Samhain - History
as part of the Wheel of the Year. It is considered by many Pagans to be the most
important of the four 'greater Sabbats'. It is generally observed on October 31st in
the Northern Hemisphere, starting at sundown. Samhain is seen as a festival of
darkness, which is balanced at the opposite point of the wheel by the spring festival
of Beltaine, which Pagans celebrate as one of the four fire festivals of light and
fertility. According to Celtic lore, Samhain is a time when the boundaries between
the world of the living and the world of the dead become thinner, at times even
fading away completely, allowing spirits and other supernatural entities to pass
between the worlds to socialize with humans. Samhain is considered as a time to
celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, and it often involves paying
respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other
loved ones who have passed. Often a meal will be prepared of favorite foods of the
family's and community's beloved dead, a place set for them at the table, and
traditional songs, poetry and dances performed to entertain them. A door or
window may be opened to the west and the beloved dead specifically invited to
attend. Divination and Intuition for the coming year is often done, whether in all
solemnity or as games for the children. Consider the new year for the Pagan way,
one would be inspired to reflect and introspect. The more mystically inclined may
also see this as a time for deeply communing with the deities, especially those
whom the lore mentions as being particularly connected with this fire festival.
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