Samhain Yoga Nidra: Embrace Darkness & Ancestral Connection

Welcome, radiant soul! This guided meditation is designed to help you embrace the darkness of Samhain, connect deeply with your ancestors, and plant the seeds of transformation for the future.

Samhain is the time of year when the veil between worlds is thin, allowing for deep reflection and connection with our ancestral roots. In this Yoga Nidra, we’ll focus on grounding affirmations that guide you through the cycles of release and renewal. By embracing the darkness, you create space for new growth and honor the wisdom of your ancestors.

This 34-minute meditation is a sacred practice to help you relax, reflect, and reconnect with the rhythms of nature. As you journey through this Samhain Yoga Nidra, you’ll be guided to release old patterns that no longer serve you, inviting renewal and transformation. Settle into this sacred time and nurture your inner light as we prepare for new beginnings.

Transcript

Welcome to this guided yoga nidra meditation tailored to harness the deep introspective energies of Samahain,

The sacred time that is marking the transition from autumn to winter.

Spiritually,

Samahain represents the midpoint between autumn and winter,

A moment where we honor this descent into darkness and the turning inwards.

It's a time that it's really inviting us to reflect,

To release and connect with the unseen.

We're now halfway through autumn and winter,

A time when nature is turning inwards and inviting us to do the same.

My name is Anna and I'm so honored to guide you through this profound journey of transformation.

In the session,

You will connect with the mystical energies of Samahain,

Traditionally a time for honoring our ancestors,

Embracing the cycle of death and renewal and reflecting on the past year.

As the veil between the worlds are thin,

Samahain invites us to turn inwards,

To release what no longer serves us and to honor the wisdom of those who came before us.

Through guided visualization and deep relaxation,

You will explore the themes of letting go,

Transformation and planting the seeds for renewal.

Prepare to journey into the depths of your inner world to connect with your ancestor roots and welcome the stillness that the sacred time encourages.

Now,

Let's begin by finding the most comfortable position you could find and you could think of.

Making any adjustments you need to create that space for deep relaxation,

Allowing yourself to return to your body's innate wisdom of the necessity of rest.

Just feeling supported by the surface where your body is resting upon.

Just taking a couple of deep breaths and allowing your entire body to relax and drop deeper into the surface beneath you.

Now,

Bring attention to the sounds around you.

Notice any sounds that are at the farthest point of view.

Notice sounds that are closest to you.

Now,

Drawing your awareness inwards and noticing the sound of your own beautiful sacred breath.

Becoming aware and tuning into the breath flowing in and out without changing the breath,

But just simply noticing.

Perhaps even noticing the breath coming in through the nose and out through the mouth.

There may be even a sense of ease by just simply tuning into the waves of the breath flowing in and out.

Begin to extend the insulation very gently,

Just letting the in-breath flow into the out-breath.

Now,

Bring attention to the sounds that are closest to you.

Begin to extend the insulation very gently,

Just letting the in-breath happen naturally,

But extending the exhalation.

You may do that by visualizing the in-breath coming through the crown of the head and then visualizing the out-breath sweeping through the body and down and out through the soles of the feet and beyond.

So,

The focus is on lengthening the exhalation,

Breathing in the crown of the head and breathing out the soles of the feet.

Now,

Let that go and just come to the natural organic breath.

Letting the breath just flow in and out,

Wave of ease moving throughout the body with the breath.

Visualizing roots growing from the base of your spine,

Extending deep into the earth.

Feel the stability and nourishment from the earth filling you up,

Grounding you firmly in the present moment.

Now,

Begin to bring your awareness to your heart center,

Feeling the gentle warmth of energy at the center of your chest.

Allowing this awareness to bring forth your Sankalpa or intention for this practice.

Planting this heartfelt desire like a seed in the fertile garden of your heart.

If you're working with a primary Sankalpa,

You can bring that in now or perhaps you can repeat.

I honor the cycle of death and rebirth within me,

Embracing transformation and the wisdom of my ancestors.

I honor the cycle of death and rebirth within me,

Embracing transformation and the wisdom of my ancestors.

I honor the cycle of death and rebirth within me,

Embracing transformation and the wisdom of my ancestors.

I honor the cycle of death and rebirth within me,

Embracing transformation and the wisdom of my ancestors.

We will now move through a rotation of consciousness,

Experiencing a sensation of energy at each point.

Moving from point to point,

You may like to imagine a healing light touching each point I name,

Welcoming in the sensations of pranic life force energy in each point.

Beginning on the right side of the body,

Feel sensations of energy in the right hand thumb,

Second finger,

Third finger.

Fourth finger,

Pinky finger.

Experience sensation of healing light inside the palm of the right hand,

Back of the hand,

Middle of the wrist,

Lower arm,

Elbow,

Upper arm,

Shoulder joint,

Armpit,

Right side of the chest,

Heart center.

Sensation of energy traveling down the right side of the waist,

The right hip,

The right thigh,

Right knee,

Right ankle,

Right heel,

Top of the foot,

Sole of the foot.

Feel energy in the right big toe,

Second toe,

Third toe,

Fourth toe,

Pinky toe.

Experience the sensation of pranic life force energy lighting up the entire right side of the body.

The whole right side of the body is alive with this pranic life force energy.

Now taking your time to float your awareness of sensations of energy over to the left side of the body.

Feel sensations of energy in the left hand thumb,

Second finger,

Third finger,

Fourth finger,

Pinky finger,

Experience the sensation of healing light inside the palm of the left hand,

Back of the hand,

Middle of the wrist,

Lower arm,

Elbow,

Upper arm,

Shoulder joint,

Armpit,

Left side of the chest,

Heart center.

Sensation of energy traveling down the left side of the waist,

The left hip,

Left thigh,

Left knee,

Left ankle,

Top of the foot,

Sole of the foot.

Feel energy in the left big toe,

Second toe,

Third toe,

Fourth toe,

Pinky toe.

Experience the sensation of pranic life force energy lighting up the entire left side of the body.

The whole left side of the body is alive with pranic life force energy.

Now feel the whole left side and the whole right side simultaneously.

Feel both sides together as a whole field of sensation.

Feel the right foot,

Feel the left foot,

Right leg,

Left leg,

Right hip,

Left hip,

Lower back,

Middle back,

Upper back,

Right arm,

Left arm,

Right shoulder blade,

Left shoulder blade,

Back of the neck,

Back of the head,

Top of the head,

Forehead,

Right eye,

Left eye,

Mind's eye center between the eyes,

Right temple,

Left temple,

Right ear,

Left ear.

Experience the sensation of healing light between the ears,

Right nostril,

Left nostril,

Upper lip,

Lower lip,

Tip of the tongue,

Base of the tongue,

Right side of the jaw,

Left side of the jaw,

Center of the throat,

Heart center,

Solar plexus,

Navel center,

Root center.

Experience the whole body,

The right side,

The left side,

The front,

The back.

Sensations of pranic life force energy lighting up the whole body together.

Allow yourself to effortlessly breathe,

Just feeling the gentle rise and fall of the breath.

Now begin to feel the sensations of breath moving in through the right nostril,

Breathing in and out just through the right nostril.

Just holding awareness of the breath moving in and out of the right nostril.

Now feel the sensation of breath moving in and out of the left nostril,

Just breathing in and out of the left nostril.

Holding your awareness of the breath moving in through the left nostril and out through the left nostril.

Now let's combine both nostrils and hold your awareness of the breath moving in the left nostril and now out in the right nostril.

Holding your awareness of the breath moving in through the right and out through the left.

Moving from side to side,

Effortlessly breathing side to side.

Now release that and just feel the sensation of the air force moving through both nostrils.

Experience the sensation of the breath moving through both nostrils simultaneously.

Now imagine yourself standing at the edge of an ancient forest.

The air is cool and crisp,

It's filled with the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves.

Golden and orange leaves are forming a blanket in the forest floor and you hear the soft rustling of leaves as a gentle breeze moves through the trees.

The sun is settling,

It's casting a warm golden light and long shadows stretch across the forest path.

Now just feel a sense of coolness.

The coolness of the breeze is touching your skin.

The cool breeze gently touches your skin.

This feeling of the cool breeze washes over you.

Now feel warm and cool at the same time.

Feel the sensations of warmth and coolness together.

As you continue walking,

You notice a soft glow up ahead.

You follow the light until you reach a small clearing in the forest.

In the center of the clearing there is a large glowing bonfire.

The flames are dancing,

They're warm and they're inviting as they're cracking and popping.

You feel the warmth on your skin as you draw closer to the fire.

Around the bonfire you sense the presence of your ancestors,

Those who came before you.

You may see familiar faces or feel a comforting sense of connection to those whose names you do not know.

Take a seat by the fire,

Just feeling the warmth and energy of your ancestors around you.

Taking a deep breath in and as you exhale,

Allowing yourself to connect with your lineage.

Your ancestors are here to share their wisdom,

Support and love.

You may receive a message,

A feeling or simply a sense of comfort.

Taking a few moments to sit with them,

Knowing you are surrounded by their love and guidance.

If there's something you wish to ask your ancestors,

Do so now and listen for their response.

Now turn your attention to the flames of the bonfire.

Feel their energy,

A symbol of transformation and renewal.

Take a moment to think of anything in your life that you're ready to release.

Be it patterns,

Fears or even aspects of yourself that are no longer serving your highest good.

Visualize yourself gently placing these things into the flames.

Watch as they're consumed by the fire,

Transformed into light and smoke.

Feel a sense of lightness and freedom as you let go.

You're knowing that this release is actually making space for new possibilities and growth.

So just allow yourself to take the time to let things go and let them be transformed through the fire.

As the fire transforms those aspects of yourself or things you feel,

You're feeling brighter,

You're feeling lighter.

Now take a deep breath in as you exhale and notice a soft mist rinsing around the edges of the forest clearing.

This mist shimmers with a gentle light and you realize that this is the veil,

The gateway between the physical world and the spiritual realm.

The veil is thin tonight and you may feel the presence of loved ones who have passed or sense the spirit guides and protectors.

If you wish,

Invite them closer and feel their loving energy surrounding you.

Allow yourself to be in the sacred space,

Embracing the connection and the love that flows between the realms.

Know that you are supported,

That you can always return to this place of connection whenever you need to.

As the fire continues to burn brightly,

Now imagine yourself holding a small seed in your hand.

The seed is a symbol of the new beginnings,

Of the new intentions you wish to bring into your life in the coming months.

Take a moment to reflect on what you wish to grow and nurture.

Hold the seed to your heart,

Infusing it with your intentions for a new growth and transformation.

And when you're ready,

Gently plant the seed into the earth by the fire.

Feel the earth beneath your hands as you press the seed into the soil,

Trusting that the seed will take root during the winter months,

Nourished by darkness and will bloom when the light returns.

Before you leave the clearing,

Take a moment to thank your ancestors,

Your guides and the spirits of the forest for their presence and support.

Feel the warmth of the fire one last time and the solid earth beneath you.

And slowly rise and begin to walk back along the forest path.

And as you walk,

You feel a sense of peace,

Renewal and deep connection to the cycles of life,

Knowing that you're carrying the wisdom of your ancestors and the power of transformation within you.

Let go of your visualization for now and just know that everything is being taken care of by divine and you can deeply rest.

Enjoy resting in the blissful awareness,

Knowing that you're perfect and whole.

Resting here in silence.

Take your time to bring your awareness back to the space at the center of your heart.

Now it is time to bring your sankalpa back into your heart space.

Repeating your sankalpa now,

Or perhaps repeating,

I honor the cycle of death and rebirth within me,

Embracing transformation and the wisdom of my ancestors.

I honor the cycle of death and rebirth within me,

Embracing transformation and the wisdom of my ancestors.

I honor the cycle of death and rebirth within me,

Embracing transformation and the wisdom of my ancestors.

Silently repeat your sankalpa three times now.

As you leave the forest,

The sounds of the world around begin to fade and you find yourself returning to your body.

Very slowly just starting to deepen your own breath and start slowly to bring your awareness back to being aware.

Feel how it's like to be back in this time and space.

Wiggling your fingers and toes and bringing gentle movements back into your body.

Beginning to feel all the cumulative benefits of the practice and the benefits of welcoming and gratitude.

And the healing frequencies of being in sync with nature.

Noticing any shifts that may have occurred during the practice.

Finding any gentle movements to reawaken your body.

Just checking in on how you're feeling.

Checking in with what you're grateful for and what truly matters in your life.

May you continue your way forward with a sense of grounding and trust in nature's wisdom,

In nature's cycle.

May you find nourishing ways to be aware that expands and radiates joy and pleasure in your body.

And may you keep nourishing your being with acts of kindness to pivot toward wholeness.

Cultivating a harmonious connection to the elements and to life as such.

Once you're ready,

Gently bring the hands in prayer position and just start rubbing the palms,

Rubbing the palms as quickly and strongly as you can.

Once you have enough,

Once you feel a sense of heat,

Just pause here for a moment and bring your hands wherever part of your body that you feel you need an extra care.

Taking a deep breath in here.

And as you exhale,

Gently blink your eyes open.

And with that,

I welcome you back.

I thank you so,

So much for taking the time to practice,

To pause,

To connect.

And I hope you remember that all it takes for you to connect is that simple act of showing up.

So may you keep showing up again and again and again.

And with that,

I send you so,

So much love.

And I look forward to seeing you in our next time together.