When: October 31st – November 1st
What: Samhain (pronounced sow-wen)
Takeaway: Samhain is a time to honor the changing season, the lineages we come from, and loved ones who have passed on. This day — like other global observances tied to this time of year — teaches us that shadows, mystery, and change aren’t things to fear. It’s also a reminder that transformation and death are not ends; they’re transition points in a greater cycle.
Why October 31st is astrologically significant
In the Northern Hemisphere, the days at the end of October and beginning of November have long been associated with celebration and reflection. Across cultures, traditions, and locations, this is the time of year when the veil between worlds is believed to thin, which means it’s easier to contact loved ones who have passed on.
October 31st, itself, is an astrologically significant day because it marks the midpoint between the September Equinox and the December Solstice. Known as a “cross-quarter day,” this halfway mark brings our attention to the shifts in daylight and temperature. Whether you’re in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, this day guides us deeper into the transitioning season, which gradually ramps up until the December Solstice, where it culminates.
Halloween vs. Samhain
October 31st is often associated with Halloween — a day of play, make-believe, and storytelling. It’s a time when jack-o’-lanterns light up the night, goblins and ghouls crowd the streets, and what’s otherwise spooky transforms into festivity and fun. But this date has been associated with Samhain a lot longer.
Samhain is a Celtic festival that spans from October 31st to November 1st. Traditionally, it honored the end of the growing season and welcomed the healing powers of the nighttime and darker days. On this day, people dress up in costumes, light bonfires, carve turnips to ward off evil (sound familiar?), and set altars to honor the cycles of life, death, and rebirth — all to better connect with the spirit world. It’s a celebration that also marks the end of the harvest and rings in the coming winter season, when the natural world enters its own death journey.
Connecting with your ancestors this spooky season
Whether you celebrate Halloween, Samhain, or another festival around this time, the end of October is an opportunity to honor not only the shift in season but your loved ones and role models who have passed on.
These could be family members, ancestors whose names you don’t know, or people who have impacted you in some way — be they friends, leaders, artists, community members, or elders. They could even be spirits, guides that hold meaning for you, or a favorite animal from your childhood.
There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but we’ve included some ideas below to get you started.
6 Samhain rituals to honor your ancestors
- Spend time outdoors, gathering fallen branches, dried leaves, berries, grasses, gourds, etc. Then arrange your foraged items on your altar or around your home to welcome the changing season.
- Gather with friends and swap stories about your ancestors or those you wish to honor. Bonus points if you share a cozy meal together.
- Create an altar to honor the artistic, intellectual, spiritual, or familial lineages you come from. Decorate it with flowers, photos, tealights, or anything else that reminds you of who you’re remembering. (Just don’t leave a lit candle unattended.)
- Cook for someone in your life who’s passed away. Make their favorite meal and set a plate for them at your dining table. Alternatively, you could place a favorite treat of theirs on your altar, or a glass of water.
- Do something that helps you feel close to someone in your life who is no longer here. Listen to their favorite music. Watch their go-to films or TV shows. Read a poem they liked. Art can offer a timeless bridge between us and the people we love, even after they have passed.
- Check the CHANI app at 12:30 pm PT on October 26th to access our guided meditation, altar suggestions, and ritual for Samhain and learn how the astrology of this moment is unfolding for you.
