Carnelian is an orange crystal of creativity, a valued trait for Druids, is associated with Samhain. Obsidian and Smoky Quartz are dark protection stones that repel negativity. Amethyst, a purple crystal, another traditional colour of Samhain, is a stone of wisdom and helps relieve pain.
Activities for Samhain
The Celts believed the head was the seat of the soul and put skulls outside their houses. A lighted jack o’ lantern, orange being a color of Samhain, was adopted by Irish immigrants in America. Communities gathered together and built big bonfires to guide the visiting dead and to keep evil spirits away. Dark bread and wild game was eaten, as well as harvested nuts. Mead and mulled wine are drunk. Trick or Treat is associated with the going door to door that was an Irish tradition of gathering things needed for the Samhain celebration. Some recommended rituals for this time involves lighting candles, starting with a single candle and then lighting additional candles from this candles for friends and family and placing it around the first.
Crystals for Samhain
The Celts believed Samhain was a time for clearing out unhelpful things and habits. It was a time of preparation for the rebirth of Yule. Crystals associated with Samhain are black Obsidian, a grounding stone that also releases deep felt emotions and orange Carnelian, for creativity. Onyx and Smoky Quartz, also dark colored crystals, are protection stones that release negativity. Jet, which keeps a record of the forest it was part of, is a nurturing connection to the past. Bloodstone is especially good for a full moon meditation, to release negative emotions and bad habits. Amethyst is a crystal also associated with overcoming addictions and healing pain and is a Samhain color, purple, and associated with wisdom, intuition and inspiration.
Rituals for Divination
As well as being a time of remembrance of ancestors and friends, it was also an opportunity for seeing into the future. Wormwood was burned to purge negativity and facilitate divination. Bobbing for apples was used as a divination tool, the first person to bite into an apple, would be the first to marry. Soul cakes, called Barnbrack cakes in Ireland, were baked with tokens to predict the future. A coin was for wealth, a button meant remaining unmarried, a ring was for marriage, a wishbone symbolized your heart's desire, and a pea or bean meant poverty. Crafts for Samhain include apple garlands, incense, and making your own Scrying mirror, a darkened mirror that can be used like a crystal ball to see images that symbolize the future.
To make a ritual Samhain Oil use the following essential oils: 5 drops Cypress , 5 drops Lemongrass and 5 drops Patchouli in 20 ml base oil such as grapeseed oil or olive oil. (Source: BYSA, Magical Oils and Incense Course, Lesson Five)
Cara Moore - Cara E. Moore is an author, poet, playwright and writer who has written for internet sites, newspapers, magazines, theatre and ...
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