Pathwalkers herb gardens - Gypsey Website

Weekly PathWalkers.Net e-Newsletter #104 :: PathWalkers.Net Interactive :: Helping you along your path
they shall honour us in the nights ahead when we eventually cross the river to take up our place beside
those who have gone before into the greatest Mystery of all.
Our modern celebration of Halloween is a descendent of the ancient Celtic festival called "Samhain;"
meaning Summer's End. According to the ancient Celtic two-fold division of the year summer ran from
Beltane to Samhain and winter ran from Samhain to Beltane. Samhain is pronounced (depending on
where you're from) as sow-in (in Ireland), sow-een (in Wales), sav-en (in Scotland), or (inevitably)
sam-hane (in the U. S., where most wouldn't know and don't speak Gaelic).
The Festival is also known as Halloween, Hallowmas, All Hallow's Eve, All Saint's Eve, Festival of the
Dead, and the Third Festival of Harvest. To Witches, Samhain is one of the four High Holidays, or
Greater Sabbats.
Because it is the most important holiday of the year, it is sometimes called 'THE' Great Sabbat. Pagans
consider Samhain the most magical night of the year. It occurs exactly opposite of Beltane on the
Wheel of the Year. It is a night of glowing jack-o-lanterns, tricks or treats, and dressing in costume. A
night for telling chilling ghost stories by the fire.
And a time for seances, tarot card readings and scrying with mirrors. It is upon this night, that the veil
which seperates our world from the Otherworld is at its thinnest, making it a Night of Power.
Samhain signifies the end of autumn; more importantly, the end of the old year and the beginning of the
new. This was the Celtic New Year's Eve, when the new year begins with the onset of the dark phase of
the year, just as the new day begins at sundown. Samhain is known as "The Feast of the Dead," for it
was believed that at this time the dead could return to the land of the living to celebrate with their
family, tribe, or clan. The great burial cairns of Ireland (sidhe mounds) were opened up with lighted
torches lining the walls, so the dead could find their way. Extra places were set at the table and food set
out for any who had died that year. It is still customary to set an extra place at your supper table on
Samhain Eve in honor of the departed.
Many divination practices were associated with Samhain. Among the most common were divinations
dealing with marriage, weather, and the coming fortunes for the year. Ducking for apples was a
common marriage divination. The first person to bite an apple would be the first to marry in the coming
year. In Scotland, people would place stones in the ashes of the hearth before retiring for the night.
Anyone whose stone had been disturbed during the night was said to be destined to die during the
coming year.
Perhaps the most famous icon of the holiday is the jack -O-lantern.
Various authorities attribute it to either Scottish or Irish origin. However, it seems clear that it was used
as a lantern by people who traveled the road this night, the scary face to frighten away spirits or faeries
who might otherwise lead one astray. Set on porches and in windows, they cast the same spell of
protection over the household.
The custom of dressing in costume and 'trick-or-treating' is of Celtic origin. There are some interesting
differences from the modern version. In ancient days, the custom was not relegated to children, but was
actively indulged in by adults as well. The 'treat' which was required was usually of spirits (the liquid
variety). Also in ancient times, the roving bands would sing seasonal carols from house to house,
making the tradition very similar to Yuletide wassailing. In fact, the custom known as 'caroling', now
connected exclusively with Yule, was once practiced at all the major holidays.
As Witches,we observe this day as a religious festival. We consider it a memorial day for dead friends
and family. It is still a night to practice various forms of divinitory arts such as scrying and rune casting.
One could never hope for a better Tarot reading than on this night! Samhain is considered a time to
wrap up old projects, take a good look at one's stock in life, and consider new projects and endeavors
for the coming year.
Witches often have two celebrations at this time. One for their "non-Craft" friends, which may include
children and their friends. The other, celebrated afterwards or much later (the closer to midnight or after
is better), would be the traditional Sabbat circle as appropriate for your tradition.
Hallowe'en, Samhuin, and Feis na Samhain, takes place on October 31 and November 1. The harvest is
in, the days are noticeably shorter, and gardens and fields have been dug up or burnt. In Winnipeg this
is really the beginning of winter as the first snowfall usually occurs around this time (unless there is El
Niño to contend with).
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