Samhain is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. In modern times, Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow-win”) is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and denizens of the Otherworld.
Ancient Samhain
Ancient Celts marked Samhain as the most significant of the four quarterly fire festivals, taking place at the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. During this time of year, hearth fires in family homes were left to burn out while the harvest was gathered.
After the harvest work was complete, celebrants joined with Druid priests to light a community fire using a wheel that would cause friction and spark flames. The wheel was considered a representation of the sun and used along with prayers. Cattle were sacrificed, and participants took a flame from the communal bonfire back to their home to relight the hearth.
Early texts present Samhain as a mandatory celebration lasting three days and three nights where the community was required to show themselves to local kings or chieftains. Failure to participate was believed to result in punishment from the gods, usually illness or death.
There was also a military aspect to Samhain in Ireland, with holiday thrones prepared for commanders of soldiers. Anyone who committed a crime or used their weapons during the celebration faced a death sentence.
Some documents mention six days of drinking alcohol to excess, typically mead or beer, along with gluttonous feasts.
Samhain Monsters
Because the Celts believed that the barrier between worlds was breachable during Samhain, they prepared offerings that were left outside villages and fields for fairies, or Sidhs.
It was expected that ancestors might cross over during this time as well, and Celts would dress as animals and monsters so that fairies were not tempted to kidnap them.
Some specific monsters were associated with the mythology surrounding Samhain, including a shape-shifting creature called a Pukah that receives harvest offerings from the field. The Lady Gwyn is a headless woman dressed in white who chases night wanderers and was accompanied by a black pig.
The Dullahan sometimes appeared as impish creatures, sometimes headless men on horses who carried their heads. Riding flame-eyed horses, their appearance was a death omen to anyone who encountered them.
A group of hunters known as the Faery Host might also haunt Samhain and kidnap people. Similar are the Sluagh, who would come from the west to enter houses and steal souls.
Myths of Samhain
One of the most popular Samhain stories told during the festival was of “The Second Battle of Mag Tuired,” which portrays the final conflict between the Celtic pantheon known as the Tuatha de Danann and evil oppressors known as the Fomor. The myths state that the battle unfolded over the period of Samhain.
One of the most famous Samhain-related stories is “The Adventures of Nera,” in which the hero Nera encounters a corpse and fairies, and enters into the Otherworld.
Samhain figured into the adventures of mythological Celtic hero Fionn mac Cumhaill when he faced the fire-breathing underworld dweller Aillen, who would burn down the Hall of Tara every Samhain.
Samhain also figures into another Fionn mac Cumhaill legend, where the hero is sent to the Land Beneath the Wave. As well as taking place on Samhain, it features descriptions of the hero’s holiday gatherings.
Samhain in the Middle Ages
As the Middle Ages progressed, so did the celebrations of the fire festivals. Bonfires known as Samghnagans, which were more personal Samhain fires nearer the farms, became a tradition, purportedly to protect families from fairies and witches.
Carved turnips called Jack-o-lanterns began to appear, attached by strings to sticks and embedded with coal. Later Irish tradition switched to pumpkins.
In Wales, men tossed burning wood at each other in violent games and set off fireworks. In Northern England, men paraded with noisemakers.
Dumb Supper
The tradition of “dumb supper” began during this time, in which food was consumed by celebrants but only after inviting ancestors to join in, giving the families a chance to interact with the spirits until they left following dinner.
Children would play games to entertain the dead, while adults would update the dead on the past year’s news. That night, doors and windows might be left open for the dead to come in and eat cakes that had been left for them.
Christian Samhain
As Christianity gained a foothold in pagan communities, church leaders attempted to reframe Samhain as a Christian celebration.
The first attempt was by Pope Boniface in the 5th century. He moved the celebration to May 13 and specified it as a day celebrating saints and martyrs. The fire festivals of October and November, however, did not end with this decree.
In the 9th century, Pope Gregory moved the celebration back to the time of the fire festivals, but declared it All Saints’ Day, on November 1. All Souls’ Day would follow on November 2.
Halloween
Neither new holiday did away with the pagan aspects of the celebration. October 31 became known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, and contained much of the traditional pagan practices before being adopted in 19th-century America through Irish immigrants bringing their traditions across the ocean.
Trick-or-treating is said to have been derived from ancient Irish and Scottish practices in the nights leading up to Samhain. In Ireland, mumming was the practice of putting on costumes, going door-to-door and singing songs to the dead. Cakes were given as payment.
Halloween pranks also have a tradition in Samhain, though in the ancient celebration, tricks were typically blamed on fairies.
Wicca and Samhain
A broad revival of Samhain resembling its traditional pagan form began in the 1980s with the growing popularity of Wicca.
Wicca celebration of Samhain takes on many forms, from the traditional fire ceremonies to celebrations that embrace many aspects of modern Halloween, as well as activities related to honoring nature or ancestors.
Wiccans look at Samhain as the passing of the year, and incorporate common Wiccan traditions into the celebration.
In the Druid tradition, Samhain celebrates the dead with a festival on October 31 and usually features a bonfire and communion with the dead. American pagans often hold music and dance celebrations called Witches’ Balls in proximity to Samhain.
Celtic Re-constructionists
Pagans who embrace Celtic traditions with the intent of reintroducing them faithfully into modern paganism are called Celtic Re-constructionists.
In this tradition, Samhain is called Oiche Shamnhna and celebrates the mating between Tuatha de Danaan gods Dagda and River Unis. Celtic Reconstructionists celebrate by placing juniper decorations around their homes and creating an altar for the dead where a feast is held in honor of deceased loved ones.
Sources
Samhain. BBC.
Samhain: Rituals, Recipes and Lore for Halloween. Diana Rajchel.
The Pagan Mysteries of Halloween. Jean Markale.
Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween. Lisa Morton.
Celtic Gods and Heroes. Marie-Louise Sjoestedt.
Here is something new : https://damirnadivanu.com/2020/10/29/full-moon-halloween/
Želim da skrenem pažnju da smo postojali i prije nego sto smo postali srbi, muslimani, hrvati, bošnjaci i ostali. Bili smo jedan moćan narod sa svojim jezikom, znanjem, duhovnim školama, spomenicima i sjećanjima za koje nas ubjeđuju da su nešto drugo …
Damir na divanu 
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a superb articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I procrastinate a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.
LikeLike
This page certainly has all the information I needed about this subject and didnít know who to ask.
LikeLike
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up plus the rest of the website is really good.
LikeLike
Everyone loves it when people get together and share ideas. Great blog, keep it up!
LikeLike
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and the rest of the site is also really good.
LikeLike
Great web site you’ve got here.. Itís difficult to find good quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!
LikeLike
You made some decent points there. I checked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.
LikeLike
This is the perfect site for anybody who hopes to understand this topic. You know so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want toÖHaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject which has been written about for decades. Excellent stuff, just great!
LikeLike
Right here is the right website for anybody who really wants to find out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want toÖHaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic that’s been discussed for decades. Wonderful stuff, just excellent!
LikeLike
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and also the rest of the website is also very good.
LikeLike
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I think that you ought to write more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but typically folks don’t talk about these issues. To the next! All the best!!
LikeLike
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Many thanks!
LikeLike
Your style is really unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this site.
LikeLike
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who was doing a little homework on this. And he actually bought me breakfast because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this subject here on your internet site.
LikeLike
You’re so cool! I do not suppose I’ve read through something like that before. So nice to discover somebody with some unique thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality!
LikeLike
This website really has all of the info I needed about this subject and didnít know who to ask.
LikeLike
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but generally folks don’t discuss such topics. To the next! Kind regards!!
LikeLike
Itís difficult to find experienced people in this particular subject, but you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
LikeLike
I truly love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back as Iím trying to create my own blog and would love to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks!
LikeLike
I truly love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as Iím attempting to create my own website and would like to know where you got this from or what the theme is named. Many thanks!
LikeLike
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be useful to read through articles from other writers and use something from their websites.
LikeLike
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe this site needs a lot more attention. Iíll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the information!
LikeLike
I was able to find good information from your articles.
LikeLike
I quite like looking through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
LikeLike
I blog often and I really thank you for your content. This great article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed too.
LikeLike
May I just say what a comfort to uncover an individual who really understands what they’re talking about on the internet. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people need to check this out and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you certainly have the gift.
LikeLike
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Thank you for providing these details.
LikeLike
This excellent website really has all of the information I wanted concerning this subject and didnít know who to ask.
LikeLike
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering problems with your RSS. I donít know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
LikeLike
Hi there! This post could not be written much better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I’ll forward this article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
LikeLike
Good blog you have got here.. Itís difficult to find good quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
LikeLike
Hi there! This article couldnít be written much better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
LikeLike
You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read something like that before. So wonderful to discover someone with some original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with some originality!
LikeLike
Good post! We will be linking to this great post on our website. Keep up the good writing.
LikeLike
I like it when folks come together and share ideas. Great website, continue the good work!
LikeLike
I absolutely love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as Iím wanting to create my own personal blog and would like to learn where you got this from or what the theme is called. Many thanks!
LikeLike
After I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. Is there a way you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
LikeLike
Itís hard to come by experienced people for this subject, however, you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
LikeLike
Itís difficult to find experienced people in this particular subject, however, you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
LikeLike
Excellent post. I am going through some of these issues as well..
LikeLike
Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back once again since i have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.
LikeLike
Excellent blog you have got here.. Itís hard to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
LikeLike
Very good info. Lucky me I recently found your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later!
LikeLike
That is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate infoÖ Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
LikeLike
Good article. I absolutely appreciate this website. Continue the good work!
LikeLike
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I think that you need to publish more on this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but generally people do not speak about these topics. To the next! All the best!!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing problems with your RSS. I donít know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS problems? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
LikeLike
Itís difficult to find knowledgeable people on this topic, however, you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
LikeLike
I was able to find good information from your blog articles.
LikeLike
Iím impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog thatís both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I came across this in my hunt for something regarding this.
LikeLike