Today is Samhain, Halloween, and it’s much more than spooky costumes and treats. This day marks a portal into deep introspection, transformation, and yes—release, and of course the Samhain moon phase. Under this Waning Gibbous Moon, we’re primed to let go, make space, and embrace the powerful shift Samhain energy brings. With the veil between worlds thin, we’re granted a profound chance to connect with ourselves, our ancestors, and our personal truths.

Moon Phase Energy: Waning Gibbous

As the moon begins to shrink in the sky, we’re called to wind down, surrender, and evaluate. It’s a perfect phase for releasing what no longer serves us. The Waning Gibbous gives us a cosmic nudge to consider: What have you accumulated this year that’s holding you back? Where is your energy leaking, keeping you tethered to the past? Samhain is about honoring the dead, not just in body but in energy. Today, let’s pay homage to the parts of us that have completed their cycle.

Embrace the Samhain Shift

The Samhain Moon isn’t just about goodbyes; it’s about the dawn of new intentions. We’re on the cusp of the Dark Moon, where the potential for growth and manifestation builds. The Waning Gibbous phase invites us to trust the natural rhythm of release, letting the old fall away as we pave the way for profound transformation. Today’s Samhain Moon Energy Check-Up isn’t just about seeing what’s in the shadows—it’s about recognizing your power to reshape, revive, and renew.

Samhain, celebrated on October 31st (or November 1st in some traditions), is known as the “Witch’s New Year” and marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. With the thinning of the veil between the physical world and spiritual realms, we enter a potent time for deep spiritual work, spiritual development, and honoring the cycles of life. Under the Waning Gibbous Moon, today’s Samhain moon energy guides us to reflect, release, and prepare for new beginnings as we move into the darker half of the year.

1. Reflect and Release Ritual: Light a candle, grab a notebook, and reflect on the habits, patterns, or energies that feel stale. Write them down, then burn the paper, symbolizing your willingness to let go.
2. Ancestor Connection: Set up a small altar or light a candle for your ancestors. Speak to them, ask for guidance, or simply sit in quiet acknowledgment. This connection offers deep-rooted wisdom and a sense of grounded belonging.
3. Sacred Cleanse: Cleanse your space today, whether with smoke, sound, or energy work. It’s about sweeping away lingering energies and making space for the new intentions that will emerge in the coming moon phases.
4. Create a “Letting Go” Jar: Write down thoughts, habits, or memories you’re ready to release on small slips of paper, and place them in a jar. When you feel ready, bury the jar as a physical representation of burying old energies with respect.
5. Journaling Prompt: “What shadows have taught me this year, and what do I want to release to embrace my fullest potential.

In ancient Celtic lore, it was believed that on Samhain, certain animals held stronger spiritual energy and acted as guides through the seasonal shift. Today, tune into your own spirit animal!

Take a quiet moment to meditate, asking yourself which animal you feel most connected to. Perhaps it’s a wise owl, a protective wolf, or a curious fox. Once you sense your animal, spend a moment journaling about what qualities they embody and how these could inspire you in the coming cycle.

Make a Samhain Elixir

Create a Samhain-inspired herbal elixir to sip during the night. Brew a mix of rosemary (for memory), sage (for cleansing), and cinnamon (for warmth and protection). Add a spoonful of honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness, and sip while focusing on your intentions for release and renewal.

Recipe:

• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Honey or maple syrup, to taste

Brew in hot water, then strain and enjoy as you set intentions for the new season.

Samhain Intention Seeds

For those who like to connect with nature, try a “Samhain Intention Planting.” Write down an intention for the next phase on a small piece of biodegradable paper. Fold it and bury it in the earth or plant it in a pot. As it biodegrades, your intention will connect with the soil, symbolizing the transformation and growth of your intentions.

Did you know?

• The word “Samhain” is derived from an ancient Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter or “darker half” of the year.
• This time of year was often celebrated with bonfires, as it was believed that the light from flames protected people from spirits roaming the earth.
• Moon Myths: Some traditions believed the Waning Gibbous Moon helped spirits move on peacefully, making it an ideal time for release rituals!
• Ancient Celtic Festival: Samhain originated as an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of October and welcoming the beginning of winter.
• Lunar Samhain: This lunar version of Samhain is often celebrated on the dark moon or the new moon, emphasizing its connection to new life and new accounts of energy.
• Psychic Awareness and Spiritual Growth: The thinning of the veil is said to amplify psychic abilities and spiritual growth. This is an ideal time to explore psychic awareness and listen for guidance from the supernatural realms.

These additions bring a sense of fun, connection, and deeper meaning to your Samhain Moon Energy Check-Up. Samhain is a time to embrace both the mystical and practical aspects of life, so let this energy infuse your celebrations!

As the moon moves through its lunar cycle, the Waning Moon phase invites us into a sacred time of shadow work and personal release. Samhain, as a cross-quarter sabbat in the Wheel of the Year, aligns perfectly with the waning moon’s energy. Together, they create an ideal time for embracing transformation, introspection, and even some fun spiritual practices to help us let go of negative energies and make space for new life in the coming year.

• Protect Your Sacred Space: The spirit world is closer now, and so are our spirit guides. Use protective tools like palo santo or a white candle to clear out negative energy and invite supportive energies into your sacred space.

• Focus on Shadow Work: As we approach the beginning of the dark half of the year, take advantage of this unique opportunity to do some serious shadow work. Reflect on aspects of yourself that need healing, transformation, or simply acknowledgment.

• Connect with Mama Earth: Samhain isn’t just about the spiritual world; it’s a powerful time to ground yourself in the natural world. Spend a moment outdoors, breathe deeply, and acknowledge the changing season and the power of the moon guiding us into the colder months.

• Samhain Purification Ritual
  Today is an excellent time to perform a Samhain purification ritual. This ritual helps release bad habits, old energies, and anything holding you back. Use moon water for added lunar energy or create a mist with palo santo and herbs. Visualize cleansing away any negative energies and preparing for a fresh start.

• Harvest Moon Gratitude Journal
  Reflecting on the year’s harvest is a powerful time for gratitude. In a notebook, write down all you’re thankful for from the past year. This can be material, emotional, or spiritual. Acknowledge what you’ve “harvested” and set intentions for what you’re ready to plant for the coming months.

• Spirit Guide Candle Ritual
  With a white candle dedicated to your spirit guides or ancestors, sit in quiet reflection. Ask for their wisdom to guide you through the winter months and light the candle as a sign of connection and respect. This is a perfect time to open yourself to any messages they may have for you.

• Deep Connection Meditation
  As Samhain marks the beginning of winter, sit in a quiet place and take deep breaths. Visualize yourself connecting to your inner world and the outer world around you. This is a spiritual journey that allows you to listen for subtle messages from within and find clarity for the new beginnings ahead.

• Ancestral Connection
  With the thinning of the veil, focus on connecting with ancestors or loved ones who have passed. Imagine a warm, protective light around you, offering gratitude and asking for guidance. This meditation can create a deep connection with those who came before us, a reminder of our place within the larger cycle of life and death.

Samhain, under the Samhain moon energy, is an ideal time for journal prompts that deepen our awareness and intention. Here are a few to explore:

• “What cycles in my life are ending, and what am I ready to begin?”
• “How can I honor my ancestors in my daily life?”
• “What transformations am I ready to embrace during the colder months?”
• “Which patterns or beliefs am I ready to release?”

Samhain, under the Waning Gibbous Moon, is a profound time to reconnect with ourselves and our past, releasing old cycles and making space for the new. This energy check-up isn’t just about shedding what’s unnecessary; it’s about honoring the cycle of life, death, and rebirth within us. Make today’s Samhain Moon Energy Check-Up a sacred ritual, grounding yourself in gratitude, curiosity, and the power of transformation.

Embrace, release, and prepare to step forward. Let the Samhain Moon energy guide you into a new chapter, lighter and more aligned with your true essence.