October is creeping by, and before we know it, it will be Halloween!

While Halloween is fine, I prefer the idea of Hallows. I thought I would explain, and share a few ideas for your family to try if you’re interested.

I’m very naturally minded, and I like to celebrate life seasonally. Usually, I research seasonal celebrations intensively. I like to know why we do certain things, and then I can implement them.

I love celebrating a cyclical calendar, and Hallows (as I call it) falls in between the Autumnal Equinox and Winter Solstice. Technically, it falls on November 6. Celebrating time in this way ensures a celebration every six weeks or so. As the year turns, I remember Mid-Winter, Brightening, High Spring, Rebirth, Mid-Summer, Dimming, Harvest, and Hallows. These celebrations fall on Equinoxes and Solstices, and their midpoints.

Hallows occurs when nature appears to be dying, which is why there is a focus on death and the afterlife in this celebration. If you celebrate Halloween, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about!

While Halloween can be fun to celebrate, I like to consider the natural side of things. I ask myself, What are the natural rhythms taking place right now, and how can I celebrate and remember this cycle of nature?

To do so, I’ve looked to Samhein to fill in some gaps.

Samhein (pronounced sah-win), is an ancient Celtic holiday that takes place on October 31-November 1. The Christian church forcibly re-branded it as All Hallows Eve on October 31, and All Saint’s Day on November 1. All Hallows Eve morphed into Halloween.

While Samhein has some wonderful ideas, it is based on polytheistic worship, which is something I tend to avoid. Even symbolically at this point in my life.

So using nature as our guide, here are some ways to celebrate Hallows:

• Bring nature inside. Now is a wonderful time to display those last sunflowers and marigolds. Just be sure to leave some for the wildlife to enjoy.

• Remember our ancestors. Nature appears to be dying around us, and it is a good time to remember those in our family who have passed on. Set out framed photographs of your departed loved ones, or celebrate your ancestry in general in some way. My 12th-great grandmother was Margaret Scott, who was hanged during the Salem Witch Trials. Now is the time that I pull out books about this atrocious time in history, and we talk about how something like this could happen in the first place. One of my husband’s distant grandfathers was Daniel Boone’s brother, and we talk about his escapades as well. If you pull out photographs or family momentos, you can make this space feel sacred and special by lighting some candles.

• Use produce that’s harvested during this season. Make corn husk dolls, or carve pumpkins. We like to visit a pumpkin patch, and then display our picks outdoors.
• Take a nature walk. Nature walks, especially at dusk or dawn, are great to connect us to nature. Collect some things along the way to make a natural wreath.
• Create a bonfire. Bonfires are traditionally associated with Samhein, which believes them to be protective and cleansing. Reflect on something you’d like to let go of in your life, write it on a leaf, and toss it into the fire.

Do whatever resonates with you. Celebrations should bring meaning to our lives, and we can think of our own ways to observe the seasons.

This is one of my favorite things, friends. I love to teach my children ways to live seasonally in a natural way that flows into our family life just right. If something feels forced, set it aside. You can create your own beautiful and blessed life however you see fit.