SAMHAIN (Sah-win)
BY TARA SUTPHEN
Samhain, the Pagan Sabbat called Halloween. Samhain marks tthe midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice; the nights are getting darker. Rest and Rejuvenate, Dream and Create, Plan and Recharge. We are given an opportunity to take the high road and not the low road. We are asked to step into our personal power as gracefully as we can. There is a surge about relying on yourself, on your knowledge, skills, and tool set. You are having an opportunity to clear unneeded responsibilities and old karma.
Halloween, also referred to as All Hallows’ Eve, became a holiday observed on October 31. It initiates the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts for three days and concludes on “All Souls’ Day”. Halloween’s Celtic origins began as Samhain in ancient Britain and Ireland. It was considered the beginning of winter.
During the Samhain festival, people believed souls who had died would return to visit those they left behind and their homes. People set bonfires to ward off evil spirits, and they sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the ghosts. Many different characters were associated with this day as witches, hobgoblins, fairies, and demons.
Halloween Games:
- Dance to scary music and freeze when the music turns off
- Everyone tells a scary story
- Pass it on Ghost Story
- Scary movies (age-appropriate)
- Go see the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”
- Divination – Samhain is the beginning of the pagan year; Fire or Water Scrying – Tarot cards – Crystal Ball
- Make masks and costumes (represents your alter ego for the next year)
- Create spells
- Gather in a circle and express a desire and expel a fear
- Chant or make wishes around a candle
- Carve pumpkins
- Go trick or treating or have a party with friends
Samhain Recipes
Hallowed Cakes
1/2 cup vegetable oil4 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, melted2 cups granulated sugar4 eggs2 tsp. vanilla2 cups cake flour, sifted2 tsp. baking powder1/2 tsp. salt1 cup confectioner’s sugar
In a mixing bowl, combine vegetable oil, chocolate, and granulated sugar. Blend in eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt into oil mixture. Chill for several hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350° F. Roll about a Tbsp. of dough into a ball. Drop balls into confectioner’s sugar, and roll until coated. Place balls about 2″ apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Hot Apple Cider
1 1/2 gallons apple cider2 whole cinnamon sticks5 cloves1 large orange, sliced thin with peel left on1/2 lemon, sliced thin with peel left on1/2 cup sugar
In large pot, combine cider, cinnamon sticks, orange and lemon slices. Add sugar to taste. Heat thoroughly. Serve hot.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
1 1/2 cup softened butter1 cup brown sugar or 1/2 cup honey2 eggs1 tsp vanilla1 cup pureed pumpkin1 1/2 cups flour1 1/2 cups oatmeal (grind rolled oats in a blender, but not into a flour)1/2 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp salt1 tsp cinnamon1/4 tsp nutmeg1/4 tsp cloves1/2 cup raisins1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Cream together butter and sugar (or honey). Beat in eggs. Mix in pumpkin and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, salt, soda, and spices. Add to the pumpkin mixture. Stir in raisins and nuts. Drop by teaspoonful onto a baking sheet and bake at 375° for 12 minutes.
Pumpkin Bread
2/3 cup shortening1 tsp. nutmeg2 2/3 cups sugar1 tsp. cinnamon4 large eggs2 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. vanilla1/2 tsp. baking powder3 1/3 cups flour2/3 cup water1 can Pumpkin1/2 tsp. salt
Mix all the above ingredients together, pour into 2 loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes. Optional – add dates and nuts
Butternut Squash Lasagna
Boil 3 layers of Lasagna noodles
in greased pan start layering
1 whole cooked and mashed butternut squash
ricotta cheese
pesto
shredded mozzerella
350°F for 35 minutes, until the cheese is melted
