As the last golden days of October give way to the dark half of the year, we stand together at the threshold of Samhain, the ancient Celtic new year, when the veil between the worlds grows thin. In this episode, I share the old stories of Samhain from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man, the herbal lore of the apple, and a simple candlelight ritual to close the door on the old year and welcome the new one, gently, in the dark.
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What You’ll Hear in This Samhain Episode
- Why the Celtic new year began in the dark, and what that teaches us about beginnings
- The Hunter’s Moon, Scorpio season, and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio
- The sacred fire at Tlachtga, from which every hearth in Ireland was lit again
- The tale of Nera, who walked into the fairy hill on Samhain night
- Guising, turnip lanterns, and the Welsh spirit night
- Apple lore, the hidden star inside every apple, and the old Halloween drink called lambswool
- A ritual for closing the old year’s door: a swept threshold, a single flame, and an apple shared
Herb Featured: The Apple, Fruit of Samhain
Long before pumpkins, the apple was the fruit of Samhain. Cut one crosswise and you’ll find a five-pointed star hidden at its heart, an old symbol of protection and the turning of the seasons. Apples were bobbed for, peeled for love divinations, and left on the doorstep for the wandering dead. In this episode, I share how to bring a little of that Samhain apple magic to your own table, from a warm cup of lambswool to a simple apple shared by candlelight.
More Samhain Stories from the Herbary Archive
If you’d like to linger a little longer in the dark half of the year, these past episodes pair beautifully with this one: #28 Samhain and #12 Connecticut Witch Trials.
28 – https://youtu.be/fjdUkbw2Bz8?si=mYm0EFAL9n84xcVy
12 – https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/16619426
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🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools
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Herbs featured in this Show:
1. Beeswax Taper Candles
2. Nutmeg Grater
3. Stations Of The Sun by Ronald Hutton
My favorite tea-making tools:
BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker
Cold Brew Coffee Filter for Wide Mouth Mason Jar
Heat-proof wide-mouth mason jars
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Inside you’ll find:
- Simple planting guidance
- Space for drawings, photos, and notes
- Imaginative themed gardens (Harry Potter Herb Garden, Young Chef’s Garden, Monarch Butterfly Garden)
Perfect for homeschooling families, budding herbalists, and anyone who wants to grow confidence by growing plants.
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🎶 Music Credits
A heartfelt thank you to Alexander Nakarada for the music featured in this story.
I am a Patreon supporter of Alexander’s work.
🎼 Song: Planning – 320bit – September 5, 2021
🔗 https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/
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