We’re now between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice when the first chill is in the air, and the trees look as if on fire with red, gold and yellow leaves. Dry, crinkly leaves lie on the ground, don’t you love that sensation of swishing through them, listening to the rustle?
The chickens on the farm will start to slow their laying, huddling close together to keep warm at night. The fields are quiet now, the summer throngs of visitors gone fro another year. Stillness descends for a few months over winter.
Celtic, Saxon and Nordic peoples, our ancestors, celebrated this time as a time to honour our departed loved ones. ‘Samhain is one of the three “spirit nights” of the year when it is said that the veils between the worlds is thin and spirits and the fae are especially restless.’ (Howard, 2014). Protecting the home from errant ghosts, warming oneself by the comforting light of bonfires, and going from house to house to beg a treat in exchange for a prayer for the dead were the forerunners to ‘trick or treating,’ and lighting a Jack ‘O’ Lantern in the form of a pumpkin.
Lavender may be used in rituals for purification, as the ancient meaning of lavender suggests, in the form of a ritual bath, to cleanse your spirit before the new year. A few drops of pure lavender essential oil with some bath salts will gently soothe and let you drift and dream, as you bathe in warm waters.
A smudge stick or herbal smoke, handmade from lavender grown at Jersey Lavender shown in the photo above, is a practice shared all over the world to cleanse, protect, and connect with spirit. Smoke is ‘prayer in motion,’ (Seed Sistas), a bridge between worlds.
Lavender can also be included in dream satchels, (herbal sachets or charm bags), to enhance psychic abilities and enhance more vivid dreaming during this mystical time. The herbal bags often include mugwort and chamomile, as well as lavender to promote relaxation, vivid dreams and peaceful sleep.
A friend of mine guides labyrinth walks, Samhain is an ideal time to follow this path as the labyrinth is a symbol of walking through the liminal spaces of this night. The labyrinth directs us inward into our deepest selves, emerging out again with new insight. A soothing and peaceful atmosphere may be created for reflection by burning lavender seeds during such a ritual, as it is believed that lavender wards off evil spirits, protecting against negative energy during the thinning veil between worlds.
You might want to host a special meal on Samhain, incorporating traditional Samhain herbs and spices, such as rosemary for remembering loved ones who have passed, and mugwort for lucid dreaming and healing. Light some candles, tell stories share memories and drink toasts.
Remember we have many gift sets in our online shop, to enjoy the scent and soothing benefits of lavender all year round.
