Samhain 101

Hey Guys!

So, Moonlight Magic on Facebook messaged me saying that they are doing a “No Tricks, Just Treats” Samhain countdown for the entire month of October. Once a day you'll get a fun interesting Samhain fact or tidbit 😁.

For this reason, I decided to compile all of the facts and tidbits in this post  hoping that you guys will learn a thing or two.

The information that they share is always very interesting and I thought that I would share it with you. I hope you guys have a happy Samhain!



So, let's get started...





Do you know why so many call Samhain, Halloween?


It’s because, when the Christians tried to convert the Pagans, they quickly realized that we DID NOT want to part with our Sabbats.

So, they probably said something like “Hey... no worries Pagans. We also have a similar celebration. It’s called all hallows eve and is pretty much the same. Come join us”... and it worked pretty good and converted a lot of Pagans.

Eventually All Hallow Eves turned into Halloween.

Did you know that the reason we wear costumes for Halloween, comes from the Celts?

They did it to ward off evil spirits who roamed the streets on Samhain.

Did you know that the jack-o-lantern comes from a Celtic legend?

According to lore, a miserly old man used to play tricks on the devil and was thus denied access to both heaven and hell.

Instead, he was condemned to wander the Earth, and used his lantern to lead people astray from their paths.


Moonlight Magic has prepared a Samhain guide for you. It has everything you need to know about Samhain... like the history, how to prepare your altar, ritual ideas and much more.

It is in PDF format so you can easily download it to your computer and it is of course free.
The Moonlight Shop: Samhain Download Page If you are having problems getting to the their website to download, here's the link that will take you straight to the PDF file, Samhain PDF.

Did you know that not so long ago, a common prank on Halloween, was to switch people’s doormats out with their neighbors?

Apparently, it caused great chaos on the next morning.

Did you know that the ancient celts celebrated Samhain with bonfires, games and funny pranks?

In the 1920s it wasn’t so fun anymore, and the pranks had been switched out with vandalism.

To stop the vandalism, the adults started to give out candy to kids and youngsters in costumes and that’s how the old traditions were reignited.

The kids are not that easy to fool, so Today, most kids just do their pranks the night before 🤷‍♀

If you’re not really sure what to do on the days around Samhain and pulling pranks isn’t really your style...

Here’s a post for you, with 6 ways you can honor your ancestors and celebrate Samhain. What To Do This Coming Samhain?

Did you know that the word witch stems from “Wise One”.

Witches were the ones that “knew” stuff. The ones people went to if they had problems.

I think we are getting there again... We are not quite there yet, but we keep on making progress.

Slowly but surely we're getting there... ☺
The Moonlight Post Digital Wicca Magazine

Did you know that the Full Blood Moon is also called "hunters moon"?

Because it signified that the hunting season began.

This is a great time to rinse and cleanse yourself, and to get ready for the new year.

You can read about the Blood Moon and everything you need to know about this powerful and mysterious full moon.

Moonlight Magic Shop: October Full Moon: The Full Blood Moon

You know how the ingredients for Witches Brew is always something like Cat’s Tongue, Eye of Newt and other kinda disgusting stuff like that?

Well... did you know that these are actually not animal parts, but rather ancient terms for plants and flowers?

For example:

Eye of Newt - Mustard seed
Toe of frog - buttercup
Wool of bat - holly leaves
Calf’s snout - Misopates
Serpents tongue - Snake plant

Remember this next time you serve punch 😉

Did you know that according to old folklore, if you were to wear your clothes inside out and walk backwards on Halloween, you would see a witch 🤭

Well... you and me both know that people don’t have to do all those crazy things to see a real live Witch. We are all over the place 😄

For most people, a Witch is a Witch. But for us, there are many different kinds of witches.

And just as many ways to determine which kind of witch you are.

Moonlight Magic made a little guide about how your star sign affects you as a Witch.

It’s a free PDF that you can download and read it on your phone or PC or even print it if you want to Moonlight Magic Shop: What Kind Of Witch Are You? Download Page.

If you are having problems getting to the their website to download, here's the link that will take you straight to the PDF file, What Kind Of Witch Are You PDF.

Did you know that the idea of making your house scary for Halloween is a rather new thing?

In the US we started going all-in around a 100 years ago.

In the beginning of the 20th century, people took the art decorating for Halloween to a whole new level... and besides, for a couple of years under the 2nd great war, we have continued making our houses scarier and scarier.

Did you know that a Dumb Supper isn’t exclusive to Wiccans?

Many old cultures and religions have their own version of Dump Supper, where food is offered to the dead.

They even do something similar in the military (of all places), where they set a table in honors for those who are captured or killed in action.

So, the next time you do a Dumb Supper, remember that you are a part of a tradition that spans centuries, different religions and cultures.

When is the best time to host a dumb supper you ask? 🤔
If you plan on holding a Dumb Supper, you’ll love this treat.
Samhain is probably THE best time to host a Dumb Supper and if you want some inspiration or if this is your first time doing so, Moonlight Magic made a post over on their blog, that’ll give tips and pointers. Moonlight Magic Shop:Hosting A Dumb Supper On Samhain.

Do you know why most people use orange and black for their Halloween decorations?

The Orange is simply because of the colors this time of year. The leaves are turning brown and orange and so is a lot of the harvest as well.

But what about black?

Well, if we go back 2000 years or so, Samhain was considered the end of the year and a time where the boundaries between the living and the dead world was super thin.

Black has always been associated with the other realm, so people would wear black to get in touch with their relatives.

Besides... Black and Orange just looks super sweet together 🤩

Did you know that people used to believe that Witches would shapeshift into a black cat on Samhain?

In many cultures, black cats were seen as an incarnation of evil and that lead to all kinds of bad things.

But in China and England, black cats are considered good luck. Yeah!

Moonlight Magic has prepared a guide for you, with everything you need to catch up on facts about your familiars.

It’s of course 100% FREE PDF that you can download and read it on your phone or PC or even print it if you want to Moonlight Magic Shop: Cats (Familiars) Guide Download Page

If you are having problems getting to the their website to download, here's the link that will take you straight to the PDF file, Cats: A Guide On How To Get Closer To Your Familiar PDF.

Did you know that some people are so afraid of Halloween and Samhain that there actually is a term for it?

Samhainophobia!

It’s defined as “A persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of Halloween”.

Halloween can be quite spooky most of the time. 😅

Pen·ta·cle /ˈPen(t)ək(ə)l/
Noun
Plural Noun: Pentacles

A talisman or magical object, typically disk-shaped and inscribed with a pentagram or other figure, and used as a symbol of the element of earth.

Another term for pentagram.

One of the suits in some tarot packs, corresponding to coins in others.

On a side note: The information above regarding about pentacles is not affiliated with Moonlight Magic at all. I thought that I would put it in here because of the next paragraph below this one. That paragraph is affiliated with Moonlight Magic. Just a suggestion, for those of you who can't own a pentacle for whatever reason, you can simply draw it on a piece of paper or print out the symbol that is attached and carry it with you.

Pentacles are PERFECT for those around you who have Samhainophobia or are a bit uneasy around people who wear them. It’s also perfect for when you want to express yourself, but for whatever reason cannot wear a Pentacle or anything like that. This is a way for you express yourself... but in a subtle and indirect way.

Did you know that 90% of all parents steal some of their kids Halloween candy 🙄

Whether you take this as a good excuse to get yourself some sweets this Halloween... or if you start a campaign to “LEAVE THE KIDS CANDY ALONE”, is totally up to you... But now you know 😏

If you have kids... or if some of your Wiccan friends do... you’ll LOVE this “No Tricks, Just Treats”.

This treat is all about how to be the BEST person YOU can be.

Sometimes, the daily grind simply gets overwhelming... and rather than turning to the “Witches Brew” when you need to calm down, meditating can be the answer.

Moonlight Magic has made a get-started guide on how to use Meditation as a Wiccan. It’s of course 100% FREE PDF that you can download and read it on your phone or PC or even print it if you want to Moonlight Magic Shop: Importance Of Meditation In Wicca Download Page.

If you are having problems getting to the their website to download, here's the link that will take you straight to the PDF file, The Importance Of Meditation In Wicca PDF.

Give it a go, I am sure you'll love it! 🧘‍♀



We are getting REAL close to Samhain (by the time you will read this, it will already be Samhain) 💃

Did you know that in old times, we would give offering to our ancestors, but recently it has become more and more common to give a small gift to someone you love as well.

Maybe Samhain has taught us, that we should remember to show the living people in our lives that we care about them?

Did you know that there is between 1.5 - 2 million Wiccans (that we know of) in the US? Just 10 years ago, it was just around 500,000.

This makes Wicca one of the fastest growing religions in the US. Pretty cool right?

Today’s treat is all about how to get started with Wicca. Maybe this is for you and maybe it isn't?
In any case, feel free to pass this along to any new Wiccans you know. We are all in this together 😉

It’s of course 100% FREE PDF that you can download and read it on your phone or PC or even print it if you want to Moonlight Magic Shop: How To Start Being A Wiccan Download Page.

If you are having problems getting to the their website to download, here's the link that will take you straight to the PDF file, How To Start Being A Wiccan PDF.

Did you know that roughly 25% of adults choose to dress up as Witches on Halloween.

This makes it the all-time most popular outfit.

If it's that many, maybe I should change my costume.. 🤔

Did you know that for Wiccans and Pagans, Samhain is the TRUE New Years eve?

According to nature, THIS is when the year ends and starts all over again.

This is also why this time of year is PERFECT for cleansing rituals, setting your intentions and in general just get a new fresh start.

Today’s treat is all about A Guide To Smudging. Maybe this is for you and maybe it isn't? In any case, feel free to pass this along to any new Wiccans you know. We are all in this together 😉

It’s of course 100% FREE PDF that you can download and read it on your phone or PC or even print it if you want to Moonlight Magic Shop: A Guide To Smudging Download Page.

If you are having problems getting to the their website to download, here's the link that will take you straight to the PDF file, A Guide To Smudging PDF.

You probably already know that Apples are considered a holy fruit.

But did you know that in old times, people would bury apples around Samhain, as food for those souls waiting to be reborn?

And not only that... if you cut an apple over crosswise, it reveals a Pentacle. Try it out yourself.

You probably already know that Samhain is the most popular holiday for Wiccans... and that  Yule is another really big one.

But there are 6 more sabbats (8 in total):

Yule / Winter Solstice (December 21)
Imbolc (February 2)
Ostara / Spring Equinox (March 21)
Beltane (May 1)
Litha / Summer Solstice (June 22)
Lammas (August 1)
Mabon / Autumn Equinox (September 21)
Samhain (October 31)

They are all equally important, but for different reasons.

Today, on this 21th day of “No Tricks, Just Treats”, Moonlight Magic has an article for you about the 8 Sabbats. It’s a little long, so it’s a good page to bookmark or print. Moonlight Magic Shop: The Wiccan Sabbats Explained Article.

Did you know that almost every single culture all over the world has some type of “Evil Eye” folklore?

In Turkey they have teardrop shaped glass pieces, with an eye painted on them for protection.

In India it’s common to get a “Chashme Baddoor” tattoo, which protects against evil eyes.

In the middle east they use talismans and amulets for protection.

Since Wicca is as fluid as it is, we use whatever works best for us. It can be amulets, potions, spells or Pentacles.

Sometimes the best defense is offense...

Did you know that Samhain is considered the “real” end of the year for most Pagans and Wiccans?

This is also why many of us use this time to reflect upon the year that has passed.. And dream and plan on the year to come.

November 1st is a great time to start a new Journal, a new Book of Shadows and in general get ready for a new beginning.

It's never a bad idea to own a Book Of Shadows... 😉

Moonlight Magic has made a guide for you, that gives you some ideas and best practices when starting a new journal or Book of Shadows.

It’s of course 100% FREE PDF that you can download and read it on your phone or PC or even print it if you want to Moonlight Magic Shop: Book of Shadows Download Page.

If you are having problems getting to the their website to download, here's the link that will take you straight to the PDF file, Book of Shadows PDF.

Did you know that during medieval times, the Samhain celebration started at sunset on the 31st and lasted all through the night... often long into the next day.

That’s why Halloween is celebrated late evening and night today.

Did you know that a common ritual for Samhain is to place small bowls of food and candy outside for faeries, spirits and other creatures of the magickal realm?

This was common practice a couple of centuries ago... but at some point people started to dress up like these creatures and took the food.

That’s is just one of the remainders of the old ways we see today.

So when the kids come ringing your doorbell tonight, you’ll know that they really take part in celebrating Samhain the Pagan way 💖