Make it a memorable Samhain

Samhain is the sabot when pagans celebrate the cycle of death and rebirth, the end of the harvest and honor ancestors and saints. As the season’s change marks the end of the growing season and the beginning of the season of sleep or dormancy so does the way of life.

Conserving, slumber and reflection would fill our days instead of growing and activity. But that was the time before the industrial revolution and a huge shift in our work ethic. Many of us go go go year round now. Still we can honor the cycles of nature and use them to reconnect with the natural rhythms within us.

Here are some traditions you can lean on to get you back in touch with the reason for the season.

1. Plan a dumb supper. This meal is eaten in silence. So no, “please pass the butter” is allowed. A savvy hostess will put multiple condiments around the table. It’s also a time of sacred observance, so cast a circle of protection and love around the table and all your guests. The head of the table is set and reserved for the spirits who will come and join you. The menu needs consist of family favorites and traditional recipes. My mother made a delicious pot roast. It brings back fond memories of family Sunday dinners. Also serve dishes created from the final fall harvest, like apples and roots. The color theme is predominately black and the meal is eaten by candle light.
2. Bake a bunch of soul cakes for your guests. The tradition of soul cakes can be traced back to the Druids. The Christians adopted this tradition and changed it to become their way to encourage the community to pray for the souls of family, friends and their dearly departed. Below is my favorite recipe, but there are many more to choose from. Even if you are not Christian, it’s still a nice idea and much better than what the Druids did. The one who picked the burnt soul cake became the human sacrifice. Yikes, I hope that is not true.

Buttery Soul Cakes

Ingredients:

Two sticks butter, softened

3 1/2 C flour, sifted

1 C sugar

1/2 tsp. nutmeg & saffron

1 tsp each cinnamon & allspice

2 eggs

2 tsp malt vinegar

Powdered sugar

Cut the butter into the flour with a large fork. Mix in the sugar, nutmeg, saffron, cinnamon and allspice. Lightly beat eggs, and add to flour mixture. Add malt vinegar. Mix until you have a stiff dough. Knead for a while, then roll out until 1/4" thick. Use a floured glass to cut out 3" circles. Place on greased baking sheet and bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with powdered sugar while the cakes are still warm.

1. Sing songs or play music to honor all souls. Peter, Paul and Mary’s "A' Soalin "Hey, Ho, Nobody Home" and Kristen Lawrence album “A Broom With a View”. British rocker Sting, The song "Soul Cake". "Here We Come A-Wassailing" and "Christmas is A-Coming", "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" (which are traditionally associated with Christmas).
2. Hold a séance and invite your loved ones closer for a conversation and honoring. We created our Séance Ghost candle just for this reason. Dorothy Morrison’s Spiritual Discourse candle is another excellent candle to use during your séance. I found an excellent step by step resource. Look up https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-hold-a-seance-2562865. Patti Wigington does a great job walking you through a successful and safe séance.

Enjoy this time of year. Let it help you stop, slowdown and reflect on your accomplishments and reconnect to your ancestral roots.

Retail Feature Products:

Witches Union Psychic patch $7.50

Limited Edition Wicked Witch Halloween candles

2”x 4 ½ pillars and cost $13.75 each.

As the Cauldron Bubbles is dark grey

Haint Happening is light blue

Spiritual Discourse is deep purple

The Conjurer is brilliant gold

Limited Edition World Magic Candles

2“dia. by 6 ½” tall and $24.50 each.

Halloween/Samhain candle, spicy temple scent and the color of a ripe jack-o-lantern.

Hekate, Queen of the Ghosts, sweet honeysuckle and midnight black.

Ghost candles are in season again

Same look as last year and $13.75 each

Ghost Repel – moving ghost along

Home Clear and Bless – clearing the heavy energy in your home

Night Terrors – releasing nightmares

Séance – spirit communication

Got pesky ghosts? We’ve got a candle for that. For more information on our life changing Coventry products, visit our website and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more Coventry magic delivered right to your inbox.