October arrives cloaked in mist, her hands full of falling leaves, her hair tangled with the scent of woodsmoke. She is a month of endings and beginnings, of fire and shadow, of the thinning veil between the worlds. The Earth prepares for rest, but before the slumber comes a season of stories, magic, and remembrance.

The Hunter’s Moon in Aries – October 6

The first great light of October is the Full Moon in Aries on October 6, known also as the Hunter’s Moon. Traditionally, this was the time when hunters followed the glowing moonlight to stock their stores for the coming winter. Its orange-gold glow illuminated the fields and forests, making it easier to track and gather food before the dark half of the year fully took hold.

Astrologically, Aries brings passion, courage, and a fiery energy to this moon. It urges us to release hesitation, claim our independence, and light a flame for what truly calls to our spirit. The Hunter’s Moon asks: What do you need to pursue boldly? What truth are you ready to hunt and claim as your own?

Folklore whispers that wishes made under the Hunter’s Moon come swifter, though they may demand courage and action in return. It is not a moon for stillness—it is a moon for the chase.

October’s Folklore

and the Turning of the Year

In the old world, October was a time of harvest’s end. Apples were pressed into cider, the last of the corn was gathered, and the hearth became the heart of the home once again. It was believed that spirits walked more freely as the year turned toward darkness, and so people carved faces into turnips (and later pumpkins) to ward away wandering souls.

The winds of October were considered omens. A south wind promised fine weather, a north wind warned of hard winter, and a west wind foretold storms. Children were told to gather fallen acorns and conkers for protection, carrying them in their pockets to keep away evil spirits.

Samhain – October 31

At the very end of the month comes Samhain (pronounced SOW-in), the great fire festival and one of the most powerful sabbats of the year. Samhain is the Celtic New Year, marking the death of the old cycle and the beginning of the new. It is the time when the veil between worlds is thinnest, when spirits and ancestors walk beside us more easily.

Bonfires once blazed on hilltops, their smoke believed to cleanse and protect entire villages. Families set extra places at the table for their beloved dead, leaving food and drink to welcome them home. Divination was common—apples floated in water to reveal sweethearts, and candle flames were studied for signs of the year to come.

In modern witchcraft, Samhain remains a sacred time for honoring the ancestors, releasing what no longer serves us, and setting intentions for the year ahead. It is the liminal hour when endings and beginnings dance together in firelight.

Long ago, it was said that on the night of Samhain, a Hollow Hill would open somewhere in the countryside. Those who stumbled upon it would hear music unlike any played by human hands, sweet and sorrowful, calling them inside.

One October, a young hunter named Cian followed the sound beneath a rising Hunter’s Moon. Inside the hill, he found a banquet laid out with fruits, breads, and honeyed wine, and around the table sat figures cloaked in shadow. They welcomed him, and he feasted until he grew heavy with joy and drink.

When he awoke, he was lying on the frosted grass under a pale dawn. The hill was gone. His bow was withered with rust, and his hair was threaded with silver. Though he had only passed a night in the Hollow Hill, a hundred years had gone by.

The legend warns us: Samhain is a night of crossing. Step carefully, for time and fate weave strangely when the veil thins.

Ways to Honor October’s Magic

Full Moon Fire Ritual – Under the Hunter’s Moon in Aries, write down one fear or hesitation you’re ready to release. Burn it safely in a flame and call in courage to move forward.

Apple Divination – Cut an apple crosswise to reveal the five-pointed star. Eat half and bury the other half outdoors, symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Ancestral Candle – On Samhain night, light a candle in the window to guide your ancestors home. Whisper their names with gratitude.

Carve a Guardian Pumpkin – Give your lantern a face and place it at your door, carrying on the tradition of protecting your home from wandering spirits.

Final Thoughts

October is a month of wonder and threshold, where every falling leaf is a story and every flame in the dark is a promise. From the fiery Hunter’s Moon in Aries to the shadowed mystery of Samhain, this is the time to honor courage, remember the ancestors, and trust in the eternal cycle of endings and beginnings.

May the Hunter’s Moon light your path,
May Samhain’s fire warm your soul,
And may the Hollow Hill remind you that magic waits where the veil grows thin.