Originally Posted by
somersethedge
just a quick post so those that don't know do now know :-)
The most holy and solemn of the sabbats, Samhain (pronounced SOW-een) is observed on the night of October 31. It is a time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed over to the other side, hence Halloween's association with the dead. Also known as the witches' New Year, Samhain begins the Wheel of the Year. Wearing costumes on Halloween stems from the early practice of making wishes on this date (similar to New Year's resolutions). The colourful custom of dressing up as the person you'd like to be in the coming year serves as a powerful magic spell and visual affirmation.
Magicians believe the veil that separates the seen and unseen worlds is thinnest on Samhain. Therefore, this is an ideal time to try to connect with nonphysical entities such as ancestors, angels, or spirit guides. Many people also do divination on Samhain, when insights and information flow easily.