Samhain

Day 1,807, 08:26 • Published in Ireland Ireland • by castaneda

I should probably begin by saying Happy New Year , My Favourite night of the year.

Confused ??

Also good luck with the missions a rundown can be found here>> Halloween missions

I have to apologise at this point for lifting some sections straight from wiki and other sources as i had my article wiped first time around and im too lazy to start from scratch again 🙁 These sections will be marked with a splat *

Halloween has its origins in Samhain, an ancient Celtic Feis (festival) . We celts have four major festivals in each year . Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain.

Samhain is celebrated on the eve of the actual day as it begins at sunset .
Samhain was special as it represented the end of the summer and harvest and the beginning of winter and hence a new year . At this time of year it is said the barriers between the the spirit world (world of our dead ancestors) and the living are at their weakest and allow the spirits through and enable communication .



*The family's ancestors were honoured and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. People wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves as harmful spirits and thus avoid harm. Bonfires and food played a large part in the festivities. The bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into a communal fire, household fires were extinguished and started again from the bonfire. Food was prepared for the living and the dead, food for the ancestors who were in no position it eat it, was ritually shared with the less well off.

In ancient (2000+ years ago) Ireland Samhain was celebrated with a festival of fires at Tlachtga and to a slightly lesser extent at Tara (my fav spot) , To this day there are still celebrations so if you are looking for something different to do tonight pay a visit to either hill , Tonight or on Nov 10th or any time inbetween if you feel like topping up your spiritual batteries . You can visit any "sidhe/mound" or "portal" "henge" etc as these are all said to be Doors to the dead or indeed the "daoine sídhe" or fairyfolk who's doors are always open at samhain.


Tlachtga






Tara




Side note
*The Hindu Diwali (Divali, Deepavali) Festival known as the Festival of Lights occurs about the same time as Samhain. Diwali marks the Hindu New Year just as Samhain marks the Celtic New Year, could it be that Diwali and Samhain have a common root in antiquity?





*Mythology suggests that drinking alcohol was part of the feast, and it is noteworthy that every tale that features drunkenness is said to take place at Samhain. like i need an excuse 😛

And the best part you can do it twice , Some of us Celts use Halloween as a reason to join in the worlds festivities as Samhain does not always fall on Nov 1st , This year it is Nov 10th.

So honour your dead , Seek guidance ,Let your loved ones know you love them ,sometimes they need to be reminded .

Eat well, Drink more and enjoy your night , i know i will ,and may your new year be better than your last year.

Cas.