This is the Festival of Woden. In 998 AD it became a Christian festival, All Souls' Day, drawing inspiration from the original heathen one. Asatruar celebrated Woden as god of the dead. They paraded the Hodening "wild horse," also known as the winter mare of Cailleach. They dressed in costumes for sacred theater, presenting plays that revealed the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Women baked "soul cakes" for living and dead alike, another custom that survived into later versions of this ...
Day of the Dead - All Saints' Day Do some protection to your home with this bit of kitchen magic. Place an uneven number of peppercorns into a mortar and pestle. Begin grinding, focusing on the energy of the peppercorns spreading out to surround your home and those living within it. Grind them well while charging them with protecting all you hold dear. When done, place the ground bits into a small bottle or jar. Add some sharp, pointy bits such as thumbtacks, pins, or needles. Seal the ...
Halloween - Samhain Tonight is often called the Witches' New Year, a night of celebration, when the veil between the worlds is thin. Samhain (Summer's End) is the ancient Celtic festival at the root of our modern Halloween. Traditionally, ancestors were honored tonight and candles were placed in windows to guide their spirits. For this spell, you can use your Halloween jack-o'-lantern or create a special one carved with celestial symbols. Place a candle inside the pumpkin and set it in a ...
In Celtic tradition, it was believed that good weather at the time of death heralded a peaceful passing, and people wished a bas sóna ("happy death") would be the fate of each and every person. Here are some traditional prayers recited for a sacred passing: You go home tonight to your home of winter To your home of autumn, and spring, and summer You go home this night to your eternal home. Sleep now, sleep, and away with your sorrow The sleep of the seven lights be ...