Home » Samhain vs Halloween – is there a difference?

Samhain vs Halloween – is there a difference?

Samhain and Halloween are often thought of as the same thing but are they? 

Held at the same time of year, both are celebrations and are dedicated to the dead.  

The traditions of Halloween are widely believed to have originated from Samhain and that’s why there are similarities.

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Samhain

Samhain has pagan Celtic origins.  

It is the summer’s end where everything is dying but although it is an end, it is also the beginning of Winter and on the pagan wheel of the year, it’s the start of the new year.  

The dual aspect of life and death is represented by affirming rebirth while we’re in the midst of death and darkness.  

This is the last of the harvest festivals before winter descends.  

Bonfires are lit to protect and to cleanse.  

At Samhain, ancestors and loved ones are remembered and honoured.  

It is a magical time of year where the veil between worlds become thin allowing communication with our ancestors who may offer us guidance and healing.  

Rituals performed at this time can often give closure.

For me, Samhain is an inner journey and a time when we give thanks to our ancestors and families.  

Linked with the turning of the wheel, it’s a time for reflection, letting go and planting those seeds (ideas) which will flourish come spring.  

Asking spirits/ancestors for guidance for the coming year is a comfort and gives focus.  

Halloween

Halloween is a festival remembering the dead and for warding off evil spirits.

Some say the tradition of trick ‘n’ treating are from the 16th century where people celebrated by going house-to-house in a costume reciting verses/songs in exchange for food with the original meaning of impersonating the souls of the dead.  

In the 18th century, Ireland and Scotland included pranks while visiting door-to-door.  

Others say this tradition derived from the Christian church.  

All Hallows’ Day was a time for honouring the saints and praying for the departed souls who had not yet reached heaven. 

The early Christian church celebrated All Hallows’ Eve on 13th May (it was switched to 1st November in 835 and there are conflicting suggestions as to why).  

The celebrations included baking and sharing soul cakes with children going door-to-door collecting soul cakes in exchange for praying for the dead.

Halloween has lost its meaning of praying for those souls in purgatory and warding off evil spirits but there is of course an echo with dressing up as ghosts and ghouls (impersonating the dead) and knocking on doors.

Instead of soul cakes and songs/verse though the refrain is ‘Trick or treat!’

Samhain  Celebrations

Here a few ways you might like to consider celebrating the turning of the wheel at Samhain.

Walk in nature

Be mindful as you walk and experience everything using your senses.  

Stroll through nature and feel the energy returning to the earth. Reflect on life and re-birth as shown in nature all around you.

Autumn in the woods - a carpet of fallen leaves

Visit a historical site and connect with the energies of all those gone before.

Remembering our ancestors

Remember ancestors by sharing stories with your family.  

Learn about your family history.  Gather heirlooms, photographs and mementoes and light a candle.  

Thank your ancestors for being a part of your life.  Sit quietly and write down any anything that comes to you.

Photos of my Rose ancestors

Reflect on the past year and the season

If you write a journal or diary, take time now to review it.  

Think about anything you’ve created in the past year and how it has grown from those early ideas.  

Consider how you’ve grown, what you have achieved, what challenges you may have overcome, what you may have learned.  

open journal, pen and ear buds

Ask yourself what do you need to change in your life?  Concentrate on one area. Release what is no longer needed.  Move forward.

Reflect on this season and what it means to you. What goals and plans do you have? How do your routines change? What do you feel gratitude for? What’s on your bucket list?

Pumpkin and autumn leaves on the cover of the Autumn Journal

An Autumn themed journal can help with reflections and plans for the season giving a focus.

Download a free printable journal (including 30 prompts)

Divination

Use a form of divination that you feel comfortable with.

There are many free divination online resources.  

Try the free tarot readings at The Glastonbury Tarot and choose the spread you feel drawn towards.  

Ask the I Ching a question that is relevant to the guidance you are seeking.

As well as free resources, you can invest in low cost tools.

Learn how to interpret Tarot cards.  

At home I use my Inner Realms Tarot. There are many tarot sets available to buy. 

tarot deck spread out

Note down any sensations, thoughts and feelings you have.  Choose one thing to act upon in the next 12 months.

Halloween Celebrations

I am sure you know how Halloween is celebrated but did you know that apple bobbing has its roots in Celtic celebrations?  

Today it is a fun game where children (and adults) try to capture apples in water with their teeth alone.  

For Celts the apple was a representation of the goddess (cut an apple in half, the seeds form a pentagram shape).  

It was thought that the apple could be used to determine marriages in a form of divination.  

Girls placed the apple they had bobbed under their pillow and would dream of their future lover.

Pick your own pumpkin

Search on your browser and you’ll probably find a few places to go pick your own pumpkin. Dorset Tea have done a round-up of where you go in and around Dorset to pick your own pumpkins.

Pumpkin Carving

Many families join in pumpkin carving.  In our house the carving can turn into a competition!

pumpkin carved into a head of a wolf
pumpkin carved into a ghost

Looking for inspiration for your pumpkin carving? The Spruce Crafts have rounded up lots of free pumpkin carving ideas, patterns and templates.

Attend an organised Halloween event

There are organised events you can attend such as a pumpkin parade.

In Poole, Upton Country Park usually have a pumpkin parade and treasure hunt. Keep an eye on the events on their website.

Entry desk to a halloween event - book of spells and a pumpkin carved with a face and the seeds coming out of its mouth
The entry to Upton Country Park’s Pumpkin Parade

Lots of people celebrate by decorating homes with Halloween themes and spending time with family and friends. In 2020 there were over 200 million searches for Halloween-related content on Pinterest! Check out the fab Halloween recipes on Pinterest.

Day of the Dead

Other cultures have their own celebrations to honour the dead.

Day of the Dead (or Dia de los Muertos) is a Mexican tradition and is associated with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

This celebration involves family and friends gathering to pray for and to remember friends and family members who have died.

It is a day of celebration rather than mourning.

Sugar skulls are an important part of the celebrations. Learn more about why they are on Day of the Dead (and a personal experience of honouring Day of the Dead).

However you celebrate remembering the dead, stay safe knocking on doors and enjoy your rituals.

I'm passionate about helping others to find a centre of calm. On my mental well-being journey I've qualified in different 'therapies' including Mindfulness and as a Mental Health First Aider.  I took my love of crochet one step further too with a crochet diploma.  Join me on:  Substack | Twitter  |   Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  LinkedIn  |  Threads Read More Behind the Scenes

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