Samhain

Pronounced Sah-wen, Sow-in, Sow-Even, shaven, sowin (ow like in glow), not Sam-hane and so on. It's Irish Gaelic for Summer's End as it is the official end of summer and beginning of Autumn in the Celtic calendar. The calendar in what we know today as Britain, Ireland and France, in Pre-Christian times and somewhat afterwards, was determined by the growing seasons, Samhain being one of four seasonal festivals (Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasadh). Samhain marked the end of summer and the beginning of harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. It marked a day of the in-between. Samhain was the day between bountiful harvests and the scarcity of winter, between long warm days and short cold days, it was the symbol of the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead. The boundary that became more fluid and elastic on this day. Giving out entirely around midnight, where the in-between nature is the strongest, as it is not yesterday nor today.

Traditional beliefs were that on this night, ghosts of the dead would revisit the mortal world seeking hospitality. These visits were expected and feasts were had, these souls of kin beckoned for and invited to attend, with specific places set for them at the table.

The unwelcome, but necessary company who crossed the veil were the Aos Si or the 'spirits' or 'fairies/fey'. These folks needed to be placated in order for the people and livestock to survive the winter, but were also thought to be in search of souls to curse and do harm to. Mumming and guising were part of the festival in response. People went door-to-door in costume or in disguise imitating the Aos Si or hiding their identity from them.

Many different customs and activities accompanied the festival, including carving. However, pumpkins and other squashed were a New World item, so they carved turnips into rather scary personages if I do say so myself.

Carved neep from the Irish National Folk Museum in County Mayo.

Our Halloween traditions posts will continue....