Merry Meet!
Welcome to The Rabbit’s Haven, the official newsletter of Rabbit Stew! We are delighted that you’ve joined us. |
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The wheel has turned and we once again find ourselves amidst the shadows of Samhain (Sow-in). The harvest has ended, the dark months approach. In this liminal place, we take this time to reflect on the year, on its hills and valleys, and we set intentions for the year to come. We remember the dead and honor our ancestors.
Every witch’s path is unique, but here are some of our favorite Samhain traditions:
Host a dumb supper to honor those who have passed. Set an extra place at the table, including a glass of water as an offering. Light a candle at the place setting to guide the ancestors’ way. Eat the meal in silence as a celebration of presence and memory. Wine, cider, cakes, and bread can also be used as offerings. Release the past. On small slips of paper, write down the things you are ready to let go and safely burn them in a cauldron, a fireplace, or a bonfire. Envision yourself free of those burdens and know that this new lightness will aid you on the road to achieving your goals. Focus on the warmth and the light. Carve a jack-o’-lantern. Originally rooted in the Celtic custom of carving turnips or gourds to create lanterns, these glowing vessels were believed to ward off malevolent spirits and guide benevolent ancestors safely home. Today, the jack-o’-lantern becomes a beacon in the gathering dusk, embodying the themes of transformation, protection, and light in darkness that are central to Halloween's magic. Clear your space to prepare for the new. Effective tools to clear stagnant energies include removing clutter, wiping down your doors and floors (add a bit a moon water and your favorite essential oil), smoke cleansing, and opening your windows and doors to allow the stale energies to find their way out. Dress your besom with orange oil and sweep the stale energies away! Call in protection by washing your threshold with saltwater (add a sprig of rosemary), sprinkle black salt outside your door, or burn a black candle ringed in salt. After cleansing your space, recast your wards. Rebuild or refresh your altar. Cleanse your tools, add photos of your ancestors, add seasonal offerings—whatever you feel called to do. Journal your thoughts, intuitions, and insights regarding these in-between days. Next year you can reflect on those entries and use them as tools for your continued growth and development. Meditate on the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Cast the runes, scry, or pull tarot cards for insight and guidance. Collect the gifts of Autumn—acorns, berries, apples, flowers, nuts, seeds, pinecones, and leaves. Dress your altar with them or leave them as offerings outside your door. Cook seasonally, focusing on pumpkins, squash, apples, grain, and root vegetables. Enjoy mulled cider or herbal teas with your meals. Take a nature walk. This allows you to connect deeply with the natural world, attune to the changing seasons, and experience the interconnectedness of all life. Handcraft an intention-filled sweater, wrap, blanket, or hat as a way to keep yourself mindful of your intentions during the cold and dark of winter.
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SAMHAIN CORRESPONDENCES AND SYMBOLS |
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DEITIES Cailleach: the ancient Celtic crone goddess who rules the dark half of the year, associated with winter, death, and transformation Manannan mac Lir: Celtic god of the sea and the Otherworld, guardian of the gates between worlds The Morrigan: Celtic goddess of death, fate, and prophecy, often appearing in crow form Arawn: Welsh god of the underworld (Annwn), death, and terror, leader of the Wild Hunt Cerridwen: Welsh goddess of death and rebirth, keeper of the cauldron of wisdom and transformation Persephone: Greek goddess who descends to the underworld during the dark months, representing the death and rebirth cycle Hecate: Goddess of crossroads, magic, and necromancy, guide of souls
ANIMALS Crow/Raven: seen as messengers between worlds and keepers of ancestral wisdom. Their presence during this time is believed to signal spiritual insight or communication from beyond the veil. Black Cat: witchcraft, intuition, and independence Owl: symbolizes wisdom, prophecy, and the ability to perceive hidden truths Bat: transition, rebirth, and the unseen forces at work
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HERBS/PLANTS Rosemary: remembrance of ancestors Mugwort: prophetic dreams Sage: cleansing and protection Oak leaves: strength and wisdom Chrysanthemums: flowers of the dead and remembrance Pumpkins: prosperity, nourishment, and hearth magic Apples: linked to the Otherworld. They were buried with the dead and were also used for divination. Slice one crosswise to reveal the pentagram inside. Hazelnuts: wisdom and inspiration Rowan: protection
STONES/CRYSTALS Black Tourmaline: protection, grounding, and clearing negativity Black Obsidian: clarity, abundance, and connecting with your Intuition Smokey Quartz: transmute negative energy into positive energy, grounding, divination, and manifesting your desires Onyx: personal growth, focus, and finding balance Amber: positivity, strength, and ancestral connection Hematite: ground, protect, and reflection Bloodstone: cleansing, prosperity, and finding strength Amethyst: intuition, psychic ability, and spiritual protection Carnelian: courage, vitality warmth Jet: insight, clarity, absorbing negativity, rememberance Labradorite: intuition
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Stingy Jack and the Birth of the Jack O'Lantern
On a chilly night in a quaint Irish village, a notorious drunkard named Stingy Jack resided. His infamy for trickery resonated through twisted alleys and dimly lit pubs, reaching far beyond the emerald hills. Even the Devil heard whispers of his name. On one fateful night, the Devil’s burning curiosity drew him up from the dark, fiery depths to engage with Jack. Being a wily rogue with a taste for mischief, Jack invited the Devil for a pint at a local pub. They savored the bitter ale as the moon climbed higher in the night sky, but when the bill arrived, Stingy Jack, with a twinkle of deceit in his eyes, convinced the Devil to morph into a shiny coin for the payment. However, instead of settling the bill, Jack pocketed the coin next to a silver cross, trapping the Devil.
After an agonizing stint in Jack's pocket, the Devil was finally freed under the condition that he would leave Jack untouched for a year. With no other choice, the Devil begrudgingly agreed. As the seasons changed and the leaves turned, a year swiftly flew by, and the Devil emerged from the shadows. Jack cleverly persuaded the Devil to climb a gnarled old tree for a juicy, crimson apple. Once he ascended, Jack swiftly etched a cross onto the rough bark, trapping the Devil once more. This time, with a voice trembling with rage and despair, the Devil vowed to leave Jack untouched for ten more years. Yet, fate had other plans, and Jack found himself facing death soon after.
Heaven denied Jack entry for his sinful, mischievous life, and Hell, still bound by the Devil’s vow, reluctantly did the same. Yet, with a mocking gesture, the Devil tossed Jack a single burning ember from the fiery pits to light his way through the eternal darkness. With a flicker of his cunning, Jack hollowed out an old turnip, placed the ember within, and began his endless roam on earth, marking the inception of Jack of the Lantern. |
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Soul Cakes
Soul cakes have roots in medieval Britain, where they were traditionally baked and shared during Allhallowtide. In a custom known as “souling,” the poor would go door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for soul cakes.
Gradually, these cakes became a symbol of community and remembrance. Families would often leave them out on their ancestor altars, believing that each cake offered could free a soul from purgatory or ease their journey in the afterlife. Over time, this tradition evolved, blending with other customs to become part of Halloween and modern neopagan celebrations of Samhain.
Ingredients 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup brown sugar (dark or light) 1/2 cup butter 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp allspice pinch of cloves 1/4 tsp salt 1 egg, beaten 2 tsp apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup currants or raisins (optional)
Instructions In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Stir in the milk and fold in the currants or raisins. Turn out into a bowl and press together into a ball. Chill for 20 minutes Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour a clean, flat surface and roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into large rounds using a cookie or biscuit cutter. Mark a cross shape into the top of the cakes with a knife, wooden spatula, or a or sideways skewer pressed into the cake. Place the cakes onto the baking sheets. Gather the scraps together and roll again until all the dough has been cut into cakes. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 12-15 minutes, or until the cake tops are lightly golden. Can be eaten warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container for about a week.
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COMING SOON FROM RABBIT STEW
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We hope you enjoyed your first edition of The Rabbit’s Haven and we hope you have a truly magical Samhain! |
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