The Eight Nights of Samhain
For years — decades, really — Halloween has always crept up on me. No matter how far in advance I try to prepare, the holiday is upon us before I’m ready. And then gone again just as quickly.
I’ve long wanted to savor this favorite holiday, which often feels like the culmination of my favorite season. This year, I started putting out Halloween decorations toward the end of September, in solidarity with several other spooky-loving neighbors. As the calendar turns to early October, I am slowly building out what has become our annual Day of the Dead Pet Cemetery display.
While I encourage month-long observations of spooky season, I’ve planned a more targeted week for myself and for anyone else who’s keen on an extended and intentional observance.
And, so, I’m beginning my experiment with the Eight Nights of Samhain.
Samhain, in highly simplistic terms, is the Pagan observation of what we know culturally as Halloween. It can be celebrated on October 31, or is sometimes observed on November 7 as the nearer cross-quarter day.
The focus here is decidedly more spiritual and Pagan, and there’s lots of room to make this week your own. You can start the month with 31 days of scary movies and then move into a more reflective space for the week of October 31 to November 7. Or perhaps October 31 will mark for you the beginning of new enterprise or personal journey.
With the veils between worlds said to be at their thinnest, this season of Samhain is a heightened time for honoring and communing with the dead, for setting intentions for the coming cycle of seasons, and for divination and magick.
The outline below is a first stab at this week-long observation and is subject to change and revision, based on weather and other factors. My hope is that by posting this online, I’ll be more likely to follow through myself. If you also give this a try, please let me know how it goes for you. I’d love to hear about what works for you, and what you’ve found to be the most meaningful and fun.
The Eight Nights of Samhain
1. Night of Celebration (Oct 31)
2. Night of the Moon (Nov 1)
3. Night of the Ancestors (Nov 2)
4. Night of the Elements (Nov 3)
5. Night of Joy (Nov 4)
6. Night of Humility/Amends (Nov 5)
7. Night of Intentions (Nov 6)
8. Night of Wisdom/Divination (Nov 7)
NIGHT ONE: CELEBRATION
October 31
This is the cultural night of Halloween and a night for spooky celebrations. You don’t have to wait until October 31st to begin! If you’re able, choose a theme and decorate your dwelling. Prepare for little ghouls and goblins who might come trick-or-treating as the skies grow dark.
Spend the day thinking about how (or if) you celebrated Halloween as you grew up. Do any particular positive or negative memories stand out? What traditions would you like to continue, change, or create going forward?
NIGHT TWO: THE MOON
November 1
What is the Moon phase this second night of Samhain? What might it portend for the year to come? How much attention do you pay to the waxing and waning Moon?
If you’re able, go outside tonight and look up at the Moon. Better still, use binoculars or a telescope to study Earth’s satellite. Depending on its phase, notice the terminator line between light and dark, throwing the contours and lunar topography into relief. What does it feel like to be bathed in moonlight?
If you can’t see the Moon tonight, there might be a live view online you can observe.
NIGHT THREE: THE ANCESTORS
November 2
Samhain has a tradition of the Dumb Supper, in which recently departed loved ones are invited to dine with the living by way of empty chairs and table settings
during a silent meal.
How can you honor and welcome your departed kin during Samhain?
You might observe a dumb supper of your own, write letters to express everything you didn’t get to say, engage in shamanic journey work to connect to your ancestors, or simply light candles in remembrance of those who have died.
NIGHT FOUR: THE ELEMENTS
November 3
“Elements” can mean widely different things to different people. For some, this word conjures Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, and their correspondences. Others might immediately think of elemental entities, or the Periodic Table of Elements.
Do you have a favorite element? This might be Fire or Water, a semi-precious gemstone, a particular member of the Fae, or maybe Boron or one of the Noble Gases. What can you do to explore and deepen you connection to your favorite element, and how can you expand to other elements from there? Reflect on how these elements — often unseen — impact your world and your daily life, on a fundamental level.
source: https://flic.kr/p/qbLuaQ
NIGHT FIVE: JOY
November 4
What makes your heart sing? What sets you soul aflame? In essence, what brings you joy?
From music and movies to gardening and stargazing, we can literally and figuratively raise our spirits by engaging in our favorite pastimes. We all need and deserve joy, so don’t skip this night! Whatever pursuit fits that bill for you — and whether it’s on your own or with others — this is the night to engage.
Does joy feel any different to you during Samhain? How might you create more joy in your life throughout the year?
NIGHT SIX: HUMILITY
November 5
This is a night for reflecting on the year just past, and for identifying the ways we’ve fallen short and the people we have hurt or disappointed along the way. To whom do you owe an apology? What amends can you make to heal any lingering slights or hurts? This includes acknowledging any unintentional wrong done to family, friends, neighbors, animal companions, and our natural world — as well as making amends to yourself for the ways you might have let yourself down since the last Samhain.
Identify what you can do to address these concerns, and either do it tonight or make (and follow) a plan to get it done in the coming days.
NIGHT SEVEN: INTENTIONS
November 6
What are your intentions for the coming year? What are your hopes and dreams for the next twelve months?
Dream as big and as broad as you want — and write it down. When you have a solid vision for what you want to achieve, break down the steps you need to take — starting right now — to bring that vision to life. You’re not only setting your intentions for the year but also making a practical action plan for making it happen. The smaller the steps, the easier they are to complete and the closer you come to your realizing goals.
NIGHT EIGHT: WISDOM/DIVINATION
November 7
Your focus on this last night of Samhain is entirely your own. This can be a check-in on how you’re doing, a forecast for the year to come, or simply a bit of fun with the divination tool(s) of your choice. An intentional meditation is also a constructive way to close out the Eight Nights of Samhain, either instead of or in addition to divination.
If you’re looking for ideas as you light your candles, pull out your pendulum, or shuffle your Tarot cards, you might concentrate on questions like:
- What should I prepare for in the coming year?
- What would be helpful for me to pay attention to right now?
- What are the opportunities and obstacles before me now?
