This blog is part of my ever-popular almanac video series, where we explore the witchcraft trends and practices that correspond to each day in this enchanting month. The link to my video is at the bottom of this post
November marks the beginning of the dark half of the year, and it all starts with Samhain, the witch’s Halloween which officially ends at sunset on the 1st November. During this time, the veil between our world and the spirit world is at its thinnest, making it the perfect month for communicating with the other side. It also marks the beginning of the dance of the dead through the month of November, as the spirits
Blood and Bonfires
November was oft known as the month of Blood and Bonfires. The blood is from the slaughter of the cattle and sheep that could not be fed through the coming winter, and the bonfire is part of a tradition seen in many cultures, such as Guy Fawkes Night in the UK, Diwali in India, and the Day of the Dead in Mexico.
Lighting fires, whether a small candle or a grand bonfire, symbolises our effort to fend off the encroaching darkness. It is also an old custom, whereby the fire would cleanse the earth at the start of this the New Year, for let us not forget that November 1st is the start of the New Year. Everything starts by coming out of the darkness and into the light and the New Year follows this pattern.
Honouring the Dead:
As November begins, there’s a noticeable preoccupation with death. It is well known that the spirits walk the earth during the month of November and we can see this thread running through the events during November. The Christians celebrate All Soul’s, the world celebrates Armistice Day on the 11th of November and who can forget the Mexican’s Day of the Dead celebration, all of which honour those who have gone before us. This connection between the changing landscape of nature and the cycle of life and death is easily seen in the countryside around us, as the trees drop their leaves and the bare bones of the land are revealed.
Typically we would set an extra place at our table on Samhain, for those ancestors that wish to visit the home, Candles are left to burn in windows and doorways – commonly known as Tindles and these are lights to welcome in our loved ones.
The Wild Hunt
A mysterious and eerie aspect of November is the Wild Hunt. This folklore is ingrained deeply in the English countryside with tales of the wild hunt forming many a local tale. Predominantly the Wild Hunt is where a spectral figure rides out at night, hunting with his Wisht Hounds the souls of the dead and any living that cross his path. This spectral figure, known by various names across different regions, is a harbinger of doom. He sets out upon his black mare – the “Night Mare” and once his baying hounds have scented their quarry, they will chase them down to the depths of the otherworld and nothing will stop them.
Seeing the Wild Hunt was considered a bad omen, and one should avoid such an encounter at all costs – best to stay indoors then.
November is a month that resonates deeply with the spiritual and mystical aspects of life. From honoring the spirits and our ancestors to engaging in ancient pagan traditions like bonfires and divination, this month offers numerous opportunities for magical exploration.
So, which part of November’s witchcraft practices resonated with you the most? Do you have unique traditions or practices for this enchanting month? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s continue this magical journey together.
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