When the nights grow longer and you can feel the crisp in the air, we know Samhain is near. It’s that magical time of year when the veil between world of the living and the spiritual realm is thin, allowing us to tap into our intuition, come back to ourselves, and dive into self-discovery in deeper ways than ever before.
In the spirit of the season, we're thrilled to dive into the rich history of one of our favorite holidays and provide you with tools to access your shadow self, connect with your ancestors, and harness the energy through meaningful rituals. Plus, we'll explore how to incorporate jewelry into these practices, amplifying your connection to this sacred time. So, grab a warm drink, get comfortable, and come with us as we journey into the unseen realms.
Samhain Origins
Samhain (pronounced saa-win) is considered the origin of modern Halloween. In ancient Celtic tradition, it marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, a time when the veil between our world and the spirit world was at its thinnest. During Samhain, people believed they could communicate with spirits and ancestors more easily. Many of today’s Halloween customs, such as wearing costumes and lighting candles, stem from these ancient rituals, which were meant to honor the dead and protect the living from wandering spirits.
However, in recent years true meaning and magic behind Samhain and Halloween has been overshadowed by trick-or-treating, coming up with the most ridiculous costumes and parties. Now don't get me wrong, I love all of those things- Jo and I even have a 10+ Year standing side job building and designing custom halloween mazes, more on that later- But it would be a huge disservice to ourselves if we didn't also embrace the spiritual side of this holiday, leaning into honoring those who have paved the way and the messages we may seek to hear.
This is why shadow work is often associated with Samhain. With the veil at its thinnest, messages deep within us—ones we may have ignored—become clearer. This time of year provides the perfect opportunity to work with hidden aspects of ourselves, such as our inner child, higher self, and shadow self.
..This is a time to clear old energy, release patterns and thoughts that no longer serve you, and foster a deeper connection with yourself and your ancestors..
How Other Parts of the World Recognize This Time
While Samhain is based in Celtic tradition, many cultures around the world use this season to honor those who have passed, reflect, and seek forgiveness. As I’ve grown older and deepened my connection to my roots, I’ve embraced both my Native Mexican and Ashkenazi Jewish traditions. Both sides of my heritage celebrate during this time, with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexican culture and Yom Kippur in Jewish tradition, both honoring ancestors and reflecting on the past, making this a truly sacred and reflective season.
In Mexico, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. Families create altars adorned with meaningful possessions, candles, photos and A LOT of tequila, celebrating the lives of those who came before them. If you want to see beautiful displays of this celebration, & you are local to Southern California, I urge you to check out Old town San Diego's Dia De los Muertos parade and procession. Hollywood Forever Cemetery also has a huge event honoring these traditions with beautiful flower crowns, face paint and activities.
In Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, a sacred time for deep reflection, repentance, and seeking forgiveness. It provides an opportunity to pause, reconcile with ourselves and others, and honor the memories of loved ones who have passed. It's a day of fasting, prayer, and introspection, focusing on personal growth and spiritual renewal.
Whether it’s Samhain, Day of the Dead, or Yom Kippur, this is a recognized period where we can reconnect ourselves, our spirit and our ancestors. I urge you to take this opportunity to dive into your lineage to discover how your culture honors their ancestors - even the intention of learning about where you came from is a signal to your ancestors that you love and cherish them.
Shadow Work and the Power of Samhain
Shadow work involves unearthing the hidden parts of ourselves—those desires, fears, and truths we’ve buried. These may include true desires we’re afraid to acknowledge, traumas we’ve pushed away, or wounds that need tending to. Samhain, which leads us to the beginning of Scorpio season, encourages us to embrace the dark to bring it back into the light.
Scorpio’s energy is all about transformation and diving deep into the unknown, making this the perfect time to reflect on the past year and what you need as we transition into winter. It’s a great opportunity to journal, meditate, and practice self-reflection, allowing yourself to work through emotions and old patterns.
Creating an Altar for Ancestral Work
At Acid Queen Jewelry, we love honoring ancestors and loved ones by creating altar spaces. In fact our house is filled with tiny little altars all over the place. My favorite thing about altars is that it's not one size fits all, they can be permanent or temporary, simple or elaborate—it’s entirely up to you. Follow your intuition and let it guide you!
Perhaps you’ll create a temporary altar in the bathtub for a guided meditation with candles, rose petals, and music that connects you to your past. Or maybe your altar is centered around your jewelry box, filled with pieces passed down through generations, alongside photos of loved ones and a white candle to honor their spirits.
Another meaningful practice is setting up a Dumb Supper, where the table is adorned with rich colors, meaningful objects, and foods from your culture. A place is set for those you want to honor and a special plate of food is made as an offering to those who have passed. This ritual is a beautiful way to nourish their spirits and invite them to the table again, giving them an offering of our physical world.
..Whatever tradition speaks to you, let it inspire your unique practice during this sacred time and use your intuition to guide you to what you and your ancestors need during this time.
Jewelry as a Bridge Between Worlds
But you might prefer to work with the specific stones and the properties they have to offer you....
Labradorite will help open up your intuition and tap into inner magic..
Clear Quartz will allow your spiritual energy and intentions to flow easily..
Black Obsidian Sheen will protect your energy during shadow work and rituals..
Black Onyx will guide you through releasing old attachments and shedding emotional baggage..
Amethyst will help you find more profound messages in meditation and spiritual work..
You can find all of our pieces and stones from the Coven Collection here!
As we fall deeper into autumn and Samhain draws near, we invite you to find comfort in the dark and learn to dance with your shadows. May your ancestors guide you through this process with love, and may you feel protected all season long.
See you on the other side!
With love,
Alex
