Guest Author - Amelia Tucker

Samhain

The most beloved of pagan holidays. This marks the beginning of the new year, the thinning of the veil between those departed and those still on Earth. It is the time of remembrance and thanks for the lives we live.

Samhain is a family Sabaat. It is important for children to feel a part of something bigger than themselves and this is the perfect opportunity to show the connections with people from their past. The turning of the wheel is always present, even if we aren't always aware of it happening.Samhain can be a focal point for both children and adults alike to focus on their place in the universe.

The altar colors are golden, orange, black and yellow. I again, add a deep green using Rosemary(also for remembrance) by including a small plant of it that I bring in from our garden. Pumpkins, leaves, pine cones and other Autumn items are perfect for decorating. I also add a Pomegranate to represent balance: From the tale of Persephone eating the seeds and learning that the underworld represents hope and renewal(this is the tale I have always shared with my children to express balance and finding positive, as in hope in something seemingly negative, i.e. darkness of winter)

To represent and honor the dead, placing pictures or personal items that remind us of the individual are lovingly placed on the altar. Although it may be swaying from common tradition, our meal for Samhain is reflective of the foods that bind us closely with grandparents and other loved ones who are no longer with us. While one grandmother was a baker and traditional food maker, the other was a can and boxed food opener. We combine both to make an eclectic feast with the children reveling in tastes they don't often experience.

Along with the tradition of trick or treat, our family looks forward to Samhain as a time to bond and reflect on where we came from. Our new year is beginning and is full of hopeful expectations. This is a wonderful holiday to celebrate with those you love!