Ancestor Feasts– Beings and souls of the Otherworld are said to cross the veil and come into our world during Samhain. It’s still custom to set a place at the Samhain feast for the souls of dead kinfolk or loved ones and to tell tales about them. Offerings of food are also left outside or at the door for the faeries to ensure their favor in the coming year.

Turnip Lanterns-Hollowed out turnips, sometimes with faces carved into them, were common in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. They are believed to both represent spirits and to protect against unfavorable spirits, and were set on windowsills or at doorways at Samhain. This is the origin of the carved pumpkin (jack-o’-lantern) tradition in the United States.

Needfire – Samhain is a traditional time to light a needfire, which in Celtic tradition was a fire specially created to bless and protect. In the Scottish Highlands, these fires were called Tein’-éigin; all of the hearth fires would be put out and a new communal fire was made via friction (i.e. without iron, lighters, or matches). After the fire was going, wet wood was added to create smoke that was used to bless livestock. When the fire burned down, prayers would be said, and each home’s fire re-lit from the needfire. Some report simple offerings can also be thrown into the fire.

Ogam

Ruis

In the version of the Ogham tree alphabet calendar popularized by Liz & Colin Murray, the 13th and final ‘month’ of the year consists of the last three days in October. This period ushers in Samhain and the thinning of the veils between the worlds.

The Ogam tree associated with this month is the Elder, or Ruis in the Ogam, and represents regeneration — the cycle of rebirth, change, and transformation. With its white flowers, the Elder is dear to the Fae; in Scotland, it was said you would see the elven host if you stood under Elder at Samhain.

Beith

Immediately following is the first month of the Celtic calendar, November. The Ogam tree for this month is the Birch, or Beith in the Ogam. It represents purification, protection, and beginnings.

The European Silver Birch is known as the “Lady of the Woods,” with bright, silvery bark that gleams both in moonlight (evoking the Fae) and sunlight. It is one of the first trees to leaf out in the spring and is known as the tree of inception. Along with Ash, Birch represents the Cosmic World Tree (the Axis Mundi), linking the Underworld with Middle Earth and Heaven Above.