At the end of October, when the harvest moon paints the sky and the leaves change from green to red, the Celtic festival of Samhain begins.
In the Celtic tradition, this is a time to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one.
It’s a time for introspection, joy, and thoughtful blessings.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on one of them, we might receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support to help us keep this site running!
Table of Contents
Samhain Origin – What is Samhain?
Samhain is an old Celtic holiday that has pagan origins.
It is pronounced “sow-in”.
This festival is one of four spread throughout the ancient calendar year. It is thought to be the most important of all of these festivals.
The festivals mark the cross-quarter days between the solstices and equinoxes.
Spring is connected with the festival of Imbolc. The start of May is the Beltane summer festival.
Lughnasadh harvest festival is in August and is named after the Celtic God Lugh.
It marks the end of the harvest season and the start of winter.
Samhain is often linked to Halloween in the United States. However, its roots in history and spirituality run deeper.
This festival is a mix of reverence, celebration, and reflection.
The Celts believed that during Samhain, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead became thinner.
During this time, it was possible for people from both worlds to connect and even talk to each other.
When is Samhain?
Most people celebrate Samhain from sundown on October 31 to sunset on November 1.
There are many different ways to celebrate this ancient festival, which reflect different personal beliefs, regional customs, and modern ideas.
What are Samhain Blessings?
Samhain blessings are meaningful words that can be shared with loved ones or said by yourself.
They often have themes of gratitude, remembering the past, and looking forward to the future.
You can think of these blessings as being more than just words.
They are sparks that ignite spiritual connection, grounding us in the present while connecting us to our past and future.
They are often integrated into Samhain rituals.
Happy Samhain
During this holiday, people often say “Happy Samhain” to wish others well.
It shows how Samhain is both an acknowledgment of the end of the year and an enthusiastic welcome to the next cycle.
Happy Samhain can also be said in cards, messages, and posts on social media, bringing people from all over the world together for the celebration.
Also, as Samhain comes from Celtic Ireland, this greeting can also be said in the traditional Irish language.
This gives your wish a more authentic feel and adds some cultural depth while honoring the festival’s roots.
Here’s how to say “Happy Samhain” in the Irish language:
Oíche Shamhna shona duit
(Pronounced: EE-heh HOW-nuh hun-ah ditch)
This is how to say Happy Samhain to one person.
Oíche Shamhna Shona Daoibh
(Pronounced: EE-heh HOW-nuh hun-a DEE-eve)
How to wish multiple people a Happy Samhain.
By adding some of these traditional Irish greetings, you can really get into the spirit of the Samhain holiday.
You share the joys of the past year combined with the hopes for the coming year.
This honors the original Samhain tradition.
As well as wishing someone well by sharing the blessing, you are also giving them a taste of the rich Irish culture that led to this special holiday.
These words can be said in person, but they can also be shared in a greeting card, or on social media for example.
Samhain Blessings
Samhain blessings warm the heart, fill the spirit, and give a mysterious link to the rhythms of nature.
They come from many different cultures and traditions, and each one has its own unique message.
The Celts relied largely on oral traditions, where stories were passed down through the generations by word of mouth.
So, while we may not know exactly which Celtic blessings the Celts wished each other, we can try to reenact the sentiment of the blessings.
This is a collection of traditional and modern blessings that come from different cultures.
Even though the words and meanings of these blessings are different, they all honor this time of year.
There is a special focus on the thinning of the veil, and the never-ending dance of death and rebirth.
Related Articles:
You will find some inspiration for blessings for the other ancient Celtic festivals on our website here:
Celtic Samhain Blessings
As the veil thins and the leaves fall,
May the ancestors hear your call,
Blessed Samhain, one and all.
Alternatively:
As the veil thins on Samhain night,
With ancestors in sight,
May your hearts feel light.
When the autumn leaves fall
And the winter wind blows,
Please Do Remember that
The cycle of life always flows.
Blessed be this Samhain night.
Greetings this Samhain,
As the Celtic year ends,
And another begins.
The thin veil allows our spirits to blend,
Celebrating the cycle that never truly ends.
Happy Samhain, may your days be abundantly blessed!
As the sun sets on Samhain,
And we honor those past,
May you find joy and peace
In the memories that last.
As the earth prepares to sleep,
May your dreams run deep.
Samhain blessings to you,
In your hearts may they steep.
May the whispers of the old tales fill your heart,
And may the ancestors’ blessings never depart.
Blessed Samhain.
Wiccan Samhain Blessings
By the waning moon and the harvest’s end,
We gather tonight as family and friend.
To honor our loved ones and the year that’s been,
May the Samhain blessings commence and never end.
From the magic of the witches,
To the spirits in flight,
Blessed be this Samhain night.
As the wheel turns, the veil thins,
May the blessings of the Goddess be found within.
Upon this Samhain night,
With hearts so bright,
We celebrate the ancient rite.
As the old year dies and the new one is born,
May your life be filled with love, joy, and warmth.
In this sacred Samhain night,
May the moon’s ancient light guide your dreams
As the veil of another year lifts.
As the earth readies for winter’s reign,
May the Samhain fire burn bright,
Casting shadows that dance with delight.
Samhain’s moon is bright and clear,
Remember loved ones no longer here.
Their whispers carry on the breeze,
In this time of sacred ease.
Contemporary Samhain Blessings
As the cycle of nature continues its story,
Let us honor the past and embrace the future’s glory.
With each falling leaf and setting sun,
Remember, without end, there is no begun.
Blessed Samhain, one and all.
In this sacred season,
Where the veils are thin,
Let’s honor our ancestors, our kin.
As we look towards the winter,
The year’s final season,
Let’s find strength and joy in its reason.
Happy Samhain!
With the chill of autumn in the air
And the crunch of leaves underfoot,
Let’s celebrate Samhain with a hallowed hoot.
As we look to the ancestors,
And the wisdom they impart,
May this Samhain bring joy to your heart.
Greetings this Samhain,
Marking the end of the year,
As we remember the departed souls we hold dear,
The end of one cycle,
The beginning of the next,
May all your days forward be abundantly blessed!
– Stephanie Laird
Each of these blessings expresses a different feeling.
They emphasize how important this time of year is and how we are all connected to each other, our ancestors, and the natural world.
Whether they are given with a hug, a card, or over the internet, these blessings bring comfort and joy.
They also provide a shared sense of how central and applicable Samhain is.
How to Celebrate Samhain?
You can choose how you want to celebrate Samhain.
From making a meal to celebrate the harvest to keeping a quiet vigil for the dead, the key is to honor tradition, while adding your own twist.
Some people might choose to go for a pagan or Wiccan ceremony, while others might choose to celebrate on their own at home.
Related Article: Celebrating the summer festival of Beltane
Set up a Samhain Altar
You can make an altar for your ancestors or other loved ones who have died.
Include pictures, items they like, small gifts or mementos or anything else that shows you know them.
Light a Bonfire
Samhain is one of the four fire festivals in the ancient Celtic calendar.
The Celts would have traditionally lit bonfires to keep away evil spirits, as well as part of purification rituals.
Today, this can be a symbolic way to get rid of bad habits and start fresh in the new year.
There may not be many places where it is legal and safe to light a bonfire.
You can always safely use candles to recreate the same intention.
Observe the Sunrise
The Mound of Hostages burial tomb in Ireland that is aligned with the sunrise at Samhain.
Sunlight also has significant importance as part of this festival, which marks the coming of the darker period of the year.
Take the opportunity if it arises and observe the sunrise on Samhain. It can be used as a time of personal reflection.
Ritual for Samhain Blessings and Samhain Prayers
How you wish to share the Samhain blessings depends on your own personal preferences.
You could simply say your Samhain blessings out loud or to yourself, or take part in a celebration with other women and men.
As part of this ritual, you could focus on being grateful for what has happened in the past year and have a positive intention for the coming year.
Feast of the Dead
One appropriate way to mark this ancient festival would be to honor the dead.
You can make a meal with fall foods and set a place at the table for loved ones who have died to honor their presence in your life.
Related Articles: Prayers for the Dead from Ireland and The Tradition of the Irish Wake
Divination
Some people opt to use divination to get advice for the new year.
This could be in the form of tarot cards, runes, or another method of divination.
FAQ Samhain Blessings
Is Halloween the same as Samhain?
Halloween and Samhain happen at a similar time and share some traditions, but they are two different holidays.
Samhain is a religious and cultural holiday with roots in Celtic history.
Halloween, on the other hand, is a more commercial and nonreligious holiday.
Can non-pagans celebrate Samhain?
Absolutely!
Samhain can be celebrated by anyone who feels drawn to its themes of reflection, change, and honoring the cycle of life and death.
Irish Blessings
Samhain is a time to pause and honor the cycle of life. It is also an opportunity to ask for help for the coming year.
This unique holiday gives us a chance to connect with our roots and look forward with hope and purpose.
This can be done through group rituals, quiet reflection, or sharing Samhain blessings.
As the Samhain season approaches, may you find comfort in the rhythm of nature and the warmth of old traditions rooted in Irish culture.
Along with Samhain blessings, Irish blessings are well-known for their charm and warmth.
One of the most famous Irish blessings is known as the Irish Prayer (or simply, May the Road Rise to Meet You)
May the road rise up to meet you,
The wind always be at your back,
The sun shine warmly on your face,
And the rain fall softly on your fields.
For some more inspiration, why not explore some Short Irish Blessing Greetings.
