Hallowe 'en is the time when we honor our dead.
The word comes from Hallow 's Eve. It was an Irish tradition at first, and very different to the one we know today. It would be a quiet evening spent by the hearth remembering loved ones on October 31.
At that time of the year, when the veil is thinnest between living and dead, our ancestors believed that this was precisely the time their ancestors would come and visit us to help or guide. So people would light lanterns in turnips to guide the way while offering food which was to become today 's "Trick or treat".
Pagans know that the spirits of the dead are friends and family and indeed, even those who gave us birth, so they are not afraid of them, they call them "Our beloved Dead".
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The Horned God reminds us that our lives are gifts to us by other living beings, and that therefore, it is sacred, and we must therefore treat food with respect.
We feel closer to the Horned God by thanking the plants and animals who gave their lives to be our food, and also thank the people who grew and harvested that food.
The Samhain altar is usually covered with black and/or orange cloth, pictures of our beloved dead and things that remind us of them. Seasonal pumpkins, pomegranates, gourds, Indian corn and fallen leaves make wonderful and beautiful decorations for this time of the year and remind us of the first harvest.
Although Orange and Black are the most common colors associated with Samhain, there are also the other colors of fall: Rust, Bronze, Red and Yellow of the leaves, the Brown of the Earth, and the grey-green of dying moss.
Myrrh creates a very appropriate other-worldly atmosphere when burnt and so do Heather and Clove.
This is the time for a Mugwort infusion to wash your scrying mirror or crystal ball with. Chamomile and Valerian tea can produce a drowsy, trance-like state. Rosemary is used for remembrance, so is perfect for Samhain.
It is custom also to place an apple on the headstone of our ancestors graves at this