Witchy New Year

 

Today is the celebration of Samhain, or New Year for us witchy types. This particular witchy type a.k.a moi has enjoyed a lovely day celebrating this festival. I have made soul cakes, and leek, potato and rosemary soup. I’ve had a long walk in Nature, spoiled only marginally by the presence of a lot of children and very bored looking adults, because it is half-term. Despite it being too peoply out there, the trees looked stunning in their Autumn colours and I was treated to a vibrant double rainbow for a brief while during a rain shower.

On the way home from our long walk, Nell and I called in at her favourite pet shop to purchase a new split antler because her old one has been reduced to a mere sliver. Nell has also been practising barking at sheep, which arrived in the field surrounding our house yesterday. I’ve told her she is to leave the sheep alone because she risks being shot at if she doesn’t. 

Once home, and replete with soup ‘n’ soul cakes, I set about doing myself a Tarot reading for the year ahead. When I first drew out the cards I was a bit underwhelmed but once I’d settled into the reading, they were pretty darned good. I’ve written everything down in a letter to myself to open next Samhain and see how accurate it was. The reading brought up several action points which I have been working on this afternoon. And I have set up my mini altar with photos of family who have passed into spirit because Samhain is also about honouring and remembering your ancestors and connecting with the lessons they taught. I’ve popped on a fresh candle, flowers and some crystals, and artfully arranged some fairy lights, and later this evening I shall have a little meditate and think on those people and their part in my life and making me who I am.

I have also set my intentions for the next year and tomorrow will work on an action plan of manifestation. It’s all go here!! 

What I haven’t done: been trick or treating, dressed up like a Hallowe’en pillock, scared anyone by jumping out on them and saying ‘Boo!’, watched any bloody massacre slasher films, or participated any of the other hideous stuff that is associated with Hallowe’en these days. I do not approve. It has nothing to do with the festival of Samhain. It is, in my mind, commercial, heavy on the plastic and wholly disrespectful. And if that makes me a miserable, party-pooping old hag, then so be it with knobs on.

Hallowe’en as a commercial enterprise wasn’t a ‘thing’ when I was growing up. Bonfire Night was the thing, on 5th November. Massive bonfire on the family farm, a few low key fireworks, baked potatoes and butter wrapped in tin foil, mugs of soup, sausages and onions, a toffee apple if you were lucky, and a bucket of water in which to drop your expired sparkler. Now THAT was more in keeping with Samhain. 

I think I’m getting too old for this modern day world…