I Was Raised By Witches, Boy.

“I was raised by witches, boy.

I see with more than eyes.”

Samhain Altar Ideas & Correspondences

Samhain is the Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the thinning of the veil between the living and the spirit world. It's a time to honor your ancestors, connect with the spirit world, and plan ahead for months of darkness.

Altar Ideas

Altar Cloth: Choose dark, earthy colors like black, deep purple, or dark green to set the foundation for your altar.

Candles: Black or orange candles represent the energies of Samhain. You can also include white or silver candles for purification and connection to the spirit realm.

Seasonal Fruits: Apples, pomegranates, and grapes are commonly associated with Samhain and can be offered as symbols of the harvest.

Fallen Leaves: Gather fallen leaves, especially those with vibrant autumn colors, to represent the changing seasons and the cycle of life and death.

Acorns and Nuts: These symbolize the potential for new beginnings and growth and can be placed on your altar to honor the harvest.

Pumpkins and Gourds: Decorate your altar with small pumpkins and gourds, which are quintessential symbols of autumn and Samhain.

Ancestral Photos: Include photographs of deceased loved ones to honor and connect with your ancestors.

Ancestral Mementos: Heirlooms, jewelry, or items that belonged to your ancestors can serve as a link to their energy and presence.

Divination Tools: Samhain has historically been a time for divination to predict the upcoming year. Tarot cards, runes, a crystal ball, pendulum, or scrying mirror can be placed on your altar for Samhain divination and communication with the spirit world.

Crystals and Gemstones: Obsidian, onyx, amethyst, or garnet.

Broom (Besom): Place a besom on or near your altar to symbolize the act of sweeping away negativity and making room for positive energy and transformation.

Incense and Smudging Materials: frankincense, myrrh, or sage.

Offering Dishes: Use special dishes or bowls to hold offerings for your ancestors or spirit guides, such as food, drink, or tokens of appreciation.

Seasonal Flowers: Add fresh or dried flowers that are in bloom during the fall, like marigolds, chrysanthemums, asters, or dried lavender.

Personal Letters or Messages: Write letters or messages to your deceased loved ones, expressing your thoughts and feelings. Place these on your altar as a form of communication.

Symbols of Death and Rebirth: Skulls, bones, or representations of the God and Goddess in their transition from one phase to another.

Bells or Wind Chimes: These can be rung to invite and communicate with spirits, serving as a way to signal your intentions and presence.

Samhain Correspondences

Colors: Black, Orange, Red

Deities: The Morrigan, Hecate, Persephone, Cernunnos

Herbs: Mugwort, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Tobacco, Pumpkin Seeds, Rue, Wormwood.

Foods and Offerings: Apples, nuts, pumpkins, mulled cider, pomegranates. A silent dumb supper may be held to celebrate the harvest and connect with departed loved ones.

Intentions: New beginnings, transformation, death and rebirth, reflection, ancestral connection, spiritual protection, divination.

Via losillewitch

Energy Work Masterpost

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a stickler for energy work. In my personal experience, energy work is the single most important thing that a witch can practice. It brings so much to the table, both in practical everyday matters and in witchy stuff! Here is my complete masterpost of all of the posts from my energy work series:

Part 1: Grounding

Part 2: Centering

Part 3: Shielding

Part 4: The energy ball and programming energy

Part 5: Sending energy to objects

Part 6: Sending energy to people

Livi