Different practices around the world:
✨ Wiccans:
Samhain marks the end of the year, the Goddess has descended from the earth into the world of the dead, where she can unite with her beloved the dying God. It is believed that it is because she has opened the door to the world of the dead that the veil is thinning, and rituals are performed in honor of her descent and in homage to the dead.
Celtic deities such as La Morrighan and Dagda are mainly celebrated.
✨ Celtic Reconstructionists:
The ancient Celtic paganism calls Samhain: Oiche Shamhna, and they practice their rite at the first frost. Samhain marks the day when the Morrighan and the god Dagda mate near the river Unis.
The Morrighan represents the forces of death and the moon, while Dagda represents the sun and life. In addition to honoring this tradition, the Celts burned juniper in their homes, built an altar to honor the dead, and prepared a plate with the first fruits of the harvest.
✨ the Druids:
A festival to honor the dead, they can be called Samhna, Sauin, Souney, or called Calan Geaf (first day of winter) or Nos Cyn Calan Gual (first night of Winter).
In spiritual tradition, the Cailleach comes to strip the trees of their leaves, and because the veil thins, time becomes one: past, present, and future occur simultaneously on the night of Samhain. This synchronization allows the dead to walk among the living and the living to speak to the dead.
✨ Neopagans:
Making altars to ancestors, telling stories, practicing divination, bonfires, participating in Samhain rituals and sharing a spiritual community.
✨ Stregheria:
Italian magic, called on October 31st La Festa del Ombra, the goddess of their pantheon descends into the underworld to confront death. She meets the God Dis, the dialogue as to why things must suffer and die. They share a sexual relationship and mysteries. Food is prepared for the spirits, milk and honey are left out for the feasts, and lost loved ones.
✨ the Heathens or Asatuars.
The Scandinavian pagans call the night of the 31st: The Midwinter Night. Some may call this date Elf Find or Frey Find. At this time, they pay homage to their ancestor, giving thanks to the land, honoring death and wisdom. For them, this date marks the end of summer, and marks the beginning of the Wild Hunt.
✨ Among the Hellenistic people:
They honor Ares in October and Artemis in November. It includes a festival of the dead called Genesia especially in honor of deceased relatives. But Samhain does not align with Hellenistic traditions.
✨ Day of the Dead:
In Mexico, on November 1st, el Dia de los Muertos, honors the dead with processions and offerings of food and flowers. Honoring the dead was part of Aztec life. The Church later sanctified it. People build altars for their deceased loved ones, make skulls out of wood and candy, wash and decorate graves, and have picnics on the grave of a loved one.