15 Ways to Celebrate the Pagan Holiday Samhain

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Learn what Samhain is and what it symbolizes

Co-authored by Raven Minyard, BA Reviewed by Jennifer McVey, Cht

Last Updated: October 24, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Celebrating Samhain
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• What is Samhain?
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• Samhain Symbols
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Happy Samhain! (That's pronounced Sow-en!) Samhain is an ancient pagan holiday that celebrates the end of the harvest and the beginning of a new year. It’s also a time to honor the dead, as it’s believed spirits can visit the world of the living at this time (October 31-November 1). In this article, we’ll teach you all the best ways to celebrate Samhain and honor your ancestors, with tips from a spiritual director, tarot reader, magic and manifestation expert, and a meditation coach. We’ll also explain what Samhain is and where it comes from, and list some of the most common symbols associated with the holiday.

How do you celebrate Samhain?

• Write down the things you want to leave behind in the new year, and burn them in a bonfire.
• Host a dumb supper, in which you and your guests are silent for the entire meal.
• Carve Jack-o’-lanterns and wear a costume to celebrate the origins of Halloween.
• Create an altar to honor your ancestors.
• Make traditional foods, like soul cakes, apple cider, and beef stew.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Ways to Celebrate Samhain

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1. 
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   Build a bonfire. Lighting a bonfire is one of the most honored Samhain traditions. The fire symbolizes the welcoming of a new season—winter—and reminds us that the sun will return in the spring. You can also use a bonfire in fire magic: spiritual director Jennifer McVey, Cht, recommends writing down all the things you want to let go of and burning them. Invite your friends and family to join you and sing, dance, or hold hands around the fire.

   • Feel free to invite the spirits of your ancestors to join your celebration.
   • Build your bonfire away from buildings and trees, and make sure the area is free from debris and is sheltered from gusts of wind. Check with local authorities to make sure it’s legal to build a fire.
   • If you can’t build a bonfire in your area, use a fireplace or candles instead.
   • The ancient Celts lit bonfires to fend off the cold weather and to spiritually cleanse and protect their homes.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Jennifer McVey, Cht, is a spiritualist, seer, and the spiritual director of Spiritual Answers and Solutions. She has over 22 years of experience specializing in manifesting, channeling, and spiritually-based life coaching.

   Paige Ferris is a tarot reader, astrologer, and intuitive psychic based in Jackson County, MI. She has over 6 years of experience and specializes in practical occultism and psychological astrology.

   Leza Labrador, also known as the Social Sorceress, is a magic and manifestation expert based in Santa Clarita, CA. She helps people step into their magic and power to fulfill great transformation.
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   Host a dumb supper. One of the more somber Samhain celebrations is the silent, or “dumb,” supper, which is a meal enjoyed in silence to honor the dead. The meal often consists of traditional Samhain foods. Set an extra place at the table for the spirits you wish to honor, and remain silent throughout the meal until you and your guests all leave the dining room.

   • Make your dining area a sacred space. Remove any cell phones, televisions, or other electronics, and spiritually cleanse the room however you prefer.
   • Many people choose to leave younger children out of this part of the celebration, as they typically have a hard time remaining silent for an entire meal.
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   Carve Jack-o’-lanterns. Ancient pagans carved faces into pumpkins or turnips to ward off evil spirits. This eventually morphed into the Halloween tradition of carving Jack-o’-lanterns. Carve your own to honor the ancient traditions of Samhain, for spiritual protection, and simply to have fun.

   • The practice may originate from the Irish tale of Stingy Jack. According to the story, Jack tricked the devil twice, leading to a curse that caused him to wander the earth with only a hollowed turnip and a burning coal to light his way.
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   Honor your ancestors. The main purpose of Samhain is to remember the departed and acknowledge that everyone will eventually face death. One of the most common ways to honor your ancestors is to create an altar. Set up a sacred space to arrange items dedicated to the deceased, like photographs or personal items of the person you’re honoring. Spend some time in front of the altar thinking of all your fond memories with the person.

   • You might also choose to offer apples or pomegranates. To Wiccans, apples are the fruit of death, while pomegranates are the fruit of life. This represents the balance between the two that Samhain celebrates.
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   Hold a divination ceremony. Many Wiccans and other pagans seek divine guidance through a variety of methods known as divination. Samhain, with its inherent spirituality, is the perfect time to practice your favorite form of divination, which tarot reader, astrologer, and intuitive psychic Paige Ferris says includes pendulums, tarot cards, runes, and scrying.

   • Make note of any messages or inspirations you receive during your ceremony, and take some time during the evening to reflect on the guidance you received.
   • Carry the spirit of Samhain with you. Choose something from the divination ceremony and act on it. For example, if you felt divine guidance to strengthen your personal relationships, spend some extra time with your friends and family.
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   Go on a nature walk. Samhain is a celebration of the changing of seasons, so it is appropriate to honor nature on this holiday. Try taking a meditative nature walk during the day. Use the time to reflect on those who have passed and your relationship with the physical world.

   • Gather some objects on your walk, such as leaves or vegetables. Use these to decorate your home for your Samhain celebration.
   • Gourds, apples, and acorns are excellent items to incorporate into your natural decorations.
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   Share stories with your friends and family. Samhain is all about honoring the dead, so it’s a great time to share stories about your loved ones who have passed on. Gather your friends and family around a fire and take turns sharing tales from your family’s past. If you can’t think of any good stories, make up a spooky ghost story instead!
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   Bake traditional foods. Samhain’s traditional foods reflect the season’s themes of remembrance and renewal, and many hold historical significance for the ancient Celts. Prepare some traditional food on the day of and the days leading up to Samhain to connect with the celebration’s roots. Here are a few to try out:

   • Colcannon: A hearty Irish dish made of mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage. The dish traditionally contains hidden charms believed to predict the eater’s fortune.
   • Barmbrack: A fruit-laden Irish bread where each slice may hold a charm that predicts the finder’s future.
   • Apple cider: Apples symbolize immortality, while cider celebrates the final harvest.
   • Soul cakes: Small cakes made to honor the dead. They’re often left out as offerings or exchanged for prayers in a practice called “souling.”
   • Pumpkin: Pumpkins and pumpkin seeds are used in a variety of Samhain dishes, as they’re harvested in autumn.
   • Beef stew: This hearty and robust dish is perfect for the cool, autumn weather and utilizes the late harvest vegetables and the meat from cattle, traditionally culled before winter.
   • Turnips: In addition to carving turnips, people also cooked and ate them, often mashed or roasted, as part of Samhain traditions.
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   Cleanse your home. Samhain marks the beginning of a new season, so it’s a great time to start fresh by spiritually cleansing your space. Clear out old energy by smoke cleansing, lighting incense, playing music, or removing clutter. Set intentions for a fresh and peaceful space, and welcome in new energy.

   • There is no one “right” way to spiritually cleanse a space. Magic and manifestation expert Leza Labrador says, “Everything goes back to intention. And adding crystals or calling in the four quarters or using smoke to cleanse… is almost an enhancement.”
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    Mediate on the year past and the year to come. Find a quiet, peaceful space and clear your mind. As you meditate, reflect on the past year and what you’d like to change. Think about the upcoming year and how you can welcome personal transformation.

    • According to meditation coach Masha Kouzmenko, “Meditation is really all about seeing your mind...and observing your thoughts…. Don’t be afraid to try it because you don’t know what’s on the other side.”
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    Decorate with autumn foliage. A great way to celebrate the end of the harvest is to decorate your home with autumn decor. Arrange pumpkins and gourds on your porch, hang up a gorgeous fall wreath, or even set up a cornucopia on your dining room table. Don’t forget to break out the Halloween decorations, too!

    • Display colors associated with Samhain, too, like orange and black. Black represents death and the fading of light, while Orange represents the dawning of light. Dress in orange and black, or light a black candle.
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    Make an offering to a deity associated with Samhain. Samhain began as a Gaelic festival, but today, pagans who celebrate it often worship deities from many different religions. While you can make an offering to any deity you like, consider honoring one associated with the harvest or death, as these are important elements to the festival.

    • If you work with your chosen deity regularly, you likely already know what kinds of offerings they prefer. If you aren’t sure, many pagans make offerings by lighting candles and setting food or objects associated with the deity on an altar.
    • Some deities you may choose to honor include the Morrigan, the Horned God, Persephone, Loki, and Osiris.
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    Wear a costume. Costumes have been part of the Samhain celebration since the beginning. Traditionally, they involved animal parts, such as skin, fur, or horns. While that is no longer common, many who celebrate the day still have fun creating costumes—this is where the modern idea of Halloween costumes comes from, after all!

    • Ancient pagans believed costumes and masks would disguise you if you were participating in mischief and confuse any malevolent spirits. Other belief systems thought that if you dressed up as who or what you wanted to be, it was more likely to come true.
    • Your Samhain costume can be anything you like. Make your own or buy a pre-made Halloween costume.
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    Host or attend a dance. Dancing has long been a part of Samhain celebrations, and it is one of the most joyful. Many cities with large Wiccan communities, such as New York, hold annual Samhain galas. People dance, feast, and make merry into the wee hours of the morning. If there are no balls in your area, host your own and have fun dancing with friends and family!

    • Check to see if your city has a Wiccan organization and find out how they celebrate Samhain.
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    Connect with your community. Samhain is a time for making connections with others, both living and dead. Invite people to your home for a potluck Samhain celebration. Or find out if there is a local Wiccan ritual that you can join. No matter what you do, focus on how important it is to build lasting relationships.

    • Today's modern celebrations often include giving back to others. One popular idea is to have a Samhain coat drive. Since the day signals the coming of winter, it makes sense to think about those who might not be able to keep warm in the coming months.
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Section 2 of 3:

What is Samhain?

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1. 
   Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival celebrating the end of the harvest. Pronounced Sow-en, Samhain marks the beginning of winter, which is viewed as the Celtic New Year. It’s a time of both death and rebirth, as it marks the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. The veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is believed to be thin at this time, allowing spirits to cross over.

   • Samhain takes place from October 31st to November 1st and is the origin of modern-day Halloween.
   • Samhain originated from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition and is still celebrated by many modern-day pagans and witches. It’s also one of the 8 major Wiccan holidays known as Sabbats.
   • Today, it is recognized as the Witches’ New Year, offering a chance to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. Many also take it as an opportunity to honor the dead.

Section 3 of 3:

Samhain Symbols

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1. 
   Include common Samhain symbols in your celebration. There are several colors, crystals, foods, and other symbols associated with Samhain. Finding ways to incorporate these symbols into your celebration is a great way to get into the festive spirit.

   • Colors: black, brown, yellow, orange, purple, gold, silver, red
   • Foods: apples, pumpkins, roasted game birds, cider, dark wine, pears, root vegetables
   • Stones/Crystals: smoky quartz, amber, obsidian, pyrite, onyx, carnelian, turquoise, amethyst
   • Symbols: bats, cats, blackbirds, cauldrons, Jack-o’-lanterns
   • Flowers/Herbs: calendula, sunflowers, wild ginseng, wormwood, rosemary, mugwort
   • Deities: Ishtar, the Horned God, Osiris, Loki, Persephone, Cernunnos, Dionysus, the Morrigan, Hecate, the Cailleach, Hel, Anubis
   • Scents: patchouli, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, frankincense, myrrh
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  What are some easy steps to become a Wiccan?

  

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  There are no easy steps on how to become a Wiccan, I'm afraid. This is because every Wiccan sees 'becoming a Wiccan' as something different. Some see it as going through a initiation, others see it as starting the 'year and a day' tradition and others see someone as a Wiccan if they believe and use magick/do rituals often. If you wish to join a coven, they often decide if you are a Wiccan or not, but if you wish to practice solitary, then 'being Wiccan' is something you decide for yourself.

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  Is it possible to celebrate Samhain by myself?

  

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  Yes, that is completely possible.

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  Can I do it without fire?

  

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  Of course you can! You can try mirror scrying instead. Mirror scrying is very popular, as is water scrying.

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