Samhain

(Sow-in)

Overview

Samhain, pronounced "sow-in," is one of the most significant festivals in the ancient Celtic calendar, one that marks the end of the harvest season & the beginning of winter. Celebrated from October 31st to November 1st, Samhain is often considered the Celtic New Year. It is a time to reflect, honor ancestors & acknowledge the thinning of the veil between the living & the dead.

Origin

The ancient Celts viewed the year as divided into two halves: the light half & the dark half, beginning with Samhain. This festival was a time to prepare for the coming winter, a period of darkness & scarcity. It is a naturally spooky time, as the boundaries between realms become less rigid & spirits readily move about.

The Celts lit bonfires & wore disguises to confuse & ward off evil entities. Bonfires, often lit on hilltops, also honor the gods & ensure the sun's return in the spring. They mark the focal point for feast, storytelling & ritual to conjure communal solidarity & spiritual awareness.

Ritual

Samhain rituals honor the dead & celebrate the harvest. Ancestors & deceased loved ones return to the world of the living during Samhain, so offerings of food & drink are left out to welcome them. These offerings, known as "dumb suppers," can be left on altars or at the family table, with a portion of the meal set aside for the visitor. Divination is another central element of Samhain celebrations, as messages from the dead can transmit clearly during this period.

Lore

Samhain's lore is rich with tales of gods & spirits, including the Morrigan, a goddess associated with fate & death, & Arawn, the ruler of the Otherworld. Themes of death, rebirth & transformation are central to Celtic mythology & underscore the importance of Samhain as a time of transition.