Blessed Samhain bougie brujas babies 👻 Tonight, we’re talking Halloween! While it goes by various names from “Hallow’s Eve” to “The Devils Birthday” in disapproving religions, its roots lie in the rich celtic tradition of Samhain. Samhain is the ancestral precursor for the annual modern day Halloween celebration. In honor of my Irish heritage, I’m bidding farewell to the harvest season with an article that delves into the history of Halloween and offers guidance on how to embrace Samhain as a person of color (POC) with an ethnically intersectional identity. Trust me, its origins are far from spooky 🍂

Halloween isn’t all about facing demons and dancing with the devil like the myths/legends that Christian rhetoric propagandizes. It encourages you to embrace your shadow self as we bring in “the dark half of the year,” a period when days grow shorter and colder due to the Earth’s axial tilt away from the sun. Because we tend to spend more time inside the house this time of year, Samhain asks you to also spend time looking inside yourself by doing your shadow work. Halloween isn’t all about ghost and ghouls lurking in the shadows, candy, or silly costumes. The true history of Samhain challenges you to remove any mask you may be wearing, and examine your authentic self beneath it. It has you confront your inner demons, not cower from them. Through this intense process of shadow work, one can ultimately emerge into the light of self-discovery.

Light or shadow work doesn’t rely on gimmicks or tricks; it’s all about taking that initial leap and jumping into the journey. With consistent effort and dedication, the rewards can be quite a treat— one as sweet as this article. So grab the candy you scored during tonight’s trick-or-treating (for the kids, of course), or get your next day half-off Halloween candy haul, and let’s dive right in!

What is Samhain?

Samhain, pronounced “sow-in” or “sah-win,” originated with the Celtic people. It was most popular amongst the Druids, the bourgeoise of ancient Celtic society, as they threw sumptuous parties to celebrate. Samhain celebrations occur at the midpoint between the fall and winter equinox, between October 31st and November 1st (sometimes it extends until the 2nd, if celebrated alongside with Souls Day). This is the Irish version to the “Day of the Dead” aka “Dia de Los Muertos.” On this day, you honor your ancestors by making them alters, reminiscing their stories, or looking at their photographs. And even though Samhain represents death and nostalgia, it also equally embraces rebirth and change. Moreover, Samhain marks the end of the spooky season, and beginning of chilly season. It is deemed as the most popular of the four quarterly Gaelic festivals that bring in each season. The other 3 holidays include: Imbolc (winter to spring), Bealtaine (spring to summer), and Lughnasa (summer to fall). Samhain is practically considered the New Year, and it’s a way for witches to welcome in winter. Celebrators of Samhain also believe that on this day, the barrier between the spiritual and physical world is broken. Because of this broken border, spirits can freely roam the 3D realm for up to 48 hours. People would leave food offerings in fields to welcome in fairies, Gods, and ancestors, and they would dress up in animal skins and mask to ward off bad spirits.

Where does Samhain come from?

In ancient Samhain culture, hearth fires would be lit in family homes while they went out to collect the last of the falls harvest. Afterwards, the townspeople would join the Druids for a fire lighting ceremony that involved a wheel representative of the sun. The wheel would cause friction and catch fire as people gathered around it to sacrifice cattle as an offering or say prayers to their gods. When all is said and done, they each take a piece of flame from the communal bonfire home with them to relight their own hearths. Traditional celebrations of Samhain also were used to honor military soldiers, and for townspeople to introduce themselves to the royal monarchal court.

Furthermore, it was common practice to feast all you can eat (and drink) on Samhain/Halloween! They didn’t just get candy wasted— they got got wine wasted. They had Henny and margaritas to go with those Hershey’s and M&Ms. They practically had Saint Patties day like— twice a year. So if it’s anything the Irish can do, it’s get lit (I am my grandfathers granddaughter. That is all I’ll say haha). It’s literal too considering all main holidays incorporate rituals of flames and fire. So in a way, having Halloween could kind of be like celebrating New Years Eve, Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day, AND Christmas (if the gifts were candy!). 6 holidays in one doesn’t sound so bad, eh?

Other fun facts 🧙🏾‍♀️

🎃 The History of Halloween is over 2,000 years old.

🎃 Prior to carving and hallowing out pumpkins, people carved turnips.

🎃 Some people catch a brides bouquet— others bob for apples. They used to say, first one to catch an apple while bobbing for them will be the first one to marry!

🎃 Some other names for Halloween include: The Hungry Ghost (Teng Chieh)/Qing Ming Festival in China, Halloween auf Deutsch in Germany, Chuseok in Korea, Dia de Los Muertos in Latin America , and Zaduszki in Poland.

🎃 England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Northern France, and the Isle of Man is where Samhain was primarily practiced.

🎃 It’s the 2nd largest commercial holiday in the country, raking in $9 billion annually (an average of $92 a person)

As Halloween continuously becomes more commercialized (and colonized), I want people to remember the culture and history behind the holiday. Moreover, I want you to also make this holiday your own, especially if you’re a POC (and one with Celtic roots like me!) who wants to learn how to incorporate your intersectional identities with Samhain. So, here’s how!

How to Celebrate Samhain as a POC 🧡

1. Use seasonings to bring in the new seasons!

Make your favorite fall dish and season it with seasonings that are particularly popular in autumn. All spice, cinnamon, ginger, cumin, clove, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice are all perfect for the season! Leave a little offering of it on your alter for your ancestors to add a little ✨ razzle dazzle ✨

2. Use your costume to cast a spell

Whatever or whoever you decide you want to be, make it a manifestation you want to see become a physical creation! Think about whatever it is you’re trying to manifest, then let your costume do the rest! Dress as something you want to accomplish, someplace you want to go, someone you want to be. Hell, you could even dress as someone you’d like to meet. And you don’t have to go all out or spend a bag. Every bruja naturally has a witchy wardrobe. Just think outside the box.

3. Research Halloween for your heritage

There are so many ways to celebrate Halloween, that this article would be miles long if I wrote them all. There really isn’t one “right” way to celebrate. Different cultures have different traditions. So whether you’re trick or treating to get candy, picking your costumes, soaring kites, or marching in parades, make sure your heritage pride shows through this holiday! Try to incorporate your intersectional identities, and use your imagination and intuition to get into your roots. Your ancestors are rooting for you!

4. Celebrate all days

It’s an old witchy wives-tale that there’s power in: the day before, the day of, and the day after. We use it with the moon cycles and with our birthdays, so it’s no wonder it’s the same with Samhain. You can celebrate it for 3 days like common practice. You may celebrate for 6 days, like in ancient Samhain practice. Or maybe you want to celebrate the whole month of October like me!! (Go big or go home) Whatever your case, Halloween isn’t over til the candies all gone! (I don’t make the rules— actually well, I just made that one lol)

5. Carve A Little Pumpkin House

Don’t be so quick to toss out the pumpkins for gingerbread houses just yet! Make a little pumpkin house like this! They’ll be flying off the shelves at half price soon anyway, so get one to make a little fairy cave. Let your fairy friends know that they’re still welcome to visit before winter.

6. No. Cultural. Appropriation.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Aretha Franklin was speaking FACTS when she wrote this. Please— have respect when picking out your costume. It’s cultural APPRECIATION, not appropriation. As witches, we know what we put out into the world, we receive. So don’t wear peoples culture as a costume or make any mockeries of them. Real bougie brujas know and respect the importance of boundaries. This is a given, but I always remember to reiterate the basics.

7. Add to your Autumn Alter

Make sure it’s witchy and autumn themed! You could even add a few pieces to bring in winter. Technically, fall doesn’t end until November 30th. Don’t feel so rushed or pressured by capitalism to be so quick to dismiss Fall. There is beauty in the seasons changing. You don’t have to be so quick to exchange your pumpkins for presents. Especially if you’re a spooky season girly like me like!! I still have pretty red and orange leaves on my trees, so please! (I usually switch out for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving). Plus, Halloween and Thanksgiving have some coinciding energy. Anyway, here are a few things you could add to your Autumn/Samhain alter:

• Pictures of your ancestors

• Add pumpkins, acorns, or pine cones

• Make a little maypole (to pay your respects)

• Add changed leaves you get from walks outside (to manifest transformation)

• Add a little sugar and All Spice in tiny vials (to manifest everything nice)

• Include flags from places where your ancestors are from (Also recommend doing an ancestry/23 & me)

8) Most Importantly: Be You!

I know that this holiday is now all about dressing up in costume and pretending to be someone else, but remember to most importantly, be yourself. Let your creativity and uniqueness shine through your costume. Who cares if you go as a celebrity or a piece of celery, as long as you feel good and have a great time. And remember: Be you, and blessed be 😘

Have a Happy Samhain/Halloween/Hallow’s Eve 🎃