Weyland’s Whey Samhain 2025 Column
Samhain
The online version of The Encyclopedia Britannica says that Samhain was originally held on November first by the ancient Celts. Hundreds of years later the Christian church stacked it’s own traditions onto Samhain. Pope Boniface IV established All Saints Day in the Seventh Century CE as a holy day. A century later the holiday was moved from May thirteenth to November first, probably as a Christian replacement for the pagan one. The night before the new Christian celebration turned into All Hallows Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween.
In modern times neo-pagans and Wiccans have included Samhain onto the Wheel of the Year as one of the Greater Sabbats. Many of the Sabbats have ancient origins. The modern Wheel of the Year, however, was circulated in the 20th century and was influenced by Robert Graves, poet, and his versions of Celtic mythology.
(www.britannica.com, www.pagangrimoire.com)
For Your Deliberation
It’s a time for us to remember our predecessors and also celebrate everything that’s happened over the past year.
I never knew my father, and I didn’t know how much resentment I was carrying until a Samhain ritual brought that emotional burden to my conscious attention. Just being aware of it helped, and years later I realized that he may have had good reasons not to have been a part of my life. Maybe. I think, in the final analysis, most of us do the very best we can under the circumstances we find ourselves in. I didn’t always think that, but I do now.
You may not be able to forget old wrongs, but you can almost always forgive them. It’s a kindness to both our trespassers and to ourselves. So I gave Dad a break. That may not have completely healed me, but it certainly made his absence easier to deal with.
2025 has been a tough year in more ways than one, but I’m still here. So is my girlfriend, our home, my job and our fur kids. I don’t know what the future holds, but at least I still have one. That’s a harvest I appreciate. A lot.
Blessed Samhain.
Color Schemes
Black.
In witchcraft, black is linked to protection, absorbing energy and the eviction of negativity. Black is often used in spells and rituals due to it’s abilities to banish negativity and strengthen the unseen.
Full disclosure time, Pilgrims: some folks don’t consider black to be a true color. The debate revolves around how “color” is defined. Traditional theory claims hues are a part of the visible light spectrum. Black can be thought of as the lack of light or the absorption of every wavelength. So technically it’s the absence of color.
Now okay, not to parade my own ignorance, but these arguments are just lost on me. I’m too literal. What color is night? What did Margaret Hamilton wear in The Wizard of Oz? Close your eyes, what do you see?
Besides, Wikipedia says black is a power color. That’s good enough for me.
‘Nuff said.
(magickalspot.com, storeables.com, Wikipedia)
MUSIC Review
Samhain 2025 Ritual Music Medival Celtic Music for Halloween Wiccan Pagan Witch Ritual ambient
Narayanjot-guided meditation relaxing music.
Nice and relaxing. Easy to find. YouTube.
4 1/2 broomsticks.
Get out and vote.
No Place Like Home
“Wilson Must Die!”
Sparkle is laying down, reading a library book.
Weyland pokes his head into the room: Look outside, hon. Your hero Wilson is running now.
Sparkle peeks though the window: Wow, look at him go!
Wey: Yeah, I don’t even drive that fast through this neighborhood.
Sparkle returns to her book: That should tell you something.
Weyland cranes his neck to see outside better. Just coming into view behind Mr. Wilson is a mob of running men waving torches and pitchforks. They’re closing in on him, shouting threats and profanities.
Sparkle frowns: What’s that noise?
Weyland grins: I think the neighbors are telling him something.
Pray for the hurricane victims.
One More Thing
Weyland Smith is an eclectic solitaire wytch. He likes to hang out with family and friends. His magickal pursuits include rune casting, color magic, astrals and familiars.
