Liber ab Sol (Book of Sun)^139
Date: Approximately October 31st, this Holiday is actually found on the day that rests
in the middle of Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice.
God association: Oengus Mac Oc.
Goddess association: Bhavani, Carlin, Cerridwen, Hecate, Moingfhion, Nicneven.
Gemstone associations: Obsidian, Onyx, and Carnelian.
Plant associations: Allspice, Apples, Catnip, Chrysanthemum, Corn, Gourd, Grains (all),
Hazel, Pears, Pomegranates, Sage, Squash (especially pumpkin), Thistle, Wormwood.
Color associations: Black, Orange.Samhain Incense
1 part Allspice
1 part Sage
1 part Frankincense
1 part Gum ArabicSamhain Oil
8 drops Allspice
6 drops Sage
6 drops Frankincense
1/2 ounce base oilSolitary/General—When first considering where to divide the Wheel of the Year,
many look to Samhain because it is the Celtic New Year. If that were the case, the line
dividing the year into Summer and Winter would be drawn from Samhain to Bealtaine.
That is just as valid a way of looking at the Wheel of the Year as any. However, when
we consider the names of the two halves of the year, we see a reason not to split the
year that way. Winter, called the Dark half of the year, implies that it would be the half
of the year in which there is the least amount of light or sun. That half of the year is
better marked at the Fall and Spring Equinox because the length of days is the shortest
on one side of that line and longest on the other side of the line, thus making an even
division of the darkest half of the year and the lightest half of the year. So I choose to
separate Winter (the Dark half of the year) and Summer (the Light half of the year) at
the Equinoxes, making Samhain the first Holiday of the year rather than the last. This
means that while Samhain can most definitely be considered New Year’s day, because
that day is part of the New Year, it most certainly is not akin to New Year’s Eve as New
Year’s Eve would be connected to the former year.
It is a time of reflection on the past year and a time to plan the new year. The
association between Samhain and fresh meat comes from this reflection and from how
the ancients viewed this time of the year. Known variously as the Blood Feast or Blood
Harvest, it was the time when the ancients assessed the harvest of the previous year
and determined how much food was available to keep cattle and other livestock through
the winter. If it was determined that there was not enough food to keep the animals fed
throughout the winter, it was necessary to cull the herd.p WB Chap 08.p65 139 7/11/2003, 5:52 PM