5 Practices to Lean into Samhain

The wheel turns again. Energy shifts within & without. And we’re invited to surrender & return back to our roots.

As the final harvest comes to a close, the veil thins, and Samhain arrives, bringing it’s liminal darkness. In the Celtic wheel of the year, this is a sacred pause. A time to honor endings, release what’s ready to go, and nourish the soil in the fertile darkness.

Celebrated October 31st - November 1st, Samhain is a Gaelic tradition celebrating the Fall harvest and marking the beginning of the “dark half of the year”. The veil bewteern the physical and spiritual worlds is thin at this time, allowing more direct communication with ancestors, guides, and Spirit. Bonfires are lit to honor the Sun’s waning power and to offer protection through the coming dark months.

While large celebrations are less common in the US, we each have the ability to tap-in to the energy of this divine time and enter Winter with intention and grace.

5 practices to lean in:

Candle-lit journaling and meditation
As daylight fades, our energy naturally turns inward. Use this time to reconnect with your roots and inner flame.
I love to light a candle and sit with it for a few moments in meditation, then journal and pull cards if it feels right. The light of a flickering flame with its barely noticeable warmth creates the perfect ambiance to root down, reflect, and explore the shadows.
Ask yourself: Where in life does my light shine the brightest? How can I strengthen my roots during this season of darkness?
Creating space for release
Though we’re entering darkness, we know the light will return — let this knowing allow you to surrender to the lessons this season holds. Samhain serves as a reminder that decay makes way for renewal.
Spend time reflecting and gaining clarity on what you’re ready to let go of: old habits, patterns, or identities that no longer fit or feel aligned. Allow your body time to relax into this, imagining the patterns releasing through loose muscles like warm oil. I like to write down what I’m releasing, then burn the paper as I visualize my intentions setting ablaze. Our words and intentions are powerful.
Keep it simple, let it be sacred. Nature doesn’t cling to what’s dying, she composts it and cycles the nutrients for new growth.
Ask yourself: What’s one habit, pattern, or mindset that no longer serves me? Am I ready to release this? If yes, release it with love.
Honoring ancestors, spirit guides, and teachers
This is a powerful time to remember those who came before us, paved the path, or shared wisdom that got us here.
Create a small altar with photos, natural elements like flowers or leaves, and other objects that call to you. Speak their names. Acknowledge their guidance, and express gratitude. Light a candle in their honor.
You might be surprised by how grounded you feel when you acknowledge the roots beneath you.
Ask your ancestors and guides questions you have to gain clarity, reassurance, and guidance. For example: What messages are you trying to share with me that I haven’t yet heard? Where am I being invited to trust instead of plan?
Bringing warmth to the body
Being intentional about what we wear, eat, and where we go this time of the year makes a difference. I’m more selective about where I’m going and how I’m spending my energy. I indulge in hot yoga, and plan meals to include more soups, roots, and warming spices. These small practices help me connect deeper with my body during this time of transition. Bringing warmth to my body keeps my muscles loose, nervous system calm, and energy moving through me with ease.
Ask yourself: What does my body need during this season?
Commune with Nature
Take a mindful walk through the forest, find a spot to sit, and observe the quiet transformation all around. The crispness of air, the scent of leaves, the hush of decay, all reminders of nature’s cyclical wisdom. Sit, stay awhile, ask questions, and listen for guidance. Nature wants to speak and share her wisdom, only asking for presence in return.
Allowing my body time and space to connect with nature’s rhythm allows me to sync and explore what this season is whispering for me to learn.
Ask Nature/Mother Earth: What do I have to learn from this season? What wisdom does nature have to help me through this transition?

Samhain asks us to meet the unknown with reverent curiosity.

Beginning the threshold between what was and what’s to come, between the seen and unseen.

As you honor this turning, may you find peace in the stillness, strength in your roots, and renewal in the darkness.