Samhain: Honouring the Last Harvest and the Cycle of Life

Samhain, celebrated from 31 October to 1 November, has its roots in ancient Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time to honour the cycle of life and death, remember ancestors, and prepare for the the darker months ahead.

Traditionally, communities would share the last of the harvest, light bonfires for protection and guidance, and perform rituals to maintain balance between the human, natural, and spiritual worlds. Many of these traditions influenced what is now known as Halloween, though the original festival was deeply tied to seasonal rhythms, ancestral reverence, and the natural world.

But Samhain is not just about endings; it is a recognition of the full circle of life. The last crops are gathered, the fields cleared, and the Earth begins her inward turn. We too have the opportunity to acknowledge what has come to fruition, release what no longer serves us, and plant the seeds of intention for what we wish to grow. In this time, we can look to the natural world for guidance, observing how trees shed their leaves, how animals prepare for winter, and how the light slowly wanes. It is a reminder that letting go is part of growth and that every ending carries the seeds of a new beginning.

At its core, Samhain is a call to slow down, to honour Nature's gifts, and to celebrate the wisdom that comes from endings.

Blessed be this Samhain! May we move through endings with gratitude and remember that our wellbeing, and the wellbeing of the planet, depends on our respect for Nature’s rhythms and the cycles that sustain all life.