Written by Dori Lewis, LPC, LMHC, Owner-Operator of Reflective Healing and Cofounder and Clinical Director of Elemental Psychedelics

October is upon us, and the veil between realms is notoriously thin. This is the perfect time to connect with your ancestors, cleanse and release what is no longer serving you, and tap into your inner witch.

We’ve got you covered with these eight self-care rituals you can do anytime this month.

Let’s get witchy!

1 Honor October’s new moon

While most people tend to give the full moon more attention, the changing seasons and the longer nights at this time of year are the perfect opportunity to honor the new moon, or, as I like to call it, the dark moon. The next dark moons fall on October 10th and November 9th.

Use this moment of darkness to connect with the moon and the lessons that its cyclical nature can teach us. Reflect on learnings from the year so far, or set intentions for the winter months ahead. You might also choose the new moon as a great time to do any of the other rituals in this article.

2 Make offerings to ancestors or loved ones who have passed

Many cultures believe that the veil between the physical realm and the spirit world is thinnest during this time of year. This makes it an opportune moment to connect with your ancestors, loved ones who have died, and even beloved animals who have passed.

This doesn’t have to be anything elaborate: you might simply light a candle for them, put out flowers, or set out some food. You can then say out loud: “This is for all my ancestors, to recognize and honor them,” to let them know you remember and appreciate them.

3 Create an ancestor altar

You may also go one step further and create an altar to honor your ancestors. Set up an altar space in your home with candles, photos, flowers, and other offerings. Include pictures of anyone you wish to remember, and speak out loud to them about what they meant to you and what you wish for them now that they have crossed. You might also ask for their protection or guidance as you navigate a particular challenge or uncertainty in your life.

4 Take herbal baths

In many spiritual traditions, herbal and flower baths are believed to be a powerful way to cleanse your energetic field and invite in a sense of renewal. Rosemary, for example, has historically been associated with remembrance, spiritual protection, purification, and clarity. You might use lavender to release tension and bring a sense of calm, or chamomile to welcome in a season of rest, abundance, and healing.

Simply steep a small amount of herbs in hot water, strain, let cool, and add the infusion to your bathtub or pour over yourself at the end of a shower (avoiding your eyes). Choose herbs suitable for skin use and make sure to avoid any that you know you’re sensitive to.

5 Explore evenings by candlelight

I encourage you to embrace the darkness that falls on us this time of year, and use it as an opportunity to get comfortable with the unseen. When night falls, try lighting candles (safely) around your house instead of switching on lamps or lights, and avoid looking at screens. Notice any emotions or thoughts that may surface as you move through your evening. The lack of distractions may shine a light on aspects of your inner world that you don’t often make space for.

If anything, I promise you’ll have the best night’s sleep you’ve had in a long time!

6 Pay attention to your dreams

From a Jungian perspective, dreams can offer insight into the unconscious mind and, in some cultural traditions, are understood as a way to receive messages from the spirit world. Keep a journal next to your bed and write down or take a voice recording of your dreams as soon as you wake up. Bring the contents of your dreams to your next therapy session and explore what the symbolism and messages might mean for you, or simply journal and reflect on them on your own.

7 Clear and cleanse your home

October is a great moment to cleanse your space of unwanted energies or spirits. If you like smoke cleansing, I recommend using a local herb that you have a relationship with, rather than contributing to appropriation or extraction of sacred smokes that come from Native cultures. For example, this could be dried rosemary, dried lavender, or common garden sage (as opposed to white sage).

Create a small bundle of your chosen dried herb and light the end with a lighter or candle until it starts to smoke. Cleanse each room in your house with the smoke, stating out loud the energies you wish to dispel and those you want to invite in.

A physical clear-out can also go a long way to cleanse your home of what you no longer need energetically. Just like you would in Spring, October is a good time to deep clean and release items you’re ready to part with.

8 Cook seasonal soups with intention

Dust off your cauldron (or crock-pot!) – with colder temperatures and darker evenings comes a hankering for hearty, seasonal soups. Experiment with different seasonal ingredients and get creative with local gourds. Squash, for example, is abundant in Colorado this time of year. As you cook, give the meal an intention, such as:

Nourishment for all those who eat it
A fruitful harvest, with intentions planted in the previous season coming into fruition
A restful period of darkness
A healthy winter for your loved ones

A Moment for Pause, Reflection, and Self-Care

You don’t have to try all eight rituals or create an elaborate ceremony to tap into your inner witch. Start with whatever calls to you, and do it with intention. As much as these rituals are about making contact with the energetic realms, they can also be an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and connect with what feels meaningful.

As the season turns, ask yourself:

What am I ready to release?
What do I want to nurture?
Where could I make more room for rest?

If you’re seeking someone to walk beside you during this time of self-reflection, slowing down, and spiritual exploration, therapy at Reflective Healing may be a good fit. Book a consultation with a member of our team – we’d love to speak to you.

Frequently Asked Questions: Witchy Rituals and Halloween

What does it mean when people say “the veil is thin”?

“The veil is thin” is a spiritual expression describing the belief that the boundary between the living and the spirit world becomes easier to cross. In traditions associated with Samhain, this idea is linked to late October and early November, when people may honor ancestors or remember loved ones who have died. It is a spiritual belief rather than a scientifically established phenomenon.

What are some witchy practices for beginners?

Witchy practices for beginners include setting intentions, following the moon’s phases, keeping a dream journal, creating a personal altar, and cooking with intention. You can start by adding a moment of reflection to an everyday activity, such as preparing a meal or cleaning your home. Choose practices that feel meaningful to you and respect the cultural origins of any rituals you explore.

Why is October associated with honoring ancestors?

Late October and early November include several observances connected with remembering the dead, including Samhain, All Souls’ Day, and Día de los Muertos. These traditions have different cultural and religious meanings, but each provides an occasion to remember those who have died. Personal rituals might include displaying photographs, preparing a loved one’s favorite food, or lighting a candle in their memory.

What are some rituals to do on Halloween?

Simple Halloween rituals include creating an ancestor altar, lighting a candle for a loved one who has died, journaling about what you’re ready to release, or cooking a seasonal meal with intention. You can also clean your home and make space for rest. Choose practices that reflect your own beliefs and respect the cultural origins of any traditions you explore.

8 Witchy Self-Care Rituals to Try This October