Samhain and other pagan fall holidays have a rich history and cultural significance. These festivals are celebrated by pagans and Wiccans around the world as a way to honor the changing seasons and connect with their spiritual beliefs. One of the most well-known pagan fall holidays is Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st. It originated in ancient Celtic traditions and marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. It was believed that during Samhain, the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead was thinnest, allowing spirits and ancestors to cross over and interact with the living. This belief is still honored today with customs like lighting bonfires and leaving offerings for departed loved ones.
This belief is still honored today with customs like lighting bonfires and leaving offerings for departed loved ones. Another pagan fall holiday is Mabon, celebrated around the autumnal equinox, usually on September 21st. Mabon is a time to express gratitude for the abundance of the harvest and to give thanks for the blessings of the past year.
The Wiccan Calendar: Samhain
When is Samhain: October 31 or November 1
Samhain pronunciation: SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SOW-een
Themes: death, rebirth, divination, honoring ancestors, introspection, benign mischief, revelry
Also known as: Samhuin, Oidhche Shamhna, Halloween, Third Harvest, Day of the Dead, Feast of the Dead (Félie Na Marbh), Shadowfest, Ancestor Night, Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess), Winter Nights, Old Hallowmas, Calan Gaeaf
The third and final harvest festival on the Wheel of the Year is Samhain, observed on October 31. This Sabbat marks the end of the growing season and the beginning of Winter, which must be prepared for now in earnest. Herbs are dried for winter storage, fruits and vegetables are canned and preserved, and root vegetables are dug up and stored so they may nourish us through the cold months. The word “Samhain” comes from the old Irish and is thought by many to translate as “Summer’s end.”
While the cycles of life and death are implicitly recognized at every Sabbat, Samhain is when the necessary role of death is formally honored. The nights grow noticeably longer with each day. The God retreats now into the shadows of the dark season, symbolically dying back to the Earth before being reborn again at Yule. Many Wiccans and other Pagans consider this to be the most important day on the Wheel, a time when the veil between the spirit world and the mundane world is at its thinnest. Our ancestors and loved ones on the Other Side are said to be more easily able to visit with us and make their presence known at this time.
Samhain is arguably the most visible Sabbat in the mainstream world, thanks to the parallel holiday of Halloween. Many of the Halloween traditions celebrated in contemporary cultures today have grown out of customs dating back to pagan times. As far back as ancient Greece, people were leaving offerings of food to their ancestors, which is echoed in the modern tradition of trick-or-treating. The practice of leaving root vegetables, hollowed out with lighted candles inside, to guide spirits visiting on Earth ultimately led to today’s jack-o-lanterns. Witches, of course, have always been part of mainstream Halloween lore. And although they have almost always been presented as “evil” caricatures with no resemblance to the real thing, there’s still a lingering association between the spirit of Halloween and the real power of a Witch.
Samhain rituals will honor the God’s passing and give thanks to both God and Goddess for the abundance and well-being experienced over the past year. Feasts featuring the foods of the final harvest are a wonderful way to celebrate. We also honor our ancestors and invite them to visit with us. You might decorate your altar with pictures of your deceased loved ones in addition to fall foliage, apples and nuts, dried herbs and even jack-o-lanterns. Many people will leave a plate of food and drink out for any spirits who happen to wander by. Often called the Feast of Hecate, this is one of the most popular Samhain traditions, and it stems from the worship of this goddess of the underworld in ancient Greece.
Samhain is one of the most powerful nights of the year for spellwork and divination. Magical workings related to just about anything will receive an extra boost, but waning-moon work will have the most potent effect. Banishings, protection spells, clearing of obstacles and astral projection are particularly favored. Scrying, tarot reading, rune casting and any other form of divination you practice will bring you very clear results, as well as possibly a visit from an ancestor or spirit guide. Be open to doing inner work as well—reflecting on what you’d like to let go of and what you’d like to improve in yourself over the coming year.
For the ancient Celts, Samhain was the end of the old year and the start of the new. Rather than having four distinct seasons marked by the quarter points of the solar year, the Celtic year was divided into a dark half and a light half. The year began with the first day of the dark half, which is November 1st, but because the Celtic day began at night, Samhain falls on October 31st. Many, if not most Wiccans begin their Wheel of the Year on this day as well.
For the ancient Celts, Samhain was the end of the old year and the start of the new. Rather than having four distinct seasons marked by the quarter points of the solar year, the Celtic year was divided into a dark half and a light half. The year began with the first day of the dark half, which is November 1st, but because the Celtic day began at night, Samhain falls on October 31st. Many, if not most Wiccans begin their Wheel of the Year on this day as well.
It is a time of balance, as the day and night are equal in length, and a time to reflect on the balance in our own lives. Many pagans celebrate Mabon by participating in rituals that focus on giving back, such as donating food to those in need. Lughnasadh is another fall holiday that is celebrated by pagans and Wiccans. It occurs on August 1st and is a time to celebrate the first harvest of the year. Lughnasadh is named after the Celtic god Lugh, who was associated with skills and craftsmanship. During this holiday, pagans often participate in activities that showcase their own skills and talents, such as music, art, or cooking. It is also a time to acknowledge the hard work and effort put into the harvest and to recognize the abundance that comes from it. These pagan fall holidays serve as a reminder of our connection to the natural world and the cycles of life. They provide an opportunity for pagans and Wiccans to come together in community and celebrate their shared beliefs. Whether it is through rituals, feasts, or other traditions, these holidays are a time to honor the changing seasons and express gratitude for the abundance in our lives..
Reviews for "Samhain Celebrations Around the World: Discovering Different Traditions"
1. Emily - 2/5: I was really excited to learn more about Samhain and other pagan fall holidays, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me. The information provided felt very basic and surface-level, lacking the depth and detail that I was hoping for. Additionally, the writing style was quite dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged. I think this book would be more suitable for someone who is completely new to the topic and just wants a quick overview, but for those looking for a deeper exploration, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
2. Michael - 3/5: As someone who has been practicing paganism for several years, I was disappointed by the lack of new insights and information in "Samhain and other pagan fall holidays". The author seemed to focus mainly on explaining the basics and repeating commonly known facts, which didn't add much value to my existing knowledge. Although the book did touch on different pagan fall holidays, it failed to provide any unique perspectives or meaningful analysis. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the beauty and significance of these celebrations.
3. Sarah - 2/5: I was hoping for a more inclusive and diverse perspective in "Samhain and other pagan fall holidays", but unfortunately, the book predominantly focused on a specific branch of paganism and failed to acknowledge other traditions and beliefs. While I understand that the author may have had a specific target audience in mind, I believe it's important to provide a more comprehensive view of these holidays for a wider range of readers. Additionally, the lack of citations and references made it difficult to verify the accuracy and credibility of the information presented. Overall, I found this book to be limited in its scope and exclusionary in its perspective.