October, Season of the Witch

October is the month when the veil begins to thin, when shadows stretch longer across the land, and when witches and mystics alike feel the hum of ancient magic rising in the air. It is a month of transformation and change. This year is what is being called a mast year, a rare natural cycle when trees, bushes, shrubs, and plants produce an extraordinary abundance of seeds, berries, and fruits. Scientists believe this is an evolutionary survival pattern, ensuring that even if most of the crop is consumed, enough will remain for planting the following year. Apples, walnuts, and grapes are especially plentiful at this time, and folklore tells us that eating these three together creates a powerful aphrodisiac.

Legends say that Merlin himself, the great wizard who was perhaps once a real druid, is connected to this magical season. Some tales place him on the island of Bardsey, off the coast of Wales, which has long been associated with Avalon. Rare apple trees grow on this island, known as Merlin’s apples, and they are still sought after to this day. In keeping with the apple’s role in October magic, if you visit a gravesite this month, take apples with you. Slice them in half and leave them as an offering, a way of nourishing the dead and showing respect for the ancestors.

Another October charm says that if you catch a falling leaf, you will have a lucky month in the year ahead. If you manage to catch twelve leaves, you are said to ensure blessings for the entire year.

October is also a month of divination, when witches peer beyond the veil using tarot cards, pendulums, runes, crystal balls, or simply their intuition. Many specific days this month are steeped in old wisdom and magical meaning:

October 5 – An excellent day for divination. The energies are especially open to messages from beyond.

October 7 – The Full Moon in Aries, the first supermoon of the year. This is the Harvest Moon, also called the Blood Moon or Wine Moon. It is called the Harvest Moon because it is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, and in centuries past it provided farmers with extra light to bring in the final crops of the season. Folklore says that if frost appears on this night, winter will be mild, but if no frost appears, winter will be harsh and cold. This night is said to be the best time to begin the path of witchcraft. If one starts under the October Full Moon and practices faithfully for a year and a day, they will come into their full power by the following Samhain.

October 12 – Known as a weather divination day. If the weather is warm and sunny, expect a frosty February. If it is cold, then February will be less severe.

October 14 – Watch for evil witches. It is believed that dark practitioners begin their Samhain preparations around this time and are more active.

October 17 – A night of dream magic. Place a crooked coin and a sprig of rosemary under your pillow to dream of your future partner. If you use only the rosemary, it will banish nightmares and grant peaceful sleep.

October 21 – The New Moon in Libra, a good time to focus on balance, justice, and relationships.

October 22 – The Sun enters Scorpio. This day also holds historical meaning for Christians. Archbishop James Ussher calculated in his 1658 book Annals of the World that the earth was created on this date in 4004 BCE. Scorpio season itself is a time of depth, transformation, and intensity. This zodiac sign is ruled by both Mars and Pluto, planets tied to passion and rebirth, making this period ideal for shadow work, releasing old patterns, and embracing personal power. Scorpio energy invites us to explore hidden truths, strengthen our intuition, and connect with the mysteries of life and death.

October 27 – Cider apples are ready for brewing, and it is also National Black Cat Day. A black cat in your home is a blessing, and sailors believed that a black cat on board would always bring them safely back to port. Stroke a black cat today and you may be granted a wish.

October 29 – An old folk charm suggests bringing a female dog into your home to protect against evil spirits.

October 30 – Begin your Samhain preparations. Cleanse your home with smudging and set protective wards or spells to guard against unwanted energies.

October 31 – The festival of Samhain, also celebrated as Halloween and known as the witches’ New Year’s Eve. The new year of the witch begins November 1. On this night the Wild Hunt rides and the Fae roam freely. To avoid being swept away by their mischief or malice, people once wore costumes to disguise themselves. Apples and other fruits should be left out for the spirits as offerings, ensuring they pass your home without disturbance. If you have a burning question, folklore says to go to a crossroads at midnight, ask it aloud, and listen to the wind for your answer. To discover your future partner, circle a walnut tree three times at midnight, look up, and you may glimpse your beloved eating walnuts in the branches above.

Closing Thoughts

October is the witch’s season, a month woven with mystery, magic, and the pulse of the earth preparing to rest for winter. It is a time of endings and beginnings, of harvest and divination, of honoring the dead and celebrating the living. Whether you spend it catching falling leaves, brewing cider, working spells under the full moon, or leaving offerings at the grave of a loved one, remember that October’s magic is ancient, timeless, and always close at hand. This is the month when the witch within us awakens.