On the eve of October 31st, many of us celebrate the age old Gaelic festival known as Samhain, the third and final harvest, which marks the halfway point between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice. Historically this is the time when the harvest dwindles and the Winter frost takes over. The nights are getting longer as we move towards darkness. Hibernating animals such as bears, bats and snakes are fattened up for a long winter’s rest and the seeds of next year’s harvest lie dormant in Mother Earth. It is a time when growth stops in order to gain strength for next Spring's rebirth. On this magikal holiday, while children are scurrying through dark streets in mystical costumes collecting treats and inhaling the exhilaration of the night, others are making altars and fires to celebrate the spiritual new year.

It’s fitting to prepare an altar laden with final harvest fruits and vegetables such as squash, pumpkins, pomegranates, figs and dates. This is also the day to place pictures of loved ones' passed with roses or marigold flowers to honor them on the altar. In addition, one can place statues of deities such as Isis, Kali, Hekate or Ganesh.

As a celebratory treat I like to bake a Samhain bread, which is a delicious, organic pumpkin bread of choice ceremoniously mixed with roasted spices, enchanted with a conjured melody, infused with Reiki and blessed before baking. For an extra special offering, I may add rose petals or lavender to the mix. Traditionally it’s nice to make a harvest soup with corn or squash in addition to baking bread.

I like to dress in black to honor the darkness and to help eliminate the negative and anoint myself with Samhain Perfume, Isis & Rebirth Anointing Oil, Letting Go Anointing Oil, Anubis Perfume, Hekate Perfume, Kali Perfume or Ganesh Perfume.   

And then we feast, in gratitude for the blessings and the teachings of the past year as well as the new cycles and the seeds we are nourishing to be planted on the Winter Solstice.  

As we enter the darkest quarter of the year, we find ourselves in the most liminal time of our seasonal cycle. In this part of the world, which was once part of Mexico, we are preparing to celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and All Souls on November 2nd. This is a time to honor, mourn and remember those who have passed. We dress up like the dead and commemorate loved ones who have passed with ceremonies and rituals where we light candles and incense on shrines and leave offerings of food and momentos. It is a healthy tradition rooted in Latin American culture that allows us to face and demystify the great western taboo of death.

Here are some suggestions on how to honor this tradition:

• On All Souls Eve I like to look closely at the pictures of my loved ones passed, remembering them and our time together. 
• We place candles, flowers, foods and drinks that connect us to our loved ones passed.
• We may burn incense such as Copal, Frankincense and Myrrh and apply Anubis Perfume and/or Samhain Perfume.
• We remember, we mourn and we tell stories; funny and sad.
• We may visit graves, bring flowers or simply invite their spirits to join us.
• In Mexico, Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) and Atole are typical for consumption during this time. *Here are two great recipes for Mexican Atole and Pan de Muerto.
• The Marigold flowers and Copal incense are traditionally used to lure those passed closer for us to connect with during this time.

In our part of the world, close to the border, we are blessed to have a strong Mexican tradition that demystifies the Western taboo of death. Here in Tucson, Arizona we wear costumes and paint our faces to resemble death and walk together as a community in an All Souls Procession to remember, mourn and honor the inevitable cycle of life. 

Although I outlined rituals and traditions that can be done on specific days, this potent time continues over the coming weeks. Before the Winter Solstice (December 21st) we want to evaluate where we are in life. It’s an opportunity to ask ourselves:

What have I accomplished since last Samhain?

What is working?

What is not working?

What changes need to be made in order to move towards my next stage in life?

We also always remember to have gratitude for the life we have been given.

-Kate

I am honored that over the last few years, my ability as a natural perfumer has increased and most compositions download as a near-complete formula. This is why the Bastet Perfume Society was birthed - it gives me the exquisite opportunity to work with some of the rarest and most exotic essences on this planet.