Just was curious how many people choose to honor Samhain, celebrate a traditional Halloween, or both or neither. Also wanted to know if anyone has any Halloween or Samhain Traditions that are favorites that they would like to share.
I will start with mine I guess :) I usually enjoy doing both. For the more traditional part I love dressing up in costumes and I have participated in some costume contests before. And also eating delicious candy, baking pumpkin seeds, and making caramel apples. And watching the movie "Nightmare Before Christmas". And for Samhain I prefer to honor my ancestors. I prefer to do this part alone or with close friends or a partner. If doing this with others we usually go around the circle and each person shares their favorite happy memory of either a loved one that has passed on or even a pet. Or if they haven't lost a loved one or family member (and yes this has been the case for some) then they will share a fun story about an ancestor from their family tree. Then we each take some time to meditate and pray to our ancestors/those we have lost. It's nice to have photos if possible for those we want to think about the most. If not even writing out their full names is helpful. And to light a candle for them (preferably black). Then we offer half of our food and wine (or juice for those who prefer no alcohol) to all those who have passed on. Then we ask for blessing/protection/wisdom/give thanks to them and ask for their guidance in the coming year. The next day it's considered to be good luck to bury the offerings somewhere on the property. Or if thats not possible then bury them somewhere in nature that's a special spot that you enjoy spending time at and have postive memories of. This is supposed to bring lots of good luck and blessings. I'd love to hear what others have to share!
I respect early traditions but we always celebrate Halloween and it is different every year depending on what is going on with the family. We sometimes have parties but we always see the children in the family get to go out and Trick or Treat in places where we feel is safe for them. We sometimes dress up too. Various ones go to adult parties during the time period depending on what day Halloween falls.
As for Samhain occasionally we will have a dumb supper (silent supper) to honor our ancestors. I had a large one with almost all the family one year but we don't do these things every single year. Halloween is my favorite holiday so I always look forward to it coming around. I am not Wiccan so I don't do anything more. I am interested in European Traditional Witchcraft and Seidr but I don't do anything more than study about it, no overt ritualistic practices.
I do rituals and honor my ancestors,especially my grandfather.But I also love to go to costume parties,so I guess I celebrate both
I celebrated both honestly. I carved pumpkins and did the whole trick or treating/dress up thing, but I also did a ritual for Samhain.
Its really cool to hear what kinds of stuff other people do. And now I have some cool ideas for next year too!
celebrate both
Love dressing up going to few Halloween parties after honouring those that have passed on and ancestors
I guess to what I'm in the mood for,
or what I can afford.
Love carving pumpkins!
Can't go without doing that.
I always try and out-do myself every year
in carving.
I like to sudy up on what or where halloween
started,what it really was before hallows eve.
I love the part,about the legend of 'jack'
who he really was,and why his head is a
pumpkin.
I also like to honor the dead,and undead.
Take some shots for them 'vodka,or rum'.
scare the trick or treaters.
Oh, and last thing,i love to take everything out of
my garden that i can harvest,and gaze at my bounty
under the moon.
both..for my soul samhain for the world around me halloween ..heheh
Halloween is part of cultural folklore. Sanhaim is from the ancient spiritual aspect. Perfectly fine to co-mingle the two
Both. We carve a pumpkin for each member of the family every single year and we leave a candle in the windows to help the souls pass by. We used to leave soul cakes out but the neighbor kids would steal them so instead we leave out food for the feral cats instead. I do take the kids trick-or-treating at the mall here and then we go home for a magical dinner.
I celebrate both. Samhain is the beginning of my new year and I personally celebrate through the entire month of October bringing more focus and ritual into it from sunset on October 31 to sunset on November 1.
For fun I just incorporate Halloween traditions into my celebrations. I love to decorate the house and the yard.
I see no reason to separate them, they are the same thing just one has marketing and is considered 'socially acceptable', there are differences that break down to personal preference but we are all doing the same thing if we choose to celebrate it.
Well on the 31st of Oct. last year I just had my closest friends over. We dressed up for the fun of it, had soup/sweets, drew a tarot card, hung out, and I communicated with my deceased Aunt for the first time via pendulum with my mom's guidance and my friends with me. It was very emotional and I was glad to have my friend's company. I love that time of the year!
usually celebrate it the traditional way :) pass out candy and dress up
I'M more traditional ways of doing things dressing up and passing out candies like jayesghost said :)