Most of us enjoy indulging in candy and pumpkin spice during Halloween, but for practicing witches, the holiday holds deeper significance. Samhain, the ancient Gaelic name for Halloween, is a time when witches connect with their craft through food and rituals.
Raechel Henderson, a Witchcrafter and author, explains, “The connection between cooking, eating, and magic is very strong during Samhain.” Food and drink become vessels for magical energy and intention, and they are prepared mindfully as offerings to honor and reconnect with ancestors who have passed beyond the veil.
One popular Samhain tradition is the baking of special Sabbat cakes. Aubrianna Myers, a kitchen witch, describes these cakes as a mix between biscuits and scones, flavored with seasonal spices like cinnamon or nutmeg and paired with wine, ale, or fresh cider. These cakes are offered not to deities, but to ancestors and spirits who have crossed over.
Ashley Seekraft, a traditional Gardnerian witch, honors her deceased Puerto Rican grandmother by preparing her favorite dishes like arroz con pollo or arroz con dulce. While cooking, Seekraft blesses the salt and spices and speaks to her grandmother as if she were in the room. Sometimes, she even uses her spoon to create an elemental pentagram in the pot, calling the spirits into her space.
Pomegranates also hold sacred significance on Samhain. Lex Ritchie, an animist folk witch, performs rituals involving pomegranates to connect with her ancestors. She makes pomegranate oxymel, a mixture of honey and vinegar, using a secret recipe. She also eats a pomegranate slice while spending time at her altar, and leaves a whole pomegranate on the altar throughout the winter to hold her prayers to her ancestors.
Fall foods and spices are enchanting for many witches during Samhain. Raechel Henderson incorporates Halloween customs into her practice, using the redolent magic of candied apples, roast dinners, and apple cider to remind her that enchantment is everywhere.
Dee Norman, who practices traditional Italian folk magic, makes ossi dei morti, or “bones of the dead,” cookies for Samhain. These almond and lemon-flavored cookies resemble bones and are left on the altar for ancestors while the rest are enjoyed by her family.
Pumpkin bread holds symbolic value for Sophia Rose, an eclectic witch. Pumpkin is a symbol of wisdom and insight, making it a perfect way to honor ancestors and the turning wheel of the year. As she bakes, she chants an incantation to infuse the bread with protective energy. Rose also drinks spiced black tea to aid in divination and communication with spirits during rituals.
One Samhain ritual involves a “Dumb Supper,” where Jennie Koper, a solitary witch, cooks pumpkin ravioli in brown butter. The supper is eaten by candlelight without speaking, honoring the presence of friends and family who have passed. Empty spots at the table are set with small meals for visiting spirits as offerings. At the end of the meal, Koper’s family shares memories of their loved ones while enjoying the silence.
Shiva Honey, a Satanic witch, hosts a unique Samhain celebration called the “Devil’s Dinner Party.” The dinner is catered by a Satanic chef and includes a multicourse menu inspired by traditional Samhain dinners. Blindfolds are used to enhance the sensory experience, and the first course is eaten in silence to amplify the sense of taste.
Samhain is a time of deep reverence for witches, a moment to connect with their craft and honor their ancestors. Whether through culinary traditions, rituals, or silent suppers, witches find ways to infuse magic into their food and experiences during this sacred holiday.
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