Samhain Reflections: Journalling, Stillness, and the Celtic New Year

There’s something about Samhain, the Celtic festival that marks the start of the new year in Irish tradition, it feels like the perfect time to pause and reflect.

Slowing Down with the Seasons

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how the darker months seem to encourage us to slow down.

I’m a bit of an introvert at heart. That’s not to say I don’t like spending time with people - I absolutely do, and it really feeds my soul.

But I also love those quiet moments when I’m just sitting with my own thoughts, daydreaming about whatever pops into my head.

One of my favourite little rituals, especially on a quiet weekend morning, is to go downstairs before anyone else is awake, make myself a cup of tea, and just journal.

I’ll curl up on the sofa and do a bit of mindful journalling. Sometimes I’m reflecting on what’s happened recently, other times I’m just daydreaming about the future - not serious plans, just those “what if” ideas that feel a bit indulgent and fun.

Samhain and the Celtic New Year

Over the years, I’ve started to see that Samhain can be a great time for this kind of reflection and gathering of thoughts.

I love that it is the start of the Celtic New Year, and I feel like it turns the idea of a new beginning into something quiet and reflective rather than loud and flashy.

It’s like nature’s way of saying, “Gather yourself. Rest. Take care of yourself so that when it’s time to come to life again in Spring, you’ll be ready for it”

I’ve come to appreciate how this season encourages us to slow down.

In the past, I might’ve felt frustrated that I didn’t have the same energy in the darker months. Now I try to embrace it, a bit like the Danish idea of hygge.

It’s a time for cosying in, lighting a candle, and enjoying a bit of gentleness.

Journalling for Calm and Clarity

And that’s where journaling comes in for me.

It’s my way of finding clarity and a little bit of peace in the middle of all that quiet.

If you enjoy reflecting like this too, you might like my printable Smaointe (Reflections) journal - it’s a peaceful space for those thoughts, inspired by Irish heritage and language. The images on this page are from the journal.

Do you have any small rituals or moments of calm that help you mark the changing seasons?

However you mark Samhain, I hope you find a quiet moment to pause, even if it’s just with a cuppa and a blank page.

Go n-éirí leat sa bhliain nua Cheilteach - wishing you well in the Celtic year ahead.