The Magickal Month of October
- FFP
- Oct 15
- 8 min read
When most people think of October a few things come to mind such as Halloween, pumpkin crafts, Autumn leaves and scary costumes. But did you know that this magickal month holds much more power and spiritual significance than any other?
Today we are going to talk about what makes this, the most wonderful time of the year for those that are spiritually tapped in. And I am also going to share some easy rituals that you can do around the home to benefit from this energy.
Please Note; This article was originally created and uploaded to YouTube as a podcast episode on my channel, to listen over there click here.
History of Halloween
Did you know; the word "Halloween" translates to “Holy Evening” or “Saints Evening”? The traditions associated with this holiday originated during Celtic and Druid times. Where they originally celebrated Samhain. This holiday is still celebrated and recognised by witches and other magickal folk all over the world today. The festivities of this holy day originally included huge bonfires, celebrations and wearing masks and elaborate costumes to ward off evil spirits. Hence some of these traditions have carried over into our current rituals and practices for this season.
Thinning of the Veil
The most special thing about the month of October is really the thinning of the veil. This is a magickal time for sensitives and for those who practice spiritual crafts and rituals. This aptly named “veil” is an invisible barrier if you like, that separates our world from other realms and realities. This veil is usually set in place unless we decide to open it, or entities access doorways from the other side. This happens in the cases of hauntings and other spiritual attacks.
During the month of October, right up to the end of November this barrier is weakened, thereby allowing us to experience a lot more spiritual and paranormal activity that what we usually would during the rest of the year. The evening of October 31st is when the veil is at its thinnest, which explains the need for frightening costumes and masks to ward off any evil spirits that may be roaming our streets.
Holy Traditions
There are many cultures and faiths that have assigned significant occasions to this time of year. For those practicing folklore traditions such as American or Mexican, there is another holy time of year that is celebrated in November. Known as Day of the Dead. For those that are not aware, this is not anything evil, but rather a way for those cultures to honour and respect their dead and their ancestors. The dates for this celebration vary across traditions and the places you visit however, it is usually the 1st or 2nd of November.
Coincidentally, this is also a special time of year for Catholics, as they celebrate All Saints Day on November 1st. In Hoodoo traditions, Baron Samedi, known as Pappa Ghede, the Father or Guide of the Dead is venerated on his feast day, which falls on November 2nd.
If you do more digging I’m sure you could come up with many more cultures and traditions that celebrate this Holy Month in some way or another. This convergence of spiritual energy affects us all whether we are aware of it or not.
Now, lets talk about some spiritual practices that you can try out this month in order to acclimatise to these intense energies and perhaps create a deeper spiritual connection.
A Rise in Paranormal Activity
Often, around this time of year, people will experience a rise in paranormal or unexplained supernatural phenomena in their homes or around them. This is as we discussed, due to the thinning of the veil. You may find you are possibly even experiencing more vivid dreams or sensing your deceased loved ones more than usual. Although it can be scary, this is normal.
The one thing to watch out for, is if things should escalate or get dangerous for people living in the home. A lot of the time, people will have no activity or weird happenings, then Halloween creeps up and things start getting weird. This is why it is important to cleanse and protect your home year round. Cleansing too often will also have its own problems as you will eventually just be stripping all energy away, leaving an empty vortex that is highly attractive to lost energies. The key here is balance.
Cleansing Your Space
The act of cleansing your space should be more than just a once off or once a year kind of ritual. On average, one should be doing a thorough physical and spiritual cleanse or 'spring clean' monthly or at the very least, every change of season. The seasons are a wonderful reminder of shedding the old to make room for new energy, growth and blessings. A home or property that is cluttered, dirty, derelict or not cared for is the perfect magnet for negative, lower level or dirty energies to manifest and grow.
As social creatures, humans tend to pick up and carry around the energy we encounter in our day to day lives. This means that if you are seeing people every day, sitting in traffic and just doing your grocery shopping, you are picking up and collecting others' energy or vibrations without even realizing it. Negative energy is all around us, just like positive energy and it's really easy when you're having a bad day to pick up and collect this energy in your aura fuelling your rage or unhappiness. When bringing that energy home, it will sit and linger in the environment and your own energy field until something is done to transmute or remove it.
Good Spirits vs Bad Spirits
During this time of year, many are deterred from spiritual cleansing practices as they don't want to chase away the 'good spirits'... this cannot and will not happen. The act of using Sage or Smudging is known by many to remove negative energies around an individual or a home.
However, in Native American cultures where this practice originated, Sage is also burned for sacred ceremonies and to call on the ancestors and other spirit helpers. The smoke allows spirits an easier cross over to our world, whether as an invitation or as a request to leave.
This is why your intention is key with any rituals or spiritual practice. So, burn your Sage or Palo Santo, bless your space, clear out the stagnant energies and invite your ancestors of the highest white light in. Just be sure to state your intentions aloud and be clear about what you are doing and trying to achieve.
Spiritual Barriers and Protection
Creating and utilising spiritual barriers for protection is another entirely separate practice. To simply remove negativity is one thing, but you need to keep it from returning. Spiritual barriers could mean many different things to different people or practitioners, but common ways to do this are through visualization or meditation. Such as envisioning a bubble of white light around yourself and your home, or calling on a higher power to assist you. Other more physical methods, which are just as effective include using amulets, talismans or charms, Holy Water, symbols, crystals or mirrors.
In order to raise your vibration and protect yourself and your home during this time, keep up with your prayer work and keep your home environment free from heavy or negative energies. Use music as a tool to maintain the positive energy and actively call on God and your divine helpers to ward off any evils that may be targeting you.
Contacting the Dead
Many people take advantage of this spooky season by trying seances or summoning's. While this sounds like all fun and games, trust me when I say it is just not worth it. When we open communication with the dead we are inviting in anyone (or anything) else that may be there too. There are many dark beings that relish this time of year, as this is when they are invited in, be it intentionally or not. If there are lost souls or negative entities around, they too will take the opportunity to tag along and hitchhike right into your home. So, if you are already experiencing paranormal activity in your home, or you are already affected by ghostly presences or darker influences, the best thing to do would be to steer clear from any unsafe rituals or occult practices that would potentially amplify or solidify these negative energies within your home and therefore within you.
Opening these doors is not the hard part, closing them is... and unfortunately, most people don't realise they even have a problem until its too late. If you or someone you know is in a situation like this and you need help, feel free to contact me via email.
Halloween and Day of the Dead Rituals
For those looking for rituals to do on Halloween or Day of the Dead - the best things to do would be some form of honouring or celebration of life and death. This can be done in whatever way is most comfortable to you, here are some ideas you may enjoy.
Honouring Your Dead
For those looking for simple ways to show respect and honour their dead, here are some ideas -
Set a place for them at your table on Halloween eve or Day of the Dead.
Include them in your workings and rituals by talking to them, or asking for their assistance
Create a special Ancestor altar where you can honour specific ancestors all year round.
Add offerings to your altar regularly - this can include food, tobacco, coins, fresh flowers, fresh water and even alcohol. As well as items they enjoyed while alive.
If you do not have an altar, or do not wish to keep one, you can always place photos around the home and light candles for your dead.
Visit their grave sites or a place they loved while alive and leave some gifts and prayers there for them.
Have a family get together and reminisce on old times about your loved ones who have crossed over.
Dealing with Death
Many of us do not like to think about death or the fact that we will inevitably need to deal with it in this lifetime. During this Halloween season, it could be a great time to connect with Death or a Death Guide (Psychopomp) and become better acquainted and accepting of those fears and realities.
There is at least one of these guides in each culture or faith, here are some that you may be familiar with; Archangel Azrael, St Peter, St Lazarus, Pappa Legba, Baron Samedi, Santa Muerte, Persephone, Hermes, Hecate, Anubis. In the end, death comes for all of us so it's best to be on good terms with it.
I hope you enjoyed todays topic! Wishing you a blessed Halloween, Samhain, Day of the Dead and Holy Month ahead x
FFP🔮👻🎃
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