Episode 06: Herbs for the Ancestors: A Samhain Journey
Welcome back to Ritual Herbalism—a podcast exploring the sacred threads of plant medicine, ancestral memory, and the ways we find our way back to wholeness through ritual.
In this special edition episode, “Herbs for the Ancestors: A Samhain Journey,” we gather at the threshold of the year, where harvest ends and winter begins, when the veil thins and the ancestors draw near.
Samhain is a liminal time, both an ending and a beginning. It calls us to remember, to root, and to listen. Across cultures and generations, this season has been honored as a portal between the worlds, a time to reconnect with those who came before us and to walk the green path of remembrance.
In this episode, we reflect on the roots of Samhain, explore ancestral traditions from around the world, and walk with plant allies that help us bridge seen and unseen realms.
This is a slow, sacred journey. Brew some tea. Light a candle. Let yourself be guided.
Episode Themes: Samhain, ancestral memory & ritual plant allies
We explore:
The ancient roots of Samhain:
Once known as “summer’s end,” Samhain marked the Celtic New Year—a firelit turning point between seasons, when the veil between worlds grew thin and the ancestors returned home.
Cross-cultural reflections:
From Día de los Muertos in Mexico to La Festa dei Morti in southern Italy, the spirit of Samhain echoes globally: memory is medicine, death is a return, not an end.
The legacy of the Green Witch:
Through persecution and forgetting, the herbalists, witches, and wise ones carried the flame of remembrance. Every Samhain candle, every herb gathered, is part of that legacy.
Plant Allies of the veil: Herbs for ancestral connection & protection
These herbs guide us gently through the thinning veil. They cleanse, protect, and open the heart to ancestral wisdom.
Sage (Salvia officinalis): A purifier and protector. Clears stagnant energy, supports clarity, and teaches that all endings are transformations. Whispers: “All that you lose is only changing form.”
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris): Herb of dreams and vision. Opens intuitive pathways, invites ancestral dreams, and connects us to the liminal. Murmurs: “Dream, and remember.”
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): An herb of the heart and memory. Strengthens resolve, protects the spirit, and honors the dead. Speaks: “Remember who you are, and those who came before.”
Elder (Sambucus nigra): Tree of the threshold. Strengthens immunity and spirit connection. Held as a guardian between life and death. Says: “Death is not the end, but a doorway.”
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa): A shadow guide. Supports transformation, releases ancestral pain, and calms the nervous system. Whispers: “The shadow is your teacher.”
Angelica (Angelica archangelica): A radiant protector. Brings divine guidance, restores vitality, and reminds us we are not alone. Sings: “You are guided. You are held.”
Ritual Invitation
Bring these herbs into your practice with intention:
Burn sage and rosemary before ritual to clear space and open your heart
Drink mugwort and elderflower tea before dreamwork or meditation
Anoint with angelica or black cohosh essence during grief rituals or when calling in ancestral support
Place rosemary on your altar as a symbol of remembrance
Each herb is a doorway, each ritual a return.
Learn with Us
If this Samhain journey resonates, you’re already walking the path of ritual herbalism.
Our Green Witch Online Course is now open for registration, a guided journey into plant spirit connection, ancestral remembrance, and the sacred rhythms of the seasons. This immersive course weaves herbal wisdom, ritual practices, and Green Witch traditions to help you deepen your practice and tend your own apothecary with intention.
Early bird enrollment is open through November 3. Save $100 with code WITCH at checkout.
After that, the door closes on November 15th, and we begin. Join us, and step fully onto the green path. Not sure if this course is for you? Watch our free class from the program through the button below.
Samhain teaches that life and death are lovers in sacred dance. That nothing truly ends. That memory is a bridge, and ritual is how we walk it.
Across centuries, the Green Witch tradition endures.
We are still tending the altars.
We are still speaking with the plants.
We are still remembering.
May the herbs of Samhain: sage, mugwort, rosemary, elder, black cohosh, and angelica, guide you through this turning of the wheel.
May your path be rooted, protected, and lit with ancestral fire.
If this episode speaks to you, please share it, subscribe on your favorite platform, and leave a review—it helps more people find this work and return to their roots.
Know your medicine. Trust your rhythm. Let the sky and the soil guide you.
Want to go deeper?
Join us at Twin Star Tribe to explore the art of ritual herbalism, energetic plant medicine, and ancestral healing. Our online and in-person offerings are here to support your journey—whether you're just beginning or deepening your path with the plants.
Come be part of a growing community rooted in Earth wisdom, sacred remembrance, and collective transformation. Visit our website and step into the circle. We’d be honored to welcome you.
Please remember that not every herb is right for every person. Know your medicine and consult a trusted herbal practitioner before beginning new remedies.