Pagan November Holidays November is a month that holds special significance for pagans. It is a time of transition, as the days grow shorter and colder, and nature prepares for the quiet slumber of winter. Pagans celebrate a number of holidays during this time, each with its own unique rituals and traditions. One of the most well-known pagan holidays in November is Samhain, also known as Halloween. Samhain is observed on the eve of November 1st and is considered the beginning of the Celtic new year. It is a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest, and pagans believe that spirits can freely cross over.
and further back in time…today is the Greek Festival of…(can you guess)
Weiser believes that November 1 was chosen so that the many pilgrims who traveled to Rome for the Feast could be fed more easily after the harvest than in the spring. However, Samhain seems to have been a tradition limited to the Northern Celtic people particularly in Ireland and Scotland , and since these areas were Christianized by this time, it is difficult to substantiate this assertion.
It is a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest, and pagans believe that spirits can freely cross over. During Samhain, pagans honor and remember their ancestors, setting a place at the table for them and leaving food offerings. Another significant pagan holiday in November is the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, celebrated in many Latin American countries.
Is All Saints’ Day on November 1st Because of a Pagan Festival?
On Tuesday’s podcast, Greg talked to Angie Mosteller about her Christian Origins of Halloween pamphlet. Here’s an excerpt from an article on Halloween from her website, Celebrating Holidays:
The name Halloween is a blending of the words All Hallows’ Eve or Even (referring to the evening before All Saints’ Day on November 1). The term hallow means “holy”—you may recall reciting it in the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9).
From the early days of the church, saints (more specifically martyrs—the only persons initially recognized as saints) were honored and celebrated. However, with time, the growing number of martyrs (particularly under the persecution of Diocletian, the Roman Emperor from 284–305 AD) made it impossible to assign a separate celebration for each. Thus, various churches made an effort to select a common day to commemorate all the saints.
Many scholars claim that Gregory III chose to commemorate the saints on November 1 in order to combat an ancient pagan Celtic festival called Samhain that was celebrated on the same day. However, Samhain seems to have been a tradition limited to the Northern Celtic people (particularly in Ireland and Scotland), and since these areas were Christianized by this time, it is difficult to substantiate this assertion. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Irish celebrated saints on April 20, “a chronology that contradicts the widely held view” that Rome adopted the November 1 date under Celtic influence. Lastly, if remnants of pagan practices remained only in the remote parts of Christian lands, they were probably not of particular concern to the Christian leadership in Rome. Scholar Francis X. Weiser believes that November 1 was chosen so that the many pilgrims who traveled to Rome for the Feast “could be fed more easily after the harvest than in the spring.”
Samhain (pronounced sow-in) is a name derived from Old Irish that roughly means “summer’s end.” Practically speaking, it was a time to prepare for the harvest, shelter (and slaughter) animals, welcome home soldiers and kings, and generally reorganize communities in preparation for the coming cold weather.
Whatever claims are made about the ancient pagan celebration of Samhain are purely speculative. There were no written records among the northern Celtic people prior to their Christianization in the 5th century. Early Roman sources from the first century BC note the superstitious nature of the Celts and how they would celebrate their festivals with fire and sacrifices (both animal and human), but there is no specific mention of Samhain.
[T]here is no indication that ancient Samhain was ever a festival of the dead or dedicated to some Lord of the Dead.
Read more or listen to the interview.
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This holiday is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Families create altars in their homes, adorned with photographs, candles, and offerings of food and drink. The Day of the Dead is a joyful celebration of life and death, with music, dancing, and colorful parades. In addition to these specific holidays, pagans also celebrate the changing seasons in November. The autumn equinox, also known as Mabon, is observed around September 21st and marks the balance between light and dark. It is a time of gratitude for the harvest and a time to prepare for the coming winter. Overall, the pagan November holidays are a time of reflection, remembrance, and thanksgiving. They offer pagans an opportunity to connect with nature, honor their ancestors, and celebrate the cycles of life and death. These holidays provide a sense of continuity and connection to the spiritual and natural world, as pagans celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year..
Reviews for "Embracing the Dark: Pagan Rituals for the Long Nights of November"
1. Sarah - 1 star - The book "Pagan November Holidays" left me feeling disappointed and frustrated. The content lacked depth and was poorly researched. It seemed like the author simply regurgitated generic information about pagan holidays without providing any unique insights or perspectives. Additionally, the writing style was dry and unengaging, making it difficult to stay interested in the subject matter. Overall, I found the book to be a complete letdown and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I was hoping to learn more about pagan November holidays, but this book fell short of my expectations. The author's writing lacked clarity and organization, making it difficult to follow the explanations and descriptions of the various traditions and practices. Furthermore, the book seemed to focus more on outdated and irrelevant information, rather than addressing the modern observance and significance of these holidays. Overall, I believe there are much better resources available for those interested in learning about pagan November holidays.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who has a genuine interest in pagan traditions, I was excited to come across "Pagan November Holidays". Unfortunately, the book failed to satisfy my curiosity. The information provided was basic and superficial, lacking any real depth or analysis. Additionally, the author seemed to be biased and judgmental towards the pagan community, which greatly hindered my enjoyment of the book. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive or unbiased exploration of pagan November holidays.