Samhain Spells: Ancestor Communication & Protection

BY NICOLE LAU

The Power of Samhain Spellwork

Samhain's thinned veil creates optimal conditions for spellwork, particularly spells involving ancestor communication, protection, divination, and transformation. The same energetic conditions that allow spirits to cross between worlds also amplify magical intention and manifestation. Spells cast at Samhain carry exceptional potency because they work with—rather than against—the season's natural energies.

This collection focuses on two primary Samhain themes: communicating with ancestors and protecting yourself during this spiritually active time. These spells range from simple candle magic suitable for beginners to more complex rituals for experienced practitioners. All can be adapted to your personal practice and available materials.

Before You Begin: Spell Basics

Essential Principles

• Intention is everything: Clear, focused intention matters more than perfect execution
• Timing enhances power: Cast Samhain spells between sunset October 31st and sunrise November 2nd for maximum effect
• Protection first: Always ground, shield, and set boundaries before spellwork
• Close properly: End all spells clearly to avoid leaving energy portals open
• Harm none: Work only for the highest good, never to manipulate or harm

Preparing for Spellwork

1. Cleanse your space with smoke, sound, or salt water
2. Ground and center yourself
3. Cast a protective circle if working with spirit communication
4. Gather all materials before beginning
5. Set clear intention for the spell's purpose
6. Work during optimal timing (midnight is most powerful)

Ancestor Communication Spells

1. Simple Ancestor Calling Spell

Purpose: Open communication with benevolent ancestors

You'll need:

• White candle
• Photo or name of ancestor
• Offering (bread, wine, or flowers)
• Mugwort or wormwood incense

Instructions:

1. Cast protective circle and state: "I call only ancestors of light and love"
2. Light incense and let smoke fill the space
3. Light white candle and say:
   "Ancestors of blood and bone,
   Across the veil, no longer alone,
   I call to you this Samhain night,
   Come to me in love and light."
4. Speak the ancestor's name three times
5. Present offering: "I honor you with this gift"
6. Sit in silence for 10-15 minutes, staying open to messages
7. Thank the ancestor and close: "Return in peace. This calling is complete."
8. Leave offering for 24 hours, then return to earth

2. Ancestral Wisdom Spell Jar

Purpose: Create ongoing connection to ancestral guidance

You'll need:

• Small glass jar with lid
• Rosemary (remembrance)
• Mugwort (psychic connection)
• Bay leaf (wisdom)
• Small piece of paper
• Pen
• White or purple candle
• Labradorite or amethyst chip

Instructions:

1. Write your question or intention on paper: "I seek guidance from my ancestors on [specific issue]"
2. Fold paper three times toward you (drawing energy in)
3. Place in jar
4. Add herbs one at a time, stating their purpose:
   "Rosemary for remembrance"
   "Mugwort for connection"
   "Bay for wisdom"
5. Add crystal: "Stone of vision, amplify this intention"
6. Seal jar and hold in both hands
7. Visualize white light filling the jar
8. Say: "Ancestors wise, hear my call. Guide me through this jar of all. Messages clear, wisdom true, I open my heart to hear from you."
9. Drip white candle wax to seal the lid
10. Keep jar on ancestor altar or under pillow
11. Pay attention to dreams, synchronicities, and intuitive hits over the following weeks

3. Spirit Communication Candle Spell

Purpose: Enhance ability to receive messages from specific deceased loved one

You'll need:

• White pillar candle
• Carving tool (nail, pin, or athame)
• Lavender oil
• Dried mugwort
• Photo of deceased

Instructions:

1. Carve the person's name into candle
2. Carve symbols of connection (hearts, spirals, or personal symbols)
3. Anoint candle with lavender oil, stroking from top to bottom
4. Roll candle in dried mugwort
5. Place photo behind candle
6. Light candle and say:
   "[Name], I call to you with love,
   From realms below and realms above,
   The veil is thin, the time is right,
   Speak to me this Samhain night."
7. Gaze at the flame and the photo, staying receptive
8. Speak to your loved one—share updates, ask questions, express love
9. Watch for signs: flame flickering, sudden memories, emotional shifts
10. Let candle burn for at least one hour (or burn completely if safe)
11. Thank them and close the connection clearly

4. Ancestral Healing Cord Cutting Spell

Purpose: Release negative ancestral patterns while maintaining loving connection

You'll need:

• Black candle (banishing)
• White candle (healing)
• Black thread or cord
• Scissors
• Rosemary
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Create circle of salt for protection
2. Light black candle: "I acknowledge the pain passed through my lineage"
3. Hold black thread and say:
   "This cord represents [specific pattern: addiction, poverty, abuse, etc.]
   Passed down through generations
   Ending now, with me, this Samhain night."
4. Tie knot in thread for each generation you know carried this pattern
5. Hold thread taut and say:
   "With love and gratitude for lessons learned,
   I cut this cord, the pattern burned,
   My ancestors and I are free,
   As I will, so mote it be."
6. Cut thread with scissors
7. Burn cut pieces in black candle flame (safely)
8. Light white candle: "I call in healing for myself and all my lineage"
9. Burn rosemary in white candle flame
10. Visualize healing light moving backward through your family line
11. Say: "We are healed. We are whole. We are free."
12. Let candles burn down completely if safe
13. Bury ashes and thread remnants in earth

5. Dream Visitation Spell

Purpose: Invite ancestors to visit in dreams

You'll need:

• Mugwort (fresh or dried)
• Small cloth bag
• Amethyst or moonstone
• Lavender
• Photo of ancestor (optional)

Instructions:

1. On Samhain night, create dream sachet
2. Place mugwort in bag: "Herb of dreams and visions clear"
3. Add lavender: "Bring peaceful sleep and messages here"
4. Add crystal: "Stone of spirit, open the way"
5. Hold sachet and say:
   "Ancestors beloved, visit my dreams,
   Cross the veil where moonlight gleams,
   Bring me messages, guidance true,
   I sleep to dream and speak with you."
6. Place sachet under pillow
7. If using photo, place it under pillow as well
8. Before sleep, state clearly: "I invite [ancestor's name or 'my ancestors'] to visit my dreams with messages of love and guidance"
9. Keep dream journal by bed
10. Record dreams immediately upon waking
11. Repeat for three nights (October 31 - November 2)

Protection Spells

6. Samhain Protection Jar

Purpose: Create powerful protective talisman for the dark half of the year

You'll need:

• Glass jar with lid
• Black salt (or sea salt mixed with ash)
• Black tourmaline chips
• Obsidian chip
• Dried rosemary
• Dried rue (use carefully)
• 3 iron nails
• Black pepper
• Red thread
• Black candle

Instructions:

1. Layer ingredients in jar, stating purpose of each:
   "Black salt, absorb all negativity"
   "Black tourmaline, shield and protect"
   "Obsidian, deflect harm"
   "Rosemary, purify and guard"
   "Rue, break all curses"
   "Iron nails, traditional protection"
   "Black pepper, banish evil"
2. Seal jar tightly
3. Wrap red thread around lid nine times (nine is a protective number)
4. Tie three knots, saying with each:
   "By knot of one, protection's begun"
   "By knot of two, shield me through"
   "By knot of three, protected I'll be"
5. Hold jar and visualize it glowing with protective black light
6. Say:
   "Jar of power, shield and guard,
   Protect this space, protection hard,
   No harm may enter, no curse may stay,
   All negativity, keep away."
7. Drip black candle wax over lid to seal
8. Place jar near front door, under bed, or bury at property boundary
9. Recharge monthly by candlelight

7. Personal Shield Spell

Purpose: Create strong energetic shield for Samhain season

You'll need:

• White or gold candle
• Protection oil (rosemary, frankincense, myrrh in carrier oil)
• Black tourmaline or obsidian
• Mirror (small handheld)

Instructions:

1. Light candle
2. Anoint yourself with protection oil at third eye, throat, heart, wrists, and feet
3. Hold crystal in left hand (receiving)
4. Hold mirror in right hand (reflecting), facing outward
5. Close eyes and visualize sphere of white or golden light surrounding your entire body
6. See this light extending 3 feet in all directions
7. Visualize the outer surface of the sphere becoming mirrored, reflecting any negative energy back to its source
8. Say:
   "I am surrounded by divine light,
   Protected day and protected night,
   All harm reflected, all love received,
   By my will, this shield's achieved."
9. Feel the shield solidify and strengthen
10. Carry the crystal with you throughout Samhain season
11. Refresh shield daily by holding crystal and visualizing the protective sphere

8. Home Protection Spell

Purpose: Protect home and all who dwell within during Samhain

You'll need:

• Black salt
• Protective oil
• White candle for each room
• Rosemary bundle
• Matches

Instructions:

1. Begin at front door at sunset on October 31st
2. Sprinkle black salt across threshold
3. Anoint doorframe with protection oil, drawing pentacle or other protective symbol
4. Say: "This threshold is sealed. Only love and light may enter here."
5. Light rosemary and walk through entire home clockwise
6. In each room, light a white candle and say:
   "This space is blessed, this space is clear,
   No harm may enter, no fear lives here,
   Protected by light, protected by will,
   Safe and sacred, peaceful and still."
7. Return to front door
8. Visualize protective dome of white light covering entire home
9. Say:
   "By earth and air, by fire and sea,
   This home is protected, so mote it be."
10. Let candles burn for at least one hour in each room
11. Refresh protection weekly through Samhain season

9. Banishing Spell for Unwanted Spirits

Purpose: Remove unwanted spiritual presences

You'll need:

• Black candle
• White candle
• Salt
• Sage or rosemary
• Bell or singing bowl
• Iron nail or key

Instructions:

1. Create circle of salt around yourself
2. Light black candle for banishing
3. Hold iron nail or key (traditional spirit deterrent)
4. Say firmly and with authority:
   "Unwanted spirits, hear me well,
   You are not welcome, I compel,
   Leave this space, return from whence you came,
   By iron and fire, I banish in my name."
5. Ring bell or singing bowl loudly to break up energy
6. Light sage or rosemary and smoke cleanse entire space
7. Light white candle for purification
8. Say:
   "This space is cleansed, this space is clear,
   Only light and love dwell here,
   All portals closed, all boundaries strong,
   Unwanted spirits, you are gone."
9. Visualize brilliant white light filling every corner
10. Seal all windows and doors with salt
11. Let white candle burn completely
12. Bury black candle remnants off property

10. Protective Amulet Charging Spell

Purpose: Charge protective amulet or jewelry with Samhain power

You'll need:

• Protective amulet, crystal, or jewelry
• Black candle
• White candle
• Salt
• Moonlight (if available)

Instructions:

1. Cleanse amulet in salt water or smoke
2. Place between black and white candles
3. Light both candles
4. Hold hands over amulet and visualize protective energy flowing from candles into the object
5. Say:
   "Object of power, hear my call,
   Protect me from harm, one and all,
   Charged by Samhain's sacred night,
   Shield me with your protective might."
6. Leave amulet between candles for at least one hour
7. If possible, place in moonlight overnight
8. Wear or carry amulet throughout Samhain season and beyond
9. Recharge monthly during full moon

Combination Spells

11. Ancestor Protection Spell

Purpose: Ask ancestors to protect you through the dark half of the year

You'll need:

• Photo of protective ancestor (or written name)
• White candle
• Red candle (for strength and protection)
• Offering (bread and wine)
• Protective crystal

Instructions:

1. Set up small altar with ancestor photo in center
2. Place white candle on left, red on right
3. Place offering in front of photo
4. Light white candle: "I honor you, [ancestor's name]"
5. Light red candle: "I ask for your protection"
6. Hold crystal and say:
   "Ancestor strong, ancestor wise,
   Watch over me with loving eyes,
   Through winter's dark and Samhain's veil,
   Keep me safe, let no harm prevail."
7. Visualize your ancestor's protective presence surrounding you
8. Place crystal on altar between candles
9. Leave setup for three days (October 31 - November 2)
10. Carry crystal with you afterward as ancestral protection talisman

Spell Timing and Moon Phases

Optimal Samhain Spell Timing

• Sunset October 31st: Opening the veil, beginning rituals
• Midnight October 31st/November 1st: Peak power, most potent spellwork
• Pre-dawn November 1st: Liminal time, excellent for divination and communication
• Full Samhain window: October 31 - November 2 maintains heightened energy

Moon Phase Considerations

• New Moon Samhain: Powerful for banishing, releasing, shadow work
• Full Moon Samhain: Amplifies all magic, especially divination and manifestation
• Waning Moon: Ideal for banishing, protection, releasing
• Waxing Moon: Good for drawing in ancestral wisdom, building protection

After Spellwork: Closing and Grounding

Proper Spell Closure

1. Thank any spirits, ancestors, or energies you called
2. State clearly: "This spell is complete. All portals are closed."
3. Close your circle if you cast one
4. Extinguish candles mindfully (or let burn safely if appropriate)
5. Ground excess energy into the earth

Grounding After Spellwork

• Eat something (bread, nuts, chocolate)
• Drink water
• Place hands on earth or floor
• Visualize excess energy draining through your roots
• Take a salt bath
• Rest and integrate

Spell Safety and Ethics

Important Guidelines

• Free will: Never cast spells to manipulate others' choices
• Harm none: Work only for highest good
• Protection first: Always shield before spirit communication
• Clear boundaries: Call only benevolent energies
• Close properly: Never leave spiritual doors open
• Trust intuition: If something feels wrong, stop immediately
• Take responsibility: You are accountable for energy you raise

When Not to Cast Spells

• When emotionally unstable or angry
• When under the influence of substances
• When exhausted or ill
• When you don't understand the spell's purpose
• When motivated by revenge or manipulation

Final Thoughts: Working with Samhain's Power

Samhain spells carry exceptional potency because they align with the season's natural energies. The thinned veil, the year's ending, and the descent into darkness create optimal conditions for transformation, communication, and protection magic.

These spells are tools, not formulas. Adapt them to your practice, your needs, and your available materials. The most powerful ingredient in any spell is your focused intention and genuine connection to the work. Trust your intuition, honor the ancestors, protect yourself wisely, and work with respect for the forces you're engaging.

The veil is thin. The ancestors are listening. The magic is real. Cast wisely and well. ✨🕯️🔮