As the air turns crisp and the nights grow longer, our home begins to shift toward the quiet and the dark. Samhain is a time that feels deeply resonant for us. It is the final harvest on the Wheel of the Year, a threshold where we honor the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. For our family, this is about more than modern trends. It is a season of deep ancestral reconnection and a way to embrace the folk traditions that ground us.
In our journey of deconstructing from high demand systems, we have found so much healing in returning to these ancient rhythms. After leaving Mormonism, I had to learn how to create a spiritual life that was entirely my own. I wanted a life rooted in the earth and my own heritage rather than in the rigid structures of an institution. As a mixed heritage, secular household, we weave together ancient Pagan traditions with the vibrant, beautiful roots of my Mexican culture.
For us, this time of year is a bridge. We do not look for external deities to guide us, but instead look to the land and our own lineage. Samhain and the coming days of Día de los Muertos are our time to pull back the curtain and remember those who came before us. We acknowledge that we are the living breath of our ancestors’ dreams.
One of our favorite ways to honor this season is by creating an altar that reflects our blended roots. We gather photos of loved ones and heirlooms alongside bright cempasúchil petals and items that represent our heritage. This year, we are also focusing on the hidden ancestors. These are the ones whose names might be lost to time, but their resilience is woven into our DNA. It provides a beautiful space for the children to ask questions about their roots and for us to talk about the stories that shaped our family.
We also spend time in the kitchen, leaning into the folk traditions of both cultures. We might bake soul cakes or prepare a Silent Supper, where we set an extra place at the table in quiet reverence to honor those who have passed. We talk about the foods our grandparents loved, bringing the flavors of Mexico into our seasonal celebration. These rituals are not about magic in a literal sense. They are a psychological and emotional way to create space for grief, memory, and gratitude. It teaches our children that death is a natural part of the earth's cycle and nothing to be feared.
Outside, the garden is being put to bed. We spend our days gathering the last of the hardy herbs and mulching the soil. This physical work of tucking in the earth mirrors the internal work we do as we prepare for the introspective months of winter. We talk about how the plants must die back so they can rest and return stronger. It is a lesson in patience and trust that applies just as much to our own lives as it does to the soil.
As you find your own ways to honor this transition, remember that you have the agency to choose the traditions that resonate with your spirit. Whether you are lighting a candle to represent the sun’s fading light or simply sharing stories of grandparents over a warm meal, you are doing the deep work of reclaiming your story.
To help you keep track of these sacred transitions, I have created a resource to guide your family through the turning seasons.
Click HERE to download my free Wheel of the Year printable. It is a beautiful way to mark the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days like Samhain, helping you stay connected to the earth's natural flow throughout the year.
May this season bring you peace as you look back and strength as you look forward. Honor the dark, cherish the memories, and remember that you belong to the earth and to those who walked it before you.
Samhain blessings!