A Magical Practice for the Season of Samhain
If you've been ‘round these parts for a while, you'll have heard me speak about how January 1st is NOT the time to be making resolutions and diving into the energy of "New Year, New Me".
Even before I embarked on my current career path, I had long set intentions instead of resolutions at the turn of the calendar year. Intentions somehow felt softer and yet more potent. But even that still somehow felt wrong. January first felt… off, at least for this kind of activity. It never felt like a moment to be leaping into energetic restructuring and doing. When I began learning about the Wheel of the Year and the energies of the seasons (and how arbitrary the dates of the Gregorian calendar are), this feeling began to make sense.
For a few years now, I have practiced dreaming, reflecting, and intention setting during the days between the Winter Solstice and the new calendar year. These days, to me, have always felt like a liminal time. A time out of time. An incubation period of sorts.
When I recently came across a beautiful magical practice to do, not just during those liminal “in-between” days, but beginning now, at the entrance into winter, the season of Samhain, I was immediately excited to try it. And of course, I also wanted to share it with you.
It is called 13 Magical Nights.
Samhain (pronounced SAH-wen) is a time to plant seeds in the garden that need the cold, a long rest, and the dark to be able to sprout in the spring. Tulips, garlic, spinach seeds… there are many things that can do with a bit of rest before the spring bloom. You are no different.
You too require rest, darkness, stillness, in order to be able to birth new realities into this world. This makes Samhain a potent time to plant your own seeds. Seeds of intention and desire. It is a beautiful time to begin thinking about what it is you desire to bring to life in the year ahead.
Here is the practice:
Between now and the Winter Solstice, begin to dream about what you would like to call in or bring forth this coming year. As these desires come to you, write them down on individual pieces of paper. Perhaps this means you write 1-2 a week from now through to the Winter Solstice.
When you write them, be sure to write in the present tense, as though they already live inside you. Not “I want ______” and “I wish _______”, but instead “I have ___” , “I am _______”.
These are wishes for you, not for others.
Write each of your wishes/desires/dreams on its own piece of paper and, once you’ve written, fold the paper three times and put it somewhere safe.
Beginning on the night of the solstice, choose (without unfolding!!) one piece of paper each night and burn it in a candle flame. Offering it to the fire and releasing the desire into the capable hands of the Universe/Your Guides/Spirit/God(dess).
On the 13th night, unfold your remaining piece of paper and read it. This one you keep. This one is your responsibility to take aligned action towards. The rest, trust that they will be taken care of in their own time.
So, now your task is to listen. Listen to what desires to grow in you and from you. Write these desires down. Give them rest and darkness as nourishment. When the Wheel turns again and we celebrate the light in the heart of the darkest night, it is time to begin offering them to the fire and the future.
I would LOVE to hear if you follow this magical practice and how it feels or what magic comes of it. Please don’t hesitate to send me a note on Instagram @iameileenmarch or at my email eileen@myluminouslife.ca
