Samhain – A bit of Celtic Tradition

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The season of light is almost over, the season of dark is almost upon us.

Welcome Samhain.

Across Britain, Ireland and Northern France the pre-Christian Celts Samhain marked the first day of the dark season.

Cattle was brought back from summer pasture land to shelter or slaughter. Harvest was gathered before the the fairies could blast plants with their breath, causing blight.

This time of year (now formalised as 31st October) marked the boundary between the world of the dead and the world of the living. And on this night the dead revisit the living. Big bonfires were lit in every village, to welcome loved ones no longer living and to ward off any evil spirits that had also risen.

Druids would relight each family’s hearth with embers from the sacred fire, offering protection and warmth for the forth coming dark season.

As with many pre-existing belief systems, Christianity came and merged those existing beliefs into the Christian religion. One Christian festival “All Hallows Day” or “All Saints Day” was a day to remember those who died for what they believed in. The date was officially changed in the 8th century to the 1st November, and so the night of Samhain became known as “All-Hallows-Even”, then “Hallow-Eve”, then “Hallowe’en”

This was a time for telling ghost stories, carving faces into swedes and turnips and lighting from the inside with candles, and of course apple-bobbing.

Later additions to this ancient Celtic traditions include fancy dress, trick-or-treaters and pumpkin carving.

So on this most potently magical night of the year, be prepared for the little ghosties and ghoulies knocking on your door, show them the bucket with your apples and warmish water, and see if they’re brave enough to pop their hands in your scary bag of treats.

And when those little ghosties and ghoulies are tucked up in their nice warm beds, be warned, the witching hour draws near!