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Samhain, the fourth and final Cross Quarter Day of the calendar year, marks the beginning of winter and is a time to honor the dead. Traditionally associated with Halloween, this celebration involves leaving food and drink out for the spirits of the deceased, a custom also reflected in the Day of the Dead in Latin America. Samhain is a time for setting new intentions, celebrating loved ones who have passed on, and practicing divination as the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Many traditions view Samhain as the harvest of the soul, a moment when the spirits of those who died since the last Samhain either move on or return to pass on messages. This period calls for honoring the dead, renewing home protection spells, and preparing for winter by cleaning up and storing outdoor tools, tending to the garden, and airing out heavier bedding. Adding a few stitches in blue thread to your bedding can help protect your sleep during the long nights. Divination is also central to Samhain, offering guidance on what to lay to rest as the year draws to a close.

• celebrate the start of the Wheel of the Year
• make a bonfire
• host a potluck dinner
• dress up as who you want to be in the coming year
• cook old fashioned foods
• decorate an altar for loved ones who have passed on
• practice moon magick
• set intentions for the new year
• connect with family and friends