I'm a Halloween Baby!!!!!

I was born on Halloween!!!  Does that mean I'm a evil witch that can cast a spell just by looking at you? Of course not!  But being born on this day does make me feel special.  I didn't always feel that way...

Growing up super religious I thought this was the devil's day and I was cursed in some way but that is not true.  Over time, I learned more about what Halloween is really about and it took on a completely different meaning for me.  I also learned that me and Willow Smith share the same birthday and that's pretty cool too :)  

If you want to learn more about the spiritual significance of this day keep reading...

Also known as-: Shadowfest, All Souls, All hallows Eve, Halloween, Samhain
Associated Deities-: Hecate, Pan, Persephone, Hades, The Morrigan
Associated Herbs-: Bay Leaf, lavender, mugwort, nutmeg, sage
Associated Stones-: Obsidian, black onyx, bloodstone, amethyst, opal

Halloween's True Origins 

In ancient times, this day was a special and honored day of the year. In the Celtic calendar, it was one of the most important days of the year, representing a mid point in the year, Samhain, or "summer's end". Occurring opposite the great Spring Festival of May Day, or Beltain, this day represented the turning point of the year, the eve of the new year which begins with the onset of the dark phase of the year.  This is a time to become internal, to go within and release all of the things that maybe weighing us down.  

Samhain is linked with the death process as the warm months die out and the cold winter months step in. In the past people often took stock of their supplies ready for winter, grain they had and animals they had. Where there were short supplies, animals which were thought unable to last the long winter months were slaughtered for meat and preserved. Farmers put their fields to rest for the winter and everything that was not needed was given back to Mother Earth to rot.

Samhain is also a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest, a time when the spirits of loved ones can return and so a special place is set at the table for any who so wish to join the feast. Traditionally, a candle to guide the spirits of loved ones home is lit in the window and also deters any unwanted spirits and is the origins of the pumpkin or jack-o-lantern. The spirit of the loved ones recently departed are then guided to the Summerlands which is where the spirit rest until it is time to move on. It is also a time when the spirits can talk through us more easily and all types of divination such as scrying, tarot, runes etc are used.

Many cultures have ceremonies to honor their dead. In so doing, they complete a cycle of birth and death, and keep in line with a harmony and order of the universe, at time when we enter into the cycle of darkness for the upcoming year.  As you light your candles this year, keep in mind the true potency of this time, one of magical connections to the other side of life, and a time to remember those who have passed before us. A time to send our love and gratitude to them to light their way back home.