Samhain Altar 2019

Ah, Samhain...Every witches favorite time of the year! At Samhain, the Wheel of the Year begins anew. The life from the previous year is dying off or going dormant to give way for new life next Spring. Samhain is a time of reflection, rest, transformation, death, and spirit communication. As the veil is thinnest during this time (as at Beltane), communication with the Otherworld is easy. Our ancestors travel forth, offering us guidance and love as we continue our journey through life. Taking these themes into mind, I created a simplistic altar to honor this communication and transformation.

1. Roses- Scattered throughout this altar are dried roses for remembrance. I know for some roses on a Samhain altar might be a little weird, but roses are perfect for a Samhain altar as they are associated with remembering those that have departed and new beginnings. Furthermore, they are dried, representing death and the eventual decay of all things, even the most beautiful of us. They tie this altar together, letting my ancestors know that they are missed and honored on my altar.  (Where did I get it: My Garden; Cost: free)

2. Fox Skull- If you keep up with my blog you know that one of my animal guides is a fox, Meka. Not only does she act as my guide, but she also aids me in communicating with other spirits. She was present during my Fruit of the Underworld ritual I performed Samhain night and with the help of Obsidian, ferried my ancestors into our realm for communication. She is present on this altar for the same task and also to represent death. Skulls are traditionally associated with Samhain and communing with spirits, making the fox skull a perfect addition. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free ($30 from unknown Etsy seller))

3. Obsidian- Obsidian is formed quickly from magma when it reaches the Earth's surface. Because of this, it has been traditionally associated with the Underworld and death gods and goddesses such as Hades. Furthermore, it's shiny black color has associated it with the Underworld as well, with some peoples believing the shadows reflected in its glass are spirits. I placed obsidian on my altar for the same reason I used it in my Fruit of the Underworld ritual. It's deeply associated with death, protection, and transformation, and can be used to communicate with spirits easily. It being an arrowhead and black also lends to its protective properties, keeping me and mine safe during communication rituals. (Where did I get it: I honestly have no idea where this came from, but I am assuming a subscription box. Cost: ~$2)

4. Black and White Candles in Holders- Traditionally, lights were lit to help guide spirits to the right home on Samhain night. These candles are my representation of this old custom. There are two white and one black. The black represents the past where my ancestors reside, while the white candles represent the present and the future. I have them pillared with the future candle being the highest because it is yet to come, the present candle being in the middle as it is occurring now, and the black candle is the lowest as it has already come to pass. The black also represents the dead and the Underworld and its flame is used to communicate with the dead during a ritual. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree; Cost: ~$4)

5. Pomegranate- If you couldn't tell, I had a bit of a theme this year with the pomegranate. The pomegranate is considered the Fruit of the Underworld, being the fruit that Persephone ate to ultimately bind her to the Underworld for half the year. Because of this, it works well on a Samhain altar. Furthermore, its deep red-colored juice looks like blood, symbolizing the blood of our ancestors and our connection with them. (Where did I get it: Grocery Story; Cost: $1.50)

TOTAL COST: ~$7.50-37.50

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost may be higher. I hope you find this sort of break down helpful, especially those of you looking to create Instagram perfect altars on a budget! There is no reason your altars have to cost a fortune, so why not save some money and use what you may already have?

How did you celebrate Samhain this year? Let me know in the comments below. I performed my Fruit of the Underworld ritual, spoke with my ancestors, and got some great advice for how I can move forward. It was a good talk and I'm glad I was able to do so.