Preparing for Samhain: My Cleansing and Protection Rituals
Samhain is almost here, and with it comes the call to slow down, reflect, and prepare for the darker half of the year. As the veil between worlds thins, I always feel a pull to turn inward — to make my home feel safe, cosy and energetically clear.
Here’s what my Samhain preparations look like this year, both physical and spiritual.
Getting Ready for Hibernation
For me, Samhain is about getting ready for hibernation as we move fully into the dark half of the year. I like to make sure my home feels safe, secure, cosy, and aesthetically pleasing. My home is my den — my safe space — and every corner of it is sacred to me.
That means a Samhain deep clean: clearing out physical items I no longer need, getting into those nooks and crannies, and sweeping away the dust. I rearrange my belongings so I’m surrounded by the things that bring me joy, and I refresh my altar ready for the season ahead.
Cleansing and Protection
Once the physical space feels fresh and clear, I move on to the metaphysical cleanse and protection. I rarely feel the need to do a whole-house cleanse except at Beltane and Samhain, so this is a special part of my yearly rhythm.
I use smoke and sound (a small bell), along with the Clearing & Energising Spray made by The Divine Hag — one of my absolute essentials. I always have it to hand for those times when the home needs a quick energy refresh — after stressful days, before guests arrive, or once they’ve left — to ensure the energy stays balanced and bright.
👉 You can find it in the shop here.
I also refresh the crystals I have placed around my home — for protection, abundance, communication, love, and harmony — and I strengthen the energetic boundaries of my space with protective wards.
My Samhain Ritual
I don’t perform a ritual for every Sabbat, but always for Samhain. Like many witches, I feel it’s the most important festival on the Wheel of the Year. It’s not just a day, it’s a whole season — one that lasts as long as I feel its energy moving through my life.
I haven’t made any concrete plans yet. We have house guests this week who are leaving on the 31st, so my personal rituals will begin then. I’ll definitely be doing some self-reflection and a deep tarot reading.
I’ll also take time to honour loved ones who have passed, especially a dear friend who was an inspiring and magical woman. Each year, I re-read the eulogy she wrote herself and seek her wisdom — it always brings comfort and perspective.
Samhain Reflections
Samhain always feels like the closing of one chapter and the quiet opening of another. It’s a time to honour endings and make space for what’s to come — both in our homes and within ourselves.
If you’re feeling the call to cleanse, protect, or refresh your space this season, I hope this inspires you to create your own Samhain rituals — simple, heartfelt practices that help you feel grounded and connected.