The Pagan holiday of Samhain falls on the night of October 31, overlapping similar holidays such as Halloween and the neighboring Dia de los Muertos on November 2.  Samhain is the third of three harvest festivals, when the last fruits and vegetables are brought in.  Traditionally, animals were also brought in from the pastures to the barns, and those kept for meat were butchered.

Plan ahead for Samhain by exploring themes and activities.  This will help you design a cohesive and effective ritual.  Good books include Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Samhain to Ostara, The Pagan Mysteries of Halloween: Celebrating the Dark Half of the Year, and Halloween: Customs, Recipes & Spells.  Play some seasonal music such as All Hallows Eve or 11-Samhain. Guided meditations are also available, like Shamanic Journey Volume 1 : Samhain and Guided Rituals for the Turning of the Seasonal Wheel Volume 1: Samhain and Yule.