Samhain Altar Ideas

October 29, 2024
Estimated Read Time: 6 Minutes

It is now the dark time of year. The nights are longer than the days. The weather is noticeably cooler. Deciduous trees are losing (or have already lost) their leaves. Squirrels are darting about more frantically than usual. Pumpkins, other colorful gourds, and cornstalks are on display at markets and roadside stands. There are Halloween decorations, costumes, and specially-packaged treats almost everywhere you look. And those on the path of Wicca feel a powerful urge to create a Samhain altar.

A Samhain altar can be as elaborate or as under-the-radar as you wish. For those who are not obliged to be in the broom closet, it’s definitely time to pull out all the stops. Jack-o’-lanterns, witches, bats, ghosts, ghouls, skeletons, tombstones, etc.—everything’s fair game. For those who are in the broom closet, creating a Samhain altar presents a little bit of a challenge, but it most assuredly can be done!

If you already have a regular, everyday altar, you can simply dress it up for Samhain. Or you can dedicate a separate space; it’s up to you. If you don’t already have an altar, this is the perfect opportunity to create one. The altar doesn’t need to be large; it can be a desk, a shelf, or even a small box. The important thing is that it works for you and the current state of your Wiccan practice.

The Altar Cloth

In general, you’ll want to start with an altar cloth, if for no other reason than to protect the surface from any mess you might make (candle wax, incense ash, plant debris). Black is an appropriate and easy color, obviously, but if you’re in the closet or just want something different, any nice fall color will work. Of course, you may also choose not to use an altar cloth at all.

Related: The Colors of Samhain

The Four Elements and Four Directions

Next you’ll want things to represent the four elements and the four directions. For north and earth, colorful corn (sold as Flint, Indian, Native, or Calico corn) is both lovely and appropriate. It’s usually sold whole cob with the husks peeled back, which looks wonderful. If you find it in kernel form, displaying the kernels in a dish or shallow bowl is also festive.

East and air can be represented by maple leaves and/or hazelnuts. Fall maple leaves are in gorgeous colors, and the maple tree itself is associated with the air element. Hazel trees also associated with air, and hazelnuts confer wisdom when eaten. You can supplement with pine incense, which dispels any negativity from an area.

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For south and fire, the logical choice is a red candle or a plain candle in a red container. Or, if you can’t burn candles where you live, LED candles are an option. Rowan berries, acorns, and chrysanthemums will work beautifully. Rowan berries, in addition to being an ingredient in power spells and divination incenses, make excellent protective amulets when strung with red thread. Acorns, the fruit of the oak tree, provide protection from lightning when placed in windows, and oak trees are associated with fire. Chrysanthemums, in addition to also being associated with fire, protect against the wrath of the gods when worn.

West and water can be represented by mini pumpkins and/or other gourds, or a fall-themed mug, teacup, or bowl. Mini pumpkins and gourds, in addition to being generally protective, can be used to hold water when dried. They also make cool rattles.

Honoring the Dead

This being Samhain, when the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is at its thinnest, you’ll also want something to represent the Honored Dead. This could be photos of deceased loved ones, a ghost figure, a skeleton depiction, bones, a miniature tombstone or, if you’re in the broom closet, apples, a bundle of sage, or a bulb of garlic. Apples are considered one of the foods of the dead. This is why Samhain is sometimes called the “Feast of Apples.” Apples are also a symbol of immortality. Celtic folklore has stories about apple tree branches bearing both flowers and fruit that allow the living entry to the Underworld. Sage promotes a long life when eaten and stimulates wisdom when carried. Garlic, traditionally left at a crossroads as a sacrifice to Hecate, is extremely protective.

Related: Samhain Recipes and Foods

Divination for the New Year

As Samhain is the Wiccan New Year, it is traditionally a time for divination. Thus, a Samhain altar should include some sort of divination tool. Well-known methods of divination include Tarot cards, runes, glass or crystal spheres, and scrying mirrors. Less well-known, but more broom-closet-friendly, divination methods involve apples and nuts. For example, cut an apple into nine pieces, eat eight of them—all while thinking of a question—then toss the ninth piece over your left shoulder, following it with your eyes to glimpse the answer. Or try tying a piece of thread to a hazelnut or acorn and use it as a pendulum for “yes” or “no” questions.

If, for some reason, you aren’t able to have plants and food on your altar, figures, cutouts and drawings will work just fine. Craft shops not only have realistic-looking pumpkins, leaves, etc., they also have plenty of fall-colored construction paper, colored pencils, pens, and markers with which you can create your own originals.

Conclusion

Like any altar you create, your Samhain altar should reflect your creativity, and where you are on your Wiccan journey. It should inspire you to celebrate the holiday and ponder its meaning. Most of all, your Samhain altar should call the magick in you to come out and play.

Check out our other articles:
Wiccan Holidays – Samhain
Samhain Recipes and Foods
The Colors of Samhain
Samhain Backgrounds
See All Articles

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