Quote from Angela on October 31, 2021, 3:23 pm

SAMHAIN – The Real Halloween

Did you know that Halloween wasn’t always a fun celebratory event?

Way back in 43A.D.-84A.D) the Romans held ‘Feralia’, a time of honoring the dead, known as ‘Festival Of The Dead’.

Another festival was POMONA (an ode to the Goddess of Fruit). This is where ‘bobbing for apples’ first originated.

During 609 A.D. Pope Boniface IV established ALL MARTYRS DAY, later renamed ALL HALLOWS DAY and ALL SAINTS DAY (Nov 1st). This day is dedicated to all Christian martyrs.

Many churches attempted to replace the original Celtic traditions by sanctioning their very own church sanctioned ALL SOULS DAY (Nov 2^nd).

So late October/early November became an array of associated festivals which we celebrate today a magical mix of tricks, treats and all things Halloween.

But the real origins of Halloween stems from SAMHAIN, the great grandfather of modern Halloween, pronounced Sow ein.

Halloween was once a genuine season of warding off evil spirits and negative entities acknowledged by ancient Celts during their harvesting season.

A traditional Gaelic (Irish/Scottish) event known as the Festival of SAMHAIN dating back over 2000 years (50B.C.-50A.D.) which marks the end of growth and harvest, and the beginning of winter, taking place inbetween the autumn equinox and the winter solstice moon phase.

SAMHAIN festivals are held on Nov 1^st, therefore, Halloween is the ‘Eve of SAMHAIN’.

Celts associated seasonal change with ‘darkness’, as the days became shorter and the nights were drawn out longer. The sun subsided and the skies darkened. The colors black and orange were worn to symbolize the fall season.

Orange depicts the light half of the year, black is the winter.

Because there will always be LIGHT and DARK.

However, even though the darkness would always arrive after the summer, the darkness nonetheless was always honored by way of offerings in order to survive the winter.

Legend says that on Samhain Eve, the veil between the living and the dead becomes immensely fragile, and spirits would access our realm much easier. For this reason, many would hold all night vigils connecting with ancestors who had passed away. People would focus on the importance of death, rebirth and living life in the forthcoming years as best we can.

Celts honored four seasonal traditions in total. SAMHAIN was one, here are the other three.

IMBOLC

Known as St Brigids Day, Feb 1^st, which marked the arrival of the Spring season and takes place between the winter and spring equinox phase. Little girls would carry handmade straw Brigid dolls who was associated with poetry, wisdom and healing.

BELTANE

1^st May, between spring equinox and summer solstice, ushering in Summer. Cattle were placed in fields and bonfires rekindled. Specifically orchestrated rituals were performed believed to have protective powers over livestock.

LUGHNASADH

Also known as GARLAND SUNDAY. Lughnasadh is celebrated on 1^ST August, between summers solstice and autumn equinox, named after the god LUGH.

This festival is mentioned in some of the very earliest Irish literature and consists of substantially sized gatherings, usually within mountains or forests whereby participants yield offerings to natures firstfruits along with dancing, feasting, matchmaking and trading.

Clodagh Doyle who is Keeper of The Irish Folklife Division at The National Museum of Ireland quoted: Halloween and traditional Samhain festivals remember the dearly departed, deceased family members. Children would make masks from sheep fleece and horse hair, flour bags and cotton.

She explains that in Donegal, Ireland, they used turnips and potatoes as lanterns with ghost faces carved upon them. Today we use pumpkins.

SAMHAIN was a time of plenty, yielded from the land, with necklaces made from rosehips and conquers.

It was greatly believed that around this time, we are more open and susceptible to answers from the otherworld, such as questions on ones very heart and soul, important decisions maybe involving relationships or career etc.

SAMHAIN did not shun the dead but rather welcomed those passed on. Often candles were placed in windows as a sign of reverence.

Communities became aware that oftentimes spirits really would penetrate the realms and even though they would welcome the dead, children would sometimes become fearful, as many said the spirits actually manifested amongst them.

So what did they do? They came up with the idea of appearing as if they themselves were dead. They introduced/wore ghostly masks and black cloaks to disguise themselves.

So, now that you know the real meaning of Halloween you can enjoy celebrating authentically and pass on the historical roots of that one night we wait all year long for.