Ways to Celebrate Samhain

A time for reflection, transition and a little bit of magic!

Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival traditionally celebrated on October 31st to November 1st. The name is thought to be derived from the Proto-Celtic word samoni, which is believed to mean “assembly” or “gathering.” This term is associated with the idea of a communal gathering at the end of the harvest season.

Samhain marks the transition from the light half of the year to the dark half and is the predecessor of the modern celebration of Halloween. As the nights draw in, here are 3 suggestions of simple but meaningful ways you could mark the season in an alley near you.

Reflect: forwards and backwards

Samhain is a time for reflecting, remembering and honoring ancestors. Belfast’s alleys are part of our city’s built heritage, stretching back to the Victorian era. Imagine who might have occupied this alley before you: Are there dated initials scratched into the walls? Blocked up windows and coal hatches? What traces remain of how the alleys might have been used before?

Ask yourself, what will I remember from this past year? And, what impact can I have today which will leave a positive legacy for those who come after me?

Note Transitions

Samhain marks the transition into winter, the final period of winding down towards a new year. Likewise, the alleys are liminal, transitional spaces, thresholds and passageways leading from one place to another. Can you walk through an alley you’ve not been in for a while? What do you notice about the space, how has it changed since you last visited? Samhain is a celebration not just of the seasonal transition, but also spiritual.

What has changed for you in the past year and what are you ready to let go of as we edge into winter?

Create Some Magic

It was believed that during Samhain, the boundaries between this world and the otherworld were thin. This is a mystical time of the year, when many communities would perform rituals for protection and good fortune.
Can you create your own magic in an alley near you?
Perhaps you could hang something to bring joy and good luck, like a wind chime, a dreamcatcher or a charm. Could you make someone’s day with a small gift or a kind gesture?

Everyone is welcome to try these suggested celebrations to bring the festival of Samhain to an alley near you!