Sapling Tarot – Samhain '23

Hey, welcome to another Sapling Tarot Newsletter, I’m so grateful that you’re here.

Tonight is the start of Samhain!
This date traditionally marks roughly the half way point between the autumn equinox (day and night of equal length) and the winter solstice (longest night).
This year, the astrological mid-point for the Northern Hemisphere is actually nearer the 7th of November, but for tidiness and regularity’s sake, we generally celebrate on the eve of the 31st of October.
We know this date as something other than an astrological point in the calendar or a cross-quarter festival, we know it as Halloween!

The final of the three harvest festivals, Samhain was the point in the year where the cattle returned from the summer pastures. Bonfires were lit for ritual cleansing and protection, and there was a feeling that the veil between worlds was somehow thinner.
The counter balance to Beltaine — associated with the boundary between our realm and that of the fae — on Samhain the association is with the boundary between our world and that of the dead. Offerings were left for the spirits of the land and of those who had passed on.

The custom of dressing in scary costumes comes from this belief that we are visited by the spirits of the dead, dressing-up being a form of fitting in or disguise! People would go from house to house performing in costume for food, much like modern trick-or-treating.

November Oracle

The blackthorn card can be interpreted as a warning, a warning to pay attention to the changing seasons and adjust your plans accordingly.
It’s frustrating to know what you want to do but feel like outside elements are thwarting you, but take this opportunity to tap into the rhythms of nature, the waning of the moon and the darkening of the days.
Take a moment to regroup and recharge, check your map and make sure the path you’re on is the one taking you to where you really want to be going.

You’ll find blackthorn (or sloe) in many hedgerows all over the UK (and the rest of the world) – it’s a native tree known for both its beautiful blossom in the late spring and its berries, know an sloes. All parts of the plant have been used in herbal remedies throughout history, but sloes are still used today in wines, preserves and most famously gin.

Beyond its herbal and culinary uses, Blackthorn has long been associated with witchcraft, with it being said that blackthorn wood makes some of the most powerful wands and magical staffs — like that belonging to the Cailleach.

This month’s Oracle comes from The Seed & Sickle Oracle Deck by Fez Inkwright – read more about this deck here.

🌝 Keep an eye out for the Full Frost Moon in Gemini on November 27th 🌝

November Nature Notes

A season associated with transformation, it’s a beautiful time to really notice the changes. Leaves turning from green through yellow and orange to red, bright berries becoming frost-bitten and seed heads forming into funny little sculptures.

Keep an eye out for things that are still managing to bloom, or the remaining splashes of colour in the hedgerows — whether from the breast of a bird or the berries of a rowan tree, there’s still so much to see heading into the darkest days.

Eating and Drinking during Samhain

Key ingredients for this season are of course the ubiquitous pumpkins, squashes and gourds, whether for eating or for decoration. Any roots or seeds are perfect for this time of year, but also the last apples, berries and nuts are lovely things to include in your cooking and feasting.

Last year, I roasted a mixture of butternut squash and pumpkin with olive oil and rosemary, we ate that topped with toasted flaked almonds and pumpkin seeds, mixed with crumbled feta.
For pudding, we had toffee apples — by which I mean, I cooked some apples and we ate them with toffee sauce, I’ve burned myself making actual toffee apples too many times!