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Samhain (Scots Gaelic: Samhuinn) literally means “summer’s end.” In Scotland and Ireland, Halloween is known as Oíche Shamhna, while in Wales it is Nos Calan Gaeaf. With the rise of Christianity, Samhain was changed to Hallowmas, or All Saints’ Day, to commemorate the souls of the blessed dead who had been canonized that year, so the night before became popularly known as Halloween, All Hallows Eve, or Hollantide. November 2nd became All Souls Day, when prayers were to be offered to the souls of all who the departed and those who were waiting in Purgatory for entry into Heaven.

Samhain is an ancient festival with roots as far back as ancient Egypt. Celebrations aligned with the end of the harvest, shorter days and coming of winter, have long been in existence in various cultures. The circle of birth, death and rebirth has been linked to the seasons and the harvest in many cultures.

In addition to its agricultural significance, the ancient Celts saw Samhain as a very spiritual time.

October 31 is exactly between the Autumnal Equinox [September 20] and the Winter Solstice [December 21]. This period was considered a very potent time for magic and communion with spirits. The “veil between the worlds” of the living and the dead was said to be at its thinnest on this day; so the dead were invited to return to feast with their loved ones and welcomed in from the cold, much as the animals were brought inside. Extra places were set at the table and food set out for any who had died during the year. Rituals and magick associated with Halloween are specifically forecasting the future, divination, honouring and consulting ancestors, releasing the old, power, understanding death and rebirth, dance of the dead and past life recall.  

At Samhain a ‘new’ fire was kindled for the new year and brought into the house for good luck. Flickering candles inside hollowed out pumpkins were also thought to help the spirits who were out that night to find their way. Villagers dressed as ghosts and skeletons so that they could escort those wandering spirits to the edge of the town at the end of the evening’s festivities.

Symbolism is particularly important during this period. Items such as jack o’ lanterns, oak leaves, straw, black cats, divination tools, animal bones and photos of ancestors remind us of the original purpose of this festival. The colours of Halloween are also significant. Black wards off evil while orange brings good luck. The corresponding crystals are jet, obsidian, onyx and carnelian. Burn Frankincense, Basil, Camphor, Clove, Wood rose, myrrh, apple, mint, sage, ylang ylang incense. It is customary during this period to pay debts, light bonfires, dry winter herbs, burn green candles – all part of the preparation for a good new year. The animals and mythical beings associated with Halloween are bats, cats, dogs, pooka, goblins, Medusa, Harpies and Beansidhe.

I hope you have a great winter, stay warm and healthy.

Read also Halloween – Physically Challenged and Halloween 2008 blog.

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