Samhain

The Brits called her Morgan Le Fay, the Celts called her Morrigan. She was the ruler of the Isle of Avalon and the death Goddess. "The ambivalence with which she is traditionally represented echoes our own fear of her deep and ancient wisdom." Michael Babcock
It seems fitting to think of her on Samhain.  I don't recommend calling on the Morrigan on this night for special favors unless you already have a relationship with her, but a recognition of her power and her connection to our rituals this night would be appropriate.

Samhein, Samhain, Samhuiin, Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, Oiche Shamhna, Nos Calan Gaeaf, Hallowmas, All Saints Day, Hollantide. Those are just some of the names from the British Isles. The day to honor the dead is known around the world and is usually at this time of year.

What we call the thinning of the veil between worlds is a force that people from ancient times have felt and honored. Even the Catholic Church at the height of its power in Europe could not stamp out this festival and had to settle for co-opting it. It is a powerful, mystical time of the year.

In Celtic lore, the Great Horned God dies at Samhein and passes into the underworld. He will be reborn at Yule and the Wheel will turn again. The Goddess is now seen in her Crone aspect, healer and destroyer as the winter progresses.

This is the end of a  year. It is a time to look back on the year just passed, honor the dead who have crossed over during this year and take accounting of our own lives. It is a time to be honest with ourselves about what we have accomplished or failed to accomplish and what we want to do in the coming year.
Not in the way of making resolutions that has become a silly game played on January 1st, but a real committment to move forward with our lives.
In the last few years I have begun celebrating Samhain as the end of the year and the Winter Solstice as the beginning of the next year.  The time in between is for meditating and thinking and making plans for the future.  It is a quiet time of the year in nature and I try to take advantage of that and quiet down my own life, my thoughts and my energy. 

Celebrate Samhain with an acknowledgement of the thinning of the veil, send thoughts, requests or just good feelings to those that you know who have passed to the other side and might be listening on this evening.   I will set an extra place at the dinner table tonight just in case a passing spirit wants to stay for a while and be included in an earthly ritual.

Other than the spiritual side of the day, there is also, Trick or Treat, costume parties, time to act silly and see how you look in black and orange, pumpkin carving, corn mazes, haunted houses (the fake kind), and at least locally, the Witches Ball.

Have fun and be safe.

(reposted with some editing from 2008)