What was Samhain? A Gealic festival that marked the end of the harvest season (the Season of Light) and the beginning of the Dark Season. Samhain is one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals and considered the biggest and most important festival of the Celtic year. Celebration started at dusk on Oct. 31 and lasted until dusk on Nov. 1. Celebrated primarily in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man Was celebrated long before the introduction of Christianity to the region. It was the time when cattle were brought back down from the summer pastures and when livestock were slaughtered for the winter. It was also the day by which all harvest was to be collected and stored in preparation for the long winter. Of course, as will all communal festivities of the time, there was a great feast on Samhain, which featured all the most delicious foods, fruits,nuts, breads, and copious amounts of meat. As will most Irish traditions, Samhain was know to include copious amounts of alcohol to add to the festive spirit.

Rituals and Beliefs As dusk settled in on Samhain Eve, a great communal bonfire was lit at the town center or gathering place. This bonfire was said to have special cleansing and purifying powers. In an attempt to cleans themselves of the past year and prepare themselves for the year to come, the villagers would sing and dance and recite chant/poetry around the bonfire all night long. Many of the dances performed told stories or demonstrated the cycles of life and death It is also documented that the Celtic folks would stack the bones from all their slaughtered cattle on these great fires as an offering to the protective powers that be. The myth is, it was originally called a “bone-fire”, thus we see the easy transition to bonfire. On Samhain Eve all the villager would extinguish their household fires, and clean their hearths and homes in preparation for Samhain and the coming winter. Some stories tell us that villages may have had two bonfires burning next to each-other. The myth was that those who passed between the two fires received extra protection and cleansing power from the sacred fire.

Rituals and Beliefs The Celts believed that Samhain was a liminal time when the veil between the world of the living and the supernatural world was at it’s thinnest and was easily penetrated by those who had passed on. This was a time when the Celts would honor and welcome back those kinsfolk who had passed away during the previous year. Places were set for the deceased kinsfolk, filled will food and beverage, to invite the deceased back. It was said that the bonfire and the food and festivities were in part to provide comfort for the spirits of deceased kin, and to help them on their way to the next world. Evil spirits, demons and fairies were also believed to come through the thin veil on Samhain. Unless appeased, these spirits were thought to create a little havoc and mischief. Thus, the townsfolk would also prepare food for these spirits and place it outside of their homes. The Celts carved turnips with ugly, distorted faces and place them in their windows in an attempt to keep the evil/undesired spirits from entering into the home. Interestingly, the Celts believed the evil spirits and demons could recognize them, and could follow them home and potentially enter into, and curse the house. To avoid such catastrophe, many townsfolk would wear disguises. This was thought to confuse the demons and keep them away.

Rituals and Beliefs Samhain was essentially the start of a new year, and because the veil was at its thinnest, divinations and divining games played a large part of the Samhain celebration. Many rituals were used, but the most common involved Apples, fruits, nuts, and twigs. Barnbrack was essentially a fruit cake of sorts. Various items were often baked into the bread, such as a mock ring, coins, twigs, cloth, etc. The person who at the ring was said to be happily married in the coming year The one who got the coin was said to be prosperous. The twig signified abuse and hardship. Apples played a large part in these divinations as they were believed to be a direct connection to the “otherworld”. Bobbing for apples was one divination game played by all. There are many theories about what was being divined but the common story is the first person to bite into a floating apple would be married during the coming year. Another apple tradition was to try to peel an entire apple, keeping the peel in one piece. If you could create one long peel, you would have a long life. If you could manage only a short peel, your life line was thought to be cut short. Young women would peel an apple as stated above and hang the cut peel around her neck and over her shoulders. It was believed that sometime during the dancing and festivities, the initial of the person she was to marry would appear in the twisted apple peel.

Samhain Today Samhain is still celebrated in modern times, but it has taken on different meanings with different rituals for each group. Samhain is celebrated by Wiccan (Pagans), Neopagans, Celtic Reconstructionists, and Witches.

Wiccans (Pagan): Wiccans celebrate Samhain as one of their “Sabbats” of the “Wheel of the Year”, and is considered to be the most important of their four Sabbats. For Wiccans it is seen as a time to celebrate the lives of those who have died, and often includes paying respect to family, friends, pets, elders, and other loved ones who have passed away. For Wiccans, Samhain is seen as a festival of darkness, in which the spirits of the dead are invited to participate. Neopagans: Because there are many types of Neopagans, they celebrate Samhain in many different ways. Generally speaking, the have picked certain aspects of Samhain, mixed it will other forms of Celtic tradition, creating their own unique Samhain celebration. Celtic Reconstructionist: This group likes to be historically accurate and often do extensive research to be as precise as possible. Most CR’s will still create two large bonfires and will walk or dance between them (sometimes with their livestock) as a purification ritual. This is also a time when CR’s make offerings to the dead, even going so far as to make shrines to specific dead individuals and relatives. Places are also set at the table for the deceased, and stories, tales, and poems are recited around the table. Divination games are often played, as in times of old. For some, this is also a time to commune with the spirits of the dead. Witches: Like Wiccans, witches believe Samhain to be the most important of their four Sabbats. It is sometimes referred to as THE Sabbat because it’s the most important day of the year. Witches consider Samhain to be the most magical night of the year. It is a time for seances, tarot card readings, and scrying with mirrors. They still believe the veil between worlds is at it’s thinnest, making Samhain a night of power. They use Samhain to remember and celebrate dead friends and family. It’s also a night to practice divination and looking toward the coming year. They also believe this to be a time of consideration; to wrap up old projects, to reflect on that past year, and to consider the coming year.

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