SAMHAIN Today we recognise Halloween as a time of magic, mischief and mirth, but it holds many customs that are linked with the Celtic past and Samhain ~ The Ancient Festival of the Dead. This monumental Celtic Festival is thought to have been celebrated around the end of October, beginning of November. Samhain is said to derive from words meaning End of Summer. The main theme of Samhain is Descent. We celebrate Samhain by identifying with the life that is retreating as Summer dies and by letting go, allowing what must in our own lifes to die also. Samhain is rich in custom and superstition. According to myth Winter will now be ruled by the Holly King, who succeeds the realm of the Oak King. The Oak King rules over the Light Summer half of the year. The cusp of the Seasons change, it was believed, a portal opens, allowing the Spirit World to meet with those who dwell in the Realm of Land. In the Celtic Age, all those many moons ago, it was seen as a time when psychic energies were stronger, magic, omen seeking, scrying and many forms of divination were practised, glimpsing into what was to follow. On the Eve of Samhain, the Celts believed time, space and Natural law were suspended, parting the mist between this World and the Otherworld, allowing for the release of physic energies and creating an empowerment for communication with, or a sensing of presence from those that have departed this world. The Celtic calendar was based upon the pastoral and agricultural Year. Samhain marked the end of Summer, the beginning of Winter, it also marked the end of the Old Year the beginning of the New. Significant doorways of the Celtic Year. Samhain was not just a celebration of death and honouring those departed, it was also a celebration of Life, for they believed after death, comes Life and it was one of the major Celtic Festivals that marked the cycle of life, death, rebirth. Apart from the usual feasting and festivities, it was a time to take stock physically, mentally and spiritually. The customs of donning disguises and roaming from door to door, seeking treats from members of the community, trick or treating is said to be traced back to the Celtic Age of long ago. Offerings of food, beverages and hollowed out or carved vegetables were left to appease the dead or the Ancestors and to protect them against harmful spirits. Bonfires were lit to warm friendly spirits and ward off unfriendly spirits. Bonfire is said to derive from Bone Fire as it was a custom to burn the bones of the cattle that were slaughtered for the coming Winter and Feast of Samhain. Those born at Samhain were believed to have second sight. It was also believed that if you catch a falling leaf at Samhain, before it falls to the ground, it would bring you good luck and health during the cold, darkness of Winter. Candles would be left out, as a light to guide the Ancestors home to their kin. At home we light candles also. The game of dunking for apples is still popular at Halloween parties and some spices that are still used and gathering with friends are all linked with Celtic customs during Samhain. Above al, it is a time of reflection on what has passed, remembering our loved and departed, gathering what we have learnt, and letting go. Its also a time to gather with our loved and have a little fun. Photos By: Elle Muliarchyk
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:45:08 +0000
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