A Table to Celebrate Your Autumn Inner Witch

I adore the autumn—the rich warm colors, piles of pumpkins, abundantly set tables with baskets and platters overflowing with the season’s beautiful offerings. But when creating this autumn table, I was curious about combining the harvest season with the inner reflection that fall evokes in me—the feeling of spiraling inward and connecting with my ancestors and my inner witch. I decided I wanted my table to reflect this more restrained mood. I still wanted the pumpkins and the feeling of autumn but in a way that wasn’t quite so exuberant. To convey this feeling, I chose a subdued color palette with white pumpkins and soft cream and blush flowers juxtaposed against dark velvety black. I wanted the contrast of the dark and the light, symbolic of the duality of life, celebrating the beauty of both.

I included ravens, which remind me of magic, the unknown, and the Great Mystery that they traditionally symbolize. I wanted their mystical iridescent feathers mixed with the glow of old silver and my crystal balls to invite reflection on our inner universe. Layering tea-stained lace over black velvet and tulle created the contrasting color story and a base for the decorations. Black floral china, vintage silverware, and etched turn-of-the-century stemware gave a nod to both a Gothic and a Victorian sensibility, reinforcing the supernatural vibe. Some of these items were my grandmother’s, thus bringing a bit of her energy onto my table.

I wanted to stick with more of a classic feeling while also bringing in a mysterious touch, an atmosphere that invites quiet, thoughtful conversation and an opening to the mysterious inner witch who for me wakes in the fall. But this style could go a few different ways. You might honor your ancestors with old black-and-white photos from years past as part of your decoration. You could easily go classic Halloween with bones, skulls, cauldrons, and other spooky touches. For a full Goth look, add blood red roses and black lace.