The ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a time when the veil between worlds thins, illuminates the power of transitions—between seasons, realms, and phases of life. Often regarded as the forerunner to modern-day Halloween, Samhain invites us to honour the cycles of death and rebirth. As the year drew to a close, the Celts embraced this liminal space, reflecting on the past, the lessons learned, and the potential for new beginnings.
In yogic tradition, these habitual patterns or tendencies are known as “samskaras.” Just as trees release their leaves, Samhain calls us to shed the samskaras that no longer serve us—the ingrained ways of thinking, behaving, and being. By consciously releasing these limiting patterns, we create space for transformation. The Celts embraced this deeply, often extinguishing their hearth fires during Samhain, only to rekindle them, symbolizing rebirth.
Samhain does not actually fall on October 31st this year. It is celebrated at the midpoint between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice, marking the transition from the light half of the year to the dark. The specific date of Samhain varies, as it is influenced by the moon's cycles and the sun's position in the sky. In the northern hemisphere, Samhain generally falls around early November. This year, the Samhain celebration will occur on November 7th.
While Halloween and Samhain share some overlapping symbolism and traditions, they are distinct. Samhain remains a potent and sacred time governed by the cycles of the earth and the wisdom of our ancestral lineages. As we journey into the darker half of the year, may we also embrace the magic of this liminal space.
As the nights lengthen and the earth shifts into winter's slumber, what old samskaras are you prepared to release? What new possibilities await beyond this transition?
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