A friend of mine from Jr. High saw my cakes on Facebook and asked for a cake to celebrate Samhain, a wiccan holiday. I am stumped and a little unnerved to be honest. I am hoping it is similar to a Halloween cake or a fall theme, or something benign like that. I mean no offense to anyone who may subscribe to this set of beliefs, I am just very unfamiliar with it. Has anyone else done a cake like this? Does anyone have any ideas? Thankyou. ~Rachel

Here's the Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain Is there anyway you could ask your friend what she had in mind? Wiccans generally aren't Satan worshipers, generally more pagan nature/earth worshipers so it's probably something harvestish. Don't do anything you're uncomfortable with but you might be surprised, it's probably no freakier than many Halloween/Day of the Dead cakes.

Being that I would be like you and have no idea what this holiday is about, I did a quick google search and noticed that there is a wheel, that has to do with Samhain (?). I think it would be a good idea to do as a cake or at least a start in a direction. http://www.paganwitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/samhain-wheel-300x300.jpg
Good luck!![/url]

There is an active thread right now about doing the baby butt cake and it has spurned a discussion about not doing cakes you're not comfortable with or find offensive, etc.

You are in no way obligated to make any cake for anyone. I don't mean to sound harsh, but I wouldn't accept the order for that either--it would make me very uncomfortable.

If it were my friend, I'd just thank her for thinking of me and tell her what a compliment it was that she liked your work, but you're sorry you're just not available to do it.(or however you'd like to word it)

I'm not one who subscribes to the belief that we have to do everything asked of us.

(A Samhain blessing)

Father sun has gone to sleep

Covered by a blanket deep

Hibernating with the bear

Clad in fallen leaves to wear

Gone to rest his tired lights

Shorter days and longer nights


Also could you do something similar to this? http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://lordfett.com/myspace/samhain_1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Vellamo/tag/all-saints-day/&usg=__vWuV1pDvK0oyYWfQfUNofynB4OE=&h=477&w=350&sz=125&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=lRVJtAjgYZq02M:&tbnh=174&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSamhain%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.ubuntu:en-US:unofficial%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D638%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=144&vpy=109&dur=636&hovh=178&hovw=131&tx=112&ty=172&oei=0iOgTM6_CM-Pnwftl7yMDQ&page=1&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

I say Google it, get a few ideas to show her and see what she likes the most.

(I don't think it's fair to make assumptions because someone has a different belief - but sure, if it doesn't make you comfortable then you have every right to politely say, "no thanks.").

The wheel actually signifies all of the holidays (or turning of the tides, so to speak) celebrated by Wiccans, so that would probably not be appropriate. Samhain is actually ancient Celtic, as in, Scottish Gaul, or Old Irish. It signifies the harvest, or fall. It really has absolutely nothing to do with witchcraft, but to each their own. If you do decide to do the cake, which I hope you would because it could give you a new and potentially long time customer , keep in mind that most Wiccans celebrate Samhain very similar to Halloween, All Hallows Eve, or the Day of the Dead (like in Mexico), just without all the costumes and candy.

I am not Wiccan, by the way, but we do have Celtic origin. I do believe that people should become educated about other religions instead of using assumptions. It is all part of tolerance. Happy caking!

I cant believe that in todays day and age people are still so ignorant in life to be scared of a certain set of beliefs! Just because we arent a world wide recognised religion does not mean we worship the devil, or are anything to be scared of! Part of the Wiccan/Pagan belief is to be open and accepting of others, different or not. If only other religions were like that, we wouldnt have so many problems in this world.

And not all Wiccans/Pagans practice "witchcraft". Making a cake for a group of people to eat on Samhain is no more participating in "witchcraft" than making a halloween cake, or a Chritening cake.

Unbelievable!!!

PS- this is not directed at the OP, as I know she honestly was asking for advice on designs, not other uneducated guesses at what our religion means!

[quote="Navyempress"

I am actually Pagan Christian. Try explaining that to anyone.. they don't get it.. haha..[/quote]


I know, Im in the same boat!

Thankyou, everyone for the input. I just went and searched it too. The holiday has many of the same traditions as Halloween, in fact- Halloween came from Samhain. It has many of the same symbols, pumpkins, gourds, apples, black cats, crows, bats, candles, cauldrons etc... It seems that I could make a cake that has a fall or Halloween theme and it would fit. If she asks me to do a pentagram or anything like that, I will tell her I'm not comfortable with it. I was thinking of a small tiered cake with gumpaste candles that look like they are burning and dripping wax down the cake maybe with a few apples and such mixed in. I think that would be cool! I had no idea my friend was into this until tonite, I don't know what to think. I won't be converting, that's for sure! I am also hoping to have her pick up the cake or that I can deliver it to her directly and not to the party- that would be too much for me. On the other hand- it appears to be no more evil or dark than any other fall holiday traditions. I have thought about what kinds of cakes I will and will not do, I just haven't decided what my policy is yet. I guess this is one those things that makes you think. I do know that I would not hesitate to do a Halloween or Day of the Dead cake if asked- this seems exactly the same in it's symbols and traditions. I just can't be associated with anything overtly wiccan, so that is where I have to draw the line.

Making a cake for a Wiccan celebration in no different to making a cake for a Buddhist, a Christian . They're all different Religions and ways of life. Btw Satan has absolutely nothing to do with Wiccans or Pagans, it's just hollywood that gives that wrong idea to people.

Doing a search can help you come up with colours and designs. Wiccans use colours and various other symbols for each celebration. For Samhain they are colours of Autumn. Samhain is the turning of the year, a kind of a New Year and nothing to be worried about

have a look at this page for some ideas

http://www.starfirescircle.com/samhain.html

Symbols used to represent Samhain: jack-o'-lantern, balefire, besom (which is a broom) masks, cauldron, Waning Moon

Foods appropriate for Samhain: apples, pumpkin pie, beets, turnips, hazelnuts, corn, gingerbread, pomegranates, cider, herbal teas, pork dishes

Plants and herbs associated with Samhain: mugwort, allspice, sage, gourds, catnip, apple trees.

Colors associated with Samhain: black, orange, red, brown, golden yellow, silver, gold

You could do an amazing cake for this... A spice cake with an apple buttercream or filling. Fondant pumpkins, cauldrons and brooms... Have fun with it

You could also look up information about the traditional "soul cakes" made for Samhain. Things like this request often make you learn something about our culture and customs and where they began. I think it would be a fun cake to make just for the history of the holiday and how it had influenced todays holidays. Have fun with it.

I am certainly not scared of my friend! In 5th grade, we used to mix our food together on our lunch trays and then eat it in order to gross everyone else out! We even made up an imaginary civilization and wrote everything down in a book. Goofy kid stuff! Now she works for the Justice Center, has kids and is a very happy, easy-going person. I don't mean to be close-minded, it's just not something I have encountered in person yet. If I do this cake, it's not something I can tell my pastor about- lol. Even though I am a Christian- I do believe there are many paths to God and that each person has to decide for themselves what their conscience can bear. And yes, the Christian-Pagan thing would be hard to explain! I'm intrigued, but we should probably tread lightly here. I usually never discuss religion or politics on a public forum. I have many people who mean alot to me with many, many different beliefs and opinions. I love them all. I didn't mean to start a debate.

Since religion isnt really supposed to be talked about on here, be sure to write down all the ideas soon!

cant wait to see the finished peice!

oh no i wasnt saying your question was bad!! I jus twant to make sure you got all your bookmarks if it gets deleted!!!!

(its the "witchcraft" comment that I think will do it, Sorry comment poster)

Sorry if its my fault you get deleted. I hope you have fun with the cake. And i think it would be fine to post it as what it is. A Samhain cake

The OP was only looking for inspiration and ideals for the occasion. I think all this bashing of the subject was not necessary. I read the nervous to be that she was not familiar enough with the holiday and might not meet the expectations for the customer. Let's keep with the question and not elaborate.

Many of you did give good information on the holiday, thank you for that.

Samhain is a time when the veil is considered to thin between the spirit and corporeal worlds.
It's considered a good time to remember those who have gone before. Stories are shared of wisdom passed on, funny stories, etc...

Fall colored Celtic imagery, The Greenman, the phrase 'Blessed Be' are all appropriate.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c351/ravensilverdove/Raven/samhain-2.jpg
http://www.mythinglinks.org/Samhain%7Egreenman%7Eintenser.gif

edited: Sorry, sweetheart, didn't realize that was the same as on your link.

the image that sweetheart linked is beautiful. I can see a cake with that theme turning great or you could use a pentacle

It is nothing to be frightened about. It is a celebration of the end of summer. It has Celtic origins and is associated with the early pagan religions. It is no more sinister than celebrating Halloween and making a Halloween cake. Just make a cake that celebrates the fall season.

Like I said in a previous post, to me this is a friend I had in 5th grade and we were just goofy kids- that's how I think of her. I am just going to do something fall themed and pretty- nothing with any overt symbolism. Because of public perception and people in my life, I can't be associated with this belief system. I'm not even saying that with any judgement towards anyone. If no one is getting hurt- then who cares what other people believe? I know my friend isn't doing any harm to anyone and that she will understand when I tell her I have certain limits to what I will put my name on. Even if I don't take or post pics- she will and with my name on it too! I will do something that doesn't stretch my conscience or make me feel uncomfortable- or offend some of the important people in my life. Everything I read about it sounds exactly like Halloween- they even bob for apples! What would be wrong with a cake with little gumpaste apples, pumpkins, gourds and other fall harvest items- maybe a couple of cute crows perched on the cake? These are all symbols of this holiday. The meaning of the word Samhain is "end of summer". They celebrate the harvest, dress up in costumes, and remember their lost loved ones. What other holiday does that sound like? I'm not promoting any religion, I'm just saying it's possible to make a cake for my friend without any qualms on my part.

The problem is, perhaps, that certain 'alternative lifestyles' have taken the holiday and perverted it into some sort of bloody-ghoul-fest-celebration.

Rather like the secular and religious celebrations of many other holidays, they have little in common with one another.

Wiccan is not witchcraft. I hope all of you that would turn down this cake would also turn down Christmas, Halloween, bah mitzvahs, etc cakes since you would turn this one down, based on the same principles. Op, this is no different from a fall or nature cake.

My suggestion would be to stick with the colors and theme of fall and harvest time. That would be a beautiful cake. And also, get suggestions from your friend. She may not be aware that you are not familiar with Samhain. She would probably be your best bet for suggestions. Please post pics. I would love to see it!

Hi, OP here. For those of you that were interested in seeing the finished product that is the topic of this post- it's the most recent one in my gallery. It was down-scaled from the original request. I went with a Green Man in fall colors. I think it's pretty and had fun doing it. I'm not sure I know how to attach it, but I will try!

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1850103.html

Rachel, it's very cute! You'll have to let us know how your friend enjoyed it. It sounds DELICIOUS, too!

Very nice, you did a lovely job... I love the Celtic traditions from that branch of my family.