10 Ways to Celebrate Samhain & What is samhain… let’s discuss!

What is Samhain?

As the leaves turn golden & the air grows crisp, the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”) approaches, marking the end of the harvest season & the beginning of the darker half of the year. Celebrated on October 31st, Samhain is a time when the veil between the worlds of the living & the dead is believed to be at its thinnest.

This powerful & mystical seasonal holiday offers us a unique opportunity to connect with our ancestors, reflect on the cycle of life & death, and embrace the transformative energy of the season.

what do we do on Samhain?

Samhain, often considered the Celtic New Year, is a time for honoring our beloved dead, practicing divination, and reflecting on the past year while setting intentions for the coming one. It’s a season that invites us to embrace the darkness, both literal & metaphorical, and find the wisdom & growth that can occur in these shadowy times.

While formal rituals are one way to celebrate this sacred time, there are many simple yet meaningful activities that anyone can incorporate into their Samhain observance.

These activities allow you to connect with the essence of Samhain – remembering your ancestors, acknowledging the cycle of life & death, and tapping into the intuitive energies that are heightened during this season.

Here are 10 simple, accessible ways to celebrate Samhain – perfect for both beginners & experienced practitioners alike. Whether you’re looking to honor your ancestors, reflect on personal transformation, or simply embrace the magical atmosphere of the season, these activities will help you connect with the spirit of Samhain in profound & personal ways.

10 Ways to Celebrate Samhain:

1. Nature walk & reflection.

Take a quiet walk in nature, observing the changing colors of the leaves and the signs of autumn. Use this time for personal reflection on the cycle of life and the beauty of transformation.

2. Create an ancestor altar or memory corner.

Create a small altar or designated space in your home where you can display photos, mementos, or symbols of your ancestors or loved ones who have passed away. Light a candle in their honor & spend time in quiet contemplation. Consider lighting a candle for each of your loved ones who have passed.

3. Tell stories about loved ones who have passed.

Gather with family or friends around a cozy fire or candlelit space and take turns sharing stories about ancestors or cherished memories. This can be a wonderful way to pass down family history and traditions.

If you are not able to gather with other, this can be a beautiful journal prompt. Spend time writing memories of loved ones who have passed. You could do this in one sitting, or make this a daily practice of conjuring memories of your loved ones.

Embrace the Wisdom of the Dark & Honor What’s Ready to Fall Away

2025 Samhain Digital Guidebook

+ October/November Moon Cycle Guide

A Sacred Invitation to Release, Reflect & Root Deeply into the Season

Helping you connect with your ancestors, explore your inner shadows, and release what no longer belongs — the guides open space for wisdom, insight, and a deeper alignment with the Earth.

EXPLORE NOW

4. Try the ancient practice of scrying.

At Samhain the veil between the worlds of the living & the dead is at its thinnest. This makes it a very powerful time for divination & gaining insight from other realms. The ancient practice of scrying is simply gazing into a reflective surface, (like a mirror, water, crystal ball, etc.), and seeing what thoughts arise within you.

Take a moment to gaze into your mirror (or other object). Allow your gaze to soften, and be open to any images, sensations, or messages that come to you. Spend some time journaling about your experience & what came up for you.

5. Plant tulip, daffodil or other spring bulbs.

Samhain is the time of returning to the underworld, and the growth that can happen deep down in the darkness. Planting bulbs in autumn is a great way to connect with this theme. Select some beautiful spring bulbs to plant in your yard or in pots. As you plant them, reflect on this idea of new life incubating deep underground, and new life emerging from the earth, in harmony with the cycle of life and death.

6. Cooking and Sharing Ancestral Recipes.

Prepare a meal using traditional family recipes or dishes that are meaningful to your heritage. This can be a way to connect with your ancestors through taste and aroma, while also sharing their legacy with others.

7. Gratitude Letters to Ancestors.

Write heartfelt letters to your ancestors, expressing gratitude for the wisdom, love, and experiences they’ve passed down. Consider placing these letters on your ancestor altar or keeping them in a special journal.

8. Creative Arts and Crafts.

Engage in creative activities like painting, drawing, or crafting to express your feelings and reflections on the themes of Samhain. Create art that symbolizes the cycle of life, the importance of Death in the life cycle, transformation, or your connection with ancestors.

9. Night Sky Observation.

This is a time of embracing the darkness, and understanding that the darkness has just as much to offer us as the light. Spend time in the darkness to celebrate Samhain. Spend an evening stargazing, either alone or with loved ones. Reflect on the vastness of the universe and the eternal nature of energy and consciousness.

10. Visit a cemetery.

If possible, visit a cemetery and spend time in quiet reflection, honoring the lives of those who have passed away. Visit the graves of loved ones, if you’re able. Or, simply spend time walking through any cemetery near you. (I find cemeteries to be really beautiful outdoor spaces, that are often quieter & less crowded than parks.)

If you have a cemetery with very old gravesites near you, consider doing gravestone rubbings. Simply take some paper (I find the thin brown paper that comes in Amazon packages to be very effective for this project), tape it to the gravestone & use a black crayon or charcoal to do a rubbing of the gravestone. These make beautiful decorations or additions to your altar for the season.

⭐ Bonus Idea …

Grab my FREE Samhain download. This free mini-guide includes an overview of the spiritual meaning of Samhain & journal questions for this sacred seasonal day. CLICK HERE