On October 31, 2025, countless communities across the world will come alive with the vibrant traditions that define Halloween. Pumpkins meticulously carved into grinning faces will glow warmly on porches, children clad in imaginative costumes will eagerly roam the streets, and neighborhoods will be bathed in the festive hues of orange and black. Halloween has become a hallmark of autumn, a cherished celebration deeply woven into modern culture.
Yet, beneath this lively flurry of pumpkins, costumes, and decorations lies a quieter, more ancient tradition that carries a profound connection to the natural world: Samhain. Samhain, a festival deeply rooted in Celtic heritage, predates contemporary Halloween by centuries and holds a meaningful significance tied to the cycles of nature and time. This sacred occasion marked both an ending and a beginning, serving as the transition from the old year to the new in the Celtic calendar. For ancient communities, Samhain symbolized a pivotal moment in the wheel of the year.
It was the time when the hard work of the harvest season came to a close, as fields lay fallow and the bounty of the earth was gathered in preparation for colder days ahead. Livestock were brought into shelter, ensuring their safety through the harsh winter months. As the world outside grew shrouded in misty veils of fog and daylight diminished, people turned inward, both physically and spiritually. They would gather around the warmth of a communal fire, sharing stories, reflecting on the past year, and savoring the final ripe fruits and grains of summer’s waning abundance. During these quiet and reflective moments, they also braced themselves for the darker, colder portion of the year, preparing not just their homes and supplies but also their spirits to endure the challenges winter inevitably brought. The essence of Samhain was one of balance and transition, honoring both endings and new possibilities as part of life’s cyclical flow.
From the harvest festival to the Halloween tradition
Many of the Halloween customs we know today originally date back to Samhain. It was once thought that turning on lights would ward off evil spirits and dressing up was part of an ancient protective ritual. But at its essence, Samhain has never been about horror or fear, but rather about gratitude, letting go and new beginnings. This idea is more relevant than ever. At a time when autumn is often seen as just a transition into Christmas, Samhain reminds us that the year flows in cycles and that pauses are as important as growth.
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Quick leek soup: healthy, vegan and deliciousHomemade bundles for your rituals
Our homemade ones Bundles of incense (available here) contain various herbs that we have collected from our garden. They are only available in limited quantities and are ideal for all winter smoking rituals and of course for the difficult nights ahead! So if you haven’t had the opportunity to put together an incense pack yourself this year, secure one of our copies now. Also available in a set of 2 in the “Difficult Nights” category.
An evening to breathe deeply
If you don’t want to spend October 31st with Halloween parties, but instead want to spend it consciously, you can see the evening as an invitation to rest. Turn off your phone, turn off the bright lights, and allow yourself to welcome the darkness for once. Just one candle or a small lamp on the table is enough to create a warm atmosphere. Many people feel internal tiredness at this time of year. It’s no coincidence, nature is retreating and we too can slow down. Samhain offers the opportunity to consciously indulge in this peace. Maybe you would like to prepare a hot herbal tea, for example wise, Timiano AND dog roseand take a few minutes to reflect on the past year. What was good? What can remain? And what can end? These simple questions often bring more clarity than any January New Year’s resolution.
When Samhain opens the gates, the difficult nights pass
Samhain marks the beginning of the dark season in which many things change. Nature is retreating and we too are feeling the call to peace and contemplation. In this phase the anticipation grows for one of the most magical periods of the year: the Difficult nights. So that you can consciously experience these special nights, we have ours Special issue Rauhnächte (available here) created. There you will find:
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Sweet potato pie that always works! Perfect for November coffee• 20 local incense plants
• Rituals, reflection questions and customs for each individual Rauhnacht
• Traditional – but told in an understandable and modern way
• Lots of space for desires, visions and intuitions
• High quality design, printed with love, limited editi
Those who celebrate Samhain take the first step towards a winter full of meaning. Our magazine accompanies you To make difficult nights a true annual ritual that strengthens and inspires. Get your copy now in our store
Smoking: simple, natural and beneficial
THE Smoking it is a tradition closely linked to Samhain, not because it is mystical, but because smoke has always been used to purify and preserve spaces. In the past, stables, pantries and living spaces were smoked to keep germs away. Today, smoking can help ventilate a room, relax and freshen the air naturally. Local herbs are particularly suitable: mugwort It gives off an earthy scent and ensures you stay grounded, sage has a clarifying effect, thyme brings new energy. A few dry twigs in a nice fireproof bowl, a match, is all you need. The smoke should be able to rise smoothly without bite. So ventilate well and enjoy the clear, clean air that remains. This does not create an incense ritual in the esoteric sense, but rather a simple and relaxing home ritual that you can repeat at any time, especially on cool evenings
Preserving wild herbs in autumn
In our book you will find many methods and curiosities about the conservation of wild herbs and medicinal plants «Preserving wild herbs: the best methods and recipes“(available here) can be found in our herbalist’s shop at is available. In the book you will also find many other recipes on this topic.
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First countries ban sunscreen: impact on vitamin D and the environmentSamhain as a natural turning point
Samhain is also a practical time to do some finishing work in the garden or on the balcony. Now you can harvest the last herbs, dry the seeds and prepare plant parts for herbal teas or ointments. Sage, rosemary and thyme keep well. If you want, you can have small ones bunch Tie them and hang them in a dry place to create supplies for the winter and at the same time a pleasant scent in the house. During this period, many people note how nice it is to work with your hands, organize and sort things out, stock up. It brings structure to dark days and conveys a feeling of calm and self-efficacy.
A new beginning in the darkness
Although Samhain is a quiet holiday at first glance, there is something incredibly positive about it: the certainty that every goodbye is the beginning of something new. The 31st October it reminds us that life is made up of phases and that the dark months do not mean stopping, but preparation for new growth. Those who carry this thought with them during the winter will live the next few weeks more consciously. Maybe that evening you light a candle, put it in the window and think about everything you are grateful for this year. Mindfulness can be that simple. Whether Samhain or Halloween, October 31st is a natural turning point that invites us to stop for a moment, take a breath and connect with nature. Those who consciously live this day feel: perhaps the year is ending, but in the calm of autumn there is already the seed of what is to come
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