Dispatches from the 21st Century
Samhain
Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means "End of Summer", and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat.
It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some
traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteres and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.
Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic
countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead". Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits.
source: http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/samhainlore.htm
It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some
traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteres and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.
Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic
countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead". Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits.
source: http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/samhainlore.htm
Add a Comment
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Comment by hugh on October 30, 2007 at 1:05pm - November = Samhain in Irish (gaelic)
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Comment by hugh on October 24, 2007 at 8:59am
- Aha! Samhain is the occasion for the veil between the worlds of Kevin and Hugh to be lefted also, I see. Could this be the long awaited contact? As a member of a few groups investigating the paranormal (scientifically, but not prejudiced) I'd be delighted if the spirits of the dead did penetrate the veil tonight. Were my meeting with a buzard and a deer in the forest portents of things to come? Great to hear from you anyway. How are ya?
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Comment by hugh on October 24, 2007 at 8:59am
- Aha! Samhain is the occasion for the veil between the worlds of Kevin and Hugh to be lefted also, I see. Could this be the long awaited contact? As a member of a few groups investigating the paranormal (scientifically, but not prejudiced) I'd be delighted if the spirits of the dead did penetrate the veil tonight. Were my meeting with a buzard and a deer in the forest portents of things to come? Great to hear from you anyway. How are ya/
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