Hello my witches and welcome to October! October is a time of deep meaning for many people. Or more aptly the time of the cross over from October into November. The days of green, plenty and growth have ended. The time for harvest and reaping what was sown has come. Naturally as the mother dies off in preparation for her winter sleep people reflect on those lost as well. The ever flowing cycle of life and death manifesting in the world around us. Final preparations for the winter months are made like squirrels with their nuts.

For many October’s crossing to November is a time of ancient traditions that reflect hard work done and reaping the benefits of that hard work. There is gratitude for the bounty and those who have come before, their wisdom and aid. The acknowledgement of the longer nights and shorter days. Everyone knows Halloween and trick or treating. Many modern pagans and witches celebrate Samhain, good naturedly arguing (mostly lol) over the pronunciation. But how about Álfablót or Día de Muertos? Christians (yes there are Christian witches, it’s a craft remember) Celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Modern Halloween is based off of the Celtic new year celebration of Samhain which is over 2,000 years old. Pretty impressive and telling of the deep seeded meaning of the time of year. On the night of the last day of the year the veil between the realms of living and dead is at its thinnest. Ghosts of the dead can cross to our side at this time and many practices are to honor or protect against them. Though carving root vegetables has given way to carving pumpkins the warding and protection they give for the living remains the same. Dressing in costume is meant to fool the spirits, confusing them as to who is ghost and who is living. Druids where thought to be able to commune with these spirits and to get insight on the final harvests and weather as well as keep ghostly mischief to a minimum. The giving of treats is a way to pacify the spirits and keep them moving along past your home. Without a treat you might be risking some spirit shenanigans.

I have seen Álfablót described as the Viking Halloween but since Viking was more a profession, I will call it a Norse celebration. There are really two parts to this, Álfablót and Dísablót. As with Samhain Álfablót is a time to celebrate those who have passed as well as to honor the elves and the final harvest. Practiced from early to late fall Álfablót is a male centered sacrificial rite that is very private with only families participating. At this time outsiders are not welcome. Perhaps it’s a fear of traveling spirits? Dísablót is a more female centered rite preformed at some point in winter. If early it is to give thanks for the harvest, if late it is to herald spring. Either time was also meant to honor the female Gods and Valkyries. Both Álfablót and Dísablót are sacrificial rites with offerings of blood as well as the choicest fruits and vegetables.

Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, originated with a blending of ancient Aztec goddess worship of around 1,800 years ago and Christianity by Latin Americans. Unlike many other fall holidays, the two-day celebration itself is what creates the spirit veil thinning and is not a harvest holiday. By celebrating people are helping their loved ones to crossover and visit. Alters are decorated with food, human skull figures, calavera and cempazúchitl, a yellow marigold. The tone of Día de los Muertos is not meant to be mourning but a time of parades, joy and celebration.

All Saints Day was originally observed in May in the year 609 but was changed around the mid-800s to the October/November cross over and meant to honor Christian saints. All Souls Day is the day after, also known as All Hallows or Allhallowtide and is for honoring the souls who have yet to go to heaven. All Saints Day is celebrated with church services while All Souls Day is celebrated by bringing flowers to the graves of loved ones.

Acknowledging the death of the mother, the end of the harvest and the coming of darkness. Bravely facing the turning of the wheel of life and death and showing gratitude for those who have come before are universal. However you celebrate you are not alone. The living and dead are with you. Let me know of other celebrations for this time of year or how you celebrate!

Light and love.