Today, we are observing the pagan holiday of Samhain. Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It is also known as Halloween in contemporary culture. Samhain holds great significance in pagan beliefs and traditions. It is considered a time when the veil between the physical world and the spiritual realm is at its thinnest, allowing for greater communication with the departed souls. This is why it is often associated with honoring ancestors and remembering loved ones who have passed away.
Kelley approached Dee in 1582. Dee had unsuccessfully been trying to contact angels with a crystal ball but Kelley professed the ability to do so, impressing Dee with his first trial. They subsequently devoted huge amounts of time and energy to these “spiritual conferences”. A year later, Kelley appeared with an alchemical book and some red powder which, he claimed, he had been led to by a “spiritual creature”. With the powder Kelley believed he could prepare a red “tincture” which would allow him to transmute base metals into gold. He reportedly demonstrated its power a few times over the years.
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This is why it is often associated with honoring ancestors and remembering loved ones who have passed away. The festival is characterized by various customs and rituals. Bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and provide warmth and light in the approaching winter months.
16th Century Necromancers
Edward Kelley was an ambiguous figure in Renaissance occultism, a self-declared spirit medium who worked with John Dee in his magical investigations. Besides the professed ability to summon spirits in a crystal ball, which Dee so valued, Kelley claimed to possess the secret of transmuting base metals into gold. Dee was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occultist, navigator, imperialist and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He devoted his life to the study of alchemy, divination and Hermetic philosophy, straddling the worlds of science and magic just as they were becoming distinguishable.
Kelley approached Dee in 1582. Dee had unsuccessfully been trying to contact angels with a crystal ball but Kelley professed the ability to do so, impressing Dee with his first trial. They subsequently devoted huge amounts of time and energy to these “spiritual conferences”. A year later, Kelley appeared with an alchemical book and some red powder which, he claimed, he had been led to by a “spiritual creature”. With the powder Kelley believed he could prepare a red “tincture” which would allow him to transmute base metals into gold. He reportedly demonstrated its power a few times over the years.
Dee and Kelley lived a nomadic life in Europe, seeking the patronage of various monarchs but ultimately failing to impress. Eventually their involvement in necromancy caught the attention of the Catholic Church, and they were required to defend themselves in a hearing with the papal nuncio. Dee handled the interview with tact, but Kelley infuriated the nuncio by criticising the “poor conduct of many … priests.” The nuncio noted in a letter that he was tempted to toss Kelley out of the window, defenestration being a common tradition in Prague at the time.
Then, possibly as an act to end the fruitless spiritual conferences so that he could concentrate on alchemy, which was beginning to make him wealthy, Kelley revealed to Dee that the angels had ordered them to share everything they had—including their wives. Anguished, Dee broke off the conferences, though he did share his wife. This “cross-matching” occurred in 1587, as noted in Dee’s diary. Nine months later Dee’s wife gave birth to a son and although there was speculation that the child was actually Kelley’s, it was raised as Dee’s.
Though it seems the two shared a basically cooperative and innocent partnership, it was often characterised as “quarrelsome” and “tense”. Kelley left Dee at Trebon in 1589, possibly to join the emperor’s court at Prague and Dee returned to England. They did not see each other again.
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Then, possibly as an act to end the fruitless spiritual conferences so that he could concentrate on alchemy, which was beginning to make him wealthy, Kelley revealed to Dee that the angels had ordered them to share everything they had—including their wives. Anguished, Dee broke off the conferences, though he did share his wife. This “cross-matching” occurred in 1587, as noted in Dee’s diary. Nine months later Dee’s wife gave birth to a son and although there was speculation that the child was actually Kelley’s, it was raised as Dee’s.
People dress up in costumes and go from house to house, a tradition believed to have originated from the idea of disguising oneself from wandering spirits. Offerings such as food and drink are left outside to appease the spirits and ensure their blessings. In addition to its spiritual and supernatural connotations, Samhain is also a time for celebrating the bountiful harvest and preparing for the colder months ahead. It is a time for feasting and sharing food, as well as for reflecting on the cyclical nature of life and the constant cycle of death and rebirth. While Samhain is primarily associated with pagan traditions, elements of this ancient festival have been incorporated into modern Halloween celebrations. Trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, and wearing costumes are all derived from the customs surrounding Samhain. Today, millions of people around the world observe this holiday in various ways, whether through spiritual rituals or engaging in Halloween festivities. It serves as a reminder of our connection to nature, the cycles of life and death, and the importance of honoring our ancestors..
Reviews for "Samhain: A Time of Remembering and Honoring the Dead"
1. John - 2 out of 5 - I was really disappointed with "What pagan holiday is today". First of all, the title is misleading because it didn't really provide any information about pagan holidays. Secondly, the book lacked depth and didn't explore the historical or cultural significance of these holidays. It felt more like a superficial overview rather than a comprehensive guide. I was hoping for more in-depth analysis and insights, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
2. Sarah - 1 out of 5 - I found "What pagan holiday is today" to be a waste of my time and money. The content lacked coherence and organization. It jumped from one pagan holiday to another without providing any clear context or explanation. I felt like I was reading a random collection of facts rather than a cohesive book. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to engage with the material. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a thorough understanding of pagan holidays.
3. Emma - 2 out of 5 - As someone who is interested in pagan traditions, I found "What pagan holiday is today" to be lacking in substance. The book didn't delve into the spiritual or philosophical aspects of these holidays, which was disappointing. It primarily focused on the historical origins and dates of the holidays, without providing any real depth or insights. It felt more like a calendar than a book that could enrich my understanding of paganism. I would have preferred a more introspective and introspective approach to exploring these holidays.