trusting my struggle has brought me riches beyond my wildest dreams. Transmutation of suffering into gold is alchemy of the highest order.

Happy All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween, Samhain, Calan Gaeaf, Hop-tu-Naa, Allantide, Feast of All Saints, Day of the Dead & Neewollah everyone!

Last Chance. Use code OCT2021 for 20% off my pose books. https://posemuse.gumroad.com/

witcheshaven:

The perfect cake doesn’t exi-

Leslie Vigil on IG

Fine art prints “The viscous edge of dreams” now available on my Etsy store!

“On the edge of reality and sleep, on the edge of the sunset of autumn and the white vision of winter, a tree stretches out with many hands, plunging into a lethargic sleep”.

A limited edition of one photo that has absorbed the dark beauty and atmosphere of Autumn. There are only 11 fragments of sleep that you can take with.

For the first time I am printing on the most incredible premium Hahnemuhle paper. I discovered the possibility of fine art printing, on papers that are usually used for drawing and painting. And fell in love with the beautiful texture of the engraving paper on which the photo is printed, the depth of colors and details that the print of gallery quality gives

Specifications:

Size: 30×40 cm.

Fine art print on paper Hahnemühle Albrecht Dürer, 210 gsm.

Each print is numbered and signed by the author.

Price: 75$.

Fairy festivals take place at crossover points in the seasons. Equinoxes and solstices are determined by the position of the Sun, but the other four festivals are celebrated when the time feels right, so the dates given below are approximate.

There are other festivals too,such as Christmas Eve,Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Any human festival that touches on old traditions,from Ramadan to a Japanese Flower Festival, is a fairy feast. If you celebrate these festivals and make the effort to tune into what concerns the fairies, you will draw closer to their world. If you celebrate a special meal, remember to leave a little outside afterward for the fairies

1.  Imbolic - 

• February 2 in the Northern Hemisphere/July 31 in the Southern Hemisphere
• Imbolc means “in the belly,” and this is the time when life stirs in the belly of the earth. Frost sparkles and the pale light lingers each evening,bringing the message that spring is on the horizon. Imbolc is the delicate crossover point from winter’s depths into the New Year. It is a feast of lightness and brightness,but also a time of cleansing,to make way for the new. The Hag, who is Dark Goddess or Dark Fairy, gives way now to the Maiden, who is young and radiant.
• Fairies love neatness and good housekeeping,so it is a good idea to have a late-winter sort-out,in preparation for fresh activity. While the fairies are busy coaxing snowdrops and crocuses out of the winter-hard earth,do something creative of your own,such as knitting,painting,or writing poetry. Ask the fairies to lend you a little of their magic by leaving them an offering,such as a piece of wool or a verse written just for them.
• This feast is also called candlemas,sacred to St.Bridget,who was the successor to the pagan goddess Bride (pronounced “Breed”). Bride was the keeper of the sacred flame,which represents eternal life. She is the patroness of poetry,smithcraft,child birth, and healing, and is a very powerful fairy indeed. Invite her into your home by lighting as many candles as you like, in your windows and around your house. Ask her to bless your projects for the coming year,and pledge a special act of caring for the natural world in return,to seal your pact as the year waxes.

2. Spring Equinox-

• March 21 in the Northern Hemisphere/September 21 in the Southern Hemisphere
• The fairies are very busy at the Spring Equinox,looking after all the flowers that are newly blooming.Scandinavian fairies become active now: the Russian cellar fairy,The Domoviyr,casts off its skin and grows a lighter one for summer; and the Russian Rusalki,or river fairies are glimpsed by lakes swollen with melted snow.
• A tree planting project is a very fairy-friendly activity at this time. A seasonal blitz on the garden is also called for. While you are hard at work, digging and pulling away at dead winter twigs, it is easy to go into a kind of trance. This, coupled with the spell of the natural world around you,can create the perfect state of mind to catch a glimpse of fairies.You can be sure they are near you,helping you with their energies.Plant some seeds of your choice and, as you put them in the earth, close your eyes and make a special request for fairy help. Visualize the fairies tending your seeds,giving them their love and care. Ask out loud for the fairies to help you,and sing or hum and you plant. Touch the soft soil with your bare hands and make real contact with the earth.
• Place water in a pottery or glass jug (plastic or metal is best avoided) and leave it out in the noon sunshine. Ask the fairies to bless it. Imagine them dancing around it and coming up to touch it with their glimmering fingers. Use the water to give your houseplants a special spring blessing.
• The Green Man is a powerful nature spirit that has been sensed by many people. He is represented in numerous churches as the Foliate Mask (a face made up of leaves),and one theory about his presence is that the masons who fabricated him had hidden sympathies with the old nature- worship. He is making his appearance now on some new park benches and monuments. However, you can make contact with the real Green Man out alone walking through the woodland. Ancient and wise,he is watching you. Catch a glimpse of him behind tree trunks or in the lacework of budding branches. Hear his footfalls behind you as you walk. He is the very breath of Nature, and his strength is bursting forth in springtime.

3. Beltane -

• April 30 in the Northern Hemisphere/October 31 in the Southern Hemisphere
• Of all the festivals, Beltane is the most flagrantly joyful and sensuous as Nature is bursting forth with beauty and excitement. This was the Celtic beginning of summer, and also marked an important transition for the people of Fairy, for it was the time when the Milesian Celts landed on the shores of south-west Ireland. With this, the last of the magical peoples,the Tuatha de Danann, receded from the the world of humans into the Hollow Hills and became the people of the Sidhe.
• However, they and the other fairy folk have not gone very far. You will find them dancing in a bluebell wood or skipping in the sunshine,sheltered by a greening hedge. Beltane is the time when good fairies reign supreme and bad fairies retreat. Fairies are very active now and may try to steal butter,or some of the ritual fire that used to be ignited on hilltops and is still lit by modern pagans.
• This is the maypole season, but instead you can always dance around a friendly tree. Link hands with friends, and you may find yourselves spontaneously re-creating the kind of things people used to to do when seeing fairies was commonplace:lingering,walking,and talking, in the open air, away from television,computers,and other modern distractions.
• There are many tales of beautiful fairies marrying mortals. Such tales usually end in tragedy, for fairy and human can never truly be joined. Better to borrow some of the fairy enchantment by performing a little magic of your own! Rise early on May Day and wash your face in the dew or simply walk in it. As the rhyme says: “The fairy maid who, the first of May Goes to the fields at break of day, And walk in dew from the hawthorn tree, Will ever handsome be.”
• Welsh legend tells how the hero Pwll saw the Lady Rhiannon riding past him at Beltane and, after pursuing her, he eventually won her. Rhiannon is one aspect of the Fairy Queen,riding on her white horse between the worlds. As you sit quietly outside,on a bank in the late spring dusk,listen for the sounds of her horse’s hooves,and open your eyes to the shimmer of her sea-blue cloak. When Rhiannon touches your heart, she will fill it with love and inspiration.

4. Midsummer - 

• June 22 in the Northern Hemisphere/December 22 in the Southern Hemisphere
• This is one of the most magical times of the year, when fairies are very active and visible, playing pranks and even, it is said, stealing away the young and beautiful to join them in the Hollow Hills. The sun is now at the height of its strength and this is an important crossover point,such as the fairies love. For at the Midsummer Solstice the sun stands still, before beginning to recede as we move into the waning half of the year.
• Flowers are colorful and luxuriant, and one radiant day seems to merge into another, as late dusk meets early dawn. At no time is the natural world more inviting. Take part in it by going on quests -long walks to sacred spots,evening camping out with the minimum of equipment,to draw close to the mystery that is all around, and to the Fair Folk in particular.
• The rose is possibly the most sensuous bloom of all, and at midsummer it is often at its most gorgeous. Roses in the garden are especially likely to attract fairies. Distil water from rose petals and add it to your bath, asking the fairies to lend you some of their enchantment and to help you attract love. Brew tea from rosebuds and drink it,to increase your psychic powers.Plant a rose bush with a friend, to affirm the loving bound between you and invite the fairies into your life.
• St.John’s wort is a herb known to break any negative fairy enchantment and drive away depression. Pluck some on Midsummer’s Day and carry it, to keep cheerful.
• Look out for water nymphs by streams, or for undines for water elementals on the seashore- or for even the Lady of the Lake herself,rising from the luminous depths.In olden times, these beings were said to have no souls. It is closer to the truth to say that they do not have human morals. Conventions often conceal or feelings, but the beauty of the water fairies opens us to our unconscious tides; see them and let yourself be transformed.

5.Lammas-

• July 31 in the Northern Hemisphere/February 2 in the Southern Hemisphere
• Lammas is “Loaf Mass,” a christian version of a much older festival known as Lughnasadh, or the “Feast of Lugh.” Lugh was a Celtic god,lord of the Tuatha de Danann, and his name means “bright one.” Lughnasadh is a major fairy festival, and many fairies become active during this period,such as the Russian Polevik, who kicks sleepy harvesters awake. It is also a time when fairies move about in preparation for winter,and processions of them may be seen as a line of twinkling lights moving between the hills in the countryside.
• At Lammas, the fields are golden with corn and splashed with red poppies. It is hazy,lazy time of holidays and abundance,but there is an underlying theme of death,for the Corn Spirit must be sacrificed in order to reap the harvest. If you walk out into a field of ripe wheat, you may sense the anger of the nature spirits as what is to be taken from the earth,even thought that is a part of the natural cycle of life.Gather up some ears of wheat and tie them into a bunch with red thread,to make a charm for the coming winter to hang over your hearth. At the same time,pledge an act of caring for the earth,such as clearing a derelict site in your neighborhood or garden, or planting and tending a herb, as payment for what you-and all of us- take from it.
• At home, bake your own bread, using the rising of the dough as a spell to ensure that everything prospers in your life. While you are kneading the bread dough, say to yourself “As this dough swells, so may my fortunes increase.” Ask for your own personal Brownie, or house fairy, to come and help your bread rise- and remember to leave some breadcrumbs outside afterward,for the fairies.
• Some say that Lugh is lord of the waning year, and his dance- through the waving,whispering corn- is a dance of death. If so, it is a reminder that all things come in cycles,and that everything is united in love and beauty. Stand at the edge of a sun-kissed wheat field and see the shimmer and sway that betrays the presence of Lugh. Take a few moments to feel respect for the earth in your heart, and understand the meaning of the Wheel of Life.

6. Autumn Equinox (Mabon) -

• September 21 in the Northern Hemisphere/March 21 in the Southern Hemisphere
• At the Autumn Equinox, Nature stands poised between light and dark,but darkness is gaining. The veil between this world and the Otherworld is at its thinnest, and all manner of spirit visitations are more frequent now.
• The hedgerows are beaded with berries,and mist lingers in the hollows. Sometimes the wind whistles in from nowhere and tosses baring branches. On other says, the mellow sun caresses the fields with slanting fingers. It is a time for reflection, but also for industry. In days gone by, preserves would be made for winter store and the help of the Good Folk would be sought by country people.
• Absorb the atmosphere of the season by going blackberrying. In Celtic countries, there may be a taboo on eating blackberries, because these belong especially to fairies. However, as long as you gather them with respect and do not denude the bramble bushes, they will hardly object. Better still,leave out some of your homemade blackberry pie or wine for them,so that they will bless you. When this month ends, leave the blackberries alone and move on. Also look out for a bramble bush that forms an arch-so much the better if it faces east/west, for that mirrors the passage of the sun. Crawl through this three times on a sunny day to be healed of physical ills, especially rheumatism and skin troubles.
• At this mysterious time, pay honor to Queen Mab. Her special gift is to bring dreams and visions to birth within us. She is really one of many manifestations of the Goddess, in her autumnal guise of wise-woman and Lady of Magic, and she is linked with ancient ideas of sovereignty- for the king drew his power from the land, and Mab presided.
• Preferably at the Full Moon closest to the equinox,place good-quality wine in a stemmed glass or chalice,and take it into the garden or a secluded place.Raise the glass to the Moon,say, “Mab, I honor you”and pour some of the wine onto the earth. Drink a little and say, “Mab, I drink with you,” Then return home,light a bright-green candle beside your bed,gaze at the flame and say, “Mab,give me wisdom,” Place some jasmine or rose oil on your pillow,extinguish the candle-and drift into Fairyland. This is a little ritual that you can repeat during any Full Moon if you wish.

7. Samhain -

• October 31 in the Northern Hemisphere/April 30 in the Southern Hemisphere
• Samhain means “summer’s end” and is pronounced “sa-wen.” This ancient Celtic festival at the official start of the winter was later Christianized as Halloween- a time when the dead were remembered. There was always a sinister aspect to Samhain,because certain sacrifices had to be made in order to survive the coming cold weather. Animals had to be slaughtered,and some say that human sacrifice took place to propitiate the spirits. Sacrifice,however, is a corruption of nature worship,for life is hard enough as it is and all we have to do is show respect.
• Barrow mounds,shrouded in mist,are particularly eerie places at Samhain. Draw close,if you dare,and sit quietly.Do you hear the strange,far-off noise of fairy music,or the sound of knocking? Maybe the mound will open for you and unearthly light will stream over the barren fields.After Samhain,the earth is given over to the powers of darkness and decay.No crops or berries may be harvested after this time,because the Phooka, a malevolent Irish Fairy,blights them. The true meaning here,of course,is that death and decay have a place in the natural order,requiring due honor and respect lest they get out of hand.
• Traditionally, this is the start of the story telling season. While the wind whistles around the eaves or the mist comes down outside,gather family or friends around your hearth- preferably with a real fire burning in it. If you do not have an open hearth,substitute a collection of large,burning candles. Sit round and speak of times gone by and people who have passed over to the other side.Ask the Beloved Dead to be present, if you wish(but note that this is not a seance,and the Beloved Dead are invited,not summoned). Laugh,share funny stories,feast,and drink.
• Cerridwen is the Underworld Goddess and the Fairy Hag most associated with this time. In her magic cauldron,she stirs a brew that confers inspiration and transformation. Simmer up a hearty soup of root vegetables or pumpkin, to share with friends,then light a black candle and ask Cerridwen to guide you through the darkness into the light. You will  be both safe and wise.

8.  ❄️ Yule - ❄️

• December 22 in the Northern Hemisphere/June 22 in the Southern Hemisphere
• Yule is the Midwinter Solstice, when the sun again appears to stand still,as it did at midsummer,but the season is poised for the return of light. Celebrations of Christ’s birth were moved to coincide with the much more ancient solstice.
• As you deck your Christmas tree,remember that the evergreen is a powerful symbol of the enduring life in Nature. Of course,is has a fairy on top of it,confirming that it is a festival of the Fair Folk,who also rejoice in the sun’s rebirth. Decorating your tree is an important magical act,for the decorations are fairy charms. Each member of the family should hang at least one special charm of their own,to enable a wish to come true.
• Jack Frost is an active fairy in the cold weather,painting windows with intricate lacework. In Russia he is called Father Frost,the soul of winter,covering the trees in ice. Do not shrink from the frost fairy-go out and wonder at his works and he will reward you with hope and joy,just as in Russia Father Frost brings presents for the children on New Year’s Day.
• By far the best-known and most powerful fairy at Yule is Father Christmas himself. Today we know him by his robes of red and white, but in the past he also wore green and other colors. As we have seen,red is the color both of life and death, and many fairies wear red caps. The hearty red of Father Christmas is a sign that he is an Otherworld being-very much alive,but not of this earth. He is recognized all over the world, as Kris Kringle in Germany and Pere Noel in France. In Brazil he is Papa Noel,and in China Dun Che Loa. He is the essence of Yuletide mystery,joy and renewal,and like many traditional fairies, he comes in and out via the hearth.
• When all is quiet on Christmas Eve, get ready to welcome Father Christmas- light a candle and look at the stars. Pledge a gift for a friend and one for the world, and ask for a special gift to answer your heart’s desire. Write your wish on a piece of paper and “post” it up the chimney if you have an open fire. If not, burn it in the candle flame. Can you hear those sleigh bells?

(Art By: IrenHorrors On Deviantart -Link)