Yes, I'm Wiccan. Yes, some Wiccans consider themselves witches. No, I don't consider myself a witch (although I thoroughly enjoy the thought). No, I do not worship Satan. I actually don't believe in either Satan or Hell at all.

Have I covered all the initial questions? Yes? Good. No? Well maybe I will in the rest of the article, and if I don't, feel free to write your questions in the comments below. I promise I'll answer them.

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. The leaves are changing, and it's beautiful. The heat dies down, and it's beautiful. Pumpkin everything is being sold, and it's beautiful. Plus, who can get over kids, dogs, and all kinds of other animals getting dressed up in costumes? Not me. They're too adorable for words and I love every second of it.

As a Wiccan, however, some aspects of Halloween are a little different for me than for most people. First of all, when talking about the holiday in terms of religion, I call it Samhain (pronounced either Sow-in or Sah-in).

In case you don't already know, Wicca is an earth-based religion that originates from ancient Pagan traditions. Its Pagan roots actually predate Christianity. Wiccans either participate as a member of a coven (similar to a church congregation) or as a solitary practitioner. There are 8 major Wiccan holidays: Yule (otherwise known as Christmas). Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane (very similar to Easter), Litha, Lammas, Mabon, and last but not least, Samhain. Altogether these holidays make up the wheel of the year, and each holiday corresponds with a seasonal happening; for example, Litha is the midsummer holiday, and Yule the midwinter. They mark the passage of time and the circle of the seasons. Wiccans also recognize the phases of the moon and might consider a full moon or new moon something of a holiday in itself.

**Please note that this chart will vary from Wiccan to Wiccan in terms of dates. Samhain, for example, is November 1st here, but I celebrate it from dusk October 31st to dawn November 1st--and if I lived in the southern hemisphere, all of these dates would be reversed**

I think of Samhain as the dying of fall into winter. Crops have been harvested, it's growing cold, and the veil between life and death is slimming as the darker half of the year begins. Many Wiccans hold festivals or rituals in order to celebrate and remember deceased friends and ancestors. Often there are plates of food and cups of wine left out for those who have passed on, so that they can share in the holiday. I also like to leave a little candy out. Personally, I think I'd prefer some chocolate if I crossed over to this side after death in order to enjoy Samhain with everyone.

Another important component of Samhain for me is its relationship to Beltane. Beltane is a holiday of rebirth and fertility and growth, which is why it is equatable to Christianity's Easter. Samhain, opposite of Beltane on the wheel, is also its' opposite in nature. While I think of Beltane as being a holiday of birth, and initial growth, I think of Samhain as a holiday of death and remembrance. It's easy to see why I make that connection. For me, religion (and life, for that matter) is all about balance. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, as a scientist would say. It's important to me that when I celebrate Samhain I am aware of the opposite side of the year and all it has to offer.

So, what do I do for Halloween/Samhain? I plan on handing out candy with my dog, dressed as a bumblebee. He's going to be a king (if he doesn't chew up his crown before then). Other than that, I'll set out some food for those I know that have moved on to Summerland (what I call the afterlife), and I'll probably light some candles in a circle, meditate, and remember those I love. There will also definitely be some pumpkin carving in preparation.

For other Wiccans Samhain might be completely different, and the beauty of Wicca is that that's totally fine! There is no doctrine for Wicca, no one right way of doing things. Wicca provides advice for life and how to live it, and it's up to the practitioners to interpret that advice as they will.