This bonus episode is a special one for Samhain - or if you like - Halloween. There is a lot I don't like about Halloween, and about the various ways in which distorted versions of our history and lore are sold back to us.  Samhain - the Celtic festival that preceded it - has also fallen prey to those who would seek to market all things spiritual in the best way that only the colonial mindset can. 

Here's the thing. It's not for sale.

Light a candle. Place it in your window. Have a listen to my ritual in this episode if it appeals to you. You need buy nothing. 

There are three parts with timings as follows

PART ONE - Background and history of Halloween and its origins in Samhain - 02:00

PART TWO- Ghosties, ghoulies, and the turn to the Dark Side - 06:55

Heads up/Content Warning for a nasty sound effect at 08:46!

PART THREE - A gentle Samhain Ritual - 12:20

The Samhain Blessing in the ritual was written by me (Jude)

Threshold Invocation for the Festival of Samhain

(to be said at the front door of the house on the eve of Samhain,

in the evening) from Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthews

Grandmother Wisdom, open the door,

Grandfather Counsel, come you in.

Let there be welcome to the ancient lore,

Let there be welcome to the Winter of the Year.

In cold and darkness you are travelling,

Under crystal skies you will arrive.

May the blessed time of Samhain

Clarify the soul of all beings,

Bringing joy and wisdom to revelation.

From the depths to the heights,

From the heights to the depths,

In the cave of every soul.

The background music in this episode is as follows

1. Celtic Dream by Frank Schroeter

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6461-celtic-dream

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52

2. Halloween Theme 1 by Alexander Nakarada

Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4735-halloween-theme-1

License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com