I heard the dogs howl in the moonlight;
I went to the window to see the night;
All the Dead that ever I knew
Going one by one and two by two….
                                                                 - William Allingham, Bard of Donegal

Celtic: Samhain
Scotland: Samhain (summer’s end)
Ireland and Scotland: Halloween is also known as, Oiche Shamhna
Modern Ireland: Lá Samhna
Wales: Nos Galen-Gaeaf (Night of the Winder Calends)
Non-Pagan Community: Halloween or Hallowe’en

Samhain or Samhain (pronounced as “sow” -- as in female pig -- “-en”) is one of the four major holy days celebrated by the Palopagan Druids throughout the Celtic tradition. These four holy days are often referred to as “fire festivals”. The others are: Oimelc, Beltane and Lughnasadh. The other four holy days, also called “High Days/Festivals” are: Winter Solstice (also known as Midwinter), Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice (also known as Midsummer) and Fall Equinox.

We usually think of Samhain being a Celtic festival. However, other cultures also celebrate their ancestors on this night. For example, in Meso-American cultures it is known as Dia de los Metros (Day of the Dead). Anyone who has seen some of the old horror films of the 50s and 60s have seen the Voodoo Priests/Priestesses of New Orleans celebrating rituals in the old cemeteries of that city.

Samhain is equal in importance to Beltane and shares several characteristics. The Celtic People (as does many indigenous cultures) start each day at sunset the night before, as it was understood that in “dark silence comes whisperings of new beginnings, the stirring of the seed below the ground”. Therefore Samhain became the “evening” of “All Saints’ Day” or All Hallows Eve (“Hollantide“). It was the original festival which the Western Christian calendar moved “All Saints’ Day”. Eastern Christians continue to celebrate All Saint’s Day in the spring, as the Church of Rome originally intended).

Samhain was, in actuality, the beginning of the New Year for the Celts. Rituals associated with Samhain are called: Ancestor Night, Feast of the Dead. The reason that so many rituals are associated with ancestors who have crossed-over, is that many believe that the veil between the worlds is thinnest on this night. Some rituals are centered around the settling of problems, throwing out old ideas and influences. I know of some Christian families who instinctively create altars of their ancestors at this time of year, complete with candles and decorated with foliage and fruits of the season. Of course, most of them wouldn’t admit that they created an altar, they simply think of it as decorating for the season. But still, in the recesses of their genetic memories they know it is a time of honoring those who came before.

Samhain was also the first day of winter for the Celtic People. Cattle and sheep herders brought their herds down from their summer hillside pastures to the shelter of stables. The stored the hay that the fed their herds was stored in sturdy thatched ricks and were tied securely so that they would not blow away in the winter storms. They would also slaughter animals for their winter tables at this time after ritually thanking the Gods/Goddesses for their abundance. They also harvested barley, oats, wheat, turnips and apples at this time.

This was a happy time for families as they would gather together in preparation for the long winter that lie ahead. It was a time that elders would keep their traditions alive by telling tales of their folklore to the children. Thus, their culture would remain alive for generations to come.

How many times as a child, did you and your friends share “ghost stories”, not only at Samhain/Halloween, but on camping trips, at parties, or just for fun? I have fond memories of those times that I share with my childhood friends. I recall birthday parties when we were 8-9 years old, sitting in a circle on a lawn and hanging on every word that someone was telling and then screaming with glee at the end. Today, we are fascinated

with television shows about “real ghosts” and still sit on the edges of our seats waiting, wanting desperately to catch a glimpse of a shadowy figure.

Ghost stories are not new, in fact one of the earliest ghost stories comes from the Epic of Gilgamesh. Homer, Vergil, Ovid and Pliny also told ghost stories and let’s not forget Shakespeare.

An example of these ancient stories is the Ghost of Sychaeus:

(AENEID)

In closing, I would like to leave you with the following poem that I found while researching this article. It was written by Gerina Dunwich.

Season of the Crone

Crone of Samhain’s spellbound cold,
In Her cauldron of black are told
Secrets ancient, truths and tales:
Mystery Her light unveils.

She is wisdom, She is changes:
Time and space She rearranges.
In Her hands, the card of Death,
For transformation is Her breath.

Crone of Samhain, Grandmother wise,
Look into Her gargoyle eyes.
Let Her lessons teach you well:
Life is but a magick spell.