October is a month of transformation and release. We connect with our ancestors and fine tune divination skills. It is also a time of feasting and celebrations. In this article we are going to examine Pagan holidays and feast days, October moons, and magic. There are lots of hands on activities and rituals. You feel free to choose what works for you.
The veil between the worlds is thinning. The veil is a symbolic boundary between the physical and spiritual world where many spirits, ancestors, and deities dwell. Most of the year, this veil is thought to be “thick,” making it harder to sense or communicate with the unseen. During October it becomes easier to make connections with our ancestors and the spirit realm. Many pagan paths have familial or household spirits that protect them.
A good flower for protection, chrysanthemums are often used when communicating with the dead. With their bright fall colors, they are also associated with fire.
Correspondences
Symbols: Ancestral veneration, Shadow work, Transition
Abode or Planet: Mars, Venus
Zodiac Signs: Libra (until October 22) and Scorpio (from October 23 onward)
Color: black and orange, red and purple
Divination: Tarot & Numerology; Tarot Card: Death; Number: 9
Elements: Earth, Fire
Animals: Bat, Owl, Raven & Crow, Wolf
Plants: pumpkin
Trees: Rowan, Maple, and Walnut.
Flowers: Chrysanthemums, Cosmo, Marigold
Herbs/Spices: Cinnamon, Mugwort, Sage
Stones: Amethyst, Carnelian, Obsidian
Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline
Related Deities: Anubis, Hecate, The Morrigan, Persephone
Celtic month of Ivy
The Celtic Month of Ivy runs from September 30 - October 27. This month is ideal for doing self-healing, protection, and cooperation work. Banish negativity and remove anything toxic from your life.
Ivy leaves work well in home protection spells and makes a wonderful and magical house plant. Place one in front of the window either hanging or in a pot and it will offer your house protection. If you have pets the Swedish ivy is not toxic but English ivy is not safe for pets so avoid it or keep it out of reach.
Bacchus is a god of harvest and most celebrated in October. He was quite the party boy. An ivy wreath or crown was worn by the Roman god and his female priests representing fertility and prosperity.
Create an Ivy Altar
Decorate your altar with ivy leaves (real or you can purchase artificial), green candles, and a chalice of water or wine. Pair ivy with grapevine, holly, or oak to honor its connections with balance and the natural cycle.
Read my article Celtic Month of Ivy: Sept 30 - Oct 27
1: Black Dogs
Honor Black dogs on October 1st. Both Hel (Norse) and Hecate (Greek) had black dog companions. Black dogs are often seen as messengers from the underworld.
Black dogs arent always associated with death. The Gurt Dog of Somerset, England is a massive spectral black dog that acts as a protector. Folklore describes it accompanying lost mothers and children, guiding them safely through the dark, and protecting local livestock.
The three-headed dog
Cerberus is the guardian of the gates of Hades, the Greek underworld. Cerberus's job is to prevent the dead from leaving the underworld and to keep the living from entering. Typically he is shown with three heads and may have a serpents tail, and a mane or body covered in snakes. His parents are Typhon, a fire-breathing storm giant, and Echidna is half-woman and half-serpent.
3: Third/Last Quarter Moon
This month the third or last quarter moon is on the third. Sweep or burn purifying herbs like sage, rosemary, or frankincense to clear stagnant physical and spiritual energy from your environment.
The diminishing illumination of this moon symbolizes shrinking barriers, making banishing and cord-cutting spells especially effective.
4: Ceres
On October 4 we honor Ceres the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain crops, and fertility. She is credited with the discovery of spelt wheat and make plants and seeds grow. She is the counterpart of the Greek goddess Demeter. In addition, Ceres watched over the boundaries between the realms of the living and the realm of the dead. She was often invoked at funerals.
Instead of a feast day Ceres has a fast day to honor her. Traditionally it was one day of fasting and nine days of prayer. This is a time for reflection and thankfulness. Take a walk outside and offer your thanks up.
This may be weird but oh well. Before I retired from teaching I had an old junker with a broken radio. I made a habit of listing things I was thankful for when I drove to work/school.
7: Ma’at’s Feast Day
Ma'at is both the goddess and the personification of truth, cosmic balance, and justice. Her ostrich feather represents truth.
She typically appears holding an ankh as well, the symbol of eternal life. She is also one of our oldest ancestors dating back to 2375 BCE and written about in the Pyramid texts. She is married to Thoth god of Wisdom. His Feast Day is October 23.
Maat either holds or wears and ostrich feather. Ostriches are incredibly fierce and considered one of the most dangerous birds in the world. Ostriches represent balance, adaptability, equality, and justice. People with this spirit animal tend to be confident, proud, and eccentric.
After death the weighing of the heart ceremony weighs the deceased's heart against the feather of Ma'at. This was a test of whether they had lived in accordance with proper morals.
Ma'at was typically celebrated with offerings of food, wine, and fragrant incense. Musk and rose are favorite scents. Celebrate by having a feast for her. Decorate your table with white candles, jade and turquoise crystals and feathers. Geese feathers are often easy to find.
Bastet Deity Guide
Check out my Goddess Guide for Bastet
44 Pages Digital Download, Great for Grimoire, Study, Learn who Bastet is and why she still matters to modern practitioners.
8: Day of Salmon
October 8 is the Day of Salmon. According to Celtic legend, the salmon was a fish of great power and prestige. The salmon is associated with wisdom.
In Norse mythology the mischievous Loki, transformed himself into a sleek and agile salmon in a desperate attempt to escape the wrath of the gods. In a moment of good fortune, the mighty Thor caught the slippery fish, creating the distinct taper at the end of the salmon's tail. This serves to remind us of the enduring power and significance of the salmon as a symbol of transformation and wisdom.
For the First Nations tribes of the Northwest, the salmon is revered and symbolizes resilience, selflessness, rejuvenation, and abundance. Much like the buffalo, the salmon is regarded as a willing and selfless provider. A tribal myth tells that when the Creator was preparing to bring forth people onto the earth, he called a grand council of all the animals and plants.
He asked each for a gift for these new creatures – a gift to help the new humans survive, since they would be quite helpless and require much assistance.
The very first to come forward was Salmon, who offered his body to feed the people. If you are a bear or a human who appreciates salmon have a feast today but remember to thank the salmon.
10: New Moon
The New Moon symbolizes new beginnings, fresh starts, and pure potential. Set intentions and work on manifesting your goals during the new moon phase.
Work on this Shadow Work Spell during the new moon to release old energy and prepare for growth.
Write down habits, fears, or doubts you want to release.
Fold the paper and place it in a fire-safe dish.
Burn it carefully, saying:
“Into the darkness, I release what no longer serves me. From the darkness, I will grow anew.”
10 - 11: Miki Autumn Harvest Festival
Mid October we have the Miki Autumn Harvest Festival in Japan that honors the Kami Hachiman a deity of protection, archery and war. An Oni is a powerful type of demon, ogre, or troll in Japanese folklore and there is a ceremony during Miki Autumn for "driving out demons,".
He is regarded as an ancestral kami of the Imperial House of Japan and is worshipped together with Empress Jingū. After the arrival of Buddhism in Japan, Hachiman became a syncretistic deity, fusing elements of the native kami worship with Buddhism.
October 11: Coming Out Day
There are many witches in the broom closet. Meaning they are not comfortable sharing their practice with others for fear of being ostracized or having family conflicts. This is understandable. Today support friends who are in the closet for there spiritual practices or sexual orientation.
At CPH we support the unique person you are. You can celebrate your energy whether you are in the closet or out.
Read my article Pagan Deities For LGBTQ+
13 - Fontinalia
The Feast Day for Fontus. Fontus or Fons is the ancient Roman god of wells and springs. He was the son of Janus (the god of beginnings and ends) and Juturna (a water nymph/goddess).
On October 13th we celebrate Fontinalia. In ancient Romans times it was popular to adorn wellheads and household or public fountains with floral garlands and wreaths.
Throw fresh flower petals into natural springs, streams, or flowing water features to show gratitude for the life giving water. First make sure it is allowed as some places may have concerns for water quality. you can honor Fontus by reducing your daily water waste or cleaning up litter around a local pond or river.
14: Indigenous Peoples Day
October 14 is Indigenous peoples day. We celebrate the diversity of cultures around the world. It's a great day to dress in traditional clothing, sing, dance and rejoice.
Native Land Digital is a Canadian non-profit that helps you find out what cultures lived on the land where you live now. It covers the Americas and has maps where you can look up your location.
In this video I talk about 13 plants you can forage in fall, their symbolism, ways to use them, and spells you can do.
15: Mushroom Day
Some mushrooms simply taste delicious, while others have mind-altering effects that have made them part of spiritual rituals. For the ancient Egyptians, mushrooms were the "food of the gods." They believed that eating them could help them live longer — or even make them immortal.
The Maya and Aztecs also consumed hallucinogenic mushrooms. Montezuma II, the last ruler of the Aztecs, is said to have eaten copious amounts of "Teonanacatl" a psychedelic mushroom, at his coronation ceremony.
Fairy rings are created by dancing fairies, elves, or other mystical creatures. Stepping into a fairy ring is said to transport a person to another realm or cause misfortune. It is sometimes considered dangerous to disturb them.
Fly Agaric Mushrooms
These adorable psychedelic mushrooms grow in evergreen forests and have become endemic in modern media. Disney, Super Mario, and the Smurfs all had them within their movies, games, or television shows.
They appear in late fall and often grow beneath fir and spruce trees. When eaten they produce a rosy glow on the cheeks which may be linked to the vision in the poem by Clement Clark Moore, ”His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry”!
See my article Yule Plants to learn more about Agaric mushrooms and many other plants we associate with Yule.
As well as learning how to forage for mushrooms you can grow them at home. I grow oyster mushrooms on top of my fridge.
18: First Quarter Moon
This moon is all about taking action, pushing through obstacles, and building momentum for the intentions you set during the new moon.
Overcoming Obstacles: Spellwork to break through stagnation, clear resistance, or banish self-doubt that stops you from working on your goals.
Commitment and Action: Rituals where you take a concrete, physical step toward a goal while speaking your intentions out loud.
We explore the symbolism of Cernunnos, the revered nature god who is often depicted with antlers or horns. This video delves into his association with fertility, animals, and the underworld. Discover how Cernunnos is honored today, from his depictions in Celtic art like the Gundestrup Cauldron to contemporary practices. Modern pagans and nature lovers like myself continue to honor him. Learn all about him and ways you can develop a relationship with him.
18 - Great Horn Festival
Horned God and Lady of the Wood invoked for the fertility of wild game and the Hunting Season. Pagan observation and specifically Wiccan. Honors the deities for the fertility of wild game and the opening of the hunting season.
Symbolizes the balance of masculine and feminine energies, the cycles of nature, and the transition into the darker half of the year.
Ways to celebrate: Traditional rituals include bonfires, offerings of cider, wine, and warming spices, and celebrating the change of seasons.
18 - 24 - Wolf Awareness Week
We celebrate the wolf from October 18-24. Odin, the All father in Norse mythology, has a deep connection with animals, especially wolves and ravens. Odin is associated with two wolves, Geri and Freki These wolves represent Odin's connection to the wild, untamed nature of the world.
The wolf is a very powerful spirit animal and represents awareness, family, intelligence, and loyalty. They are a symbol of the wild spirit. Get outside and experience nature. As a guardian, the wolf will protect you as it teaches you. Lean into that. You can read my blog on them here.
Werewolf
The Werewolf is widespread in folklore where it exists in many shapes. A werewolf is essentially a human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or a hybrid wolflike creature.
They may shift purposely or be affected by a curse. The transformations usually occur on the night of the full moon.
During the Middle Ages, trials for werewolves were parallel to those of witches.
17 & 18 Pomaria
On the second weekend of October Pomaria takes place in the province of Trento, Pomaria, the feast that celebrates the special apples in Non Valley, Italy.
The name Pomaria comes from the Latin word “pomarium” (orchard), and it was conceived to honor the goddess Pomona, protector of the orchards. Pomona is a popular minor Roman goddess often known as the goddess of apples. Pomona cares for and watches over fruit orchards.
Her feast day is August 13th. Offerings to her include the first fruits of the season. We also honor her during Samhain. Apples are some of the oldest used fruits for magic on the planet. They are called upon in rituals to improve abundance, finances, happiness, health, and power.
Apples are also representative in love spells. Tip: Place seven apple seeds in a bag with Orris Root to attract sexual love.
20 - Festival for Sobek
Egyptian God of protection, fertility, and military prowess. Sobek is both feared for his ferocity and revered as a protective, life-giving force. He wears a layered headdress representing the unification of divine power, kingship, and the sun.
He is a protector. Pharaohs invoked Sobek for strength in battle and protection of the kingdom. His temple worship remained popular well into the Roman period. His nature is fierce but not evil — he protects, he sustains, he defends.
Sobek has the reputation for being a great lover and the Pyramid Texts, refers to him as "he who takes women from their husbands whenever he wishes according to his desires"!!
Both crocodiles, Sobek is one of Egypt's oldest gods, deeply embedded in Egyptian mythology, who offers lessons in strength and ancient wisdom. Ammit is a different kind of being entirely. She is not a deity in the traditional sense. She is the divine executioner. We also explore the spiritual meaning of crocodile in ancient Egypt and its animal totem significance.
21 - Feast of Artio
Artio is the Celtic Bear Goddess of Wildlife, Transformation, and Abundance. She is referred to as the She-Bear. Bears are associated with shape-shifting and transformation across many cultures.
Her feast day is October 21. Make a fresh fruit salad to honor her and thank her for your blessings.
Say: Artio, see my needs and bless me, bring to me fruitfulness!’ Such compassion and peace,
Humbled I am by your selfless love. Guide me as I open my eyes, spirit, and mind.
Artio is a dream goddess for environmental educators like me! One of the reasons I love Artio is that she is so easy to connect with. She just wants us to embrace nature and protect wildlife.
As a wildlife rehabilitator, I often ask for her blessing when I work to heal broken animals or rehydrate orphans. One way you can honor Artio is to donate to a wildlife rehabilitation center near you.
25 - Alfablot
During the late autumn or early winter, we celebrate Alfablot The term blot refers to a Norse sacrificial feast or offering. The offerings during the Alfablot included food, drink, and meat, all intended to strengthen ties with the spirits and ancestors.
The Alfablot is a household or family-focused ritual. The primary purpose of the Alfablot was to honor the elves and ancestors, ensuring their protection and blessings through the coming winter. In Norse belief, elves are seen as powerful beings associated with fertility, land, and the afterlife, sometimes linked to ancestors or spirits of the dead.
26: Full Moon Hunter's Moon
This month we celebrate the Hunter’s Moon for providing extra evening light that historically helped our ancestors hunt and gather provisions before winter, Just as ancient communities used the bright moonlight to gather resources and prepare for the scarcity of winter, this moon invites you to take an inventory of your physical, emotional, and spiritual energy.
My ancestors the Nêhiyawak aka Cree call this the "Moon the Birds Fly South". In Cree it is Pimahâmowipîsim.
Coming after September's Harvest Moon, fields were cleared and animals were easier to spot in open landscapes. The bright rising moon right after sunset allowed hunters to track game late into the evening to prepare food stores for the cold months.
As autumn strips the trees bare, the Hunter’s Moon supports deep shadow work, encouraging you to shed old habits, self-doubt, and outdated mindset. Often tied to fiery astrological signs or the raw drive for survival, this moon acts as a catalyst to set firm boundaries, stand in your power, and reclaim your truth.
Journal: Write down any bad habits, fears, or situations you wish to leave behind, then safely burn the paper to signify a permanent release.
Connect: Take a mindful walk outdoors to observe the changing environment and ground yourself in the earth's transition
Make moon water: Fill a glass jar with filtered water and leave it on a windowsill or outside overnight to absorb the moonlight for intention-setting.
Charge crystals: Place crystals on a windowsill under the moonlight to cleanse and recharge their energy
29 Mokash
Mokosh, the Slavic goddess of fertility, moisture, and the earth, is one of the most ancient and revered deities in Slavic paganism. As the protector of women and associated with spinning, and weaving, she holds a significant role in the spiritual lives of Slavic pagans.
Mokosh is celebrated during the harvest festival. During the late autumn harvest, prayers and thanks are offered to her for the fertility of the land and the abundance of crops. Rituals during this time ask for her continued protection through the winter months.
She watches over women as they work, spinning and weaving wool, shearing the sheep, and knitting clothes. Women may honor Mokosh through spinning or weaving, because these fiber arts are seen as a direct way of connecting with her. Her sacred day is Friday.
Since Mokosh is a goddess of the earth, devotees often engage in gardening, planting, or tending to the land in her honor. These acts are viewed as sacred work that acknowledges Mokosh’s role in maintaining balance and fertility in the natural world. She had a son named Yarilo and he became the God of fertility, springtime, and vegetation.
Samhain
We end the month with Samhain. Samhain is often the most awaited holiday for witches and pagans. A sacred time for divination and the gathering of communities. During Samhain, we can communicate with the dead. I have a book on celebrating Samhain as a family with lots of activities.
Traditionally, people in Ireland and Scotland carved turnips and gourds into lanterns known as jack-o’-lanterns. These glowing faces were set outside homes to ward off wandering spirits during Samhain, when the veil between the living and spirit worlds was believed to be at its thinnest. When European settlers came to North America, they found pumpkins—larger, easier to carve, and abundant in the autumn fields—so pumpkins quickly became the favored choice for this protective and symbolic craft.
Traditionally, people in Ireland and Scotland carved turnips and gourds into lanterns known as jack-o’-lanterns. These glowing faces were set outside homes to ward off wandering spirits during Samhain, when the veil between the living and spirit worlds was believed to be at its thinnest. When European settlers came to North America, they found pumpkins—larger, easier to carve, and abundant in the autumn fields—so pumpkins quickly became the favored choice for this protective and symbolic craft.
A Dumb Supper is traditionally held during Samhain but can occur any time of year. Here's a look at my set-up and some tips to have your own Dumb supper.
Dumb Supper
Have a dumb supper. This is a great way to involve family or friends in the pagan community.
The purpose of the Dumb supper is to invite our ancestors into our homes for a meal. We share a quiet reflective meal with them. The quiet is important because it allows us to listen and have communication on their level.
As the natural world prepares for winter, we too must let go of what no longer serves us. Do rituals that focus on personal transformation, shedding old habits, or releasing negativity.
Bobbing For Apples
Bobbing for apples is something we do for fun now but the origin dates back to Pomona. It started as a divination technique as a courting ritual and race. Names would be marked onto apples and each suitor had 3 chances to grab the apple of their intended.
Wands made of apple wood are known to be powerful for protection and enchantment. Runes made of apple wood are also desirable to see when you may be in danger.
A good flower for protection, chrysanthemums are often used when communicating with the dead. With their bright fall colors, they are also associated with fire.
October is a month of transformation and release. We are connecting with our ancestors and fine tuning divination skills. In this video we are going to talk about Pagan celebrations and feast days, October moons, and Octobers correspondences.
Bats
Bats have a reputation as being these evil creatures of the night. We know that's not true. Bats are valuable allies, providing natural pest control for gardeners.
By creating a bat-friendly habitat, you can encourage these nocturnal creatures to make your backyard their home. I have a video on my environmental channel that I will link to if you want to learn more about making your yard bat friendly.
Vampires have existed for thousands of years sometimes seen as malevolent ghosts seeking revenge or demons. They have evolved into creatures that drank blood. Early vampires were animals and then were seen as humans. They were hunted down in the middle ages along with witches.
October is a time for honoring ancestors, as the veil between the worlds is believed to be thinnest during Samhain. Many pagans set up ancestor altars, hold rituals for the dead, and engage in divination.
Practice forms of divination like tarot, runes, or scrying during October, seeking guidance for the upcoming winter months and connecting with the spirit world. I like to focus on a new skill in divination in the fall. Currently I’m working on bird divination.
Black Walnuts
Black walnut has powerful magical properties associated with protection, cleansing, healing, and transformation. Its hard, protective shell symbolizes resilience and create barriers against negative energy, break curses, and promote personal power. Black walnut is also used for manifesting desires, attracting good fortune, and sparking creativity, often incorporated into amulets
Black walnuts are easy to find this time of year as they are falling from the trees. I took these pictures last week while walking. One caution. The hulls are sticky and will stain your hands brown so wear gloves when foraging.
Activities For October
Shadow Work Journal Ritual:
Use tarot or meditation to explore your fears, past wounds, and hidden desires. Write about what you discover and what you are ready to release.
Ancestral Altar
Set up a space with photos, offerings, and candles to honor your ancestors. Speak their names and invite their guidance.
Pumpkin Magic
Carve a pumpkin with a sigil for protection or abundance and place it on your doorstep.
Divination Night
Use tarot, runes, or scrying with a black mirror to receive messages from the spirit realm.
Drink spiced teas
Cinnamon, clove, and apple teas enhance intuition and warmth.
Light candles
Use black, orange, and deep red candles for seasonal magic.
Decorate with seasonal symbols
Pumpkins, autumn leaves, dried herbs, and skull imagery connect you with the energy of the season.
Take moonlit walks
The October air is charged with magic; walking in the moonlight deepens your spiritual connection.