Embracing the Veil: Celebrating Samhain with CUUPS Embracing the Veil:

Greetings, Beloved Community,

As the air grows cooler and the days shorten, we, the CUUPS chapter at the First Unitarian Church of Northwest Indiana, prepare to honor one of the most sacred festivals in our Pagan traditions—Samhain. This ancient celebration, often known as the Witch’s New Year, is a time for us to pause, reflect, and honor the cycles of life, death, and rebirth that weave through the natural world and our own lives.

What is Samhain?
Samhain (pronounced “Sow-en”) marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter’s quiet embrace. It is the time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the spirit is at its thinnest. This makes it an ideal moment to honor our ancestors, connect with those who have passed on, and listen to the wisdom that comes from the unseen realms. Traditionally, people would gather around the fire, sharing stories of those who came before them and offering thanks for the gifts of the harvest.

Honoring Our Ancestors
At CUUPS, we embrace Samhain as a time to remember and celebrate those who have touched our lives but are no longer with us. During our ritual, we create an ancestor altar, where members are invited to place photos, mementos, and offerings for their loved ones. This sacred space serves as a reminder that though their bodies may no longer walk this earth, their spirits live on in our hearts and memories. It’s a time of deep connection, when we speak their names aloud, share stories of their lives, and feel their presence near.

Embracing the Darkness
Samhain also invites us to turn inward, to embrace the darkness and reflect on the mysteries of life and death. As the natural world shifts from the abundance of autumn to the quiet stillness of winter, we, too, are encouraged to slow down and look within. It’s a time to release what no longer serves us and to plant the seeds of intention for the new year ahead.

During our Samhain ritual, we light candles to guide our way through the dark and hold space for quiet meditation, where each of us can listen to the whispers of the ancestors and the wisdom of our own inner voice. It is a moment of introspection, healing, and transformation.

A Celebration of Community and Continuity
As we gather for Samhain, we remember that we are part of a continuous cycle, woven together through time with those who have come before us and those who will follow. It is a time to celebrate our connection to the earth, to the cycles of the moon and sun, and to each other. We invite all members of our community, Pagan or not, to join us in this sacred celebration, to share in the warmth of the fire, and to feel the embrace of our ancestors.

May this Samhain bring you peace, comfort, and a sense of connection to the great circle of life. We look forward to welcoming you into our circle as we honor the past, embrace the present, and welcome the future.

Blessed Samhain to all,

The CUUPS Chapter
First Unitarian Church of Northwest Indiana