Have you noticed how different the air feels at the moment? The mornings have that crisp, cold edge to them, the evenings smell faintly of woodsmoke, and the light seems to slip away a little earlier every single day. Here at Quest we've found ourselves lighting candles in the shop by mid-afternoon, wrapping our hands around mugs of tea and chatting with customers about how everyone seems to be feeling a little more reflective, a little more sensitive and a little more drawn inwards. There's a reason for that and it happens to be one of my very favourite times of the year. 🍂
As October draws to a close, we arrive at Halloween. Most of us know it for pumpkins, fancy dress and children knocking on the door for sweets and I have to say I love all of that too. But long before the plastic cobwebs and the supermarket aisles full of orange, this moment in the year was known as Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"), the ancient Celtic festival that falls on the 31st of October and runs into the 1st of November. Understanding a little of where it comes from can turn an ordinary autumn evening into something really rather magical.
What is Samhain?
Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. For the Celts it was a kind of new year, a threshold moment when one cycle closed and another began. The crops were gathered in, the animals were brought down from the summer pastures and communities came together around great fires to celebrate what had been and to prepare for the long winter ahead. It was a festival of gratitude, of endings and of new beginnings, all at once.
It was also believed to be the time when the veil between our world and the spirit world was at its thinnest. Families would remember loved ones who had passed, leave out food for them, and sometimes set an extra place at the table so that their ancestors felt welcome. Lanterns carved from turnips (long before pumpkins arrived from the Americas!) were lit to guide friendly spirits home and to keep anything less friendly at a distance. So many of our modern Halloween traditions grew from these beautiful, heartfelt customs.
Why does the veil feel thinner?
Every autumn in the shop, I hear the same things from our customers. They feel more intuitive. Their dreams become more vivid. They find themselves thinking of a grandparent or a dear friend who has passed, or they catch a scent or a song that brings that person flooding back. Some people feel a little low or unsettled and can't quite put their finger on why. Whether you see this as something deeply spiritual, or simply as nature gently inviting us to slow down as the days shorten, I believe it's worth paying attention to.
My mum, Carolina, always says that everything is happening for you, not to you and I think that includes the darkening of the days. The trees aren't fighting autumn. They let their leaves fall and draw their energy down into their roots, trusting completely that spring will come. We're invited to do the same: to rest, to reflect, to let go of what no longer serves us, and to come home to ourselves.
Crystals to support you through Samhain
Crystals are lovely companions at this time of year, and there are a few that we find customers reaching for again and again as October turns into November. You'll find all of these in the shop and online.
Black Obsidian is a wonderful stone for this season. Formed from volcanic glass, it has a beautiful mirror-like shine and has traditionally been used for scrying, gazing into its surface to receive insight. Many people find it supportive for protection and for honest self-reflection, helping us to see clearly what we're ready to release. Keep a tumblestone in your pocket or by your bed as the nights draw in.
Smoky Quartz is the gentle, grounding friend of the crystal world. Its soft brown-grey colour feels very earthy and autumnal, and it's often used to help us let go of worry, tension and old patterns. If you're feeling a little scattered or overwhelmed by everything the end of the year brings, this is a lovely one to hold during a quiet moment.
Labradorite is often called the stone of magic, and when you see the flashes of blue, green and gold dancing across its surface you'll understand why. It's associated with intuition and inner knowing, which makes it perfect for a time of year when the veil feels thin and our sense of the unseen grows stronger.
And then there's Amethyst, one of our bestselling tumblestones and a real favourite. Calming, soothing and deeply connected to spiritual awareness, it's lovely beside the bed if your dreams have become a little busier lately.
You can explore our crystals for protection here and our full range of tumblestones here.
A simple Samhain ritual you can do at home
You don't need anything elaborate to honour this time of year. The most meaningful rituals are often the simplest ones, done with a little intention and a lot of love. Here's a gentle ritual you might like to try on the evening of the 31st, or on any evening that feels right to you.
Start by clearing your space. Open a window for a few minutes, then light a little white sage or your favourite incense and let the smoke drift slowly through the room. As you do, imagine the stale, heavy energy of the year being lifted away.
Next, light a candle. Our little beeswax spell candles are perfect for this, and they come in lots of colours. Traditionally, black is used for release and protection, white for remembrance and peace, and orange for celebrating the harvest and everything the year has given you. Choose whichever feels right.
Then take a moment to remember. If there's someone you've loved and lost, you might place their photo beside the candle, say their name out loud, or simply sit with a happy memory of them. Some people like to set out a small piece of cake or a cup of tea, just as our ancestors did. It's a tender, beautiful thing to do.
Now write down anything you're ready to let go of: a worry, a habit, or an old story about yourself that simply isn't true. Fold the paper and, if you can do so safely, burn it in a fireproof dish, or tear it up and bury it in the garden. Finally, write down one intention for the darker months ahead. It might be to rest more, to be kinder to yourself, or to spend more time doing the things that light you up.
Tarot and oracle cards at Samhain
Samhain has always been associated with divination, so it's a wonderful time to pick up your tarot or oracle cards. Even a single card pulled each morning can offer a lovely little nudge for the day ahead. If you're new to tarot, the classic Rider Waite deck is where so many people start. And if you'd love someone else to read for you, Pauline and Steve both offer tarot readings here at our wellbeing centre in Epsom. There's something very special about having a reading at this time of year.
Embracing the darker half of the year
It's easy to dread the darker months, but I'd love to invite you to see them a little differently. Winter is a season of rest, of candlelight, of cosy evenings and quiet reflection. It's a time to turn inwards and remember that the peace you're searching for isn't out there, it's within, waiting patiently beneath all the noise and busyness of the year. Nature isn't trying to bloom right now, and you don't have to either.
If you're local, do pop in and see us in the Ashley Centre. The shop is full of candles, crystals, incense and lots of autumnal magic at the moment, and the kettle is always on. Laura, Carolina, Emma, Sue, Karen and I would love to see you. And if you can't visit in person, everything mentioned here is available online with same day dispatch.
However you choose to mark this turning of the year, I hope it brings you a little stillness, a little wonder and a gentle sense of coming home. Follow the miracles, notice the synchronicities and enjoy the magic of the season. ✨
With love, Amelia x 🍂