Halloween-The Witches Perspective
The subject of my interview is Ian Phayre, who identifies as a witch and is of the Pagan faith. He uses a wide variety of non-normative and old religions to shape his practice. He has been practising witchcraft since he was 13 years of age. He has done a tremendous amount of research over the years and has a wide knowledge of witchcraft, ancient rituals and historical traditions, which makes him the perfect candidate to indulge us in some of the original meanings of Halloween. Ian is writing a book called ‘The Crafty Path’.
Hi Ian. Thank you so much for your time. You identify as a witch. When did you know that there was a spiritual path for you?
I’ve just always had a belief in magick that continues into adulthood. I was fascinated by crystals as a child and as I got older, I discovered my spirituality through them. I never felt at home with the Christian beliefs forced upon us as a child, but the occult really speaks to me and intuition is the cornerstone to my practice.
Are you part of a coven?
Yes and No. I’m part of a closed magical group but I’m not forced to participate and there is no hierarchy within it. A bit difficult to do it at the minute but we have worked countless rituals together. I always considered myself to be solitary until I met my dear friend Val Thomas in 2013, who is the author of ‘A Witches Kitchen’ and her 2020 released book ‘Of Chalk and Flint: A Way of Norfolk Magick’. It was her who introduced me to group workings, which I really enjoy now.
What does a typical everyday practice of witchcraft look like for you? Do you practice every day?
Everyday practice is just that. I breathe magick into everything I do. I used to seek a balance between the mundane and the magical, but my life is much more complete knowing that the mundane is magical.
How have you informed yourself to shape your journey as a practising witch?
I have read lots of information, I have met many people on different paths, but the greatest teacher is observation in nature and experience. A spiritual book shouldn’t be an answer but a key to new opportunities and awareness. I follow my intuition and I receive signs when I’m following the right path. This has always been my guide.
Halloween falls on Samhain (pronounced Sah-wen), which is considered ‘Celtic New Year’. What is the significance of this?
Halloween cannot be broken down to the origination of a festival because it is a myriad of corruptions and traditions, much like Christmas. There are many elements of Halloween as we know it, from Celtic practices to Irish legends. But such as with Christmas, the roots are Pagan.
It is thought that old pagan celebrations have been adopted by Christianity and newer religions. Do you think this has been the case?
Yes, but perhaps it would be unfair to say that all Christian events have their roots in Pagan practices. But this was a common corruption as Christians did not at first tear down the old beliefs, but instead created a fusion to satisfy the pagan worshippers. Of course, this peace didn’t last as Christianity grew. However, across many cultures, there is interestingly similarities and events between different religions beyond Christianity.
Do you perform any particular rituals for Halloween? And if so, what purpose do these rituals serve?
I have my own traditions but as many practices of witchcraft, I celebrate Samhain as a festival of the veil between the worlds being thinnest for honouring the dead as we’re brought into the liminal time of the year. I do this by dressing my altar with mementoes of the people who have departed. I commune with them in a ritual of remembrance, plate up a specially prepared meal for the dead and as this is a time of endings and beginnings, I hold a banishing ritual to let go and release what I do not want to take with me into the new phase.
Would you encourage others to get in touch with the more traditional roots of Halloween?
We are all on different path’s but I feel if we celebrate something, it’s important to understand how such a festival began.
How do you feel about the way that Halloween is celebrated in modern times?
It’s a gimmick. Another cash cow holiday, but it also brings a lot of cheer and that’s never a bad thing. Personally, I like Halloween. Not for the commercial reasons, but for sentimental and of course, it’s the one day of the year that the 364-day year masquerade is ironically unveiled by letting their freak flags fly.
Last question: Can you do me a three-card tarot pull, please?
Yes, Of course!