The History of Samhain
In the modern day, Halloween is celebrated by those from many cultures and religious backgrounds. Halloween’s pagan origins, Samhain, has been practiced for thousands of years. Ancient Celts and those who celebrate today believe the veil between the living and the dead opened from October 31 to November 1.
Ancient Celts believed Samhain (pronounced SHA-win) was the most important of the four quarterly fire festivals. According to History.com, hearths in homes were left burning while families gathered their harvests for the year. After finishing their harvests, people would extinguish their fire. Afterwards, communities would come together for celebrations led by Druid priests to light a community wheel which would remain lit for the entirety of the festival. Each family would take a flame from the community wheel and relight the hearth within their home.
From ancient texts and calendars which have been recovered, taking part in the festivals appeared mandatory. If a person did not participate in the festivals, ancient Celts believed the person would be punished by the Gods through either illness or death. Taking part in celebrations would include sacrificing animals and placing their bones in community fires.
In attempts to ward off harmful spirits, people wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves. Some of these harmful spirits included fairies, called Sidhs, and Lady Gwyn, a headless woman who dressed in white and chased the living at night with her black pig.
Feasts were prepared for the living alongside food as offerings for ancestors who had died. Some documents mention feasts which lasted up to six days of drinking alcohol to excess with massive feasts. While their ancestors could not physically eat the food, ancient Celts often shared food with those who were less fortunate. During the Middle Ages, the “dumb supper” began. A dumb supper would include inviting ancestors into homes of their living relatives. Children often played games to entertain the dead.
As the Middle Ages progressed, Samhain became more of a family-focused event. Fires became closer to homes instead of as a larger community event. It was during the Middle Ages when Catholic monks began writing down the traditions of Samhain, instead of passing it through oral tradition as it had for thousands of years.
Christian monks also attempted to change the celebrations, attempting to reframe it as a Christian celebration. This reframing included Pope Boniface IV declaring a celebration known as All Saint’s Day which was to take place on October 31. It was called All-hallows or All-hallowmas and eventually became known as Halloween. In the mid-eighth century, Pope Gregory III moved it to November 1 to coincide with the traditional Samhain holiday, according to Time Magazine. Christian celebrations included much of the same feasts, along with veneration of Christian martyrs and saints.
As Irish immigrants left Ireland in droves during the 19th century during the Great Irish Famine, they brought their traditions of Halloween to America. The pagan-turned-Christian traditions such as dressing up, playing pranks, and handing out offerings have become a part of Halloween celebrations around the world. Today, many people celebrate Halloween as a secular holiday, with those from all walks of life taking part.
Despite Christianity’s influence on Samhain, modern pagans still celebrate in the ancient tradition. During the 1980s, a revival of Samhain through Wicca began growing in popularity. Those who practice through Wiccan traditions attempt to blend traditional fire festivities with modern Halloween practices. American pagans in particular often hold dance celebrations called Witches’ Balls in proximity to Samhain. Others attempt to reconstruct Samhain as closely as they can to ancient traditions.
Most pagans living within the Northern Hemisphere celebrate Samhain from October 31 to November 1. Some will celebrate on November 6 to coincide more closely with the mid-point between the Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice. For those who live in the Southern Hemisphere, most will celebrate in late April and early May.
There are many ways to celebrate Samhain. Here are a few ideas if you would like to take part in the festivities this year! To check out more ideas on how to celebrate Samhain, read Circle Sanctuary’s entire list of celebration ideas.
Making an ancestral altar is perhaps one of the most popular ways to celebrate Samhain. You can do this by gathering photographs, heirlooms, and personal belongings of family members or friends who have passed away alongside votive candles. Next, light the candles in their memories and call out to them to express well wishes and thanks.
Just like in ancient times, preparing a Samhain dinner is a way to remember your ancestors who have passed. During dinner or another meal time, set a plate (or multiple) out in remembrance for the dead. As each portion of the meal is served, place a small bit onto the plate. Once dinner is over, leave the dish outside as an offering for your deceased family members.
Another popular celebration during Samhain is the use of divinity. Consulting tarot cards, using runes, or any other method of divination can help you seek the guidance of your ancestors for the next year to come.
