Of all the Seasonal Sabbats, Samhain (pronounced Sa’wen) is considered to be the most powerful and most important, with many intense energies at play. 

This is when we honour the Death element of the Life-Death-Rebirth cycle that forms the basis of the Wheel of the Year, and all of nature as we know it.  At this time, we come to understand that the death stage of the cycle is actually the most potent: it is here that all potential for new life resides, waiting to be manifested into specific form.  

So, Samhain is the most fitting time for reflecting on our lives and looking back over the past year to identify any situations or patterns of behaviour we can allow to die, to make room for the new. By gracefully releasing our old selves, we can move into the winter months with clarity and acceptance of the ever-changing cycle of life and death.

This past year, 2020, with its global pandemic, intensified politics, and strict necessity to stay home, has given us all an amplified opportunity to reflect – both inwardly and outwardly – on what must be released and let go if we are to create new possibilities in our lives on earth.  

By now you may have some clarity forming around what you want for your life that is different from the way things were before.  This year may have presented you with a watershed moment of decision-making in your life – the absolute knowing that you will be doing things differently from now on and will never be going back to the way things were.  

Whatever your beliefs, Samhain is an excellent time to reflect on your life, and any changes you wish to make during the year ahead. This is the time between death and new life.

What in your personal world do you wish to allow to die? And what new developments would you like to birth? What has ended that you need to fully let go, to create space for the new?

Samhain can be a potent and powerful time to create your own rituals for honouring and releasing all that has come before.  

It is a powerful time to connect with your ancestors, to honour their strength, courage, pain and suffering that has brought you to where you are now.  You – now, at this time – have the choice to heal and release that pain and suffering, knowing that you no longer need to carry it.  You may look to the recent generations who seeded the world we are now releasing.  Honour their strength, thank them for their courage, and choose to release what no longer serves.  Remember to set clear intentions for what you would like to call into manifestation in your life in place of what you have let go.

Candles or a bonfire can be used for a ritual such as this.  On Samhain Eve – a Saturday night this year with the Full Moon shining bright in the sky – it is a perfect time to take your ritual outside into the elements and under the stars.  

Write onto a piece of paper all that you wish to release and fold it three times away from you to signal letting go.  Then place it into the fire or candle speaking aloud your intention to release and let go all that no longer serves you at this time.  Give thanks for what has been, and know that it is done. 

On another piece of paper, write the things you are calling into your life and fold it three times towards you, to signal accepting these things into your life.  You may choose to also place this in the fire and speak aloud your intentions – or to speak your intentions and keep the paper with you to remind you of what you are creating. 

The energy of the Full Moon in Taurus will help to charge your ritual with the power of Gratitude and Celebration – really giving thanks to honour all that has come before, all those who have walked before you.

Make a powerful intention to step into your own strength and step up with courage to walk your own path.

Call upon the Strength, Courage and Protection of Durga Shakti to support you in this powerful process of transformation.  Durga’s mantra is Om Dum Durgaye Namaha. 

Durga is the Divine Protectress.  She is a fierce guardian who helps you to find your courage, voice and truth.  This mantra will help you feel less afraid and it invokes great protection.  Chant this mantra when you are ready for a big breakthrough in your life and need extra courage and protection to make the shift. 

For the student of yoga – and the teacher – Durga strengthens our tenacity, clarifies our vision, creates clear boundaries, keeps us accountable, insists that we track our shadow like a cat in the night, and aims her arrow of sankalpa (intention) straight to the centre of our hearts. She is the courage to be authentic and free.  With the sound of her conch she calls us forth and says: 

“Now is the time to Unleash Your Courage and Serve the Recalibration of the New Humanity!”

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How to deepen your connection with the energy of Samhain in your home and in your life:

Colours: black, orange, rust, bronze, brown, grey, silver, gold 

Crystals: jet, obsidian, onyx, smoky quartz, all the black stones 

Herbs: mugwort, valerian, rosemary, sage, catnip, broom, oak leaves, witch hazel, angelica, deadly nightshade, mandrake 

Flowers: marigold, sunflower, goldenrod, Russian sage 

Incense: nutmeg, mint, sage, copal, myrrh, clove, heather, sweetgrass, sandalwood

Altar Decorations / Symbols: oak leaves, fallen leaves, pumpkins, squashes, pomegranates, photos of deceased loved ones, acorns, besoms (brooms), cauldrons 

Foods: pumpkins, pomegranates, apples, all root vegetables, autumn and winter squashes, all nuts, bread, beans, apples, cider, ale, herbal teas

At this dark night of the year, the intentions you set for your own rebirth are powerful and potent.  You are invited to join me for a forty-day Sadhana (practice) starting on 31 October to support your activation of courage, as you release old patterns of behaviour and beliefs to set intentions for the fulfilled and purposeful life you were born to live! Together we will end the powerful year of 2020 with practices that will strengthen, uplift, support and bring great grace as we call forth our warrior spirit in these times of change.  

In Strength & Courage,

Diana

Find out about the Samhain Sadhana here.

For more practices, tips and videos, visit the Luna Rhythms Facebook Page.

To deepen your practice with Luna Rhythms Yoga, you are invited to join my online membership group, Luna Rhythms Wisdom, where we meet together and practice with the five phases of the moon each month: New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full Moon, Waning Moon and Dark Moon.  Membership of the group is £29.99 per month for all your Luna Rhythms Yoga practices.