Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and is celebrated from dusk of October 31st to sunset of November 1st.
Witches create beautiful autumn displays to welcome the homecoming of their ancestors. Samhain is the time to welcome home those that have passed on before us. Decorate your alter with gifts from your harvested year, including fruits, nuts, seeds, coins, and herbs. I usually display a photo of my dear grandmother with her favorite cinnamon spice nearby. Whether you choose to invite and welcome home your grandmother, your uncle, a pet, or long lost ancestor- make sure to create an inviting, warm environment including photos, leaf collections, coins, candles and incense.
People as far back as the 18th century have used the powers of fire to ward off bad luck and negative energy. Hoping to burn up and destroy the dark forces in their lives, celebrators would walk through the smoke, breathing in the vapors. Much like our ancestors, witches today use the powers of smoke to ward away bad energy using handcrafted incense.
Here is a little Samhain incense recipe I found over at Unity of Witchcraft. I thought you'd like it!
2 part cinnamon
1 part cloves
1 part dragons blood resin
1 part hyssop
1 part patchouli
2 part rosemary
1 part sage
Dash of sea salt
Reference: modern-wiccan.blogspot.com
