How to embrace Halloween's Magic

There's far more to Halloween than dressing up in spooky costumes and feasting on free candy. The scariest night of the year boasts a potent mystical energy that invites you to explore and embrace the bewitching magic of the extraordinary and the supernatural.

October 31st is a time for celebrating the natural cycle of life and death with ancient Samhain traditions, and a little imagination. The end of the harvest season is the perfect time to unite with family and friends to confront fears, find joy in the mysteries of the dark and shared experiences, and to embody the true spirit of Halloween.

Ancient Samhain traditions

Samhain (pronounced SAH-WEN) is an ancient Pagan and Celtic tradition that is celebrated between the sunsets of October 31st and November 1st. It honours the end of summer and the beginning of the winter, and in Wicca practices it also marks the start of the Witch's New Year.

In ancient times, people gathered together around a large bonfire to commune with the spirits of ancestors and loved ones, as the veil between our world and the spirit world is thinnest on the night of Halloween. It was believed to be a time when dark spirits and otherworldly entities could return for one night to wreak havoc on the living.

The tradition of carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes, to ward off evil spirits and demons, originated centuries ago as part of the sacred rituals of the unearthly season.

To honour Samhain, this Halloween, set up a simple ancestral altar in your home where you can host a special remembrance ceremony. On a small table or shelf, place an array of seasonal decorations and offerings such as colourful autumnal leaves, small gourds and squash, plus pine cones, conkers and acorns. You can further embellish the altar by adding orange and black coloured crystals, and candles too.

In pride of place on the altar, position a photograph of a departed loved one, and a personal belonging of theirs, if you have one. You can also add a handwritten letter of remembrance that expresses your love and feelings.

Modern Halloween customs

Halloween customs of the modern day tend to focus on creativity and self-expression. Many children, and adults alike, love to dress up in spookish and macabre costumes, and to join in the trick-or-treating fun or local community events that are held on October 31st.

If you're hosting a Halloween celebration this year, let your imagination run wild… Transform your home into a haunted haven with eerie gothic décor, carved pumpkin Jack O' lanterns, cobwebs, and orange coloured fairy lights, balloons or bunting.

Set the spooky mood with a playlist of haunting and spine-tingling tunes, and offer tempting Halloween inspired refreshments. Keep your guests entertained with a selection of family-friendly, traditional Halloween games like apple bobbing, mummy wrapping, pumpkin throwing, creepy charades, scrying and divination.

Encourage your guests to join in the shared experiences and collective fun by taking turns reflecting on the spirit of the season and telling frightening ghostly tales. Enjoying a night of classic horror movies will also enable you and your friends to face your fears of the mysterious and unknown in good company.

Otherworldly influences

Some people prefer to celebrate Halloween in a more individual, personal and spiritual way. Exploring the paranormal has become a popular pastime for people who appreciate Halloween associated myths, legends, and folklore.

Embrace the magic of Halloween by visiting a famous haunted house, joining a nighttime walking ghost tour, or communicating with the departed via a psychic reading in the comfort of your own home.

Consulting one of Psychic Network's experienced spiritual readers will put you in the mood to enjoy fearsome festivities, whether you're hosting a terrifying Halloween party for friends and family, or you're celebrating the seasonal event alone.

Tapping into the spiritual realm, when the veil between both worlds is most thin, means that you'll be able to connect more easily and deeply with your Spirit Guides, Higher Self and spiritual essence. If you have the gift of mediumship, communicating with a lost loved one on Halloween can offer great comfort and a sense of personal empowerment. But if you don't possess this innate spiritual skill, you can cross the bridge to the Other Side with the help of a Psychic Network reader.