Samhain, the Witch’s New Year,

is the final harvest sabbat of the year. It offers us a unique opportunity to assess the previous 12 months and set intentions for the upcoming year without all the social pressure and hustle that comes with the New Year in January. I find that observing our New Year in October gives me a chance to really focus on my craft and the spiritual growth aspects of the past year and it allows me to look towards the coming months without the shadow of “resolutions” overhanging my reflections and intentions.

This is my favorite time of year to carve out some quiet moments for reflection on the past year and look at the upcoming months with intention and a desire to move forward in expansion for myself and my practice. It feels right to do it in the fall and Samhain provides the perfect opportunity to gather with my witches if we can, or to just take some quiet time when no one else is at home or awake.

Whenever I’m working actively towards a goal or expanding my craft I try to make sure that I’m prioritizing grounding and protection. This little craft from magickalspot.com popped up in my Pinterest feed and it felt like these little spell sachets would be a perfect way to seal my intentions with protection and “stitch craft.” I personally gravitate towards textile work in my magical practice and I feel like my ancestors would have probably practiced weaving their spells quite literally into their clothing, fabrics and home decor. Knot magick features in much spell work and you can incorporate this practice as you make these little spell pouches. If you are not a great sewist, a little drawstring pouch of muslin or mesh works just as well and you won’t lose any of the intention or magic if you choose that route.

Here’s what you need:

Fabric - felt or cotton (or a small drawstring pouch if you don’t want to sew)

Thread

Needle

Straight Pins

Scissors

Bowl for template (if using fabric and making a moon shape)

Samhain Correspondences for Connection and Protection - carnelian, smoky quartz, obsidian, allspice berries, juniper berries, cinnamon sticks, dried orange peel, bay leaves, rosemary - any combination of these will do

Paper and pen

I find that I can carve out some time to do this spell work when I’m by myself, but if you want to gather some of your friends together to celebrate and make these as a group, you can amplify the magic when in communion with one another. We are always powerful when we gather together.

Instructions:

Gather your supplies before you begin. Find a quiet place to work where you won’t be distracted. Light a candle or incense of your choosing and center and ground yourself.

Take your paper and on one side, write the things you are grateful for this past year and on the other side, write what your intention or intentions are for the upcoming year. Set to the side until we make our pouch.

SKIP AHEAD TO STEP 5 IF YOU ARE USING A DRAWSTRING BAG INSTEAD OF MAKING A MOON POUCH.

Take your fabric and place the bowl on top and trace a circle. Move the bowl a few inches to the inside of your circle and trace a curve to make a moon shape. Cut out two of these moon shapes. Place the right sides of the fabric together and sew around the edges, leaving a 1 - 2 inch hole on the outside curve of the moon. If you want to do a different shape that speaks to you, feel free. This is your spell.

Carefully turn your moon right side out and using the eraser end of a pencil or a dull butter knife to turn out the corners.

Fill your moon with your chosen ingredients and your paper, focusing on your gratitude for the past and your intention for the future. If you feel inclined, you can recite an incantation while filling your pouch with ingredients, or you can simply focus on what you want to manifest. When filled, sew up the hole and seal your moon spell.

Carry this spell with you in your purse or car or keep it in a special place on your altar to remind you of your gratitude and intention and to keep the spell fresh in your mind as you go through the next 12 months.

Detailed instructions on the sewing can be found at magickalspot.com

Let me know if you decide to use this ritual and craft in your Samhain celebration this year.

PREPARING FOR SAMHAIN: THOUGHTS AND A RITUAL…