Telling ancestor stories over a noisy dinner table seems like my kind of Samhain! Going to give the mix of those two traditions a try this year. Thanks for the inspiration!
I loved this, it was such a good read, with gentle ideas, which I always appreciate! I always find it interesting that of all of the ancient festivals this one is seems to be the most "mixed up." As you mentioned all of the other ones see a history in the pre-Christian calendar, but this one is just like--something else. It makes me wonder why--I feel like there is more to it than we know haha...anyways again, this such a great read, and love the more intentional ways of to celebrate this time of year.
Ah thank you! That’s very kind. And yes I totally agree with you - the more I tried to untangle the roots of this one the more confused I got. It’s definitely unique and very mysterious! 🕯
I found this so interesting, and love the idea of lighting a candle and leaving a place at the table for out loved ones we've lost. I laughed when you said about carving turnips, I never knew that this was traditional - my parents used to carve turnip and swede at halloween instead of pumpkin, probably because of the cost, I can still remember the smell of the turnip now!
I'm so pleased you liked it! As for the turnip lantern, I love that you used to have those! I've never thought about what they might smell like with the candle lit though... I bet that was interesting 😂
Ah, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I haven't been a huge fan of Halloween up until now either, but when I started looking into the roots of it, I found all these really lovely rituals and traditions which seem so much gentler and more peaceful.
Ah, thank you! Yes, soul cakes were fairly new to me too, I'd read about them before, but haven't tried making them yet. Going to make mine this weekend!
Thank You for these lovely suggestions. Family & ancestors are important to me so these ideas are beautiful. I do not like modern Holloween, but this is lovely
I’m so glad you found these useful! I much prefer a quieter approach to Halloween too. It can be a really peaceful and beautiful night if approached in the right way.
Such a lovely post, Victoria. And it touched on many of the ways that I love to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve and Samhain. I think it’s so beautiful to learn about the past, the origins, the folklore of traditions and celebrations, and then to use and apply them to our own lives - creating some magic along the way! Blessed Samhain! 🎃🖤
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And yes, you've put that beautifully - learning about the past in order to bring some magic to the present! Happy Halloween / Samhain to you ☺️
I love everything about this post. My birthday is on Halloween and we usually celebrate in a spooky traditional way. This year I will be on a campsite, so will certainly be more connected to nature and I am looking forward to telling stories round the campfire. Thank you x
Halloween has never been my thing but, in more recent years of getting to know the wheel of the year, I’ve been looking for ways to honour this season.
My 2 year old had also declared she doesn’t like Halloween so I really appreciate the wonderfully simple ideas for me to do with her, instead of dragging her out into the cold and plying her with sugar.
I do have a question though; this past year I lost both my grandparents and their house was recently sold. I want to light a candle for them but it won’t be in their own home. Will this be ok, as I don’t want to confuse any spirits 😆
I’ve found your work just as I’ve written about Samhain myself - divine timing indeed. I’ve felt like I’ve been looking forever for ‘my people’ those who share about cyclical living and it always makes my heart skip when I find other people talking about it too. Every since I’ve joined Substack I’ve been finding real connection. So many beautiful ideas and reflections in this thread too. I can’t wait to go back and read through more of your work.
I’ve just copied your soul cake recipe to come back to. My daughter is a huge fan of baking so she’ll love these. She also loves a story and I have a few spooky (and some silly) ones I like to tell.
Talking of ancestry, we’ve traced back 8 generations to a local shepherd and poet who I’m keen to discover more about. He helped Sir Walter Scott publish his first writings. But I think I need to get some expert help with fact checking before I get too excited 💫
Ah that’s brilliant that you’re going to give the soul cakes a try too. I can’t wait to make them this weekend. Love that ancestor story! Excellent detective work and good luck with finding out more! 💫
Ah thank you! And yes, I’m looking forward to trying the soul cakes too, I think it’s a lovely tradition. And something my three year old will enjoy too! ☺️
Telling ancestor stories over a noisy dinner table seems like my kind of Samhain! Going to give the mix of those two traditions a try this year. Thanks for the inspiration!
That sounds great! Hope you have a lovely Samhain celebration ☺️
I loved this, it was such a good read, with gentle ideas, which I always appreciate! I always find it interesting that of all of the ancient festivals this one is seems to be the most "mixed up." As you mentioned all of the other ones see a history in the pre-Christian calendar, but this one is just like--something else. It makes me wonder why--I feel like there is more to it than we know haha...anyways again, this such a great read, and love the more intentional ways of to celebrate this time of year.
Ah thank you! That’s very kind. And yes I totally agree with you - the more I tried to untangle the roots of this one the more confused I got. It’s definitely unique and very mysterious! 🕯
I found this so interesting, and love the idea of lighting a candle and leaving a place at the table for out loved ones we've lost. I laughed when you said about carving turnips, I never knew that this was traditional - my parents used to carve turnip and swede at halloween instead of pumpkin, probably because of the cost, I can still remember the smell of the turnip now!
I'm so pleased you liked it! As for the turnip lantern, I love that you used to have those! I've never thought about what they might smell like with the candle lit though... I bet that was interesting 😂
An unforgettable smell...especially when mixed with the smell of sparklers too!
I’ve not been a fan of Halloween historically, but now you’ve opened my eyes to many ways one can make it more enjoyable and personal. Thank you 🕯️
Ah, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I haven't been a huge fan of Halloween up until now either, but when I started looking into the roots of it, I found all these really lovely rituals and traditions which seem so much gentler and more peaceful.
Love this so much- I cannot get enough things Halloween! And soul cakes are new to me- definitely going to have to try the recipe.
Ah, thank you! Yes, soul cakes were fairly new to me too, I'd read about them before, but haven't tried making them yet. Going to make mine this weekend!
Thank You for these lovely suggestions. Family & ancestors are important to me so these ideas are beautiful. I do not like modern Holloween, but this is lovely
I’m so glad you found these useful! I much prefer a quieter approach to Halloween too. It can be a really peaceful and beautiful night if approached in the right way.
Such a lovely post, Victoria. And it touched on many of the ways that I love to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve and Samhain. I think it’s so beautiful to learn about the past, the origins, the folklore of traditions and celebrations, and then to use and apply them to our own lives - creating some magic along the way! Blessed Samhain! 🎃🖤
Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And yes, you've put that beautifully - learning about the past in order to bring some magic to the present! Happy Halloween / Samhain to you ☺️
I love everything about this post. My birthday is on Halloween and we usually celebrate in a spooky traditional way. This year I will be on a campsite, so will certainly be more connected to nature and I am looking forward to telling stories round the campfire. Thank you x
Oh, telling stories around a campfire will be perfect! Have a wonderful time and a happy birthday!
Thank you! It will be lovely, I'm sure.
My soul is so incredibly happy reading this 🧡
Halloween has never been my thing but, in more recent years of getting to know the wheel of the year, I’ve been looking for ways to honour this season.
My 2 year old had also declared she doesn’t like Halloween so I really appreciate the wonderfully simple ideas for me to do with her, instead of dragging her out into the cold and plying her with sugar.
I do have a question though; this past year I lost both my grandparents and their house was recently sold. I want to light a candle for them but it won’t be in their own home. Will this be ok, as I don’t want to confuse any spirits 😆
I'm so happy you enjoyed this post! I felt exactly the same way as you.. I really wanted to find new ways to celebrate this year.
As for your grandparents, I'd like to think that our loved ones will always know where to find us ❤️
I’ve found your work just as I’ve written about Samhain myself - divine timing indeed. I’ve felt like I’ve been looking forever for ‘my people’ those who share about cyclical living and it always makes my heart skip when I find other people talking about it too. Every since I’ve joined Substack I’ve been finding real connection. So many beautiful ideas and reflections in this thread too. I can’t wait to go back and read through more of your work.
Oh me too! I’m so happy to have found such a lovely group of like-minded people here on substack. A big welcome to you! ☺️💫
I’ve just copied your soul cake recipe to come back to. My daughter is a huge fan of baking so she’ll love these. She also loves a story and I have a few spooky (and some silly) ones I like to tell.
Talking of ancestry, we’ve traced back 8 generations to a local shepherd and poet who I’m keen to discover more about. He helped Sir Walter Scott publish his first writings. But I think I need to get some expert help with fact checking before I get too excited 💫
Thanks again for a lovely share.
Ah that’s brilliant that you’re going to give the soul cakes a try too. I can’t wait to make them this weekend. Love that ancestor story! Excellent detective work and good luck with finding out more! 💫
This is so interesting!! And love the soul cakes idea, especially!
That was my favourite bit too! Am going to make them this weekend ☺️
I adore this all! What a beautiful exploration and I am very drawn to the soul cakes! I think they would be fun to make with my four year old! X
Ah thank you! And yes, I’m looking forward to trying the soul cakes too, I think it’s a lovely tradition. And something my three year old will enjoy too! ☺️
That was so interesting! Love the idea of the soul cakes and lighting candles in the window. Wonderful post Victoria.
Ah thank you JP! ☺️