Samhain Festival
pronounced, Sow-in.

 

 

 

 

 

October 31 is Samhain, the Celtic New Year.

In ancient times all the fires in Ireland were extinguished
and then re-lit from the one great fire kindled upon the
hill of Tlachtga. It was a night of feasting and celebration.

The Celts believed the doors were opened between
the worlds and the paths were traveled by the spirits
going back and forth on this night.
It was not a time to go out unless in disguise to confuse
the spirits. Some might be evil.

All Hallow's Eve

During the Dark Ages, Irish monks roamed throughout Europe,
as the one great source of knowledge and wisdom.
They carried the tradition and celebration to Europe.
In the year 998, October 31 was adopted as a Christian festival
known as All Saint's Day, or All Soul's Day. It came
to be commonly known as, All Hallow's Eve.

The people of Ireland carve faces into turnips
and set them on their doorsteps to ward off the wondering spirits,
or they set candles in the windows
to light the way and keep them on their journey.

The Irish in America began to carve
the bright, orange pumpkins they found here.
The tradition spread across America. Now every year,
on Halloween Night, Jack-O-lanterns light the way
of children wondering the streets much as in olden times.

 

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