Tonight is "Begger's Night" in New Hampshire. I'm not sure how this relatively new phenomenon began, but for twenty or more years it has been New Hampshire's custom to schedule traditional "Trick or Treat" on October 30th. I've spoken to New Hampshire natives in their thirties who insist that they went door to door on the 31st, as we always did during my Massachusetts childhood. So, here in the Northeast, the holiday continues.
Many partied over the weekend, tonight wee ghosties and goblins will be ringing doorbells, and tomorrow, the very traditional will celebrate Halloween. Catholics will worship on November first, "All Saints' Day" to honor all the world's saints, both known and unknown.
While some celebrate Old Halloween, or Samhain, by the calendar date, there are those Witches and Pagans who celebrate the holidays of the Wheel of the Year by marking the astrological degrees of the Solstices and Equnoxes. The cross quarter days fall on the midpoints between, at 15 degrees of the fixed signs.
Samhain is celebrated on October 31-November 1, or when the Sun reaches 15 degrees of Scorpio. This year we will reach Scorpio's midway point on November 7th.
Also called: Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), as well as Hallowe'en, Hallowmas, All Hallow's Eve, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Feast of Spirits, Third Harvest, Samonios, All Saint's Eve, Celtic New Year, Samhuinn, Celtic Winter, Samana, Festival of Pamona, Vigil of Saman, Vigil of Todos, and Santos.
Moon Phase equivalent: Waning Crescent
Direction: Northwest Time of Day: Evening
Colors: Black, Orange
Herbs: Apple, Acorn, Broom, Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak, Mullein, Cedar, Willow, Dittany of Crete, Hazel, Mullein, Pumpkin, Sage, Wormwood, Mugwort, Datura, all nuts
Gemstones: Labradorite, Jet (also known as Witches’ Amber), Obsidian, Onyx
Themes: Honoring our Ancestors, The third and final Harvest, Death and Reincarnation, The Crone, Divination, Releasing that which is no longer needed, Endings, Reflection, Protection, Communing with Spirits
The veil is still thinning as the Sun traverses Scorpio. A card reading, or time spent scrying in a bowl of water, or with a magick mirror, will yield good results. You may experience prophetic dreams now. You can make your dreams more potent by sleeping with an herbal dream pillow stuffed with Mugwort and other herbs. I like to add Peppermint and Aztec Dream Vine. You won't have a restful sleep if you use this combination, but you will experience great dream recall, and you will recieve answers to any questions posed thoughtfully before sleeping.