The word Samhain is probably derived from the Irish Gaelic word "samhraidhreadh", or "summer's end". Samhain is also known as Calan Gaeaf to the Welsh.

 Bealtaine, Lúnasa and Samhain are still today the names of the months of May, August and November in the Irish language.

Samhain is a time for contemplation

Symbols: Cauldrons, jack o' lanterns, masks, balefires, besoms (brooms), bats, owls, ravens and the ever-present witch and black cat.

Colors: Orange, black, brown, golden yellow and red.

Gemstones: Carnelian, jet, obsidian and onyx.

Herbs: Acorn, allspice, apple, autumn flowers, catnip, corn, chrysanthemums, dittany of Crete, fall leaves (especially oak), ferns, flax, fumitory, gourds, grains, hazel, heather, mandrake, mugwort, mullein, nightshade, pear, pumpkin, sage, straw, thistle, turnip, wormwood.

Gods and goddesses: Crone goddesses, the Father or dying gods, gods of the underworld or death including Arawn, Cerridwen, Cernunnos, the Dagdha, Dis Pater, Hades, Hecate, Hel, Inanna, Ishtar, Kali, Lilith, Macha, Mari, the Morrigan, Osiris, Pomona, Psyche, Rhiannon, Samana, Sekhmet, Teutates and Taranis.

CAULDRON BANISHINGS FOR SAMHAIN

Needed:

Iron Cauldron
Black Votive candle
Lighter
A box of Baking Soda or Salt
Small squares of your best Parchment or other paper
Ink of Art (Dragon's Blood or Doves Blood)
Magic Pen

Into your cauldron, place a large black votive candle. Keep the box of
baking soda or salt near your work area (just in case).

When you are ready, light the candle inside the cauldron. On the squares of Parchment write what you wish banished from your life, writing only one banishment per square of paper.  Fold each paper once in the direction away from you.  Now light the paper in the flame of the candle and drop into the cauldron. Keep going, one after another, until all the papers are inside and burning.

There will be a lot of flame, so please use caution and make sure there are no flammables are nearby (i.e. curtains, tablecloths, etc.). Placing the Cauldron on the top of a table in the center of the room is ideal for indoor rituals, or it can be done outdoors on a cleared patio.

Let the cauldron burn itself out; and then clean when cool. I usually like to season my Cast Iron Cauldron at this time with a little oil on a paper towel while it's still warm. It makes it easier to clean for the next spell.

I do these every Samhain. Be prepared for surprising results! I usually start my Cauldron Banishings just after the end of my formal ritual, and before I close the circle. It gives me time to scry in the fire, or do other spellwork. The flames keep my working area warm and the warmth doesn't dissipate (for me) until I open my circle. These Cauldron Banishings are not for the faint hearted, if you are afraid of fire, don't perform this spell!
I, myself, Love fire and have never had a mishap. Happy blazing cauldrons everyone..

Elizabeth Mack
Samhain 1998