Halloween, Samhain, and Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead - at Strega

Halloween, Samhain, and Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead

Feliz Dia de los Muertos or Happy Day of the Dead 

The Day of the Dead holiday is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2

Día de los Muertos is more about healing than it is about feeling bad. Celebrating Day of the Dead means facing the fact that death is real and that although our loved ones are no longer with us, we can remember them and are happy that their spirits have returned to be with us during the holiday

• Day of the Dead can be traced to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

• Ofrendas (or 'offerings') are central to the celebration.

• Food is a key part of the ofrenda.

• Marigolds are believed to serve as the pathway to the mortal world.

• Day of the Dead is celebrated worldwide.

Halloween Protection Charm

Before Halloween was Halloween, it was Samhain. This was a Celtic fire festival that celebrated the end of the harvest season and the transition into winter. People performed rituals to protect themselves and their cattle, carved jack-o-lanterns out of turnips, and tried to help the spirits of the dead along on their journey to the other world.

This time of year is perfect for warding your home and family. You can make a simple charm with a red cloth, black witch’s salt, rosemary, hawthorne, mistletoe, and a piece of black tourmaline.

You may wish to start by anointing a red candle with a drop or two of Protection oil (Rue, VanVan, or your favorite base oil). Set your charm ingredients in front of the candle, light the wick, and say...

Halloween fire, burning bright,

I call forth protection tonight.

Lay the red fabric out flat. Place the salt in the middle. Continue adding the other ingredients one by one, asking each one for their protection. Bind up the bundle with a piece of red or black string, and hang it over your front door.

Day of the Dead Spirit Guidance

Begin with four candles: one white, one black, one green, and one red. Anoint each with a drop of Rue or VanVan oil.

If you know a specific spirit that you would like to communicate with, write their name on a piece of parchment paper and set it on a table. If you have a photograph or anything that once belonged to that person, add that as well. Set the candles in a circle around the name paper.

Relax and focus your mind. You may also want to perform a grounding exercise. When you feel prepared, light the candles moving in a clockwise direction. Say...

Ancestor spirits, hear my plea. 

I call you now here to me.

If you are calling a specific spirit, say their name three times. If not, request that a helpful, well-intentioned spirit come to you (one of your spirit guides).

Sit and listen for a reply. This may come as clairaudience, clairvoyance, visions, or a different sign. Watch the candles' flames for dancing, flickering, or other changes. If you have a question or problem that you want help with, say it aloud now.

Even if you do not receive a reply immediately, thank the spirits for their appearance. Snuff the candles. Pay close attention to your dreams, for the answers you seek may appear there. Make a gratitude offering of food, drink, candy, flowers, perfume, or other things your spirits may enjoy.