ASTRONOMICAL SAMHAIN

Astronomical Samhain alignment is today, November 7th ( in Northern Hemisphere ), a cross-quarter day between the Autumn equinox & the Winter solstice in the wheel of the year, a moment of both death & rebirth & the start of a new cycle in many ancient traditions... Samhain is pre-Celtic. This is a time of celebration for this is the final fire festival/harvest of the year. There is an energy that resides in the fixed dates as well because we have celebrated them for so long but astronomical timing is where the true magick happens. Perfect time for divination & rituals.
The actual calendar date of Samhain/Halloween is November 11th. This was due to the reform of the Julian calendar under Pope Gregory in 1582 & ten days were annulled. October 5, 1582 became October 15. However, the old cross-quarter days kept their old dates, so Samhain, which was celebrated on the night of October 31, is still celebrated on that date, despite the fact that the actual revised date would be on November 11. Unlike modern Halloween the festival of Samhain started on the night of November 10/11 & ran for 5 days. This is reflected in the beliefs that Samhain was a time when spirits of the dead returned to this world. It was a period when the veil was open between this world & the spirit world & continued until November 16, which is referred to as Gate Closing. It coincides with what is also known as Hecate Night, goddess of the in-between, the liminal spaces, the boundaries & the transitional times of life including birth & death.
Just to confuse you even more, the astronomical Samhain in 2022 is 7.th November, today.
Aligning ourselves to the seasonal rhythms helps us physically anchor & remember on a cellular level that we are part of the larger movement.. To celebrate & welcome this dark half of the year take a moment for yourself, lighten your load, release some of the excesses, anything that doesn't serve you.
At this time the veils between this world & the Otherworld are at their thinnest. The souls of our dead relatives could come for a visit.. set a table, light a candle, think of the departed, their lives.. be thoughtful & happy, communicate with your ancestors.