Traditions Are In The Air
Traditions Are In The Air!
As the air turns crisp and the leaves fall, I can’t help but feel a pull toward this time of year. There’s something comforting about autumn, something that speaks to me in a way no other season does.
I’ve always felt a connection to old-world traditions, especially since I’m 31% Irish, yes, I know it’s an oddly specific number courtesy of Ancestry. But beyond that, there’s something about the history of Ireland and the Celts that feels so close to my heart. My maternal grandmother, Norine, was Irish. She was extremely special to me and life has never been the same without her.
Samhain (pronounced as 'SOW-win' or ‘SAW-win') is celebrated from October 31st - November 1st. It is a Celtic spiritual tradition and festival that marks the end of summer, welcoming in the harvest, and ringing in the darker half of the year. Over time it has been blended with other religions however I am speaking strictly about the ancient Celtic tradition. Samhain is a time when they believed the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest. Spirits of ancestors could wander the earth, and people would honor them with offerings. It's like Halloween but with a lot more heart, and not just about candy or costumes. For the Celts, this was their New Year, a time to reflect on the past and prepare for the darker months ahead. For me, it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and think about what I need to let go of as the year winds down. It allows me to celebrate my wins for the year and imagine what my goals will be for next year.
If you are a regular follower, you know that I have always been a sucker for the magic and in-between moments in life—those times when things feel a little more magical than normal, like the shift from one season to the next. Samhain is exactly that. It’s not just about the end of the harvest or the start of winter; it’s about recognizing that life and death, light and dark, are all part of the same cycle. And there’s something really comforting in that.
Recently, I’ve been thinking about how I can bring a little of that ancient magic into my own life. The Celts would light bonfires to protect their homes and invite their ancestors back. This makes for the perfect excuse to get my husband to light his burn piles up to make a bonfire! In all seriousness, I’ve been lighting candles every night, both to reflect on my day and to create a sense of connection—to nature, to my roots, and to the people who came before me. It’s a simple practice, but it brings me a sense of peace, especially as the days grow shorter and life slows down.
Samhain also reminds me that endings aren’t always something to be feared. Whether it’s the end of a season, a chapter in life, or even letting go of an old habit, there’s a natural cycle to everything around us. I think about the Celts finishing their harvest and preparing for the long winter ahead. They didn’t shy away from the end of the growing season, they embraced it. They celebrated it. And maybe that’s the lesson I need to take from this time of year. Sometimes, you just have to let things end to make space for something new. The season of Samhain is the perfect time to reflect on that ancestral connection. It’s a time to honor the past, let go of what needs releasing, and get ready for whatever is next.
So, as Samhain approaches, I’m embracing it fully. No, I won’t be sacrificing crops or dancing around a bonfire, though that could be fun! I will be slowing down, lighting my candles, and reflecting on what this season has to teach me. Because in the end, Samhain isn’t just an ancient festival—it’s a reminder that life is full of cycles, and there’s magic in honoring every part of them.
