Samhain: Embrace the Magic of the Witch's New Year

This spell is designed to safeguard you and your home from negative energies and malevolent spirits.

Ingredients:

• Black candle
• Protective herbs (sage, rosemary, bay leaves)
• Salt
• Protection oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Space: Cleanse your space with sage or rosemary to remove any lingering negative energy.
2. Create a Sacred Circle: Cast a circle using salt to define your sacred space.
3. Anoint the Candle: If you have protection oil, anoint the black candle from wick to base.
4. Light the Candle: Light the black candle and focus on the flame.
5. Recite the Spell:"By the light of this flame, I banish all harm, Protective herbs, shield and charm. Negative energies, be gone from this place, Only love and light shall fill this space."
6. Burn the Herbs: Sprinkle the protective herbs around the candle and let them burn (safely) in a fireproof dish.
7. Close the Circle: Once the candle has burned down, thank the elements and spirits, and close the circle by sweeping the salt away.

This spell invites abundance and prosperity into your life for the coming year.

Ingredients:

• Small cloth bag (green or gold)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Nutmeg
• Bay leaf
• Coins (preferably silver)
• Green candle

Instructions:

1. Set Your Intention: Clearly state your intention for prosperity and abundance.
2. Light the Green Candle: Green represents growth and wealth. Light the candle and focus on your intention.
3. Assemble the Charm Bag:
   • Place a cinnamon stick in the bag for prosperity.
   • Add a pinch of nutmeg for luck.
   • Include a bay leaf for success.
   • Finally, place the coins in the bag to attract wealth.

1. Empower the Bag: Hold the bag in your hands and visualize it filling with golden light and abundance.
2. Recite the Spell:"By earth and fire, water and air, Prosperity and wealth, I now declare. Abundance flows and blessings grow, As above, so below."
3. Carry the Bag: Keep the charm bag with you or in a place where you conduct financial transactions.

This spell helps you connect with your ancestors and receive their guidance.

Ingredients:

• White candle
• Photo or memento of your ancestor
• Paper and pen
• Offering (food or drink your ancestor enjoyed)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Space: Cleanse your area and create a peaceful environment.
2. Light the White Candle: White symbolizes purity and connection with the spirit world.
3. Place the Memento: Place a photo or memento of your ancestor next to the candle.
4. Make the Offering: Offer food or drink that your ancestor enjoyed in life.
5. Open Your Mind: Sit quietly, focus on the candle flame, and open your mind to communication.
6. Recite the Invocation:"Spirits of those who walked before, Ancestors wise, I seek your lore. From the beyond, come speak to me, Share your wisdom, so mote it be."
7. Listen and Write: Pay attention to any thoughts, feelings, or messages that come through. Write down any insights or guidance you receive.
8. Thank the Spirits: When you feel the connection waning, thank your ancestors and extinguish the candle.

Soul cakes are small, round cakes traditionally made to honor the dead. They were given to the needy or left as offerings to wandering spirits.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 cup currants or raisins
• 1 egg (beaten)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix in the beaten egg and fold in the currants or raisins.
5. Shape the Cakes: Roll the dough into small balls and flatten slightly. Place them on a greased baking sheet.
6. Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the cakes to cool on a wire rack before serving.

A hearty and warming pumpkin soup is perfect for a Samhain feast. This recipe captures the essence of autumn with its rich and comforting flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 4 cups pumpkin puree (or roasted pumpkin)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup coconut milk (or heavy cream)
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat Olive Oil: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened.
3. Add Pumpkin: Stir in the pumpkin puree and cook for a few minutes.
4. Add Broth and Spices: Pour in the vegetable broth, add the ground ginger, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Blend the Soup: Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup to a blender in batches.
6. Add Coconut Milk: Stir in the coconut milk (or heavy cream) and heat through.
7. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh thyme.

Brew your own spiced apple cider to warm up during your Samhain celebrations. This festive drink is infused with autumn spices that evoke the essence of the season.

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 2 oranges (sliced)
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon allspice berries
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• Optional: rum or brandy for a spiked version

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the apple cider, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, ground nutmeg, and brown sugar.
2. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 30-45 minutes.
3. Strain: Strain the cider to remove the spices and orange slices.
4. Serve: Serve hot, garnished with a cinnamon stick or orange slice. For a spiked version, add a splash of rum or brandy to each cup.