Samhuinn Crafts & Activities

Samhuinn Carvings

Pumpkin Carving, or try a Samhain Turnip Head!
Here is a shot of one I made last year (this was made using a blue hubbard squash instead of a rutabaga):


These were carved this year


These are amazingly eerie when hung outside around your deck, porch, balcony or yard and lit.

Make Floating Pumpkin Candles
By Annie B. Bond

A few years ago, a reader wrote asking if I knew of any unusual Halloween decorations using natural materials. I sure do!

One of my favorite decorations for Halloween is to make floating pumpkin candles. We put them on our harvest dinner table in blue glass bowls filled with water, where they float and they look just beautiful.

Here's how to make your own:

Food markets that carry local harvest produce often offer miniature pumpkins. They are 3"-4" across. Buy six to eight of these pumpkins, and the same number of votive candles (pure beeswax votives, if you can find them). Hold a votive candle over the top of the pumpkin and trace a circle around it. Using a knife, carefully cut out the circle so that a votive candle will fit into the hole snugly. Repeat with all the candles. Fill bowls or pails with water, light the candles and float the pumpkins in the water.

Hazelnut Good Luck Charm

9 hazelnuts (filberts)
black colored twine (hemp)
nut pick

Using the nut pick, bore holes in the nuts. Use whole nuts, don't shell them. String them on the twine, making it just long enough to hold the nine nuts with a little bit of space, then tie off in a circle. On the night of Samhain, consecrate it in the fire, passing it back and forth 3 times, and chanting:

"Hazelnuts nine in a ring
By the smoke of the Samhain Fire bring
To those within our humble home
Form over this a protective cone
Guard for a year, I charge thee
And as I will, so mote it be!"

Then hang it up in your home somewhere as an amulet of protection for the coming year. If you want, make several , and after consecrating them give them to other pagan family and friends as a gift, or hang one in every room if you wish.

Nine is the sacred number of the Hazelnut in the Celtic Tree Calender. Save some of the nuts to bury during the Spring Equinox, to attune yourself with the cycle of birth and death.

Scented Jack O'Lanterns

After carving your design into a pumpkin, press a handful of whole cloves into the flesh along the inside. Insert a lit candle. The heat from the candle will release the fragrance of the cloves. Alternative: Cinnamon sticks. Just lay them inside the pumpkin or poke holes along the inside walls and insert small pieces, being sure they are not so long that they come too near the candle flame.

SOURCE: unknown

Rememberance Tree

old fallen twiggy branch
clay pot or coffee can filled with dirt
twinkle lights, your choice of colors
Crepe paper, paper chains or your choice of decor
construction paper
scissors
clear contact paper
hole punch

While out walking look for an old fallen tree branch, something that has a lot of little twigs on it. It doesn't have to have leaves but if you want it to that's fine to you'll just need to keep in mind the dry crumbly leaves may make a little mess. Once home, you'll need a clay flower pot or coffee can full of dirt anything you can put the branch down in that will keep it supported. Decorate the branch with small white, orange or purple lights. Add some Crepe paper, paper chains or you can get Halloween garland. Once this is complete make pumpkins, ghost or whatever you choose from construction paper, write the name of each deceased member of your family on these and maybe add a memory you shared with that person or a poem about them anything to make each pumpkin or ornament special. You can seal these in clear contact paper with a warm iron if you want them to be more sturdy. When done punch a hole in the top and hang these from your rememberance tree.

SOURCE: Lenoramoon

Rites & Rituals

A Rite For Evoking Ancestor Spirits

On Samhain Eve, when the veil of illusion which separates our world from that of the spirits is parted, our thoughts naturally turn to our passed over loved ones.

To help assure that your beloved dead are with you this Samhain, try working a simple spell using a portal incense consecrated to this purpose, and an incantation designed to reach their wandering ears. The incense should contain two parts lavender, one part sage, one half part cinnamon, and a dash of either wormwood or yarrow. As you mix the incense, be sure to visualize it as a gateway for only your own loving family.

You will need to have on hand one single, unlit candle for this rite. When you are ready to begin cast your usual circle. Place your insence toward the north or west (the direction to represent the Land of the Dead). Sit or stand in the center of the circle and cast another circle large enough to encompass just you. Remain in this inner circle and spend a few moments mentally attuning yourself to the spirit world.

When you are ready to start the rite, burn one third of the incense and being the following evocation:

Hear my cry, my ancestors. On this most magical night of the year, I open for you the portal back into my world. The veil is parted wide, the feast awaits. Come beloved ancestors, and join in the ancient rites.

(light another third of the incense and continute)

Come to me in love. Come to this plane in peace. Come with the blessing of Lord and Lady whom we will praise together this hallowed eve. The door is open, the beacon is lit (light the candle now), the way is clear. Arise, blessed dead, and celebrate with me.

Light the remaining incense in the coals and await the coming of your ancestors.

SOURCE: Unknown--If you know the source of this PLEASE contact us!!!